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The Family Upstairs  By  cover art

The Family Upstairs

By: Lisa Jewell
Narrated by: Tamaryn Payne, Bea Holland, Dom Thornburn
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Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author and master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) comes another pause-resisting look inside one family’s past as buried secrets threaten to come to light.

Gifted musician Clemency Thompson is playing for tourists on the streets of Southern France when she receives an urgent text message. Her childhood friend, Lucy, is demanding her immediate return to London.

It’s happening, says the message. The baby is back.

Libby Jones was only six months old when she became an orphan. Now 25, she’s astounded to learn of an inheritance that will change her life. A gorgeous, dilapidated townhouse in one of London’s poshest neighborhoods has been held in a trust for her all these years. Now, it’s hers.

As Libby investigates the story of her birth parents and the dark legacy of her new home, Clemency and Lucy are headed her way to uncover, and possibly protect, secrets of their own. What really happened in that rambling Chelsea mansion when they were children? And are they still at risk?

Jewell’s novels have been praised as “sure to please fans of Ruth Ware and A.J. Finn” (Library Journal), and her latest is no exception. The Family Upstairs will keep you guessing until the very end.

©2019 Lisa Jewell (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Featured Article: Home Is Where the Harm Is—The Best Domestic Thriller Audiobooks


Every neighborhood has a story. It could be the tragedy that took place years ago, or maybe an urban legend about that creepy house down the street. Or perhaps it's the new couple on the block who seem to be hiding something. These tales of suspense and mystery are what drive the popularity of the fastest growing subgenre of thrillers: the domestic thriller. We’ve made this list to help you choose the best domestic thriller audiobooks out there.

Editor's Pick

Agatha Christie would be proud
"On the heels of her haunting thriller, Watching You, Lisa Jewell unveils another engrossing listen, set in London and France, about a mysterious trio of deaths in a once-posh townhouse and devastating family secrets that have lasting consequences. The Family Upstairs is told from the perspectives of three integral characters, performed brilliantly by Tamaryn Payne, Bea Holland, and Dom Thornburn, whose lives are connected in ways that are slowly unraveled. The shocking twists in this story had me gasping IRL more than once, and the themes—particularly the fragility and resilience of children who’ve experienced trauma, for better or worse—stayed with me for days after."
Valerie B., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Family Upstairs

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Good Listen

This is my third listen from Lisa Jewell and I was not disappointed. The book was good, A bit short, and leaves you wondering if there will be a part 2. I really enjoy her imagination and her writing.

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23 people found this helpful

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Potential abuse trigger

I appreciated how the story was narrated between the past and present and with one of the character narrating the past. With the narrow perspective, so much is left open for the reader to interpret, but not in a way that left me hanging. I liked the how the twist at the end was open because it caused me to rethink the entire story, more so than wonder what happened after.
That said, as a survivor of childhood abuse and neglect, this book did get under my skin a little, not so much while I was reading it - the story is too different from my experience - but I did notice a big uptick in nightmares and flashbacks after I finished it. It’s a good story, but it might not be the best read for everyone. I like Lisa jewel, but had I known that it dealt with these topics I might have chosen another of her books with this credit.

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3 people found this helpful

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kept my interest

I seem to be getting pickier all the time with what I am listening to, there are so many books that are just repetitive, not original, poorly written with awful characters, etc. This book ,while no great piece of literature, was well done mystery and really kept my interest. Excellent plot with lots of surprises and so many topics explored here; cults, child abuse, domestic violence, personality development, etc. The narration was great and the book was well edited. I highly recommend it - caveat is that I like the author so I may be biased!

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Just a really good story

I thoroughly enjoyed this, well written good character development. Just an overall good story. I intend to look up more books by this author, she’s really quite good.

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Wow

It was a quick read and moderately predictable but still a wonderful story of family and perseverance.

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Loved it

This story took me for a ride. Loved the dynamics of the different narrators — big twists and small twists until the end.

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Disturbing mystery

All 3 narrators add to the story. The story is well paced. Jewell is a great author.

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One the best!

Im confused by the poor reviews. I found this story incredibly gripping unique and unexpected. I liked the ending it was all wrapped up with a small cliffhanger that made you think maybe we'll revisit these characters in another story? Anway I've gone through my fair share of gripping suspense stories but this one really stood out too me. I was hooked from start to finish!

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Attention grabbing twist and turns

A good listen during a pandemic! Eerily relatable to the lockdown and isolation many experienced but without the diabolical undertones!

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Could. Not. Stop!!!!!!!!

My FAVORITE Lisa Jewell novel yet!!!! So good, I binged the whole thing & was sad when it was over!!

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