Review: The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

Looks Like Books contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclaimer to learn more.

If you’re curious about The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell, you’re not alone – this twisty psychological thriller is one of her most talked-about books. It’s dark, atmospheric, and filled with eerie surprises, making it a fan favorite for anyone who enjoys domestic suspense with a sinister edge.

I’ve been on a thriller kick lately. And, while I do love mysteries and thrillers, I’m a bit of a weeny because I don’t like anything too creepy. But this book passed the test for me! In this review, I’ll share my thoughts on the plot, pacing, and characters – plus what I loved (and didn’t).

Key Takeaways: The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

The Family Upstairs is a bestselling psychological thriller published in 2019.
The story centers on a young woman who inherits a mysterious house with a dark past and disturbing secrets waiting to be revealed inside.
Told through multiple timelines and points of view, it explores themes of manipulation, control, and the long shadows of trauma.
This is the first book in the Family Upstairs series, followed by The Family Remains and loosely connected to None of This Is True.

The Family Upstairs

What It’s About – The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

When Libby Jones turns 25, she receives a letter that changes her life: she’s inherited a grand, crumbling mansion in London’s Chelsea neighborhood. But this isn’t just any house – it’s the site of an unsolved tragedy involving three dead adults, a missing baby, and a chilling past that no one has ever been able to fully explain.

As Libby begins to investigate her mysterious inheritance, the story unravels across two other timelines: one following the people who once lived in the house and another revealing how their lives became entangled with manipulation, obsession, and survival. The narrative slowly builds a picture of what really happened in the house—and why it was left abandoned with a baby inside.

Dark, disturbing, and addictively readable, The Family Upstairs is part thriller, part gothic family drama, and 100% page-turner.

The Family Upstairs: A Novel

Check Price

My Review Rating – 4 out of 5 stars.

I gave this book a solid 4 stars. It’s a dark and twisty thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish, with characters I won’t soon forget – even if some gave me the creeps.

What I Liked

The Setting:

The crumbling Chelsea mansion at the heart of this story is as much a character as the people inside it. It’s gothic, eerie, and packed with secrets. I was worried the book might be too creepy for my taste—but it ended up being just the right level of unsettling. The atmosphere kept me on edge without pushing me too far into horror territory.

The Characters:

Let me be clear: most of these characters are odd. Some are deeply odd. And yet, that’s what makes them fascinating. I especially liked Libby, Lucy, Henry, Clemency, and Phin—the children at the center of the story. They’re damaged, unpredictable, and strangely sympathetic.

The adult characters? A different story. Disturbing doesn’t even begin to cover it. (More on that below.)

Still, I found myself fully invested in these characters’ fates. I may not have liked them all, but I cared what happened to them—and that’s a sign of good writing.

The Plot & Storylines:

This was a true page-turner. It blends family drama, psychological thriller, and mystery in a way that kept me completely hooked. I devoured the book in just over a day. And while the story was disturbing in places, the ending felt surprisingly satisfying… until the last four words.

Those final words shifted everything—and made it crystal clear why a second book (The Family Remains) was needed. Until that moment, I honestly couldn’t see how there’d be a sequel. But Jewell’s pacing and final twist were so well done, I instantly wanted more.

What I Disliked

The multiple timelines and shifting perspectives were confusing at first. It took a while to get oriented—figuring out who was who and which timeline I was in. Once I got the hang of it, I was fine, but it definitely slowed me down early on.

Also? The adults in this story. Woof. David and Birdie, in particular, are deeply unsettling. I didn’t like them—but they’re essential to the story’s creep factor and emotional impact. Still, this is not a feel-good book. It’s dark, disturbing, and at times, hard to read. That said, the payoff was worth it.

Author Note:
Lisa Jewell didn’t always plan to be a writer. She worked in the fashion industry before taking a dare from a friend to write three chapters of a novel in exchange for dinner. That spur-of-the-moment challenge led to Ralph’s Party—and more than 20 novels since. Today, she’s known for her dark, twisty thrillers and emotional suspense.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

Is The Family Upstairs part of a series?

Yes. It’s the first book in the Family Upstairs series, followed by The Family Remains. There’s also a loosely connected third novel, None of This Is True.

Do I need to read the sequel?

The Family Upstairs can be read on its own—but fair warning, the last few words practically demand a sequel. If you want closure (and more time with these characters), The Family Remains is a must-read.

Is The Family Upstairs based on a true story?

No, it’s a work of fiction. But Lisa Jewell has said the idea was sparked by a real-life moment – seeing a woman sneak her kids into a beach club shower in France gave her the idea for the character of Lucy.

What genre is The Family Upstairs?

It’s a psychological thriller with strong elements of domestic suspense and family drama. Expect twists, disturbing secrets, and multiple timelines.

Is it scary?

Not horror-level scary, but definitely creepy and unsettling. If you like your thrillers with a gothic edge, this one delivers.

Conclusion: A Twisty, Creepy, Completely Addictive Read

If you like psychological thrillers with multiple perspectives, morally messy characters, and a house full of secrets, The Family Upstairs should be high on your list. It’s unsettling in the best way, with a story that lingers long after you’ve finished.

Haven’t read the first book yet? You can catch up with my full review of The Family Upstairs—it’s where all the twisted fun begins.

Want to read everything from Lisa Jewell in the right order? Check out my full list of Lisa Jewell books in order, including this one.