The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell is a gripping follow-up to her previous novel, praised for its compelling characters and intricate plot. Readers commend its fast-paced narrative and unexpected twists, though some find it lacks the depth of its predecessor. Overall, it is a thrilling read that keeps audiences on edge, despite a few underdeveloped subplots.

Readers who enjoy intricate psychological thrillers like Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins's The Girl on the Train will be captivated by Lisa Jewell's The Family Remains. This novel appeals to those who appreciate suspenseful narratives with complex characters and dark, interwoven family secrets.

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell, a sequel to her bestseller The Family Upstairs, unfolds through various narrators and timelines as Detective Samuel Owusu investigates a murder linked to an old mystery from a house on Cheyne Walk. Concurrently, Rachel Gold’s tumultuous relationship with Michael Rimmer and the lives of the Lamb children, 25 years after their traumatic escape, intertwine, revealing secrets about their past.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Emotional

- The Family Remains is a sequel to Jewell's novel The Family Upstairs, continuing the story set in the same chilling and mysterious world.
- Lisa Jewell wrote The Family Remains to answer lingering questions left by readers after finishing The Family Upstairs.
- Known for her gripping thrillers, Lisa Jewell keeps her audience engaged with complex characters and tangled relationships in The Family Remains.

**Henry Lamb**  
A 42-year-old founding partner of a software-design company in London, who is meticulous about appearances and has a complex and evolving obsession with his childhood crush.

**Lucy Lamb**  
Henry’s 40-year-old sister, a mother of three who has faced housing insecurity but is looking forward to a fresh start with her recently inherited wealth.

**Rachel Gold**  
A 32-year-old jewelry designer in London struggling to establish her business while navigating personal relationships and finding her own strength.

**Samuel Owusu**  
The lead detective on a murder case, known for his keen observation skills and dedication to uncovering the truth, despite complex emotional connections to the people involved.

**Michael Rimmer**  
A witty and charming man who enters into relationships with a veneer of sophistication, concealing a controlling and abusive nature underneath.

**Libby Jones**  
Lucy’s daughter who was adopted after being found in a house with a troubled past, newly reconnected with her birth family.

**Phineas Thomsen**  
Childhood acquaintance of Henry who becomes a focal point of Henry’s obsession, now living a life of searching for meaning after childhood trauma.

**Birdie Dunlop-Evers**  
A violin player whose remains are discovered 25 years after her murder, formerly a resident of the house on Cheyne Walk and associated with its complex dynamics.

**Justin Redding/Justin Ugley**  
Former boyfriend of Birdie and a past resident of the Cheyne Walk house, whose history is intertwined with the darker elements of the household's past.

**Marco**  
Lucy’s teenage son who enjoys detective work and helps track down family members, representing a younger generation's perspective and resilience.

Lisa Jewell

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The Family Upstairs

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