The Couple Upstairs

An Addictive Psychological Thriller with a Gripping Twist

By: Shalini Boland

Narrated by: Katie Villa

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

I should never have become friends with the couple upstairs....

The first time I step inside this cosy apartment with its sash windows, just minutes from the sea, I think it would be the perfect place for me and my partner Zac to start again. A chance to leave our troubled past behind.

Chris and Vanessa, the couple upstairs, are so welcoming: smiles, flowers, a home-baked cake. It’s strange how he does all the talking, and she seems so shy, but I’m just thrilled to have new friends nearby.

But everything starts to go wrong...my business begins to crumble, I can’t ignore the whispers at our housewarming party and loud arguments from upstairs keep me awake at night. I can’t sleep, I can’t think straight and I feel like someone is watching me in my own home.

And then Zac comes home one afternoon, his face clenched with fury, and says he knows what’s going on. He knows about my secret....

He won’t listen to me. He storms out and I’m left in tears, completely devastated.

Why has my life fallen apart since we moved here? Am I going mad? Or is someone trying to destroy us?

If only I’d known what I know now.
If only I hadn’t trusted the couple upstairs.

From the USA Today best-selling author Shalini Boland comes an absolutely heart-thumping psychological thriller with a twist you won’t see coming. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife Between Us.

©2021 Shalini Boland (P)2021 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Critic reviews

"I have goosebumps.... This book is EVERYTHING!... Had I known I was in for such a wild ride I would have started reading this book earlier in the day instead of being kept all night!" (ThrillByThePage Book Blogger)

Great

Didn’t think i was going to enjoy this as much as i did. Teaches you to never judge a book by its cover.

A little too stressful- too many problems

I love psychological and domestic thrillers, but this one- while well written- was just too much for me. Might just be the mood I’m in, but it was over the top painful. Over and over and over again crazy situations.

Suspenseful with an unexpected twist !

MOST EXCELLENT ! Will look for more books from this writer and narrator!! You'll love it !

Did Not See That Coming!

I really did not see the plot twist coming, and I’m usually pretty good at catching on, but not this read. Such a wonderful book for those who love a great mystery!

if you like KL Slater you'll love Shalini Boland!!

This was a page turner and I binged listened to this book. From the beginning to end this book doesn't disappoint. I don't want to ruin it, but spend your credit.

Great Twisty Story

Really good character development. Definitely kept going back and forth on who was actually the culprit and I really liked how it eventually was discovered and disclosed. Nice added little twist. Then all wrapped up.

Katie Villa always does an amazing job with narration.

Skip this one….

I was hoping for a really great story. The plot moves slowly and unraveled quickly. I would opt for a different read.

grabs you in

3.9 ⭐️

Nina thinks her and her boyfriend have bought the perfect flat, with the perfect neighbors as built-in friends. But as things start to go wrong and her life starts to pull apart, she can't help but wonder. Was this really the perfect home for them.

My Thoughts

I love this style of book. It's perfect for when you don't actually have the time to get stuck in but still want a good read/listen. It's perfect for work, where I keep having to put it aside to deal with customers. It's perfect to listen to while driving even if you tend to get slightly distracted because you're paying attention to the road. It's just a good book.

Nina is such an adorable FMC. She is so sweet and confused and kind. So many little things are going wrong, but they all seem to have big consequences. She runs around trying to put the peices together but never quite being able to make them fit together.

The suspense is spot on. I could feel the anxiety in my blood. Even knowing that the big twist has been revealed and everything will be "fine", I'm also a fan and knew beyond a doubt there was going to be one last turn that I wouldn't see until it was to late.

What I like best about Boland is that everything is so in the realm of ordinary possibilities that I can become alarming. She never crosses into the unbelievable. It's easy to enjoy her books because it could happen to any of us.

On the edge of my seat!

Another incredible psychological thriller by Shalini Baldwin - another masterpiece to add to her collection. So many twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end!

Another winner!!

I loved it - all the way to the end! Loved the narration and kept me guessing!