The months of October and November seem to be the perfect months to curl up on the couch and unwind with a mysterious read.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell is a psychological thriller that was published in 2019. It is creepy and ominous, but most of all, it’s unpredictable.

The novel revolves around three main characters: Libby, Lucy, and Henry. The book begins when Libby, a 25-year-old working class woman, suddenly inherits a mansion in London from her deceased biological parents.

The same day, Lucy, a homeless mother of two children, receives a text message that reads, “The baby is 25.” This leads the reader to assume that Libby and Lucy must be connected. But how?
When Libby visits the mansion for the first time, she knows something is not quite right. She feels as if she’s going crazy, but she believes she hears noises coming from upstairs. Meanwhile, Lucy is on her way to the London mansion.

As the novel unfolds, a character from the past arises. Henry, a young boy who feels very lost and ignored in the midst of his new, “extended” family is introduced.

The book is divided into chapters where either Libby, Lucy, or Henry is speaking. Although it takes a while to understand why Jewell decided to split the book between these specific characters, the reward is worth it.

Jewell does a wonderful job of taking the reader back in time while also keeping the reader engaged with the present. Libby and Lucy offer very unique, contrasting storylines, while Henry’s story adds the most mystery and suspense to the novel.

Lisa Jewell is the author of many best-selling books, but most notably, And Then She Was Gone and The Night She Disappeared. She is no stranger to writing a mystery novel, which explains her perfectly developed story-lines and zero plot holes in the novel.

The sequel to The Family Upstairs, The Family Remains, was recently released in early July of this year. While the novel introduces new characters, one of the characters from the first book is still suffering the consequences of a past decision.

The Family Upstairs is the thriller that will complete your fall season. It will make you wonder: how much can you trust your own family?