THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS by LISA JEWEL BOOK REVIEW [with & w/out spoilers! My first Lisa Jewel thriller]!

TL;DR

A disappointing thriller lacking atmosphere, with interesting characters and a cultish storyline.

Transcript

hey there my name is Megan and welcome to my Channel or welcome back today I'm going to be doing a book review for the family upstairs by Lisa Jewell I am going to be discussing spoilers in this book so please make sure you're checking the time stamps down below if you don't want to be spoiled the way I structure my reviews is I talk about what the... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 The pacing of the book was well-done, with short chapters and a fast-paced narrative that kept the reader engaged.
• 🖤 The lack of atmosphere and suspense was a major drawback for a thriller, as it failed to create that unsettling and creepy factor.
• 🖤 The book suffered from the lack of character development, especially in terms of understanding David's motivations and tactics for manipulating the family.
• ❓ The cultish elements in the story may not be appealing to some readers and could deter enjoyment.
• 🫵 The multiple perspectives and flashbacks provided a comprehensive view of the events but did not fully compensate for the book's shortcomings.
• 🪜 The unique voices and experiences of the characters added interest to the story.
• 📔 The ending of the book, particularly concerning Henry's character, felt unnecessary and left the story on a dark note.

Questions & Answers

Q: Did the book effectively create a suspenseful atmosphere?

No, the book lacked a creepy and unsettling atmosphere that is crucial for a thriller. It failed to deliver the suspense and tension typically expected in the genre.

Q: Were the character motivations clear and believable?

No, the motivations of David, the antagonist, were not adequately explained. The lack of insight into his actions weakened the believability of the story, making it difficult to understand how he effectively manipulated and brainwashed the other characters.

Q: Did the cultish storyline add depth to the plot?

The cultish elements in the story, centered around David's behavior and control over the family, detracted from the overall enjoyment. This personal preference may vary among readers, but the cult aspects added a disturbing and unappealing element to the book.

Q: How did the book handle multiple perspectives and flashbacks?

The multiple perspectives and flashbacks were used effectively to provide a comprehensive view of the events. Each character had a unique voice, and the flashbacks added depth and context to the story.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Libby, known as the baby, discovers she is the daughter of the previous owners of a mansion where three adults were found dead 25 years ago, and she sets out to uncover the truth.

• The narrative follows multiple perspectives, including Libby, as she teams up with an investigative journalist to solve the mystery.

• The book failed to deliver suspense and lacked development in character motivations and creepy atmosphere.