This is an engaging and perfectly paced read which I have been completely pulled into and unable to predict. The characters have been an interesting bunch to read about and the crime gruesome and evil.

I do love an author who isn’t afraid to venture to the dark side and Kara definitely does this. The dynamics and personalities of the characters are well created. The author really gives an insight into how the difficulties and tensions present themselves. I also found it reassuring that the author has given us an insight of the struggles of an individual suffering from ME.

There is tension amongst every page and this is perfectly paced and entertaining. I found this book easy to read and I found myself completely unable and unwilling to put this one down. I have no shame in admitting that I have devoured this gem in just one sitting.

The dynamics of the characters has made this an interesting read. I have found myself wanting to know what tensions would come next.

I found myself completely pulled in. Kara definitely hasn’t disappointed, I’ve been a fan for a while and this is quite possibly my new favourite by Kara. I have adored this book and cannot wait to see what Kara has in store for readers next.

Let me give you a piece of advice; if you have never read one of Lesley Kara's books, get yourself to your usual book supplier or library and put it right by picking yourself one (or more!) You will not regret it because each and every one is unique and enthralling and The Apartment Upstairs is no different.

This is yet another cracker by Lesley Kara.

Would you want to live in a house where a beloved family member was brutally murdered? I don't think I could but Scarlett is clearly stronger than I am. Not only has she moved back into her flat beneath where her Aunt Rebecca was murdered by her partner who then committed suicide, but she is having to organise the funeral and manage the debilitating condition, ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis).

Dee is the owner of the 'alternative' funeral directors Scarlett contacts to make arrangements for her aunt's funeral. Dee has struggles of her own; as well as her own personal circumstances, her best friend went missing almost 10 years ago and she is organising an event to keep her in the public consciousness.

Little do Scarlett and Dee realise but their lives are going to become intertwined in the most unexpected and shattering way.

There is creeping sense of tension and unease from the very beginning which continues throughout and which had me gripped desperate to know what was going to happen but I definitely didn't see that ending coming ... and what a great ending it is!

With strong characters, a good pace and an engaging and enthralling plot that had me guessing, this is a book that I devoured quickly and one which I have no hesitation in recommending to those who enjoy a character-driven, gripping thriller.

Thanks go to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for enabling me to read The Apartment Upstairs and share my views.

The Apartment Upstairs by Lesley Kara was another excellent book and I was gripped from the beginning till the end. This book would be a great holiday read sitting by the pool relaxing soaking in the atmosphere around you.
I love the way Lesley writes her books and they always draws you in hence why I always enjoy them. Looking forward to her next book.

I read THE DARE by KARA last year and I liked it a bit more than THE APARTMENT UPSTAIRS as this novel is called in the UK. The ending was a bit more satisfying, whereas it left me unimpressed this time around.

We're following Scarlett and Dee. Scarlett's aunt was murdered in the apartment upstairs in a murder-suicide by her boyfriend. Dee has a funeral service together with her best friend, so they get hired to arrange Scarlett's aunt's funeral. However, Dee and her friend know the aunt. She was a substitute teacher and for some reason she might even have a bit more of a connection with their friend Gina who has disappeared ten years ago.

Slowly the plot unfolds, which is fun. Kara's writing is really relaxed and enjoyable. I was never bored and I got the feeling that I got to know the whole cast of characters well, which is why when the ending kicked in I couldn't really believe what I read anymore. There were a bit too many coincidences at the end.

It was still an OK read for me, so I will definitely check out more books by this author in the future.

Scarlett's aunt, Rebecca Quilter is murdered in the house they share and Scarlett's family, especially Ollie, her brother, do not want her to move back in once the police investigation is over. But, as the downstairs apartment has been specifically adapted for her needs, Scarlett, an accountant feels she should be back in her own space and thinks she can cope with what happened in the apartment upstairs. She has the funeral to keep her focused and enlists the services of the local funeral director, Dee Boswell who is dealing with her own loss. The 10-year anniversary of the disappearance of her close friend, Gina is quickly looming.

With the clever plotting my suspicions veered uncontrollably from person to person and I did not want to lay aside this compelling tale for even a minute, such was my need to see what was around the corner. Another hit for me by the talented author, Lesley Kara.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bantam Press via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I didn't love this book but I did like it. I loved the characters and the storyline but just found it to be a little too predictable. Thank you Netgalley and Random house Uk for this ARC. This is my honest opinion 3/5 stars

Dee’s friend Gina went missing ten years ago, never to be seen again, and Scarlett’s aunt was brutally murdered in the apartment above Scarlett’s own place. The two meet when Scarlett contacts Dee’s funeral company to arrange her aunt’s funeral. Immediately you assume the two of them will dig up some skeletons and as the reader, you will not be the only one making assumptions. This is one of those stories where you suspect just about everyone.

It seemed rather predictable to me what had happened to Rebecca but the other part of the story kept me guessing right up until the reveal. Proving once more that you never really know someone, nor should you ever trust anyone. I mean, really, if you have trust issues, you might want to reconsider reading this one 😉. Some things became rather silly and somewhat over the top. Some characters’ behaviours had me utterly baffled at times. Yet, for some reason I can’t put my finger on, I couldn’t stop reading.

What I think the author did really well was explore the different ways people deal with grief. Both Dee and her friend Lindsay are obviously affected by the disappearance of Gina. But whereas Dee ended up living quite the sheltered life and often being afraid of putting herself out there, Lindsay did the exact opposite. Cracks start to appear in their friendship when Lindsay’s behaviour seemingly gets entirely out of control and while I wouldn’t necessarily approve of the way Dee tackled those particular instances, I could absolutely understand it.

Scarlett, on the other hand, is determined to have life continue as before. She will not consider the idea of moving as her apartment has been modified and adjusted to her every need. But who is creeping around her garden in the middle of the night or wandering around the apartment upstairs when they think Scarlett isn’t home? That bit was too easy to figure out, to be honest.

‘The Apartment Upstairs‘ felt more of a murder mystery to me than a psychological thriller. I was expecting it to be fabulously gripping and compelling but it didn’t quite deliver that for me. Full of suspense, yes. However, lacking the tension I look for in this genre. It’s definitely a quickie page-turner of a read though, but somehow Lesley Kara can’t ever seem to reach that same level of her debut ‘The Rumour‘ so I always remain rather underwhelmed. In my most humble opinion, of course. Be that as it may, I enjoyed it for what it was although I could have done without the unnecessary pandemic reminder at the end.

A very unpredictable novel and a clever storyline but ultimately too many characters, too many unexplained dead ends and too many twists from nowhere to be a must read

I'm a fan of Lesley's books after reading her debut novel The Rumour which I thought was very cleverly done. I liked that The Apartment Upstairs was told from two different connected viewpoints. It was well researched but the research was enmeshed within the story and there were no dumps of information. Good length of chapters - short enough to read more than one in one sitting. Definitely recommend.

After Scarlett's aunt is brutally murdered by her fiance in the house they shared, her family are dead against her moving back in once the police investigation is over. But as the downstairs apartment has been specifically adapted for her needs, she wants to get back to her safe space and thinks she can cope with what happened in the apartment upstairs. She has the funeral to keep her mind busy for now and enlists the services of local funeral director Dee. She quickly forms a bond with Dee who is also dealing with her own loss as the 10 year anniversary of the disappearance of her close friend Gina is looming with still no sign of her.

The story follows the two women as they both deal with their own issues, but as their stories become interwined there are twists and turns until the shocking climax.

I have loved previous books by this author as I enjoy the writing style of very well-paced stories that are slow to begin with as introductions are made but with a steady but gradual increase in intensity until you get to the point where you literally can't stop reading, and this one was no different!

I have enjoyed every one of Lesley Kara's books and this was no exception.
It had some interesting characters, some nice and not so nice, some who had unusual occupations, .
There were some surprising twists and a couple that were more obvious.
One missing person, a murder and a suicide all on a collision course to provide answers.
Great read, didn't want to put it down.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Random House UK for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

EXCERPT: When the call was over Scarlett's hands were trembling. She raised her head slowly and stared at the pristine white ceiling above her, her breath trapped at the back of her throat. Her neck felt clammy under her T-shirt. Something vile was playing out behind her eyes. Something utterly preposterous, and yet . . .

She thought of all those odd little things her aunt had started saying in the months leading up to her death. Things Scarlett had put down to her failing mind. Things she sometimes giggled at behind her aunt's back with Ollie or, worse still, ignored altogether, dismissed as nonsense.

If Rebecca's confused mind had been remembering something that she'd forgotten was supposed to be a secret, and if that secret had something to do with Gina Caplin's disappearance, then wouldn't her aunt's life have been in danger?

ABOUT 'THE APARTMENT UPSTAIRS': Scarlett's aunt lived - and was brutally murdered - in the apartment upstairs. But Scarlett is determined that life should return to some kind of normal, even if that means living with just a ceiling between her and the scene of such a devastating crime. After all, this is her home. She's safe here. Isn't she?

Dee is busy balancing her job as a funeral director with organizing an event to mark the disappearance of her best friend, ten years ago. So she's got enough on her plate without worrying about the threatening messages that are appearing on her company's Facebook page.

When Scarlett approaches Dee about planning her aunt's funeral, an unexpected link between them emerges. Together, the two women could uncover secrets that have long been buried. Even while someone wants to stop them digging . . .


MY THOUGHTS: The Apartment Upstairs is an addictive read, one I couldn't put down and which had me reading into the early hours of the morning.

I loved the characters. Ordinary people, living ordinary lives, brought together by a death.

Scarlett, an independent accountant, plagued by CFS and ME, lives in the apartment below that of her aunt who was brutally bashed to death by her fiance. She chooses Fond Farewells to help organize Rebecca's funeral.

Dee and Lindsay are lifelong friends who own and operate Fond Farewells, a funeral home. They are opposite sides of the same coin: Dee is as introverted as Lindsay is extroverted. They used to be a threesome but their friend Gina Caplin disappeared without a trace almost ten years earlier. With Gina's parents, they are organising a gathering to remember Gina and hopefully stir up some memories which may lead to finding her.

Lesley Kara has the knack of taking the perfectly ordinary and making it into something extraordinary. An insidious underlying tension crept in as I read. Was there a connection between Rebecca and Gina Caplin? Or are Scarlett's suspicions merely a product of her overwrought mind?

This is a very cleverly plotted book. There's no attempt to shock, or to deceive with unreliable narrators. I didn't have to suspend belief. There's no gangs, or organised crime. It's all very ordinary, until it's not.

My suspicions veered wildly from person to person, my mind becoming every bit as overwrought as Scarlett's. But never did I even come close to guessing what had really happened, and what Scarlett's actions would uncover. I have loved everything I have read by this author, but The Apartment Upstairs is the best yet.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#TheApartmentUpstairs #NetGalley

I: @lesleykarawriter @penguinukbooks

T: @LesleyKara @TransworldBooks

#contemporaryfiction #crime #mystery #suspense

THE AUTHOR: THE AUTHOR: Lesley Kara is an alumna of the Faber Writing Academy 'Writing a Novel' course. She lives in the small town of Flinstead-on-Sea on the North Essex coast. The Rumour is her first novel.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Apartment Upstairs by Lesley Kara for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

I’m going to start off by admitting that for the first few chapters of this book I really wasn’t sure about it. I was finding it quite slow moving and I just kept putting it down and not having the inclination to pick it up again. However after a few more chapters it was like everything changed and I really couldn’t get enough of this book. There were quite a few OMG moments and I would finish a chapter and need to read back a few pages to make sure I’d read that right, There was so many twists and turns in this book my head was in a spin. 4⭐️

This book was truly addictive and a real page turner for me.
I found it very easy to read and engaging. The writing style is very good and the dual storyline works extremely well, leaving you guessing right to the very end, and, in my case, guessing wrong and being surprised by the twisted ending.
I loved the characterisation and how the relationships between the characters evolve: It plays an important part in creating tension and building up strain.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a slow burn, gripping thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lesley Kara is an author that always has a grip on me for her stories.

The apartment upstairs is nothing less than the same as her older books, if not more because of a queer representation and chronic illness issues.

This was quite an intense read, slow in the beginning while the flawed characters are introduced and as soon as the story picks up, so the pace and thrills. I did not know where this was going to take me and I was pleasantly surprised by the ending.

Great writing, with characters that will make you live right from the beginning and a twisted story overall. The apartment upstairs is a page turner book I would recommend to any readers.

🆓📖Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley

📚book review 📚 The Apartment Upstairs By Lesley Kara. 🗓Publication Date - 23rd June 2022

Scarlett moved into what was her aunties house (now made into 2 apartments. One for her and one for her brother. Scarlett approaches Dee who runs her own funeral director with her oldest friend. They both lost a 3rd friend 10 years ago. She just disappeared!!

Does Scarlett or her family have anything to do with this…… ??

Twisty and kept me gripped.

➡️ slide along for the sypnosis ➡️. Thanks Netgalley, for allowing me to read this ARC 📚. #arc #netgalley #bookstagram #reviews #architecture #books #review #art #book #london #instagood #bookworm #food #reading #youtube #design #bookish #foodie #leagueracing #booklover #gaming #bibliophile #architect #booksofinstagram #instafood #f1 #comics #viralpost #booknerd #travel

The Apartmemt Upstairs is a decent psychological thriller that was a bit different to anything I’ve read before.
Scarlett’s aunt lived in the apartment upstairs that is until her partner murdered her in her bedroom and then killed himself in the bathroom after. Scarlett’s family just want her to move out of the apartment away from the horrors that happened above her but she is strong and won’t be moved. Now her aunt is dead scarlett gets the garden whilst her brother gets her aunts apartment and Scarlett can’t wait to get some designs going to change the garden. Scarlett chooses Dee’s company to carry out the funeral of her aunt as Dee offers a different and bespoke service but after several meetings it becomes very clear that they both know someone from their past.
This was a slow burner and usually that would bore me a little but there are that many sub plots happening and red herrings that this didn’t bother me at all.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed all of this authors books, this on is no exception. Great characters loved the dual storyline that intertwined seamlessly, I read this in one sitting and will look forward to anything else this author produces next

I love Lesley Kara’s writing so requested this on NetGalley as soon as I saw it was open.

This book was so different and I loved it.

It was full of tension, mystery and hope and was nothing like what I expected.

First of all, the representation was great. Seeing myself represented in both chronically ill and queer characters is not something I have come to expect from a thriller so I was so pleased to discover it here.

The book started slower than Kara’s previous works for me and it felt like there was a lot going on but as the story developed and things began to come together, the pace picked up and I was hooked.

The characters in this story were flawed and I loved it. Sometimes, it was totally predictable and others I was completely blown away by the things they did or revealed. There were so many elements of sub plots tied into these flaws and they worked so well in distracting from what was really going on. So many times I thought I had it all figured out only to find out I was miles off.

A true mystery and a great thriller firmly cemementing Kara as an autobuy author!

CW: death of a family member, chronic illness, sexual assault, abduction, missing persons

This is a great mystery thriller.
Dee and Lindsay own Fond Farewells, a modern funeral service company.
Scarlett has recently lost her Aunt and is still trying to process her murder but knows she wants a special funeral for her.
When Scarlett meets Dee she connects with her straight away and soon it’s clear they have someone in common.
Dee and Lindsay lost a friend and it seems Scarlett’s Aunt may have known her.
This is a clever mystery thriller that definitely had me hooked.
A great book that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.