The Upstairs Room

Eleanor and Richard purchase their first home together in London - a Victorian townhouse that seems perfect despite being above their budget. Their daughters settle in quickly, but Eleanor experiences mounting unease and physical symptoms that keep her from working in the house's upstairs room. While researching the house's history, Eleanor discovers her experiences mirror those of previous occupant Lily, who lived there in the 1970s. As Eleanor and Lily's parallel narratives progress, the house's grip on both women intensifies. The story alternates between Eleanor in the present and Lily in the past, connected by the mysterious upstairs room and their shared sense of confinement. Other characters become entangled in the house's influence, including Richard and their lodger Zoe. The Upstairs Room examines how spaces shape identity and psychology, while questioning the true cost of home ownership in modern cities. Through its dual timeline, the novel explores themes of class, gender roles, and the persistent power of the past over the present.

Most readers found this to be a slow-burning psychological horror story that creates tension through atmosphere rather than scares. Reviews note the book excels at capturing the anxiety of London house ownership and gentrification. Readers appreciated: - The realistic portrayal of relationship strain - Rich architectural details and sense of place - The subtle buildup of unease - Complex female characters Common criticisms: - Plot moves too slowly, especially in middle sections - Some supernatural elements feel underdeveloped - The ending leaves questions unanswered - Characters can be difficult to empathize with Average ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon UK: 3.8/5 (100+ ratings) Amazon US: 3.5/5 (50+ ratings) One reader called it "a ghost story that's more about property ownership anxiety than actual ghosts." Another noted it's "atmospheric but frustratingly paced." Several reviews mentioned expecting more concrete horror elements based on the marketing.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson A woman's psychological deterioration intertwines with supernatural forces in a mansion, blending domestic horror with questions of sanity and perception.

Behind the Walls by Eliza Graham Two parallel narratives follow women living in the same London house decades apart as they uncover dark secrets embedded in their home's history.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters A country doctor becomes entangled with a family in their decaying mansion where class tensions and possible supernatural occurrences merge into a story of psychological suspense.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier A young bride moves into her new husband's estate where the lingering presence of his deceased first wife permeates every room and relationship.

The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons A contemporary couple watches in horror as successive owners of a newly built house next door fall victim to inexplicable tragedies connected to the property.

🏠 "The Upstairs Room" combines elements of gothic horror with contemporary London housing market anxieties, reflecting a growing genre of "property horror" in modern literature. 👻 The book's portrayal of a haunted house in Hackney mirrors the author's own experiences of buying property in London, including the pressures and compromises young families face. 📚 Kate Murray-Browne wrote much of the novel while working as an editor at a publishing house, drawing on her professional insights into the book industry. 🏘️ The story's themes tap into a distinctly millennial fear about housing affordability, with the protagonist Eleanor paying £850,000 for a property that makes her deeply uncomfortable - a price that was typical for London in 2017 when the book was published. 🎭 The novel explores the concept of "sick building syndrome," where a structure itself seems to cause physical and psychological symptoms in its inhabitants - a phenomenon first recognized by the WHO in 1983.