The Family Upstairs

A Novel

By: Lisa Jewell

Narrated by: Tamaryn Payne, Bea Holland, Dominic Thorburn

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA COVER TO COVER BOOK CLUB PICK

“Rich, dark, and intricately twisted, this enthralling whodunit mixes family saga with domestic noir to brilliantly chilling effect.” —Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author

“A haunting, atmospheric, stay-up-way-too-late read.” —Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of None of This Is True comes another page-turning look inside one family’s past as buried secrets threaten to come to light.

Be careful who you let in.

Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am.

She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them.

Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone.

In The Family Upstairs, the master of “bone-chilling suspense” (People) brings us the can’t-look-away story of three entangled families living in a house with the darkest of secrets.

Critic reviews

"Narrators Tamaryn Payne, Bea Holland, and Dominic Thornburn shine in Jewell's latest dark, twisted story about history, family, and sacrifice. When Libby turns 25, she receives a long awaited letter notifying her about her biological parents and about the inheritance of an abandoned mansion in London. At the same time we meet Lucy, a young, homeless woman with two children who is desperate to get back to London. Finally Henry's perspective is shared in retrospect as he reminisces about his own upbringing, providing compelling backstory. As the three stories collide, the narrators create a creepy and compelling atmosphere. Listeners will be totally caught up in the story the closer Lucy, Libby, and Henry get to the truth about what happened in that house."

OutStanding

One of my top 5 books of the year. I wanted to read it again as soon as I finished. The sacrifices we make for our families are always great but none as monumental as Henry and Lucy, made for each other. This book shows how grifters can take over a family and cause so much damage it takes 25 years to recover. not to mention the damage done to their own families. I recommend this book and warn you wont be able to put it down

Superior In Every Way

I was shocked when I saw the number of negative reviews for this book.
From page one, I was interested, invested in the story, and wanted to know more.
Then, as multiple characters are introduced (and these characters are ALL exceedingly well developed)the story becomes more dynamic and its depth grows.
I fell in love with the performance by Dom Thornburn and found that each performer went to great lengths to really portray these characters, rather then just reading lines.
All of these performers are outstanding and give these characters life.
My singular complaint is that it is NOT a mystery and should not be described or sold as such.
I am a huge fan of LJ and have purchased all of her books. I just wanted real mystery.
I often feel mislead, about half way through I’m thinking “ ok WHERE is the mystery to solve?”
I don’t know if it’s audible or it’s just a punishing company ploy but, the cast majority of her stuff could not possibly be considered mystery.
I love all (most) of her work and will always read her books, it’s just important that they are classified appropriately.
This story was phenomenal and loved it.
Lisa Jewell is a rare talent and I look forward to some new material soon...

Torn

The premise for the story was a bit lackluster, but the author's style was so captivating and enjoyable to listen to. Jewell has a unique way of seeing the world and the people in it.

Great listen

I loved this weird book..it’s dark and disturbing but intriguing..couldn’t stop listening..loved loved loved the performers...beautiful..lots of characters but I liked that...I loved traveling from France to Chelsea..so descriptive...my fav so far this year

Unbelievable in the Best Way

I didn't know what I was getting when I chose this book from audible. I knew I get a psychological thriller but nothing like this. I loved it!