A fellow blogger reviewed The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell and I added it to my library list. I opted for the audio version, since I love listening to the genre. A twisted tale comes to light when an orphan inherits a house in one of London’s posh neighborhoods.
by Lisa Jewell
Series: The Family Upstairs #1
Narrator: Tamaryn Payne, Bea Holland, Dom Thornburn
Length: 9 hours and 36 minutes
Genres: Thriller
Source: Library
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
Be careful who you let in.
Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.
She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them.
Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.
Libby Jones was orphaned at six months old and knew nothing about her birth parents. All of that changes when at twenty-five learns she is the sole inheritor of an abandoned mansion, in Chelsea on the Thames. Others have been waiting and watching.
Twenty-five years ago the police arrive at Sixteen Cheyne Walk and find an infant and three dead bodies. Neighbors reveal they believe other children lived there. Where are they? What happened in this house? The story that unfolds reveals those secrets, and it held me captive.
The story is told from the points of view of Libby, Lucy, and Henry. Lucy’s narrative begins when she learns about the mansion. Henry’s perspective tells us what happened in the house and how things changed when the Thompsons came to live with their family. Libby is a divorced mother of two struggling to make ends meet in France. The threads all weave an addictive tale before coming together.
Twists and a well-crafted tale made The Family Upstairs a winner. It’s easy to see why it won a Goodreads Reader Choice Award. The audiobook was fantastic, and I was glad to see three narrators. Tamaryn Payne, Bea Holland and Dom Thornburn each handle a point of view giving voice to these characters and their story.
We move back and forth between past and present as secrets are revealed. Complex characters and twists kept me hooked. I highly recommend grabbing this one!
*kindleunlimited
About Lisa Jewell
LISA JEWELL was born in London in 1968. Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared. Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Katherine
I listened to this one as well and absolutely loved it! Lisa Jewell’s books do so well in audio format. I’m glad to see you enjoyed this one too. I didn’t love the sequel as much but it was still interesting.
Sophie
OK I will listen to it!!
Trish
I enjoyed the follow up too Kim, I didn’t think one was needed, but it worked well.
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Rachel @Waves of Fiction
I’ve enjoyed Lisa Jewell in the past but her books seem to frequently have a sad or melancholy ending which in turn makes me melancholy, lol. This does sound good, though!
Sophia Rose
Yes, this one does sound like it grabs one.
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
I absolutely loved this one and was riveted as the story unfolded. So twisty and so twisted. The follow-up, The Family Remains, wasn’t *quite* as good for me but still very much worth reading. I listened to the audio version for both books and agree that they were very well done.
Kimberly
I didn’t even know there was a follow up. Thank you.
Laura Thomas
You’ve got me curious. This scenario always works for me.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I’m sure I’d enjoy this one. Great review!
Carla
I really enjoyed the audiobook of this one, as well Kimberly. It sure was twisty. Nice review.
ailyn koay
wouldn’t the killers be dead after 25 years ? Or really old?