WOW what a debut novel. Don’t let the colorful cover deceive you. This is truly a horror dysfunctional novel. Sarah Slade decides to buy a house where a brutal murder took place with her husband. But not all as it seems. As this book progresses, slowly things come to bear. People who say they are is not true. The ending of this book is actually terrifying with the big reveal. I highly recommend this book for readers of horrifying psychological thrillers, I received this ARC from net bet galley and the publisher. The reviews are honest and if you are a reader of this genre then read this book.

I love love love this author. I can't believe this is her debut novel because her writing style is so developed and mature. I love the way she writes. In fact, I even enjoyed reading her "acknowledgements" section at the end of the book- that's how much I love her mind and how she expresses herself.

Now, on to the book and its contents... This book is a true thriller in my eyes. It doesn't have the typical twists that I've been reading in a lot of the thrillers that are popular right now. And to be honest with you, I didn't even need a twist at the end of this. Sometimes I persist through thrillers just to be blown away by the last fifty pages of the novel. But this thriller blew me away with every page. I was actually spooked by this book. I made the mistake of reading during 2am baby feeds, and I often found myself looking behind me and making sure doors were shut and locked.

I feel like this book is a hard one to review without spoiling it, so I'll stop while I'm ahead. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will definitely be following this author and looking forward to more novels.

Thank you to the author and to netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

The Stranger Upstairs is not what it seems. I seems to be a murder mystery. And it seems to be a psychological thriller. It seems to be about mental illness. It is all off those things. And it is more.

You are never sure who is who and whether anyone is a reliable narrator. I will say I was surprised in the end. That's not always easy to do. This wasn't the usual twist that just shows up at the end. This is putting the entire story in a new light. Even after, there is still a sense of menace as the story closes.

This was a bit of a twisted and creepy story. I thought the story started out slow and really the last half of the book was better. It’s a good book to add to your spooky reading list.

This paranormal novel provided a unique and intriguing experience. While it's not my usual choice for a thriller, its unpredictability and the gradual unveiling of the story kept me engaged.

I found myself curious about the characters and their complex emotions. The author skillfully portrayed their sadness, grief, and the challenges they faced, making it easy to empathize with their struggles.

The book's development was a rollercoaster of surprises, and I couldn't help but be drawn into the narrative. It's not a typical thriller, but its unconventional approach added to its appeal.

In summary, this paranormal novel, though unnamed here, offers a captivating and emotional journey. It may not fit the traditional thriller mold, but its unique blend of paranormal elements and deep character exploration make it a worthwhile read.

This book - I can not say enough good things. It was so creatively written, and let my interest from the start. The suspense scenes felt so real, I literally felt like I was in a movie. Though this was an Australian book so some of the terminology and words mentioned were confusing, it was not enough to influence my opinion of the book. Sarah's story kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I can not belive this is Lisa Matlin's debut novel because it was PHENOMENAL and I really hope to see more from her. This one is absolutely worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we have no clue what horror is coming for us. Especially from those we love . . .”

The Stranger Upstairs tells the story of Sarah Slade, social media influencer and therapist. She and her husband bought Black Wood House, a house where an unspeakable tragedy occurred forty years earlier. They're working on renovations to try to flip it for a profit but nothing seems to be going as planned. Nightmares along with threatening notes and sounds coming from the attic, especially at night, give Sarah the feeling she's being watched. Is the house trying to tell her something or is she simply going crazy? In a town full of secrets, who could be trusted and who was in danger?

“I’ll scream the stained-glass windows apart, shatter the pieces like rain until I learn the truth.”

The gothic setting, chilling and atmospheric, created a sense of fear and terror. All of its dark elements, the house, the forest and the trees, the creepy birds, all sent shivers up my spine. Descriptions of the weather perfectly captured the mood and only added to the ominous feeling of what was to come. I was captivated throughout, the story holding my attention as I held my breath waiting to see what would happen next. I could feel everything Sarah was going through, the past blurring with the present, as she started to lose her sense of control as well as her grip on reality. With the touch of light horror, I caught vibes from The Shining as the story progressed and I absolutely loved that. One of my favorite things about this story was Sarah's cat, Reaper, and I'm convinced if I ever get a cat, I'm going to name him Reaper.

“I find myself within a forest dark, For the straightforward pathway has been lost.”

Sarah intrigued me as I tried to get inside her head, sort through her anxiety and find out her thoughts. The plot became a little repetitive at times and I was left with a few unanswered questions for which I wanted to learn more. I also never liked Sarah's husband, Joe, although the domestic drama contributed to how everything in her life was crumbling down around her. Lastly, the ending somewhat fell apart for me and I would have liked to see it go in a different direction but I enjoyed the journey to get there. This book speaks to mental health issues and never feeling good enough, grief and guilt, losing your path and finding your way once again. I found it to be a solid thriller debut and I'm interested to see what the author writes next.

“Don’t be afraid of the truth. . . . Be afraid of believing your lies.”

* Special thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Bantam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available September 12, 2023. *

THIS BOOK!!!
I can’t rave about this one enough…the twists, surprises, wacky scenarios and bizarre characters all made this one perfect!

You might start reading this one and think you know exactly what’s going on…but just wait…the turns kept coming and my head didn’t stop spinning- this is definitely a keep you on your toes, edge of your seat read.

I was constantly questioning what the truth was- which I loved!
The entire book was so fast paced and when I wasn’t reading I was thinking about reading because I needed to find out how things would end. I was constantly thinking of new theories and what-ifs, and I’m happy to report the ending was phenomenal.

There were a few different storylines and lots of characters, but Matlin did a fantastic job of making them all work together and each one added something to the story. I was 100%, completely into the whole thing.

I have also added a new character to my favorites list- Sarah Slade is one gal I’ll never forget (I mean, she bought a “murder house”).
She was so so entertaining and unique…her personality made this book one I’ll be thinking of for a long time.

…and when you read this book (because you HAVE to!) you’ll know why Rocky, my own little Reaper, had to get in on this review…we all love a book with a cat character, right?!

Move this one up to the top of your tbr, you do not want to miss

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5827397761

The Stranger Upstairs
By Lisa M Matlin
Publication date: Sept 12,2023

To summarize the plot listed on Goodreads: Sarah Slade is a social media influencer and she buys the infamous Black Wood House where a murder/suicide took place to renovate it and sell it. Workers start having strange accidents, Sarah hears footsteps from the attic, and eventually starts getting mysterious notes left for her. She is convinced someone or something is out to kill her.

Thank you NetGalley and Bantam Books, Random House for this debut novel to read and review. This was such a fast paced read for me. The whole time I was wondering if there was something paranormal going on, is she loosing her mind, is someone breaking into her house… I enjoyed reading Sarah’s decent into madness. Some things I really liked was the setting in Australia - I love reading about new to me places. I loved her cat Reaper. And I loved Sarah’s witty commentary.
“Instagram is my other Band-Aid. It’s toxic, I know. But the more likes I get, the less I bleed.”
“It’s wrought iron, cool to the touch, and every time I descend, I feel like a Disney villain. I adore it.”
“By Sunday night I was stuffed full of rage and cold pizza”
I would highly recommend this one if you’re a fan of psychological thrillers. Please read the authors note, I greatly appreciate her honestly with her struggles with mental health.

The synopsis isn’t enough!!! You have to seriously dive into this book, and get ready because the main characters and the house are CREEPY AF!!! AF!!!! It’s most def a page turner, I couldn’t put this book down the twists in this book is enough to keep you going….. I’m happy I finished this book WAY before I went to bed….. because reading this in the dark was not my goal…. I’m that much of a punk you guys!!! Lol

Heard this is the authors debut and Omg Congratulations to her! This book is a win!

The stranger Upstairs is pretty creepy and will definitely need to be read with the lights on , a Halloween meets Mexican Gothic for a debut novel this was really good i can only imagine Lisa M. Marlin has planned for her next novel.

This was a quick, fun thriller that kept me on my toes! I did not know what the twist was going to be and was guessing until the very end. The main character was a little too chaotic and unreliable for me, but still really enjoyed the book! Would be a perfect spooky house read for this fall!

Creepy, unexpected and I was shocked this was a debut book. At times, you wonder if Sarah is an unreliable narrator and the mystery compelled me.

The beginning of this book had great spooky vibes perfect for this fall transitional time, however the last quarter of the book seemed all over the place. I appreciate the authors own personal story and how that shines in the book itself. For a debut novel this is not horrible and I am willing to give Matlin another shot in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for an ARC copy.

Looking for a spine-tingling autumn read? Look no further! Dive into the chilling tale of a married couple whose relationship is on the rocks. In an attempt to mend their marriage and possibly turn a profit, they take the daring step of purchasing a house tainted by a decades-old murder. Their grand plan? To breathe new life into this eerie dwelling, document the transformation on social media, and rake in substantial profits. But little do they know, the house harbors secrets darker than their wildest nightmares.

"The Stranger Upstairs" is a story that doesn't hold back; it's packed with layers and surprises. First and foremost, the main character is intentionally unlikable, inviting us to delve into her complex psyche. As her tale unfolds, there are moments where you can't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her, understanding the traumas that shaped her into the person she's become. Despite her many flaws, the narrative is so compelling that it draws you in, leaving you eager to discover the ultimate outcome.

What sets this story apart is its innovative use of mixed media, incorporating newspaper articles, social media posts, and more, injecting a dynamic and fast-paced rhythm into the narrative. While it's classified as a thriller, it delivers genuine horror moments, creating an atmospheric and spine-tingling reading experience. Just when you think you've grasped the entirety of the plot, the epilogue throws a curveball, turning everything on its head! An absolute stunner, especially for a debut novel!

Please be sure to read the author’s note at the end of the book regarding her mental health struggles and lists of resources available for those struggling with their mental health.

The Stranger Upstairs will be published on September 12, 2023.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine, Bantam for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

DNFed at 38%

This book was just not for me. The main character annoyed me and made it really difficult for me to read through her narration. The story was ok at first, but did not feel like it was progressing at all.

The Stranger Upstairs is the perfect atmospheric thriller to put you in the mood for spooky season. I have to say, I'm rarely surprised by outcomes or at the very least figure out some of the twists before they happen. Most of them I couldn't figure out and the one I did didn't really help me see the end coming. It's fast paced full of spooky vibes. Don't miss the author's note at the end where she talks about mental health.

In many ways, there's not much to like in this debut novel; certainly not the main character, Sarah Shade, or her meek husband Joe, or anyone in the small but upitty Australian town who are, shall we say, less than welcoming to newcomers. And for sure, Black Wood House, the broken-down old house Sarah and Joe purchased - dubbed the "Murder House" because of what happened there years ago - is less than inviting to all but the most desperate would-be homeowners (readers, however, can be pretty sure it will play a central role - probably a horrific one at that - in this book).

And of course, that's exactly the case - and that's what makes the book as a whole quite likable. The couple are hoping that new identities and a new-to-them house will help them escape secrets in the place from which they came and turn a tidy profit after Sarah and Joe fix it up. But thanks to a not-so-forthcoming realtor, they slowly learn the hard way that the old house - built in 1889 - is harboring more than a few secrets of its own (put another way, things that go bump in the night tend to do it loud enough to wake the dead).

To make matters worse, all is not well between Sarah and Joe. Sarah, a therapist and successful media influencer and blogger, hopes that getting rich from the house flip will bring her closer to Joe, who for the most part isn't having any part of it. Gradually, readers learn what happened in the couple's earlier years and watch Sarah's not-so-gradual descent into madness as the house takes on a life of its own with a Stephen King-like flair.

It's a not totally unfamiliar story concept, but it's cleverly written with plenty of twists and turns that made me wish I could finish it in one day (as it was, I managed it in two by postponing dinner by half an hour or so). The ending? Again, a twist - but one that wouldn't have been satisfying done any other way. Loved it, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. For sure I'll be watching for more from this very talented author!

What I was expecting from Matlin's debut was a psychological/horror that would make me afraid to sleep in my house alone; what I read was underwhelming and a tad messy.

Social media influencer and best-selling self-help author Sarah Slade and her husband, Joe, purchase and move in to the notorious Black Wood House, home (no pun intended) of a double-homicide years prior. Sarah expects the renovations to be easy and to make a quick profit; however, she encounters forces both external and internal that seem to want the opposite...

Overall, I think that there was a lot of promise in the story that ultimately was unfulfilled. While I am a huge fan of unreliable narrators, the protagonist was so terrible/unlikable that I was turned off after the first chapter. Honestly, NONE of the characters were likable, and I found myself racing through the text to finish (thankfully, it is a quick-paced read).

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first time reading a book by the author and she doesn't disappoint!
This is a creepy thriller that is fast paced and will keep you guessing!
Thanks Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this book!