The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell

 

Back in May I finally got around to reading The Family Upstairs and it proved to be one of my favourite reads of the month. A group, mainly children, held in a cult-like household led to a riveting read. However, I'm sure I wasn't the only reader who finished the book wanting to know more. Thankfully author Lisa Jewell has satisfied my curiosity by writing a sequel, The Family Remains.

Most of the events in The Family Remains take place a year after the end of The Family Upstairs. Lucy, Henry and Libby are learning to be a family and get their lives onto a normal footing. Libby is making plans to track down the mysterious Phin but at the last minute something spooks him and he disappears. Henry then takes off, trying to track him down.

While all of this is happening a black sack containing the bones of a small female is discovered in the River Thames and a police detective connects the remains to the house from the original story. He's determined to track down what happened and who is responsible.

We also have a storyline set three years ago involving Lucy's ex-husband and how he met his current wife. At first this storyline, even though it is a really intriguing one, doesn't seem to fit in with the main story. As we approach the conclusion everything eventually fits together with a very satisfying finale to this thread.

The main story begins with a quick recap of the events in the first book. The narrative then moves forward very quickly. Henry is an intense, brooding character. A human chameleon with almost sociopathic qualities. As he hunts the elusive Phin you wonder what his end-goal is but you also wonder why Phin is so determined not to be tracked down.

When the traumatic events of 25 years ago are recounted in greater detail there are feelings of anger and sadness. You wonder how anyone can develop into a normal adult having experienced such events.

As we reach the conclusion to the story there is a sense of trepidation and dread. Lisa Jewell keeps the reader in suspense right up to the satisfying conclusion - however, I have my doubts that we've seen the last of Henry. Henry's story seems to have a life of it's own.

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell will be published on 21st July 2022 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for a review copy