"The Stranger Upstairs" is a debut novel by Lisa M. Matlin. I can't help but start by saying what a awesome cover! Nice and pretty colors..... This will obviously be a cozy mystery. One with a murder house and bloodstained floors.

Sarah Slade (kuddos for the great name) and her husband Joe buy a murder house because the price is right. Folks just don't line up to buy those things anymore. She plans to fix it up on her blog and maybe try and fix her marriage which isn't going so well.

Spoiler alert: This is not a cozy mystery. Things start going bump in the attic and she starts to get evil notes everywhere. This house does not want her there. Sarah starts to lose control of herself and reality as she starts losing her mind trying to stay in this house.

This was a well written book and I loved Sarah's decent into madness. As for her character, she is lovingly unlikable with a ton of snark and possibly a world record "F" bombs spoken and thought. Mainly towards her husband. And the ending? There is a great chance you will not see that one coming.

Highly recommended.

I really appreciate Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for giving me the opportunity to review this book for free and it's out now.

I loved this one! I went in completely blind - knowing nothing about the plot. I think that was to my benefit. I didn’t know where the story was going the majority of the time and kept telling my husband my theories as I was reading, all of which ended up being wrong.

The pacing was fast and the story kept me at the edge of my seat. There was one evening that I had to actually put the book down because I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep if I kept reading!

If you liked The Shining and/or The Amityville Horror, this book will be right up your alley.

I’d say go in blind and enjoy!

Buying a home where a woman was murdered may get a therapist and influencer her clicks….but at what cost?

Sarah Slade is a therapist, social media influencer and author of the bestselling self-help book,

“Clear, Calm and In Control”. She and her husband have just bought an old Victorian known as Black Wood House in the desirable town of Beacon which they plan to fix up and flip, documenting their progress on Instagram. They got the house at a bargain price, for about half of what houses in the town generally sell. There’s a reason why it could be had for that price, of course, and it is one that would make most people stay away. Forty years ago, when it was owned by the Campbell family, something gruesome happened there. One night, seemingly out of the blue, Bill Campbell bludgeoned his wife Susan to death in their bedroom, and chased after their teenage daughter Janet to do the same to her. Janet was able to escape to a neighbor’s house, while Bill stayed behind and killed himself. The house has been empty ever since; the neighborhood wants to tear it down but have been unable to do so, and they are not welcoming of Sarah and her plans. Surely a woman known for being positive and in control is the right person for this job. Unfortunately, Sarah doesn’t really live up to her social media image. Her marriage to the media-shy but handsome Joe, a bartender by trade, is in terrible shape. Joe isn’t really happy about this plan to boost their finances and Sarah’s brand, and he is sleeping on the couch. Sarah’s income flow isn’t good, and she and Joe have sunk most of their funds into Black Wood House which, by the way, is in much worse shape than they realized. Most contractors won’t even show up to do work there, and when they do they charge exorbitant sums. Sarah’s therapy practice isn’t doing well either; she’s not all that good at it, and may not even actually have the professional qualifications that she claims to have. In fact, the more you learn about Sarah, the more you realize that she is not who or what she claims to be. As Joe starts spending nights away from the house and the neighborhood proves to be openly hostile to Sarah’s presence, strange things begin happening….sounds in the attic, notes by a person or persons unknown popping up, and Sarah’s less-than-pleasant cat acting spooked. Is something wrong with the house, or with the people who live there? What secrets from Sarah’s past are fueling her current difficulties? And who, or what, is in the attic?
The Stranger Upstairs is not your typical haunted house Gothic mystery. The heroine, after all, is not particularly likeable and has a very sketchy past. She is no innocent blundering into a mysterious situation….she knew the history of Black Wood House and bought it because of its history, knowing it would create more of a buzz for her project. As her situation worsens, so does her apparent grasp on reality, and its not clear if she is being targeted and gaslighted or if she is having a mental health crisis. Something is clearly wrong, its just not entirely apparent what that is. Where is Joe disappearing to at night? Is one of her neighbors behind all of the incidents? And why did no one tell her that another young woman had bought the house before Sarah did….and disappeared? Once I started reading the novel, I was hooked. I wanted to find out what Sarah’s story was, why her marriage was in trouble, and yes, just what was wrong with Black Wood House. It’s a quick read, full of twists and turns, and not likely to end up as you think it might. If you like the novels of Lisa Unger or Karin Slaughter, with a tinge of Stephen King, then you should give this novel a try. Just don’t do it in a creaky old Victorian late at night! Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine/Bantam for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

Wow, what a wild ride! I am currently loving books that incorporate social media into the storyline and books about therapists (been a trend recently!) - so I was excited to see that The Stranger Upstairs checked both boxes.

This is a story in which nothing is as it seems. Sarah faces so many challenges in her pursuit to flip and profit - the neighbors, her husband, her own past and the house itself. This fast paced thriller, with the short enough chapters for "just one more", will leave you at the edge of your seat as you figure out WTH is going on in that house!

I love psychological thrillers and this one kept me guessing until the end. Sarah who is a social media influencer who purchases a murder house to renovate and also expects to get a big return on the house but the one issue is the house does not want her there. Sarah is also running from her past and tends to assume the identities of other people. Despite it being a thriller it also had some funny moments but in this story it also deals with mental health issues and just wanting to be seen.

*3.5 stars

This debut psychological thriller about a house with an evil history has the tang of many other similar haunted house stories. But Lisa Matlin throws in some nice twists and a modern day slant which make it all her own. I hope we will be seeing more from this talented writer in the future.

I received an arc from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Sarah Slade buys an infamous murder house to renovate for fun. Renovating Black Wood House should be great blog content and a distraction from her failing marriage. Everything goes wrong, including bizarre accidents, threatening notes, and unexplained footsteps in the attic. Sarah's life is out of control, and the house has a deadly legacy that's only just begun.

From the start, Sarah is a deeply unpleasant person. She faked her therapist credentials, enjoys the misery and suffering of others, and is incredibly selfish. The neighbors avoid her or seem outright hostile, and the noise in the attic and notes around the house heighten the creepy factor. Her husband is essentially a nonentity to her, and the secrets she keeps dribble out. There are also blog posts and news reports interspersed that add to the mystery of the house and Sarah's past, which she tries to guard even against herself. Once she starts opening up to a coworker, we begin to see more about her past and why the house means so much to her.

The explanation for the creeping mystery of the house is a mundane but scary one. It happens often, and Sarah became increasingly unhinged as a result of that influence. She says she has a rotten core like the house, but it's more that she had a poor sense of self and no place to belong. It doesn't help that the residents of Beacon were so insular and secretive, increasing her paranoia. The closing adds more drama and mystery to the house as well. As much as Sarah was an awful person, she was incredibly compelling, drawing me into the very end.

3.5⭐️

This was a decently entertaining spooky season read, but it lacked in enough substance or real frights to make it consistently engaging. New twists were revealed and my main thought was “but why?” As in, why should I care? And at least part of the time- and especially with that ending- I didn’t, really.

A fun enough way to pass the time, if you don’t mind some frustrations and a spooky story that won’t really haunt you.

Thank you Lisa M. Matlin, Ballantine, Bantam, Random House, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow this is one of the weirdest books I've read this year but in a gripping can't stop kind of way. Fantastic debut!!!!! Can't wait to see what this author brings us next.

This is a fantastic novel. Sarah is totally crazy and keeps readers on their toes. Sarah and her husband Joe are living a fabricated life. They buy a house in which a murder was committed and she gets caught up in the entire drama of the place. Readers will have to keep track of what is truth and and what is lies as Sarah spins tales to suit her narrative. This is truly a gem of a story if it doesn’t give you nightmares.

A page turning, spine-tingling, Amityville Horror meets American Horror Story: Murder House thriller. The Stranger Upstairs gave me literal goosebumps on my arms. It was everything I am looking for in a thriller. I couldn't read it fast enough. How, this book isn't marketed as a horror book, I don't know, but it is so good! Every time I thought I was going to be let down, or that I was going to guess the twist, Lisa M. Matlin said, no, no, no, trust the process. Everything lined up and played out perfectly, and her author's note at the end of the book really tied in so well with the storyline. What an amazing debut novel! If you take one recommendation from me this month, let it be The Stranger Upstairs. Go read it now!

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Lisa M. Matlin for the eARC.

The Stranger Upstairs is out now!

I really enjoyed this book! I had such a fun time with the Aussie setting. The beginning really made me think I was reading a version of the Amnityville Horror. I definitely liked how we saw Sarah’s gradual slide into the craziness. I was not prepared for that ending. I loved the snippets of newspaper articles that would never give so much away but left you wanting more! The writing style was unique as well! I really enjoyed this book!

"The Stranger Upstairs" is a riveting and spine-tingling thriller that grips you from the very first page. This book takes readers on a suspenseful journey into the world of secrets, deception, and the chilling unknown.

The protagonist, Sarah Slade, is a therapist and self-help writer with a seemingly perfect life—a beautiful Victorian home in an ideal community. However, the house she's purchased comes with a dark history, marked by a murder that stains its past. Sarah's decision to document her renovations on her blog adds an intriguing layer to the story.

As the tale unfolds, Sarah's life takes a nightmarish turn. Her marriage falls apart, her neighbors become hostile, and the house seems to harbor malevolent forces. The authors masterfully create an atmosphere of tension and dread, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Sarah's descent into paranoia and the unraveling of the house's secrets keep readers on the edge of their seats.

"The Stranger Upstairs" is a psychological thriller that delivers a relentless sense of unease. It's a rollercoaster of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the final, shocking revelation. The narrative is both captivating and disconcerting, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

This book is a haunting exploration of the human psyche and the hidden horrors that can lurk just beneath the surface. "The Stranger Upstairs" is a gripping and unforgettable tale that will leave you questioning the boundaries of reality and fiction.

For fans of Home Before Dark by Riley Sager but not nearly as spooky. This was a super quick read - I think I read it within 24 hours. Matlin includes mental health struggles and mixed in some marital issues in a way that isn’t overwhelming. I really wasn’t a fan of the characters… Sarah and Joe are just kind of blah. The only one I liked was Emily because she is just so sweet and caring.

Being under 300 pages, it was pretty easy to get sucked in and I liked how the author incorporated news articles and blog/diary entries from Sarah. I never felt the overwhelming foreboding or heart racing that I enjoy in a thriller though which was somewhat disappointing.

I look crazy. But I'm not. I'm not.

If you're looking for a spooky book for Halloween, this is the right one. As I was finishing last night, I started to get a little nervous and pulled my dog closer (he's a 8lb shih tzu who runs away from loud noises). Sooo easy to say that he wasn't going to protect me lol.

The format of this book was different, in a good way. The chapters would switch between a news article heading, a blog post, or the POV from the main character (Sarah). What caught my eye first with this book was the cover, I mean look at it!! Also I am a sucker for bright colors and pretty covers (oops).

Now the main question: Would you purchase a house where someone was murdered? Even if it was over 40 years ago? for me, that's a HARD NO.

Only Sarah doesn't think so; this is the opportunity she's been looking for to increase her social media following. (of course, social media influencer logic). I didn't think I was going to like the main character, but she grew on me. I have SUCH a hard time getting into a book when I dislike all the characters ugh. But Sarah has secrets you'll want to find more of. Not only is she struggling to keep up her influencer profile, but also dealing with marriage troubles. They can be summed up with this sentence from the book. (view spoiler)

I wish there was more background of maybe even a POV chapter from the husband's side. I would have loved to know more of his thoughts into the situation behind purchasing a murder-suicide house... Now if you're told to not sleep alone in this house multiple times by the neighbors would you listen?? or think others are trying to make you paranoid??

The pacing was good overall, keeping a steady pace however I felt there were some areas that could have been polished up a bit. For example, Sarah's job situation I felt like it was just thrown in there during certain moments when it seemed to benefit the plot. The last 20% everything started to come together into a bigger picture, but the build up to the ending was good! I wanted to know who was doing what. The news article chapters would reveal something from the future or the past (depending where you are in the book) & I NEEDED to find out the answers. It's a fairly quick read if you *1. don't read at night (unless you like the heebie jeebies) & *2. give yourself the time to read in the midst of life.

The ending was left with a good lil twist to leave the reader to sit there and think hmmm... I wonder?? Overall, I highly recommend this book during this season!! It's less than 300 pages, spooky vibes, a lil twists (which is ALWAYS needed in thrillers - especially the type you don't expect).

For a debut novel, this was dang good! Our main character is a very flawed individual, but instead of her unlikability being annoying, she was actually interesting. This is an unreliable narrative, so if you like that, I highly recommend this book. I did not guess what was actually going on and there was a twist at the end that I enjoyed.

Such an intriguing hook! Could you ever buy a house where someone has been murdered? With that sort of premise, I was eager to read this book. Therapist/self-help writer/aspiring lifestyle influencer buys a Victorian gothic murder house thinking it will solve all her problems. But she quickly realizes if anything, it’s only making it worse.

The suspense is great, the descriptions fabulously done, the house creepy, although I sometimes found myself feeling sad, as it’s a sad story about a sad woman’s descent into a mental health crisis. There are a lot of twists, and I think readers will enjoy this one if they like an unreliable narrator who slowly loses her sense of reality.

Rating: 2.5

I liked the first 30-40%. It was creepy and interesting and I hated the main character and her husband, but that was the intention. But it went downhill after that, it stopped being creepy and just got boring, even the mixed media element couldn't keep me interested. It felt like the author couldn't decide whether or not she wanted a haunted house story or a drama, and learned a little too much into the drama. The only thing I cared about was the cat.

THE STRANGER UPSTAIRS
Lisa M Matlin

Welcome to Black Wood House!

Black Wood House is a murder house and social media influencer and blogger Sarah Slade has just bought it for way too much money. She has unknowingly bought a nightmare and renovating it will cost much more than she has and much more than she bargained for.

Sarah is a therapist with a few issues of her own. Her marriage might be over. And she might have just landed herself in the middle of a decades-old murder mystery.

What else can she take? Read the book to see.

I liked this one enough. It was right in the middle of the road for me. I appreciated the concept but felt it had been done before and done better.

The storyline followed a well-known path and there weren’t a lot of surprises. If you’re new to the thriller genre or the concept of a murder house then I do recommend this one. Otherwise, I could safely say this one is skippable.

Thanks to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Audio, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Bantam for the advanced copies!

THE STRANGER UPSTAIRS…⭐️⭐️⭐️

🏚 BOOK / REVIEW 🏚

Buzzy books are KILLING ME RIGHT NOW 😭. Maybe I am broken, but I have really been struggling with some of the most anticipated reads for fall, including #thestrangerupstairs.

This one started out great but peetered out quickly. It was captivating, the house was creepy, and the mystery behind the deaths in the home was unsettling. That is where the fanfare ends, unfortunately.

I really struggled with Sarah's character. She was unhinged in a chaotic way that made it impossible to connect with her. Not to mention the internal dialogue that left me annoyed more than not. The relationship with her husband was atrocious and did not add or take away from the plot.

And the ending hits you like a ton of bricks because it's so abrupt and not in a good way. A few of the twists in this book could have turned the story around if flushed out more, but this just felt a little cliche to me.

I know I will be in the minority with this one and I am totally bummed out. 😭