The Stranger Upstairs

A Novel

By: Lisa M. Matlin

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Most people wouldn’t buy an infamous murder house to renovate for fun . . . but Sarah Slade is not most people.

“This debut novel deftly explores our shadows—the dark parts of ourselves we don’t want others to see. I couldn’t stop reading.”—Julia Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of The Writing Retreat

A POPSUGAR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

A therapist and self-help writer with all the answers, Sarah has just bought a gorgeous Victorian in the community of her dreams. Turns out you can get a killer deal on a house where someone was murdered. Plus, renovating Black Wood House makes for great blog content and a potent distraction from her failing marriage. Good thing nobody knows that her past is as tainted as the bloodstain on her bedroom floor.

But the renovations are fast becoming a nightmare. Sarah imagined custom avocado wallpaper, massive profits, and an appreciative husband who would want to share her bed again. Instead, the neighbors hate her guts and her husband still sleeps on the couch. And though the builders attempt to cover up Black Wood’s horrifying past, a series of bizarre accidents, threatening notes, and unexplained footsteps in the attic only confirm for Sarah what the rest of the town already knows: Something is very wrong in that house.

With every passing moment, Sarah’s life spirals further out of control—and with it her sense of reality. But as she peels back the curling wallpaper and discovers the house’s secrets, she realizes that the deadly legacy of Black Wood House has only just begun.

©2023 Lisa Matlin (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A fast, fun, gasp-inducing read.”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye

“Creepy, crafty, and packing some deliciously dark surprises, The Stranger Upstairs is a dizzying spiral into madness that kept me guessing to its final pages.”—Taylor Adams, author of The Last Word

“The ultimate spooky-season read! Lisa M. Matlin skillfully infuses every page of The Stranger Upstairs with eerie, evocative imagery, and her (anti)heroine, Sarah Slade, is just as disturbing and compelling as the murder-house setting.”—Layne Fargo, author of They Never Learn

Very entertaining & ultimately inspiring

I enjoyed this book a lot, it was super entertaining. The ending was different than I’d been expecting and I always appreciate that.

I found the author’s bit at the end, truly inspiring. Congratulations to her! <4

Unique in Concept But Overall Mediocre

What I liked a) an unusual protagonist that is neither particularly likable or unlikable b) a creepy location and a setup that was very interesting c) a story in which the reader never really knows which way is up; a story it’s very difficult to suss out who the enemy is, etc.
What I disliked: The narration was manic and loud to me. I felt that, given all that there was to work with this could’ve been so terrifying but it just wasn’t.
It was more like simply having a front row seat to the unraveling of a person and their relationships.
It’s just a psychological thriller that isn’t even scary.
Yes it kept me listening and I finished it but I’ll never give it a second listen.
The narration gave me a headache.
There’s a way to emote without screaming and simply increasing one’s volume.
In fact more terror can be conveyed with a well placed pause and quieter tones.
Worth a credit but not a book I’ll ever listen to again.

Creepy, Captivating

This book kept me interested and wanting to know what was happening. I appreciate that it kept me engaged. It was well written, well performed. I can’t say I really enjoyed myself. I feel uncomfortable with it, which while probably a sign of well-written characters, is not necessarily something I enjoy. Not sure if this is helpful, but wanted to share.

I was skeptical after reading some reviews ....

Seemed like a lot of reviews were from people that didn't like this book. I almost didn't get it. BUT I AM SOOO GLAD I DID!

I loved this book, It was fresh, captivating, had a strong focus on mental health, and an unreliable narrator. I thought it was put together well, and I loved the narration! I even found the ending very satisfying and true to the story. There were twists and turns, it was creepy as hell, and i actually laughed at some parts too. I thought the main character was pretty funny. Can't say enough about this book!

I will be looking forward to more from this author!!

Wow- not what I expected

Holy cow, couldn’t stop listening to the boom today. It was full of suspense and definitely worth the read. Love how the author shared mental health numbers at the end for those who are struggling.

iffy

This one was strange for me! I feel like it took a while to pick up, and then toward the end, it got really good. I did not expect the ending, who ended up surviving, the mental health, and who died!

A lot of suspense

I really liked the twists and turns but I feel like there should be more to the story. I need to know what happens next.

Listened in one sitting

Super intriguing thriller story and did not at all expect the ending of the book

Creative writing about mental health

I loved this book. Creative and colorful. Deep and knowledgeable about mental health. Great book Colorful characters.

Enjoyable

I think this book was well written. I enjoyed it and the message at the end was very heart warming.