Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Stranger Upstairs! I loved this book. It was so catchy, right from the beginning. I kept trying to guess what would happen, and the twists kept coming. I would definitely recommend this to any thriller lover!

When a house known for murder and making its inhabitants crazy is available to buy at a steal, influencer and therapist Sarah Slade is ready to take on the challenge of renovating it and making it her own. Is she paranoid about the exclusive neighborhood she lives in, or is the house haunted and getting to her, too?

Overall, this was a very quick read that kept me wanting to find out not only about the house and the strange neighbors, but also about Sarah's secret past that she doesn't want anyone to find out about. It is a great read for fall leading into spooky season and leaves you thinking about all of the noises and trustworthiness of those around you!

The Stranger Upstairs is a psychological suspense that makes you wonder what is really going on. Sarah Slade and her husband, Joe, move into a new home called "the murder house" on Black Wood St. The neighbors don't want them there and, it seems, neither does the house. As the couple start a new life trying to adjust to their new home and attempting to renovate it, things become more and more difficult. Sarah's "new life" is failing. As the story unravels you find out that the house, Sarah and Joe all have secrets of their own, all of which contributes to their struggles. Overall, the story is okay but there are parts where it is easy to get confused. It seems like there are multiple directions that were possibilities but none is completely developed. Most of the characters are unlikeable so it makes it hard to cheer for the "home team". Overall a decent story that had the potential to be a lot more.

From the publisher:
Most people wouldn’t buy an infamous murder house to renovate for fun . . . but Sarah Slade is not most people.

A therapist and self-help writer with all the answers, Sarah Slade has just bought a gorgeous Victorian in the community of her dreams. Turns out, you can get a killer deal on a house where someone was murdered. Plus, renovating Black Wood House makes for great blog content and a decent distraction from her failing marriage. Good thing nobody knows that her past is just as filthy as the bloodstain on her bedroom floor.

But the renovations are fast becoming a nightmare. Sarah imagined custom avocado wallpaper, massive profits, and an appreciative husband who wants to share her bed again. Instead, the neighbors hate her guts and her husband still sleeps on the couch. And though the builders attempt to cover up Black Wood’s horrifying past, a series of bizarre accidents, threatening notes, and unexplained footsteps in the attic only confirms for Sarah what the rest of the town already knew: Something is very wrong in that house.

With every passing moment, Sarah’s life spirals further out of control—and with it, her sense of reality. But as she peels back the curling wallpaper and discovers the house’s secrets, she realizes that the deadly legacy of Black Wood House has only just begun.

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin was released September 12th, 2023 from Bantam Books.

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. It's interesting - comes across as a gothic thriller. The plot moves along at a good clip. I haven't read a character quite like Sarah Slade before. And there are many twists that help to move the plot forward.

Sarah Slade has a shadowy past. What she has done to cause her to flee her home before this one isn't revealed all at once. It feels like she's being set up for an identity twist. As the book goes on, it becomes clear there is more to Sarah than meets the eye.

Speaking of twists, this book has many. I think I anticipated two of the twists. The rest of them surprised me right up to the final twist. This is a good thing.

It's sort of a gothic story. There are hints that the house or something in it may be a character. And there are hints that the town may be conspiring against Sarah. There is sort of a descent into madness that makes you question not only her sanity at the moment, but at every previous moment before that. There are layers to the story which just make it so much more enjoyable.

If you enjoy gothic thrillers, then this would be a good book for you. There are many surprising twists right up until the end. And it's a bit of a page turner. I give 5 out of 5 stars to this debut novel.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

This was a very frightening read. Sarah and Joe buy a haunted house that no one will touch: contractors, plumbers, neighbors. As soon as they walk in, they hear the walls telling them to leave. But what if Sarah and Joe aren't who they say they are? This one is hard to read at night, as it is creepy and suspenseful!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this novel!

I think was good for a debut! It wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, though. I wanted more of that good stuff that happens towards the end. For me, the problem was that there seemed to be too much going on with the MC. And not enough going on with the house itself, or the social media. There's a backstory that i think would have made a great book on its own. The writing itself was good, and I'll be picking up the author's next book for sure.

In “The Stranger Upstairs”, Lisa Matlin’s combines horror, thriller and mystery that results in an absolute trip!

The plot takes place at a haunted house aka murder house. Family members have been killed there before Sarah Slade, a successful social media influence as well as thriving therapist moves in with her quiet husband. Sarah is the star of social media. Why wouldn’t her new neighbours be obsessed with her, right? Well, there is more to find out behind Sarah’s perfectly maintained façade.

Well done to Lisa Matlin on her debut!
It’s a perfect transition into the season 👻.
Don’t miss it out!

A grim story that deserves all 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Quick Synopsis:
The Stranger Upstairs gives off immediate horror-read vibes. The quick synopsis is Sarah Slade, a therapist, and Instagram influencer, buys a murder house to renovate and use as the substance for her upcoming book. Sarah’s life holds many secrets, including her past and crumbling marriage. As she begins to redesign the home, the home seems to fight back. The storyline details her decaying life’s plans inside her newly bought decaying home.

Characters:
The Stranger Upstairs’ MC, Sarah Slade, essentially introduces herself as a shopaholic and alcoholic. She also admits to recently purchasing the murder house, seemingly to get more engagement on her social media platform. Sufficed to say, the beginning of the story screamed unreliable narrator, and I was hooked.

Storyline/Pacing:
As the story continued, I struggled with how much I detested Sarah Slade’s narration. She oozed sociopathic tendencies, and for some reason, that slowed the pacing for me a bit. That said, the momentum speeds up about 40% into the story when Matlin begins interrupting each chapter with news stories foreshadowing upcoming events.

Author:
This was a well-written debut novel. I appreciated Lisa M Matlin’s candidness in her afterword, and I will look for more reads from her.

Overall:
In general, this was a good mystery/thriller read, perfect for the approaching Halloween season. I’d suggest this one to people who like creepy paranormal or atmospheric thrillers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars

Disclosure:
Thank you to Netgalley and Kathleen Quinlan at Random House Publishing Group for the digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

This was okay. I thought there would be more of a satisfying ending with characters getting what was coming to them but no such luck. Characters are unlikeable and the twist was underwhelming. I didn’t hate this book but it will not stick with me.

A solid 4⭐️ read! I’m a sucker for a book with a creepy house setting. This house was the home of a murder/suicide 40 years ago. It has been abandoned ever since. When Sarah purchases the house to renovate it with her husband nothing goes according to plan. While I think the unreliable female/mental illness trope is WAY overdone I still found this one super entertaining. And like a good thriller does, as soon as I thought I had this one figured out another big twist would come along.
I definitely recommend this one!

A suspenseful thriller that kept me going. Sarah is a liar and a sociopath. Even so, I found myself rooting for her as she tried to solve the mysteries surrounding her. The townspeople resent her purchase of the “murder house.” Are they complicit in sending her the threatening messages she finds? Are there ghosts in the house causing her to see and hear things that are frightening? And why is she becoming more and more mentally unstable? The answers to these questions are revealed in what I thought was a clever and believable ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is a fast-paced horror / mystery that is perfect for readers that love a haunted, creepy house setting. An influencer with a bestselling self-help book buys a house that has sat vacant for 40 years. It's located in a small town, and it also happens to be where a brutal murder took place - a man killed his wife with a hammer and then committed suicide. Sarah and her husband Joe are hoping to make a nice profit off the house once they fix it up, but the restoration is more than they bargained for. Plus Sarah and Joe's relationship is on the rocks. And then Sarah starts to spin out of control. Is the house haunted? Or is Sarah just crazy?

I loved the creepy setting for this book. It's a great debut novel for this author. I enjoyed the twists, and Sarah is definitely a character to remember.

It was an interesting premise but the second part felt like several unrealized plot points thrown together.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine, and Lisa M. Matlin for an ARC of this book!**

"Want a great deal on a house?

BUY ONE WHERE SOMEONE WAS MURDERED!"

(and if those two opening lines don't catch your attention, you probably haven't been personally victimized by the soul-crushing housing market as of late. Or you just MIGHT be asleep!)

Sarah Slade is looking for the Next Big Hit on her lifestyle blog, the one article that will draw in her legions of loyal followers like never before. When she learns of Black Wood House, the place where a terrifying murder-suicide happened years ago and sees the Bargain Basement price, she swoops up the property, hoping to renovate the insides and document the process. After all, Sarah has a lot on her mind: it's been a while since her last hit book, and her once passionate marriage to husband Joe has fizzled into something she hardly recognizes, and her career as a therapist has her hitting the sauce a little TOO often. (On top of taking her medication, of course).

And the town of Beacon isn't exactly thrilled about this new development either. Its inhabitants feel that her mere presence on the property is disrespectful to its original owners and the tragedy that took place...and if Sarah isn't mistaken, the house isn't too thrilled to have her either. As if having graves in the yard, a giant blood stain on the carpet, and creepy bird wallpaper on the walls isn't enough, Sarah starts to hear noises. Bumps in the night. And she even swears she can hear the last words of the previous murder victims echoing in her ears: "Don't kill me. Don't kill me. Don't kill me."

As the strange and unsettling occurrences multiply, Sarah begins to lose time and memory, coming to her therapist coworker Emma for help and struggling to keep a grasp on reality at any cost. But Sarah has more than just the house to contend with...secrets from her past are coming back to haunt her too. A certain person she lost many years ago has a bone to pick too...and hasn't ever left Sarah completely. As the noises inside reach a deadly crescendo, and two BODIES are found nearby, did the house find its newest victim in Sarah? Or did it simply unleash a hidden evil lying dormant within someone's mind?

I'm always a sucker for a good murder house tale. There's a reason my favorite season of American Horror Story was its very first season, the aptly named "Murder House". A creepy house personified can be one of the most terrifying characters you'll ever read, and in many ways, Black Wood House helped to create that atmosphere immediately and ticked all of the boxes. Though I certainly questioned Sarah's motives (website and Instagram or not) for LIVING in this house before anyone would consider it habitable, I went with it.

This narrative flows quickly and easily, and makes you feel as though you've always known her: there are bits of snarky commentary about social media, her clients, and observations about the world at large. In some ways, Sarah reminded me of a watered-down Joe Goldberg...if he decided to then become an author/social media darling/therapist. (And let's face it, he would probably not participate in at LEAST two of those professions on principle alone!)

The plot speeds along, with the house terrifying Sarah and the author keeping things pretty close to the vest UNTIL we are tossed a news article, seemingly out of nowhere, revealing that two bodies had been found near the property, unidentified. I'm okay with this as a device and it was certainly shocking, but for some reason it felt a bit jarring as a reader...and I think the author could have held this information back a BIT longer. It almost felt like "Well, we've hit x point in the narrative...time to drop a bomb" rather than a natural, shocking progression. I'm all for a curve ball and love a good twist, but it felt more like a micro info dump than a natural sequence of events.

Once the next set of reveals happens though, this book TRULY turns from a 'things that go bump in the night murder house thriller', into PURE psychological thriller territory. And there are certainly clues that the book will go this way; Sarah's aforementioned fondness for pills and booze and emotional instability shine from the first page. But as she becomes more and more unhinged...well, let's just say the book's title EASILY could have a double meaning (and perhaps Matlin even designed it this way!)

However, I have to admit, against my better judgment, this was a fairly unputdownable read, mainly because I COULD NOT stop thinking about it. Why against my better judgment, you ask? For one thing...there are some fairly large plot holes (AND a few red herrings thrown in, seemingly just to muddy the waters) and an ending that could be considered convenient at best. I'm certainly okay with suspending my disbelief to an extent, but the explanation provided seemed a bit lackluster after the dramatic events preceding it. The ending also went a bit OTT for the sole purpose of providing ANOTHER twist, and I don't think this last bit of flair was needed or believable. I'm not one for gratuitous twists, and the very last 'icing on the cake' moment was more like eating one more slice of cake when you're already full...and INSTANTLY regretting it.

Though this book didn't necessarily tread over any new territory, it was the sort of debut that catches you off guard JUST enough to crawl under your skin and keep humming in the back of your mind. And if there's anything I've learned since finishing this one, despite my better judgment and desire to stay snuggled under the covers....sometimes you just need to get out of the house and breathe in a BIT of fresh air.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4

What an incredible gothic debut novel full of twists and suspense. Best-selling author and social media influencer Sarah Slade and her husband buy a community’s infamous “murder house” with intent to flip & sell. Beacon’s residents have been haunted by the murders 40 years before and everyone has wanted the Black Wood House gone, so naturally, they’re not welcome to newcomers like Sarah and Joe.
It quickly becomes clear that something is wrong with the house as renovations begin, from her cat’s weird behavior to strange noises upstairs. The real question - is it someone with ill intent…or is the house alive? And as Sarah begins to unravel, so do her secrets.
For a debut, Lisa M. Matlin really knew how to draw the reader in and keep them turning the page…I almost read this all in one sitting. My only gripe is with some of the unanswered questions — like a very prominent character mentioned early on whose fate still remains a mystery. Perhaps we could see a sequel?
Thank you to Random House Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is out now.

Well, that wasn't what I was expecting. Sometimes I don't read the blurb to see what a book is about. I love to read, so once I finish one, I jump right into the next. This one kind of took me by surprise. Scary stuff isn't really my genre, and this one turned out to be a "gothic psychological debut." Yes, it did.
I liked the premise of the book. A solid murder mystery that Sarah Slade has stepped right into. She's trying to be a house-rehabbing social media influencer (isn't everyone?) who is trying to make a fresh start and a little money with her husband Joe. Oooooh, but there are secrets! These secrets surround the house and the characters. I wish we'd had more of a description of the house. I couldn't really get a good picture of it in my head. The layout, the outside, the grounds...all I know is there are a bunch of bedrooms and two bathrooms and scary woods near by.
The characters aren't very well fleshed out, so when some of the backstory comes to light, it's a little confusing and definitely surprising. The house itself is creepy. That was set up quite well even though I can't picture the actual place. It did remind me of the Addams Family movie where the house routinely growls "get out"!
The book ended well enough, but what about Janet? Jeff? Author's prerogative and all that, but ol' Jeff needed his comeuppance. Some things weren't terribly plausible, but it's a decent read. Thanks to NetGalley for suggesting this one.

Lifestyle blogger and self-help writer/therapist Sarah Slade has just bought the ultimate social media clickbait- an old murder house called the Black Wood Estate. Planning on remodeling and reselling the house, Slade plans to up her social media presence by documenting every part of the reno on her blog.

What hides behind the facade is a failing marriage and a killer secret- Sarah isn't who we think she is. When Sarah and her husband move into the property renovations start to crumble faster than the wallpaper in the master bedroom.

Sarah starts to feel as if the house is alive and doesn't want to be fixed. As her thoughts turn from normal to manic, we see Sarah unravel- or is it the house? Footsteps at all hours, notes for Sarah- what is happening?

The Black Wood House's deadly demise may be starting again...this time with Sarah as its victim.

Holy cannoli as a first time author this book is amazing. the beautiful cover is going to pull you into the dark and twisted murder house. Sarah has decided she going to take her secrets and start fresh by buying and renovating the murder house. Boy does she realize fast she may have bitten off more then she can chew. This book kept me glued to my seat….if you like thrillers and books that have you guessing at every turn this one is for you.

The Stranger Upstairs is a twisty, provocative mystery by Lisa Matlin. Sarah Slade and her husband Joe are starting over in an affluent part of Australia. The only way they're able to afford to live there is by purchasing the murder house-where a man killed his wife years ago in a bloody episode neighbors and the community have not forgotten. We soon find out Sarah is a therapist and has written a best-selling book and became an influencer, all helping to pay the bills. Joe is a bartender and their marriage-while portrayed as happy and loving-is fractured. There are alternating perspectives and flashbacks, which serve to knit the story together as it is clear Sarah and Joe are running from something. Strange things are happening in the house: noises, items moved, notes left for Sarah, warnings. Neighbors are mostly tight-lipped but hint that the former owner said the house was making him crazy. Sarah's grip on reality is rapidly loosening and time is running out as she and Joe area about to be exposed. I enjoyed Matlin's twists (some unexpected!) and the setting was perfect for the upcoming spooky season. This is a quick read and if you like mysteries and thrillers, you will want to add this to your list!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me access to an ARC of The Stranger Upstairs in exchange for my honest review.

What a way to debut as an author!! The Stranger Upstairs was such an incredible psychological thriller/suspense book that kept my attention from the first page to the very last!

You think Sarah Slade, social media influencer, is the main character but you’ll come to find the main character isn’t a person. The main character is the Black Wood House and it’s as creepy as it sounds. Sitting vacant for 40 years after a horrific murder suicide occurred, what would you expect.

I’m still wondering… What ever happened to Janet? I would’ve fled and never returned if something that horrific had happened to me or my family, so I can’t say I blame her.

I look forward to more from Lisa Matlin. I can only imagine how amazing the books from her in the future will be and I cannot wait to get my hands on them!