This book was fine, just not amazing for me. I thought it was way too long and a lot could have been cut or slimmed down. Overall just a little repetitive.

Nicole Lundrigan delivers a chilling and atmospheric psychological thriller in A Man Downstairs. The novel masterfully builds suspense with its eerie setting and slow-burning tension, keeping readers on edge as the story unfolds. The characters are deeply layered, and their psychological complexities add an unsettling realism to the narrative. While the pacing lags in a few places, the compelling writing and well-executed twists make up for it. If you enjoy dark, character-driven thrillers with a creeping sense of dread, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Not a fan of this book. It felt distracting with the POVs of three different characters. I couldn't warm to Molly who has returned to her home town to look after her ailing father. She seems very naïve. The premise of the story was good. Molly is back in her home town after forty years. Her mother was murdered and Molly as a three year old was a key witness as she was there at the time. No one in the story feels very intelligent and I had a hard time with some of the choices made. Not for me.

3.5 stars

A Man Downstairs by Nicole Lundrigan tells the story of Molly Wynters and the events in her past that are haunting her. Molly has recently moved back home to care for her father, Gil, and this is bringing up many memories of her mother's murder and questions of if the right man was arrested for the crime.

We get the POV of three narrators told over different timelines: Molly (in the present), her father Gil (in the past), and "Him" (a mysterious person whose identity is revealed at the end). Eventually the three timelines connect and we find out what happened on the night of Molly's mother's murder.

This is a pretty dark book, some parts may be a little graphic for some readers. There were many decisions made by many different people which all came together in a disasterous result.

I think that you will enjoy The Man Downstairs if you like psychological thrillers, multiple POVs revealing things a little at a time, imperfect characters, and red herrings! I enjoyed this, even if the story dragged a bit in the middle.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I read this one almost a year ago and never got around to posting my review. The fact I still remember it is really saying something. I loved the premise and it started out so good. It did slow down a bit in the middle, but the ending was satisfying and the writing was top notch. If you like mysteries with authentic characters, you should give this one a read!

Creepy downstairs neighbor plus a badly solved mystery from 30+ years ago? I loved this. The dual timeline was perfect, revealing only the smallest bits at a time and letting the reader figure out the connections between past and present as it went along. The character development was spot on for how I imagine a neurotic mom, an elderly woman, a teen boy with trust issues…and the list goes on.

I hated everything the MC was going through with her dad, and hated the difficult teen parts…both only because I’ve been there (parent) and am there (teen).

While I read this in the winter, I recommend it for a deep dark summer read.

Molly Wynters is returning to her small hometown to care for her father, who recently suffered a stroke. Newly divorced and a single mom of a teenage son, she’s hoping that the move will be a positive one for them both. But the 40th anniversary of her mother’s death is approaching. And the small town never forgot what happened to her decades ago, or the role that then four-year-old Molly had played. Slowly, Molly’s memories of that fateful night and subsequent trial resurface. Only now she’s not so sure if her recollection of events – and her testimony – includes the entire story. And when she starts receiving anonymous threats that hint just that, she begins to realize just how much damage she might have caused. A Man Downstairs by Nicole Lundrigan is a psychological thriller in which Molly must be brave to reveal the truth about what actually happened all those years ago – and how many lives were destroyed.

Lundrigan hooked me from the start of A Man Downstairs. Not only is the story complex and captivating, but the author paces the suspense perfectly. The characters are realistic and suspicious enough that anyone could be behind Molly’s threats. Anyone could be withholding information that would reveal the truth once and for all. And once the series of events culminate into the big reveal, the plot twists keep coming until the very end. I can’t remember the last time my jaw dropped multiple times within the last 15% of a book, but it did with this one. People need to add A Man Downstairs to the top of their reading list.

Atmospheric small town thriller with complicated family relationship. It is very twisty and eerie and the setting is a small town with dark secrets. Loved very realistic characters.

I absolutely love this underrated author. Her books are well written, clever and oh so intriguing. AN UNTHINKABLE THING made a very lasting impression on me when I first read it a few years back and I'm happy to say that A MAN DOWNSTAIRS falls into that same top tier category. Much like AN UNTHINKABLE THING, this book was gritty, multifaceted, dark and disturbing. Full of unexpected, intricately woven plot twists and strong alternating POVs, this one will chill you to the bone while simultaneously impressing you with its effortlessly polished writing.

Thank you NetGalley and VIking for access to the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book!!! Nicole Lundrigan keeps me on my toes every time I read something of hers. Character development is perfect and I love how the ending tied everything together.

I am reluctant to share too much about this one, because I want the twists to remain for future readers.

I will mention things that I loved about it instead: multiple POVs, multiple twists and turns, timeline switches. I really felt like the author did a lot of work to make sure each character and POV was well thought out.

Though I received an e-arc for this novel, I mistakenly let it lapse and so I used an audiobook credit from Libro to get the audio version and I am glad I did! It was great to have different voice actors for each POV.

Although it was a very long book/audiobook, I was gripped the entire time and couldn’t wait to see where it went next.

First, I would like to thank Netgalley, Vicking - the Publisher and Nicole Lundrigan for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. The following review is my own and soley based on my personal opinion.

“A Man Downstairs” by Nicole Lundrigan is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of memory, trauma, and the long-lasting impact of past events. The story follows Molly Wynters, who returns to her small hometown to care for her ailing father. As she navigates her new reality, she is haunted by memories of her mother’s murder, a traumatic event she witnessed as a child. The narrative is rich with tension and suspense, skillfully weaving together multiple perspectives and time periods to create a deeply immersive experience.

One of the novel’s strongest aspects is its atmospheric setting. Lundrigan vividly portrays the small-town environment, with its secrets and undercurrents of tension, which adds a layer of intrigue to the story. The characters are well-developed, particularly Molly, whose journey is both compelling and emotionally resonant. The exploration of themes such as memory and trauma is handled with sensitivity and depth, making the novel not just a thriller but also a poignant examination of the human psyche.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. The multiple perspectives and time shifts, while enriching the narrative, can sometimes be confusing and hard to follow. This complexity might detract from the overall reading experience for some readers. Additionally, the pacing seemed uneven at times, with certain sections feeling slower than others and lastly, the ending, while satisfying in its resolution, might felt a little abrupt, leaving a few plot threads unresolved.

In summary, “A Man Downstairs” is an engrossing and expertly crafted novel that I enthusiastically recommend to aficionados of psychological thrillers. Lundrigan’s skill in creating a gripping, immersive atmosphere, coupled with the story’s emotional richness, truly distinguishes this book within its genre. I firmly believe that Nicole Lundrigan has produced an outstanding and unforgettable read.

Nicole Lundrigan's A Man Downstairs is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. This psychological thriller expertly weaves together a present-day mystery with a chilling past, creating a narrative that is both haunting and compelling.

The story follows Molly Wynters as she returns to her hometown to care for her ailing father. But her tranquil return is quickly disrupted when a disturbing discovery forces her to confront the shadows of her past. Lundrigan's skillful use of multiple perspectives and time jumps keeps readers engaged and guessing as the plot unfolds.

The novel is a character-driven exploration of trauma, guilt, and the complexities of family relationships. Molly's journey is both harrowing and inspiring, as she grapples with the demons of her childhood while trying to protect her son from a similar fate.

With its atmospheric setting, well-developed characters, and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat, A Man Downstairs is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Molly has to go home to take care of her dad. She doesn't want to go. There are too many memories. The place where her mother was murdered.
Edie has married the towns pharmacist. He's older than her. But she is carefree and happy. She works at the high school cafeteria.
There's a teenage there that is infatuated by her. He often pretends they are a couple and talk all the time. The hang out. They have a kid... all in his mind, of course
There's a story that needs to be told, but because of her dad's stroke, he can't tell it since he's lost his speech.
Seems There's plenty about her mother, Edie, that Molly doesn't know. She was only 3 years old when she died, but she was able to point out her mother's killer
She was only 3, so nothing is taken at face value, and perhaps it may be the wrong man accused
But someone is out to make sure Molly knows the truth about the night her mother was killed

Received an advance copy courtesy of NetGalley. Gratitude to the author!
A great read, thrilling and destabilising in the context of what seems like a normal life-circumstance narrative. Kept me awake at night wanting to read more, and had more twists than I expected - right to the last page.

I have really loved all of this author's books but this one was just okay for me. I did enjoy the twists at the end but found it took a lot to get there amd I found myself putting down quite a bit. Maybe it was timing, maybe this one just wasn't for me but I will definitely be recommending her other books!

Returning to her hometown to take care of things surrounding her father who has had a debilitating stroke, Molly’s past is coming crashing back to her.
Told from multiple perspectives including an unknown “him” we work through the history of Molly’s father and mother, their relationship, and her mothers ultimate death.

What happened in the past doesn’t always stay there. Some have held secrets for a long time and there’s a price to pay!

Really enjoyed working through the story line. Trying to figure out who “him” is and what really happened! Highly recommend; especially for those who like to figure out the puzzle before the ending. This one will having you guessing!

Thank you to NetGalley, Viking and the author Nicole Lundrigan for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great thriller that included many twists that kept me guessing. There was no gore so that makes it a bit more enjoyable if you don't like that part of a thriller.

OMG this book knocked y socks off! This was an intriguing and suspenseful storyline about a woman moving back to her childhood home to care for her father. This is such a common trope in books today but the author really nailed it! Told in multiple POVs along with an unreliable narrator this book propelled me through every chapter. Highly recommend

This is a spooky story and it has detective vibes. It is an engaging and a fast paced read that engaged me.