Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of "The Stranger Upstairs". Is it a mystery thriller or horror story? Lisa Matlin’s pulse-pounding debut novel keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of your seat. I absolutely loved this novel. I couldn't stop reading it and even dreamed about it! I can't wait to see what else Lisa M. Matlin has for us next! Be sure to add this to your TBR pile until. it hits selves on September 26, 2023!

I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was different and unique and has an unreliable narrator but not in the classic meaning of that. It's hard to say much without revealing a lot but the plot goes back and forth with whether it's horror or not. I really couldn't be sure and felt the anxiety that the main character felt as her life fell apart. It was creepy and atmospheric.
It started a little slow for me but as it picked up, I couldn't put it down. There were a lot of themes explored in this story- marriage, family relationships, social media, mental illness, job identity...it's a great read!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sarah Slade is not your typical buyer. Most people would never consider purchasing an infamous murder house for the sake of renovating it, but Sarah is no stranger to taking risks. As a therapist and self-help author, Sarah sees her purchase of Black Wood House as a unique opportunity to blog about the restoration process and distract herself from her failing marriage.

However, Sarah's dream renovation quickly becomes a nightmare. Her plans for custom avocado wallpaper and a lucrative profit are overshadowed by the disdain of her new neighbors and her estranged husband still sleeping on the couch. And despite the builders' attempts to mask the home's gruesome past, Sarah's discoveries of threatening notes, bizarre accidents, and unexplained noises confirm that something is very wrong with Black Wood House.

As Sarah's sense of reality begins to slip away, she delves deeper into the secrets of the house, peeling back the curling wallpaper to reveal the truth. But with each new revelation, she realizes that the deadly legacy of Black Wood House is far from over, and her life spirals out of control.

Most would run from a home with such a sinister past, but for Sarah, it's too late to turn back now.

Captivating story about an unstable narrator who moves into a home with a sordid past, and unwelcoming neighbors. Oh and the house may be haunted? Loved how this story unfolded, and it was delightful.

The writing style made the reader feel as chaotic as the main character- in the best way possible.
The characters were not necessarily loveable, but I was still invested in them and the story.

3.5-3.7/5 probably; I just finished the book and can't quite settle on a proper rating lmao.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was really immediately entranced by this book - the writing drew me in and I absolutely LOVED the psychological aspect to this, and how we could see our main character slowly unravel. You could see so clearly how she was devolving with each chapter, and I thought the intermediate news articles were super fun to read! It was the ending that kind of threw me off - without giving it away, in the final chapters I could tell what was about to happen, and I didn't really want them to.

I think this book tried to be three different things at once, almost? Like sometimes it felt like a paranormal horror, other times a psychological thriller, other times a mystery with a giant conspiracy plot. I think any of the three would work really well on its own - or even two of them together! - but with the amount of pages I don't think all three worked, as some elements to each had to be sacrificed to tell this story. All in all, though, I really did enjoy this book for the majority of my reading experience - I honestly paused a show today because I was so eager to get back into this book, so I'd say it's still worth it even though I personally wasn't a huge fan of the ending.

I was absolutely blown away by "The Stranger Upstairs" I did not initially have high hopes, due to the fact I have read a few other thrillers with the same title. I DEVOURED this book in one evening. Beautiful cover, well written and kept me at the edge of my seat.

Sarah Shalte is a best-selling self-help author and therapist. When she sets her sight on an old house that was the crime scene for a horrific murder 40 years ago, Sarah thinks it will be fun to renovate it and flip (not to mention boost her social media engagement and following!). Her husband and her cat join her on this leap of faith, but they do not feel comfortable in this stuffy, creepy, and windowless house. Despite warnings from the small community, and the unease her partner and cat feel, Sarah wants to continue on with the project, even when her gut starts telling her to RUN.

I don't want to give anything else away, but I highly recommend picking up a copy of this for any avid thriller readers!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc! I really enjoyed this book. It kept me on my toes and kept me wanting to see what was going to happen next. I liked the characters and the story.

Thank you SO much to Random House Publishing Group Bellatine for granting a wish and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You know a writer is talented when the book gives you MINUTES long goosebumps and chills… I had to have my pets around me while reading home alone! This novel read so smoothly, I can easily see it being adapted as a series or movie in the future.

Lisa M. Matlin did a wonderful job at creating a tangible tone throughout the novel that jumped off the page and bled into the real world every time I sat to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves dark, atmospheric mysteries, and who loves to be kept on their toes until the very last page.

Also, I am obsessed with the cover art. It is what drew me to the book at first, it's absolutely beautiful.

This ending had me awake at night!

Social media influencer and bestselling author Sarah Slade has just purchased Blackwood house, a 'murder house" in a coveted neighborhood that she and her husband Joe are planning to renovate. The previous owners of Blackwood are buried in their backyard after the husband murdered his wife and went after their child before committing suicide. Despite these grim details, Sarah is committed to making a profit!

As she begins the remodeling process, her life seems to unravel—we learn more secrets about Blackwood, as well as Sarah’s past.

I typically do not like an unreliable narrator, however in this debut novel by Lisa Matlin, she does a fantastic job with this. I truly enjoyed this thrilling and at times chilling tale.

Thank you to Bantam Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!

As someone who primarily reads thrillers, this book did not disappoint. I felt attached to these characters and didn’t want the story to end. I thought I had it figured out, but there were so many great twists. Loved this one.

The Stranger Upstairs
A Novel
by Lisa M. Matlin
The book was just ok for me. It was Sarah a (self-help and therapist) who NEEDED to buy Black Wood House makes for great blog content. I would have not bought the house or spent a day inside it. Of course, Sarah did. We all know how that always ends.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for a copy of this ARC! I really wanted to love this one, but it just didn't quite do it for me. I like a little bit of hot mess in my stories but between the main character's unlikable personality, damaged past, drinking problem, failing marriage,and phony career, it really left me nothing and no one to cheer for. I will say that this was a super quick read and I really enjoyed the spooky details about the house, I wouldn't have wanted to read it alone in the dark!

This one was creepy! Sarah buys the Black Wood house aka murder house. Weird things start happening and we’re left to figure out what is going on!?!

This one is full of twists and the secrets revealed at the end were shocking!

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC!

THE STRANGER UPSTAIRS
BY: LISA MATLIN

Five Stars+++

This was an interesting example of first impressions being not always correct. When I started reading this Terrific debut, I didn't think I would like it. Kathy from Random House who asked me to consider reading two books, that she thought based on my reading history, I'd enjoy. I said sure. This is the debut from Lisa Matlin, whose Gothic Horror novel is simply outstanding! I didn't realize it was horror, until I finished it, otherwise I most likely would have passed. When I realized it was set in an exclusive town called Beacon, near Melbourne, Australia--I was not looking forward to reading it, but I am super conscientious, when I make a commitment I always keep it. At first the local flora and fauna with some words that I didn't know what they meant, along with this author's use of coarse language, I thought to myself, just read this and get it over with. I couldn't have ended up loving this more. So my lesson learned is giving something that initially turns me off, a chance can turn out to be an amazing reading experience. I really highly recommend this, which is a genre typically I avoid. I am so happy that I kept reading, because I am very impressed with this novel. I know it is one that I am going to classify as a diamond in the rough. Forgive me for the cliche. I can't praise this enough, and I won't be seeking horror again, but this was exquisite!

I was told in the opening lines, that Black Wood House is an old Victorian Gothic, built in 1889, sitting on two acres. The very beginning asks in Bold print stating this: "Want a great deal on a house? BUY ONE WHERE SOMEONE WAS MURDERED! Here's the killer truth: A Brutal murder can slash the price by as much as 50%. But would YOU do it? Bestselling author Sarah Slade would." For clarification I most certainly would never want to live in ANY house, that I knew there was murder, no matter what! I don't care whether I'm getting it for 50% off! I told you that the beginning was a huge turn off. I saw this woman who was a fake therapist, with a bestselling book, with her dysfunctional marriage of no greater than five years as a turnoff in a huge way. What turned me off was mostly because of her harming those who sought out a qualified psychologist, looking for help, and her uncaring attitude towards those who were hoping for relief, by a bored, fake psychologist with a fake degree. she describes tuning out her patients as she daydreams, not listening to them, just pretending she is. She had this plan to renovate the house she bought, because it sat vacant for 40 years, and then put it back up for sale, in order to make a profit. I was quick to judge this woman, because she was so cavalier. At least her husband didn't boast about their plans, he was not posting the above on Social Media, like she did, he said the house gave him the creeps. So that is me judging this book, the carefree author as instantly unlikable. This was me saying read it and move on, be more selective in what you will agree to read.

Except I learned that Sarah was not really qualified to be a therapist because she had not earned the BA that she claimed she did. She had a fraudulent resume with a somewhat new marriage to Joe, who refused to sleep with her. She picked the bedroom with bloodstains where the former occupant murdered his wife, attempted to murder their only child, a daughter who got away, before he killed himself. I was saying to myself, "Hurry up and get this over with." If you can get past the beginning, that is where the graphic, gruesome, details end, and this house becomes its own character.

The neighbors are unfriendly and Sarah is someone who I began to feel very sorry for. Her husband is never around so there is this growing isolation in this house, because the neighbors don't like her. She develops insomnia, and the creak, creak, creak sounds she hears turns this house into a very creepy place that has stale air. The renovation that begins in the kitchen quickly comes to a stand still. Nobody wants to work in her house because of its infamy. The house starts to feel like it is alive, not wanting to change from the way it is. Sarah little by little begins to unravel. I started to think this house was haunted. I just want to say that the more I read, the creepier it felt. I know when you don't sleep over an extended period of time, it's possible that you can hallucinate. If you have trouble at work, a neighbor who wants the house demolished, and you hear noises, like Sarah is. She starts to feel nausea, develops headaches, and the house is easily becoming a scary place for a young woman to live alone. She is terrible at her job as a therapist with her not knowing, or having the capacity to help her clients from lacking the education, and formal training to know how to help those who place their trust with her to help them, she is dangerous to them. One day she gets told by a neighbor that she looks exactly like a young woman named Amanda, who used to live there. Sarah becomes obsessed with finding about what happened to Amanda. The woman seems to have disappeared. Her husband never comes home and her marriage is deteriorating. She suspects he is cheating, which it turns out he is. When Sarah confronts him he admits he is and he wants a divorce and moves out. There is one woman therapist who is nice to her, but things just keep getting worse. All I can say is the author was able to create suspense with the noises that the house makes. Sarah is losing clients, missing work at an alarming frequency, and her boss fires her. She is developing fevers, horrible headaches, and vomiting continuously. It truly was sinister. She thinks someone breaks in one night. Her only comfort is her cat named Reaper, who appears to be dying. When she has to take her cat to the Vet who thinks her cat was poisoned. She blames the man who has been mean to her for poisoning her cat. It's the same neighbor who wants her house demolished, whose property value has tanked. His Uncle is on the police force, who asks her when she calls, why she wouldn't leave his nephew's property when he told her to leave, this happened when she goes door to door of every neighbor, asking about what happened to Amanda? One thing after another happens to Sarah, without anything letting up.

Then at 50% in the novel, the author drops a major bombshell, that is so unexpected ratcheting up the creepiness to a greater degree. It only increases the creep factor towards escalating, which is impossible to predict this plot twist. I had thought things were already bad, but this is a major revelation, that is guaranteed to shock the reader. I think that this author has outdone herself. Things get more nefarious. Sarah gets worse. I wish I could describe how the author manages to scare me, but I was really convinced that something terrible would happen. Best not to spoil it for others. I was impressed with the descriptive way the house held me captive right up to about 98%, and most books don't begin to scare me, like this one, which grew more intense the more I read. It's absolutely convincing in that it's a realistic outcome. I am not experienced with this genre, and this is the last time I plan on reading a horror novel. This was enough for me & for those who have read the more famous horror Authors might not find this frightening, at all. With my limited knowledge this was unexpected in terms of what I usually read, so it impacted me, because I hadn't read the synopsis. I have a few titles that I've heard from horror readers, who have mentioned their idea of what they consider satisfying, but I really don't want to read them. Knowing about them is enough. Those who read horror regularly might be disappointed, that this isn't frightening enough, and I apologize in advance. This was not a paranormal or demonic at all, which I won't read. Ever! This one had a realistic explanation at the very end which was perfect. It made sense what the cause was with keeping me from having to suspend belief. I felt this was just enough to disturb me, but I have to give this debut author credit for her ability to surprise me by how much I ended up loving it, more than I expected, but hopefully I won't have nightmares from it.

Publication Date: September 26, 2023

Thank you to Net Galley, Lisa Matlin and Random House Publishing Group--Ballantine.Bantam for generously providing me with my ARC, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheStrangerUpstairs #LisaMatlin #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantineBantam #NetGalley

One of my favorite thriller tropes is houses that are personified. The Stranger Upstairs is the paradigm of this theme — the house seems to be a living, breathing being. I don't want to give away too much about the story, but there are so many interesting plot points and twists. However, the end felt a little rushed and underdeveloped. I wish we would have learned more about some of the house's secrets and how the neighbors responded.

Wow! I loved this. This is the story of a couple who tackle the renovation of a 'Murder House ' where a murder/suicide happened. The locals are sure the house should be left alone. I felt the house wanted to be left alone due to the eerie occurrences, but I am a bit of a wimp who may or may not occasionally use a night light. Anyway, this book employs all the right devices to make you question exactly what is going on. The cat has to know there are supernatural forces working to keep renovations from happening. The locals know what is going on in that house. That's why they avoid it and don't want to work there. I felt like I was Sarah, hearing noise above my head, and wanting to find a rational explanation, This book was exactly what I needed. It struck all the right notes for a thriller/mystery. I know this will be a nice addition to fall reading lists.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc.

Sarah Slade is a social media influencer, author, and therapist. From the outside looking in, her life is almost enviable. She has a loving husband, a successful self-help book, and a growing fanbase on social media. While attempting to write her second book, Sarah and her husband Joe buy a house. They are able to get it dirt cheap because it's a "murder house" that has been sitting empty for 40 years. A man killed his wife in the home but that doesn't faze Sarah. Sarah's plan is to renovate the spooky house and document it for her fans to see. She also hopes to sell the home for a tidy profit.

It's soon revealed that things aren't as perfect as they seem. There are cracks in Sarah's marriage and they are both hiding secrets from their past. When renovations start adding up and strange things start happening in the house, their already strained marriage takes a hit.

Sarah starts becoming more and more scared and paranoid. She starts losing followers on her social media accounts. She almost believes the house is a living entity and it's definitely a character of it's own in the book. Every noise and creak has you wondering if Sarah is going crazy or is there really someone out to get her. Could it be one of the unfriendly neighbors or could it be the ghosts of the previous dead tenants? You'll have to read it to find out.

Sarah is a very flawed and unstable character but that only ramps up the tension. Her husband Joe is spineless and unlikable from the start. He adds to Sarah's stress level and paranoia. Will their secrets be revealed? Will they survive the renovations on the house?

I give kudos to the author for her descriptions of a small town in Australia. The cold eeriness of the forest bordering the property adds to the spook factor. There were a few words/slang that I was unfamiliar with but Google and an Aussie friend set me straight.

The Stranger Upstairs comes out September 26 which makes it a perfect start to the Halloween season. Cuddle under a blanket with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa and enjoy the goosebumps that this novel provides. This is a solid debut novel from Lisa M. Matlin and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy to review.

The Stranger Upstairs is Lisa Matlin’s debut novel, set for release 9/26/23. At 276 pages, it is a quick read, and I would describe it as more horror than traditional thriller genre. The story is based in Australia, and there were cities, words and regional references that were unfamiliar to me as a US-based reader.

The premise of the story is a couple, Sarah and Joe, buy a house where a murder/suicide took place, in a wealthy suburb that they otherwise couldn't afford. Neighbors want the house razed, but the Sarah wants to make some profit and prop up her Insta-cred by renovating it and posting about it. There is a mysterious backstory about the Sarah’s sister, and suspicion about several neighbors who are unfriendly and may be terrorizing Sarah and Joe. But are they? Soon Sarah begins to spin out, slowly losing her grip on reality. Who is *really* after Sarah? Will she figure out the mystery of the house? And what is the backstory about her sister?

I would give this a solid 3.5-stars, partly because although I like thrillers, horror isn’t my favorite, and the conclusion was clever, but not what I wished for. I'm rounding up to 4 because I like to support debut authors! Congrats to this new author and thanks to #netgalley for the advance copy!

Don’t read this one at night!

What happens when a haunted house meets a pathological mess? That's the question in THE STRANGER UPSTAIRS, where an externally glossy Instagram influencer with a failing marriage and an ugly past buys a house where a notorious double-murder took place. Intending to revive her husband's flagging interest and their flagging bank account by renovating the house and flipping it for a profit, Sarah becomes increasingly convinced something--the unfriendly neighbors, the stalker leaving her ominous notes, maybe the house itself--wants her dead. A fast, fun, gasp-inducing read.