The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell is a gripping psychological thriller that captivates readers with its intricate plot and suspenseful narrative. Reviewers praise its well-drawn characters and unexpected twists, though some find the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a compelling read that keeps you guessing until the end.

Readers who enjoy suspenseful and twisty domestic thrillers will be captivated by Lisa Jewell's The Family Upstairs. Fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins's The Girl on the Train will appreciate the dark, intricate plot and the psychological depth of Jewell's characters. Suitable for those who enjoy unraveling family secrets and layered mysteries.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell follows Libby, who inherits a mansion in Chelsea, and as she delves into its dark history, she uncovers her biological family's past intertwined with cult activities. The narrative alternates between Libby's present-day discoveries, Lucy's life as an adult, and Henry's memories of growing up in the mansion, revealing the sinister events that transpired there. The book contains depictions of abuse.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Unnerving / Emotional

- The Family Upstairs was a New York Times bestseller, reaching wide acclaim shortly after its publication in 2019.
- Lisa Jewell initially drew inspiration for the book from her interest in true crime stories and real-life accounts of notorious family dramas.
- The book was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in the Mystery & Thriller category in 2019.

**Libby Louise Jones/Serenity Love Lamb**  
A 25-year-old woman living in St. Albans, England, who works for a luxury kitchen design company and begins to uncover her biological family history after inheriting a mansion.

**Henry Lamb (Son)**  
A character whose recollections of his childhood in the Chelsea mansion offer glimpses into the dark past of the Lamb family and their association with other complex figures.

**Lucy**  
A 40-year-old homeless woman struggling to survive in the Côte d’Azur with her children and dog, who has deep ties to the history of the Chelsea mansion and its longtime residents.

**David Thomsen**  
The husband of Sally Thomsen and father of Phin and Clemency, known for his charismatic yet controlling presence in the lives of those living in the Chelsea mansion.

**Birdie Dunlop-Evers**  
A fiddle player whose arrival at the Chelsea house in 1988 signals a shift in the household dynamic as she becomes involved with the lives of the residents.

**Phin Thomsen**  
The son of David and Sally Thomsen, who shares a complex history with the Lamb family and plays a significant role in the events surrounding the Chelsea mansion.

**Martina Lamb**  
Wife of Henry Lamb and mother of Henry (Junior) and Lucy, who becomes entangled in the lives and influences of new arrivals at the Chelsea mansion.

**Henry Lamb (Father)**  
Husband of Martina Lamb, whose declining health leads to significant changes in the dynamics of the Chelsea mansion household.

**Justin**  
Arrives with Birdie as her partner at the Chelsea mansion, known for his interest in herbal remedies and gardening.

**Sally Thomsen/Radlett**  
David Thomsen's estranged wife and the mother of Phin and Clemency, who distances herself from the events at the Chelsea mansion.

**Clemency Thomsen**  
Daughter of David and Sally, and sister to Phin, who shares a complicated past with the residents of the Chelsea mansion during her teenage years.

**Miller Roe**  
A journalist who previously wrote about the Chelsea mansion and its mysteries, eventually helping Libby uncover her past.

Lisa Jewell

Adult

Novel

The Family Upstairs

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Before You Read

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Overview

Discover The Family Upstairs, where a mysterious inheritance reveals twisted family secrets. Access a detailed summary and thematic analysis here.

The Family Upstairs Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1 Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 5

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The Family Upstairs Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 6-10

The Family Upstairs Part 1, Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 11-15

The Family Upstairs Part 1, Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 16-20

The Family Upstairs Part 1, Chapters 16-20 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 21-25

The Family Upstairs Part 1, Chapters 21-25 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 26-30

The Family Upstairs Part 1, Chapters 26-30 Summary & Analysis

Part 1 - Part 2

Parts 1-2, Chapters 31-35

The Family Upstairs Parts 1-2, Chapters 31-35 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 Part 2, Chapters 36-40

The Family Upstairs Part 2, Chapters 36-40 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 41-45

The Family Upstairs Part 2, Chapters 41-45 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 - Part 3

Parts 2-3, Chapters 46-50

The Family Upstairs Parts 2-3, Chapters 46-50 Summary & Analysis

Part 3 Part 3, Chapters 51-55

The Family Upstairs Part 3, Chapters 51-55 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 56-60

The Family Upstairs Part 3, Chapters 56-60 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 61-65

The Family Upstairs Part 3, Chapters 61-65 Summary & Analysis

Part 4 Part 4, Chapters 66-69

The Family Upstairs Part 4, Chapters 66-69 Summary & Analysis

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The Family Upstairs

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