THERE IS NO IN N OUT BURGER IN CHICAGO MISS JEWELL
but I forgive you queen, bc this book was fantastic as always. I think I enjoyed it even more than The Family Upstairs. Jewell’s books usually focus more of character dynamics as opposed to trying to solve a mystery (usually she gives us the answers within the first half) but this one had many twists and turns and family drama…top tier Lisa Jewell

When I finished The Family Upstairs I needed the sequel immediately. This was exactly what I wanted from this book! Suspensful and exciting. Another gem from Lisa Newell.

(Please check CWs if you plan to read this.) The Family Remains is a sequel to The Family Upstairs and while it isn't fully necessary to have read the first book, it definitely helps to get a fuller picture of the trauma that the Lamb/Thomsen/Jones family have endured. This sequel takes a really interesting turn, picking up right where the previous book left off to give us more insight into the loose ends. The first book was really very dark and grim, and this one gives us that same experience. I liked that we got a chance to follow several different characters and I thought the way the stories were intertwined was cleverly done. I also think Lisa Jewell did a great job of knowing when to hold information back from the audience; this was done at one point in particular and I felt it made the payoff stronger. Overall, I enjoyed this book more than the first because I was already filled in on the content of the first and this book felt more tense and true to the thriller genre!

I do want to note that I saw another reviewer mention this and I have to agree, that the description of this book makes it out to be something different than what I experienced reading it. The blurb makes it seem like we are solely following Rachel's quest to finding her husband's murderer, when in actuality that is only 1/3 of the different stories we follow.

*Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a review!

Lisa Jewell' s sequel to The Family Upstairs is remarkable and an extraordinary continuation and completion of the saga. Of course, being the novelist she is, the twists and turns and new cases for the detectives kept me guessing until the amazing conclusion. Once again, it was mystery at its best.

A mudlarker finds human remains on the bank of the Thames and as the police try to identify the victim they are led into the twisted family history that has survived The Family Upstairs. The Family Remains was a page turner that visited old friends and left the reader wondering "what is Henry going to do next???".

Lisa is one of my favorite authors and I have read everything she has written. I’ve never been disappointed in any of her books though some are definitely more suspenseful than others. The Family Upstairs was one such one. It is a stand out and I still think about it. I was over the moon to find out there would be a standalone sequel. You will find some of the memorable characters you loved from the previous book. I will say that the blurb for this is a little misleading and even just going in blind will work for you.

I want to say I may love this one more than the other! The book is based on two mysteries which are where is Phin and who killed Birdie. You will lose yourself as you jump into the story with the characters and feel as if you are experiencing their fast beating hearts when things get scary. Hold onto your seat for all the twists and turns you will,be taken on. Even the characters you may not like you will find yourself rooting for.

Whether this is your first Lisa book or your 5th this is one that you don’t want to miss out on,.