A brilliant read, I devoured this in the space of a few hours as I could not put it down at all!! Loved it and highly recommend this book ..

I loved the author's first two novels so was excited to read this, her fourth. The novel is told through the dual narratives of Scarlett who is grieving the death of her aunt who was murdered by her partner and Dee who runs Fond Farewells, a local funeral directors, and is engaged by Scarlett to carry out her aunt's funeral. Dee is also coping with the disappearance of her friend Gina 10 years ago and is helping to organise an anniversary event to keep the search for Gina alive. The novel is fairly slow paced and not a gripping thriller. The two narratives come together gradually and although I found this to be an ultimately enjoyable novel I feel that there needed to be more cohesion and tightness in the plot and possibly fewer characters. However, I'd recommend it as an enjoyable thriller and an easy read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
3.5 stars

Misdirection Galore…
Misdirection galore in this twisty psychological suspense from Lesley Kara. Scarlett is perfectly safe in her flat - despite the brutal murder of her aunt which happened just upstairs - isn’t she? Probably. Dee has too much to worry about without stressing over the threatening messages on Facebook. Doesn’t she? Of course she has. When Scarlett approaches Dee to arrange her aunt’s funeral a link between the two emerges - unexpected and perhaps unnerving- and secrets will be uncovered. A tense and twisting tale with credibly crafted characters and with a menacing undercurrent where not everything is quite as it first appears.

I really enjoyed this book, it was well written with a compelling plot that left me confused for most of it-in the best way - and well developed characters that were relatable and likeable.
It was a gripping story that left me not knowing what was going on or what to believe, it was twisty and unpredictable and I couldn't put it down. I cannot recommend this book or this author enough.

I couldn't wait to read this, in her previous books Lesley Kara has proven her powers as one of the best character writers in the business.

Scarlett lives downstairs, her aunt Rebecca lived upstairs with her boyfriend, before she was murdered.

Dee is runs Fond Farewells, the funeral directors chosen to handle Rebecca's service.

An unusual premise and characters, I really thought it had great potential. There are quite a few secondary characters and (sorry) but the main characters didn't sparkle for me the way they have in her previous books.

It held my interest easily, but I didn't feel much tension or the compulsion to race through it.

It ends strongly with some very strong and unexpected twists.


Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers

#TheApartmentUpstairs #NetGalley
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 .
It's a mind blowing novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Transworld Publishers for giving me an advance copy.

I have yet to read a book by Lesley Kara that I have not devoured. This book is a brilliant psychological thriller. It is full of twists and turns and is a novel full of secrets.l
The characters are really well portrayed in this book. It is superbly written and, as a reader, you really are not quite sure what is going on. Is it a murder? Manslaughter? Accident? Suicide? Again, the author delivers a great psychological thriller and I am already looking forward to the next installment that Lesley Kara has to write.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. I ended up skimming this book and didn't get much for a plot. Scarlett moves into her aunt's old apartment, where she was murdered. Dee runs a funeral home and finds out her friends have been lying to her about the past. The plots intersect and past murderers are brought to light. I didn't feel there was any suspense in this book. It just didn't seem to have much. It flowed ok, but just don't see how this could be a thriller. It was very bland.