Upstairs at the Beresford

by Will Carver

Hotel a grand old building, just outside the city, where any soul is welcome, and strange goings-on mask explosive, deadly secrets. A chilling, darkly funny sequel to Will Carver’s bestselling The Beresford … There are worse places than hell… Hotel Beresford is a grand, old building, just outside the city. And any soul is welcome. Danielle Ortega works nights, singing at whatever dive bar will offer her a gig. She gets by, keeping to herself. Sam Walker gambles and drinks, and can’t keep his hands to himself. Now he’s tied up in a shoe closet with a dent in his head that matches Danielle’s broken ashtray. The man in 731 has been dead for two days and his dog has not stopped barking. Two doors down, the couple who always smokes on the window ledge will mysteriously fall. Upstairs, in the penthouse, Mr Balliol sees it all. He can peer into every crevice of every floor of the hotel from his screen-filled suite. He witnesses humanity and inhumanity in all its loneliness, passion and desperation in equal measure. All the ingredients he needs to make a deal. When Danielle returns home one night to find Sam gone, a series of sinister events begins to unfold. But strange things often occur at Hotel Beresford, and many are only a distraction to hide something much, much darker…

Genres: Horror, Fiction

276 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2024

Reviews

[Vicki Herbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Devil Went Down to the Beresford
Looking for Some Souls to Steal...

UPSTAIRS AT THE BERESFORD
(The Beresford Trilogy)
by Will Carver

3 stars. At the Hotel Beresford, it seems everybody is doing something they shouldn't, but the building knows...

Especially on the 7th floor...

Danielle Ortega lives in room 728. The 7th floor isn't the loudest or the worst. She has an abusive man tied up in her closet...

Diana Walker is in room 734. She lives with her 10 year old son and her abusive husband, currently tied up in the closet of room 728...

A continuously barking doberman is in room 731. The dog, which isn't allowed in the hotel, is barking at his dead master, Jerry...

The rent is cheap, so...

The Zhaos, a married couple, are staying in a room on the 7th floor to save enough money for a down payment on a house...

The Zhaos know...

If they get too comfortable, lazy, or greedy while staying there and socking away the money, things can change. The building knows...

Each floor is known for something special...

A celebrity affair, a mysterious death, a legendary party, a serial killer laying low between sprees...

But...

The top floor remains a mystery to the other tenants. The Devil resides there, and he's in the Beresford looking for souls to steal...

Just sign on the dotted line, but don't look too closely at the fine print on his contract...

This was the second installment of The Beresford Trilogy. The story is very different from the first installment, but 60 seconds is still the time required to turn over a recent vacancy for new occupancy.

[Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Laird · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Oh my days, what is this book?!'
Those were words I said out loud to myself several times reading this novel.
As I'm starting to understand with Will Carver books, there is the unique combination of philosophical thought-provoking observations about society and life, together with some pretty dark content. Will Carver is an author like no other.
I should have been better prepared for the dark stuff!
The pacing is fast and takes the reader on a wild ride, where you'll finish the book, let out a slow breath, and whisper to yourself, 'Phew. I need a minute'.

[K.J. Charles]

I'm not sure this is saying much the hightly enjoyable previous book didn't say, and it felt really quite misanthropic, which I grant is a weird thing to object to in a book where people sell their souls to Satan.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always a double edged sword picking up a book like Upstairs At The Beresford, as on the one hand you know you’re going to love reading it, but you know it’s gonna be an absolute bugger to review causing variations of…

Um? Er? Where to begin?

Intermingled with head scratching/pencil chewing/sighing/coffee-making avoidance techniques [delete as appropriate]

So let’s make a start.

Right everyone, buckle up, take a deep breath and prepare to launch yourselves back into the dark recesses of both Mr Will Carver’s mind, and the Hotel Beresford itself- a hotel which easily undermines The Overlook as the creepiest boarding establishment in fiction, and whose inhabitants will, once met, never be forgotten.

Well, aside from haunting your dreams and prone to unleashing the forces of hell.

You get my drift.

This is the prequel to the equally dark and unsettling The Beresford, which is hands down one of my favourite books by this author, and where we were introduced to a cast of characters that were unique in their peculiarities, quirks, perversions, murderous compulsions and insecurities,

“The people who lived at The Beresford did not belong. They had that in common. The kind of people who wanted to sit in the centre of the circle but existed on the side of a square. They were outside. They floated on the periphery.”

Very pleasingly this book explores the lives of some of the previous inhabitants of this uniquely weird establishment, where the structure and feel of the hotel itself is as intrinsically central to the plot as those that dare to reside within its walls. Carver paints a beautiful picture of the faded glamour of this once grand hotel, and how its careworn and run down interior reflects the sadness and isolation of many of its guests. It is a place where desperation and fruitless hope permeates its every corner, and where goodness is rarely rewarded and evil can prevail.

“You don’t get involved. You turn a blind eye. You let things slide.

Everyone has their own shit going on.”

Once again, Carver imbues his characters with all permutations of the seven deadly sins, stripping human nature to its barest core, unveiling a visceral and carnal litany of violence, abuse, sex, drugs and wanton behaviour in these claustrophobic and suffocating surrounds. All of his characters are so clearly and beautifully defined, by not only their physical attributes, but by the way their lives are so deeply in contrast to each others- the ones content with their arc of their own existence and those that literally make a deal with the devil in a bid to gain happiness, success or emotional satisfaction. I love the way he teases out and explores the degrees of darkness that lay at the heart of his characters, and how they interact with, or exploit each other’s strengths and weaknesses. His characters are a heady mixture of those things that define us as humans, and you find yourself completely mesmerised by some, wanting to shake the hell out of others, despising the most odious of them, and knowing not to get attached to any of them. As I said before, goodness is rarely rewarded…

And then, at the very heart of this book, one of the supreme joys of Carver’s writing, where we are transported into a world of cerebral explorations of the human psyche, the evil of religion, the wickedness of humans, the futility of, well, pretty much everything, framed in beautifully brutal diversions from the main narrative. Once again I picture Carver shaking his fists at the sky as we follow his pithy and pertinent ruminations on the blandness and paucity of common sense that seems increasingly to define our existence, and equally finding myself in agreement at his needle sharp, and at times, darkly witty observations.

If you think nothing important happened today, get yourself comfortable, pick up and read a Will Carver book, and then you can safely look back the following day and think something important happened yesterday. You discovered one of the most challenging, creative, and unique writers you will ever encounter.

Trust me.

[Stephen J. Golds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the prequel to The Beresford that I’d hoped it would be. Really enjoyed how Carver meshed his usual cynical stylings with ideas of religion. Riffing on the idea of selling your soul and then weaving it into a rich tapestry of genre-bending story-telling and universe-making.

Wonderful as always from Carver.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am getting to the point now where I am not sure I have anything new original to write when it comes to a Will Carver novel. Every time I pick up a book I mentally prepare myself to be taken on some strange, mind bending, often angry, always unique, journey, one that will have me smiling and, perhaps disturbingly, nodding in agreement with many of the observations that emerge through the course of the book. Not that I necessarily agree with the actions of some of Mr C's protagonists - that's a step too far even for me on a bad day. But Will Carver has a canny knack of really getting down into the minutiae of human behaviour, drawing out the innermost demons, sometimes literally, of his characters and giving them a disturbingly authentic personality, and highlighting all the quirks and foibles that make us the contradictory, challenging mess that we are.

Yes, he also takes his stories to the next level, and when it comes to the occupants of The Beresford, they really are an unusually eclectic bunch. For anyone who has read The Beresford (the novel, not the hotel), some of what, or perhaps who, we see may seem familiar. But this book is set before Abe and Blair have their fateful meeting with Mrs May, taking up residence in the building that is going to radically (gross understatement, I know) change their lives. We get a sneak peak there of the 'after' of this once iconic hotel's existence, and in Upstairs At The Beresford, the author shows us the 'before'. A mixture of bad deeds and good intentions. Misadventure and misdeeds. And all of it orchestrated by someone who makes their career in being the puppet master of bad decisions.

I'm really trying to be careful about what I say about the book. I think it is a case where less really is more and you need to read to fully understand what the book is all about. Like many of his other novels, some more overtly than others, the author explores the dividing line between good an evil, highlighting the blurring of the lines that is sometimes dictated by circumstance, often driven by ego. I liked the duplicity of the characters, the fact that the residents act like a mirror to the darkness that is infused in every brick of the building, reflecting it back in a stark, occasionally shocking way. It's a darkness that permeates the soul of everyone who passes through the door, although arguably it may just be that the building amplifies what was already there.

I really liked the mixture of characters in this book. From the innocent souls like Odie, who just loves to read, through to Jazz singer, Danielle; Hotel Manager, Carol, or the mysterious Mr Balliol, Will Carver captures and portrays such a myriad traits that it is possible to find an echo of almost anyone you know amongst them. Okay, so most of them leave a lot to be desired in the personality stakes, but I was invested in each and every one of their stories. As the narrative moves back and forth between their points of view, style the author really excels at, we accompany them in a kind of voyeur capacity, seeing the highs and, overwhelming, lows of their lives. Although it sometimes seems hard to pick out any particular moments of light in the creeping, leeching darkness, there are soft moments to be found. Poignant scenes in which we are able to pause for a moment, take a breath and nod in understanding of true love and compassion. Yes, this book really does force home the point of asking what you might do, what you might sacrifice, to get your hearts desire, but it's not all framed in a bad way. Sometimes that sacrifice is laced with pure love. Mr Carver can do romantic too. After a fashion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, possibly for all of the right reasons - great characters, good, but dark humour, and a completely engrossing story - but, undoubtedly for some of the wrong ones too. You don't come to a Will Carver novel expecting a happy ever after fairytale ending. If this were a fairytale, it would be far more Brothers Grimm than Disney, and, got to be honest, that's just the way I like it. Definitely recommended.

[Alfred Nobile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love a Will Carver book. But the only problem with Will is you don't know what you are getting. Though this is the prequel to the Beresford it bears no resemblance to the previous book but as most of Will's novels it is on the dark side. You could nominally call it horror but it falls between genres.. In many ways it is psychological in that it plays with your mind. It is a book that you will read fast but you will find yourself trying to slow down and asking the question; did I just read that! In many ways you will find yourself running through a wide range of emotions. Sometimes angry, other times nodding in agreement with the author's observations. All against your own better judgement. But one thing is certain you will be entertained immensely.

Will Carver is a brilliant writer who will entertain you with every novel he writes. Great tales, fantastic writing and great prose. Grab a copy if you can.

[Rainbow Goth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I read by Will Carver was "The Beresford," and I distinctly remember writing in my review that it wouldn't be the last book I read by him. Since then, I've delved into more of his works, and I can confidently say that he has become my favourite author.

This book is a prequel to the series, and I found myself enjoying it even more than the first book. Carver's writing style, coupled with his complex and multi-dimensional characters, really resonated with me. I have a love-hate relationship with the characters, and that makes the reading experience even more captivating.

What struck me the most about this book is the way Carver artfully intertwines religion, myth, fate, and luck into a modern-day setting. It's a unique approach that works incredibly well. The juxtaposition of profound ideas about life, love, and success with dark, twisted storytelling is something I truly appreciate and enjoy.

Carver's storytelling is truly exceptional, and I believe he possesses a rare and unique storytelling ability. The Beresford Hotel's mysterious and chilling atmosphere reminded me of the stories surrounding the infamous Cecil Hotel, while also evoking the sinister vibe of the HH Holmes Murder Castle with its hidden passageways and moving walls.

My only message to the author is... More, please!!!

[Ross Cumming · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the prequel to The Beresford in which Will Carver relates the stories of the various inhabitants, guests and employees of the Hotel Beresford, all of whom are inexplicably tied to the building which is overseen by the mysterious Mr Balliol.
What I like about Carver’s novels is that you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get and this is no different. The story is both chilling and funny as Carver slowly reveals the plot and we unravel what is actually going on behind the walls of the Hotel Beresford. Carver creates a facade where on the outside everything in the hotel appears normal but the Beresford is anything but normal. The staff can clear up any mess and can make guests and even bodies disappear, leaving no trace behind and the rooms ready for the next occupants.
Having just finished this novel, I’m actually now sorely tempted to go and reread The Beresford, as it now may give me a greater insight into that novel !

[David Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upstairs at the Beresford is a kind-of prequel to Carver's The Beresford (can it really be two whole years since that came out?)

I say "kind-of" because, as with the other books which are set in what might be called the Carververse, while one can see repeated elements (characters, events, businesses) there isn't I think a "continuity" as one might normally define it - a shared set of events and a consistent set of facts - rather there is a sort of "moral" continuity. So I'm not sure that it makes sense to say that events of Upstairs precede those of The Beresford in a temporal sense, but they do come before, in a kind of moral, developmental (or perhaps better, decline-y)sense.

Put simply, it's revealed here that the Beresford itself - that institution to be found on the edge of any town, where drifting members of humanity find themselves tested, and often failing - is a sort of sulphurous experiment, a gambit, as it were, by the powers of darkness, to gather in more souls and not only more souls but the best souls (imagine offering your soul to the Devil and being told that no, it's not up to scratch! What a humiliation!)

The experiment, the gambit, described here, precedes the one seen in The Beresford which is now shown as simply another iteration of the same shell game. In Upstairs, the Beresford is more a hotel than the suite of apartments we saw in the earlier book, something that presents both opportunities to the management (the monthly sales conferences that it host are a good opportunity to gather product) and risks (such as potential for publicity). This both explains a bit more about what is going on in The Beresford and raises questions about where things are ultimately bound.

In particular this book isn't I think answering the question of what was going on when saw that little glimpse upstairs in the previous book, rather it's telling a story of its own. Carver portrays an ensemble of residents and visitors who represent humanity with its strengths and weaknesses: the family with an abusive husband, his wife desperately turning tricks during the day to raise money to get out with her son; the loved-up young couple living as cheaply as they can while they save for their own place; the cabaret singer who's so achingly cool it almost hurts; the raffish salesman in town for that conference; and of course Carol, the manager, who's bound to the place by some strange bargain of her own, and is adept at clearing up dead bodies, the debris of orgies, and the remnants of whatever it is happens each month down in the basement.

Together these characters - and there are others - form a strong cast, a group around whom Carver can illustrate and explore the foibles, failings and quiet triumphs of humanity. Triumphs? They are here. It would be tempting to characterise the Carververse as a dark, hopeless place but that would be wrong. His books - and Upstairs at the Beresford is particularly good at this - are unsparing of humanity's blushes, they pull no punches, but they are celebratory too - of human resilience, kindness, loyalty and especially, love. (When rarely, they are found).

We still, of course, metaphorically get to visit that crossroads from time to time - you know, the one where the Devil (or one of His minions, Old Nick is a busy chap) strikes a deal, giving the customer what he or she really, really wants for consideration of a single soul. We don't visit it for real, there are no excursions to a windswept heath or remote junction, but still the book takes us there, showing - and discussing - those who have made the journey before and pondering who may be along next, and why.

I've previously referred to these books as "moral noir" which is perhaps a bit silly because noir is all moral noir, but I was trying to make the point that for all the bloodshed and suffering here (and be warned there is plenty) the key events are, well, moral, internal, they are choices and lack or choices, responses to constraints and tight corners and above all, they derive form a calculus of self vs everyone else. Convincingly portrayed as it is - and the setting here really does draw on in - the real landscape is mental, ethical.

Reading - and I assume writing - about this brings a sense of clarity, I think, which marks Carver's writing out as not only having real heft and importance but also as bracingly good in itself (despite the darkness billowing all around).

So - welcome to Hotel Beresford. You can leave whenever you want to.

[Philippa Mckenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another glorious, batsh!t bonkers read from Will Carver, my go to author when I want a dark, delicious and twisted read. Despite it being released sometime after The Beresford (another zillion star banger), this is actually its prequel. Usually, it would be completely unthinkable for me to read books that are in a series, even books that are loosely linked, out of sequence, but Carver is so brilliant with his writing, it really doesn't matter and it's nothing but a joy when characters you've met before pop up unexpectedly at an earlier stage in their life. Fabulous stuff.

[Diane Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even invisine how Will Carvers mind works.. but oh myyyyyy!!!
Every book is so unique and brings on the weird. Love every single book that I've read and this new one was just brilliant. I drop everything to just sit and devour his books. Noone has a way of words like him telling a story.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent prequel to The Beresford. Engaging throughout and a multitude of appalling and lost characters.

[Ruth Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black comedy on steroids, alternately cringeworthy and then laugh out loud. But , what the hell happened to the dog?

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Will Carver, so didn’t know what to expect. Having read it, my mind is totally boggled and I’m not sure how to describe it in order to do it justice.

In a nutshell, the Hotel Beresford is a place where anything could happen and usually does. The chapters are visits to the different rooms within the hotel where we meet a host of intriguing guests. The plot keeps you interested throughout as the mysteries are slowly revealed. All is definitely not as it seems!

A lot of reviews I’ve read mention the originality and genius of Will Carver's writing style and storytelling, and I have to say I couldn’t agree more, it’s extraordinary. The characters are brilliantly written and I also found out that this is the second book about the Beresford but I didn’t realise that until after I read it, so it obviously does not make any difference, but I am going to find that first book now!

Dark, strange, creepy yet funny at times, it’s sheer brilliance. 5*

Thank you to The Book Club Reviewer Group for the ARC in return for an honest review .

[Katheryn Thompson]

Will Carver is an auto-buy author for me, and Upstairs at the Beresford might be my favourite yet. I won’t attempt to summarise this one, but, like most of Carver’s books, it’s a darkly funny and highly original read. I love how clear and complete its world-building is, while leaving just enough ambiguity to keep things interesting. If you haven’t read any of his books, you could do worse than starting here.

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Carver's The Beresford was memorably about a grand old apartment building full of macabre secrets and grimly inescapable murders. In Upstairs at the Beresford, he takes us back to when the venerable institution was known as the Hotel Beresford and it's soon clear that this darkly singular establishment has always been a place like no other. A familiar face from The Beresford appears again here but the rest of the characters are new to this prequel and so readers can choose to read in either publication or chronological order.
The Hotel Beresford might still bear all the hallmarks of the grand, lavish building which once played host to celebrities and dignitaries but now the peeling paint and faded hopes left over from its elegant past houses people who need somewhere cheap to stay. We are told that 'each floor looks the same yet has its own unique landscape' and so it's the residents on the seventh floor and the penthouse's sole inhabitant who feature most prominently. The seventh floor has always been the most chaotic and noisy and that's made immediately evident but a dead addict, frantically barking dog and a man tied up in a closet are merely the curtain-raisers to what later occurs here. Meanwhile, upstairs in his penthouse, the chillingly enigmatic Mr Balliol sees it all...
This is a Will Carver book and so, of course, we are provoked into casting our own judgements on the characters, many of whom are flawed, fallen individuals whose behaviour is ostensibly shocking and yet only too predictable given how selfish, scared and fallible humans can be. The residents are undoubtedly manipulated by somebody else but nevertheless, it's often their own behaviour which results in them finding themselves in such dire straits. Danny Elwes is unequivocally an awful person but is Diana Walker just an angry, neglectful mother, Lailah merely a thief and I.P. Wyatt unforgivably wasting his talent, frozen by the fear of failure? And what of Carol, the hotel's long-serving manager who oversees the smooth running of the hotel, regardless of what horrors take place there but is searching for something herself? Or young Odie, how long will his innocence remain intact? With the hedonistic monthly third-floor conference offering even more in the way of temptation and apparent gratification, it shouldn't be any wonder that as with the characters themselves, readers will be forced to muse upon the seemingly straightforward question, 'What do you want?'
Throughout the book, there are biting observations about society and as always with a novel by Will Carver, it's uncomfortable, confrontational and provocative. This is most definitely not a book for the easily offended but even that bears questioning – why are we shocked by certain words or deeds and yet often meekly accept so much horror in the world? Without giving too much away about the fiendishly imaginative plot, the examination of faith and the inescapable blurring of good and evil really drives the compulsively unsettling narrative. Is the pursuit of pleasure always a sin or is a life half lived the greater transgression? There's a line from Frank Turner's song, Demons which I was reminded of while reading Upstairs at the Beresford, 'You're not delivering a perfect body to the grave'– but what of our souls? The philosophical, theological points considered here are likely to be incendiary and yet, why shouldn't we question and challenge ideologies and beliefs? There aren't any easy answers to be found in Upstairs at the Beresford but that’s what makes it such a consummate exploration of life, humanity and indeed, inhumanity.
Acerbically funny, sharply insightful and accompanied throughout by an exquisite soundtrack, Upstairs at the Beresford is another devilishly compulsive read from Will Carver. Very highly recommended.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But this is Hotel Beresford.
It lives, it breathes, it gets to know the people inside.
It knows what has to be done."

Hotel Beresford is a strange place. Anyone is welcome at the grand building just outside the city, but not everyone can leave. There are many rumours that surround The Beresford, but the truth is more ominous than anyone would imagine. And it is all
all observed by Mr. Balliol, the mysterious resident of the Penthouse suite. And we watch with him, seeing snapshots from the lives of some of the staff and residents of the hotel, witnessing the best and worst of humanity as Balliol searches for the souls that offer him the perfect opportunity to make a deadly deal.

He’s done it again. A standing ovation to Will Carver for crafting another deliciously diabolical tale that is impossible to resist. Carver is a genius and he just gets better with every book. He is a master storyteller and dark dream-weaver, making the fabric of reality shift and crack around you as he merges the everyday with the sinister and unexplained to create a world straight out of our nightmares. And he knows exactly how to pull the reader into that world and make them lose themselves there. His writing is sharp, searing, smooth and seductive, striking a resonant chord as he weaves social commentary and complex social issues into this creative and thought-provoking twist on the well-known good vs evil trope. It made me laugh out loud one moment, seethe the next, and kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

"There are still rumours about the place. Bundy hid out here for a few days, once, while evading the cops. There's a tunnel underneath where Kennedy or The Beatles could sneak in through the back. Urban legends that lend an air of mystique to Hotel Beresford.
But now reality is superseding the myth."

The second in Carver’s The Beresford Trilogy, Upstairs at the Beresford is edgy, original, unsettling and addictive; a macabre conundrum you are powerless to resist, much like those who signed away their souls to Balliol. It starts out strong, diving head-first into the action from the first page and never lets up, forcing you to just hold on and enjoy the bumpy ride. The hotel is a cesspit of people who are merely existing rather than living and there’s dark secrets, peculiar happenings, nefarious characters, inhumanity and far more death than is normal for any hotel. The desperation, danger, duplicity and dysfunction oozes from every crevice, the lives of those inside becoming one with the building itself. And this is not a building like any other. Beresford is alive. It seems to breathe and feast on the souls of those that cross its threshold, either keeping them for itself or changing them forever and unexplainable occurrences are par for the course for its staff. I loved how it was so creepy, unpredictable, absurd and yet also totally plausible.

There is a compelling mix of characters in this book that range from the relatable, recognisable, lovable and quirky to the deplorable, menacing and vile. They all have their moments where they shine, but there were a few who I particularly enjoyed reading. Young Odie first comes to mind with his love of books and sweet nature. He was far too good for The Beresford and it was impossible not to love and root for him. I also liked Carol, the widowed hotel manager, and Mrs. May, who I enjoyed learning more about after enjoying her character in the last book. The biggest villain for me was without a doubt Danny. That man gave me the ick and I was rooting for him to get his dues.

Outstanding, alluring, inventive and devilish, Upstairs at the Beresford is a must-read. And while you’re at it, go and read Carver’s backlist too. I promise you won’t regret it.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once a grand affair, the Hotel Beresford offers reasonable rates to souls who prefer to avoid awkward questions, and it attracts a mixed clientele who are not put off by the rumours of sinister goings on inside its faded facade.

The Beresford's current residents include the enigmatic jazz singer Danielle Ortega; the troubled Walker family, whose father is currently lying in Danielle's closet with bashed head; a dead drug addict with a traumatised dog; a seemingly happy couple who will soon come to a very sticky end; and a reclusive writer tortured by his inability to make the words flow. On reception the manager Carol has her hands filled to the brim keeping everything in order, especially with another conference in full swing on the third floor. And spying on them all is the hotel's charismatic owner, Mr Balliol, in his penthouse, with a keen eye for a very particular kind of deal. It is all business as usual at the Beresford... and the business is much darker than even the rumour-mongers can imagine.

Welcome back to Will Carver's Beresford! This time Carver heads into prequel country to provide a demon's eye view of the shenanigans hinted at as happening 'upstairs' in his previous book, The Beresford.

Carver is once again channelling dark and delicious Ira Levin vibes with Hotel Beresford that pay homage to Levin's Bramford (with a lovely side order of Sliver), which dial up the horror factor to the max. There is murder and mayhem, depravity and debauchery, and as much hatred and heartache as you could desire on the menu for the intriguing characters that play on the Hotel Beresford stage, and the twisty plotlines keep you very much entertained in the unsettling way that Carver does so well. I was hooked from the first page, and could not look away until the slickly contrived ending that brings the story full circle to where The Beresford begins.

I am delighted to report that alongside the thrills and spills, Carver also brings in many more of the themes of his earlier books in greater depth than he did in The Beresford. He has such a sharp, incisive way of getting into the contradictions that come with the messy human condition, and amongst the veritable smorgasbord of knotty issues on offer here, there is a lot to get your teeth into. What would it take for you to consider trading away your soul? Can purgatory be worse than Hell? Can Good ever exist without Evil? What are Heaven and Hell, anyway? These are big questions, and Carver explores them beautifully, touching on faith, sacrifice, sin, innocence, and redemption, with lashings of pitch black humour, a page-turning plot, and little nods to book and screen references that make you smile.

It is menacing and mischievous, it is wise and witty, it is Will Carver at the top of his grisly game - and it is one of my favourite books of the year. I sincerely hope we get to see what lies in store for Floor Three next. More please!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I adore Will Carver and his extraordinary books, he is that one author who makes me reconsider my aim to review every book that I read. It's not often that I'm lost for words, but Carver often silences me with his often grotesque, but always perfectly formed characters. Upstairs At The Beresford is a prequel of sorts. For anyone who entered the doors of The Beresford in his 2021 novel of the same name, this is a enrapturing look at how that place came to be. Do not worry if this is the first time that you've checked into the Beresford though, it's also a fabulous stand-alone story.

When you open a novel by Will Carver you know just what to expect whilst also not knowing anything at all. His unique take on life, people, communities - the good, the evil and the lost and lonely is absolutely stunning. The reader may recoil when reading some passages, whilst others will leave a lump in the throat. This is real life, but Carver style.

The Beresford sits outside the city, it could be any city; New York, London, Birmingham, Toronto, any of those. Everyone is welcome to take a room here. The manager, Carol, will not turn you away, but she will know everything there is to know about you, she will know if you sold your soul, and she will know if you did it for yourself, or to save someone else. Carol has been at The Beresford for more years than even she can remember, she runs a tight ship. She's adept in clearing away bodies, and bodily fluid and sometimes she also makes them reappear again.

Carver has created a cast of residents staying in the Beresford, from the innocent and good Odie and his dysfunctional parents, to the soulful Danielle who flits about seeing everything and nothing, to the man in the penthouse who everyone is beholden to.

There is so much to take away from this book. Carver's look at the toxicity that seems to rule the world, the destruction of our planet and the selfish greed and arrogance of man is just on the nail. He cleverly weaves these observations into the narrative, it never sounds preachy, it's also perfectly aligned to the character voice.

So much happens in this trip to the Beresford, too much to detail in a review, but be warned, there are things that will stick in your mind and cast a black mark on your soul ...... if you haven't already sold it that is.

Once more, the genius that is Will Carver has produced a novel that is laced with dark black humour, alongside characters who will haunt your dreams. This guy is so slick, so devilishly clever. The book is both horrific and gentle, an ode to humanity, and beyond. Highly recommended.

[KathVBtn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Carver is an absolute auto-buy author for me so I was thrilled to get a preview copy of 'Upstairs at the Beresford'. The book continues the stories of the inhabitants of 'The Beresford' as well as the building itself, though chronologically it comes before. I didn't want the story to end- I could have read more and more about what was going on (though I'm not sure what that says about me!)

The Beresford is an apartment building like no other; like the Hotel California, you can check out any time, but you can never leave. Not unless Balliol, the hotel's all knowing overseer and permanent penthouse resident, decides that you can.

We focus the residents of floor seven; every floor is slightly seedier and more disruptive than the one below so by floor seven, there's all sorts going on. The gorgeous seductive blues singer Danielle; Sam Walker a gambling wife beater with a wonderful optimistic bookworm of a son; the Zhaos, a couple who are saving all their money so they can move out; and the dead guy in Room 731. We never know his name but he's just one amongst many many deaths in the building that are deftly managed by the formidable hotel manager Carol.

Carol has seen everything before and can handle it all, cleaning up physical and metaphorical messes without breaking her stride. She has a crack team of assistants with her on the front desk who understand what the building is all about. She is loyal to The Beresford above all else, making it her business to know everything about everyone who is there and what makes them tick.

Against the backdrop of the more permanent residents, we also hear about the regular sales conferences that happen on floor three of the hotel. I don't want to give too much away what happens at those as they are an integral part of the story but I think we're safe to assume that Will Carver isn't a fan of salespeople - they don't have an easy time of it in the book.

This is a story where everyone's lives are interconnected whether they know it or not. What sets 'Upstairs at The Beresford' apart from other stories like this, is the author's take on the human race. If you think salespeople get a tough time, they're not the only ones. He is scathing about almost every single one of us, our utter selfishness, lack of imagination and compassion and our failure to see the bigger picture is put under a spotlight from start to finish. What would you sell your soul for? The book is filled with moments where people could have made better choices but instead chose the easy selfish option, the quick win, often to the detriment of others. It is fundamentally about good and evil, what makes people tick, the power of religion- it is magnificent.

I

[Jacob Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Carver has a real talent for creating characters that are lost souls. I was so excited to hear that he would be returning to The Beresford, as I loved the first book in this series. Upstairs at the Beresford, really does take us on an unusual and a gripping journey, and that is what I’ve come to expect from Will Carver’s novels, and it’s what makes him such an exciting writer. He is a writer, who always manages to surprise me with each book, and I always start his books with great anticipation, wondering what Will Carver has in store for us next, and he always delivers.

The Beresford Hotel really does feel like the last throw of the dice for the characters in this book. It’s where people go when they don’t have any other option, and it’s a place which seems to consume the very souls of its inhabitants. This is what seems to happen the very moment, when residents sign up for a room with the hotel receptionist, Mrs May. There are so many intriguing characters that are currently staying at the hotel. I really felt for Danielle and Odie. Danielle has to make some tough, and heart breaking life choices, just so she can continue to afford to keep a roof over their heads. You can see just how innocent her son is in all of this, and how much he loves his mum, and I wanted things to get better for them.

Will Carver creates such a creepy atmosphere with the hotel, and it becomes a character in its own right. It certainly does feel that once you enter the hotel, that your lives are no longer yours, and that you’re every move is being watched. There is certainly one unnerving character, Mr Balliol, who seems to be keeping an eye on everyone who resides there. This is what makes this book such an intense read.

What Will Carver explores so well in this book, is what we, as humans, will be prepared to do just so we can protect our loved ones. You can feel the emotions the characters are going through, as they feel as though they have no other option. It’s what really made me invest in their lives as I was reading. I wanted to understand what their reasons were for going down this particular path, and it really did make me shudder as I read these scenes.

Once again, Will Carver has crafted a pacy, addictive read. Will Carver takes darkness to a whole new level in his writing and Upstairs at the Beresford is another exceptional read that I highly recommend.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hotel Beresford is... not quite like other grand hotels. So, we have Danielle Ortega, in her 20s, a jazz singer who lives on the seventh floor. As does Odie, a 10-year-old bookworm, along with his father Sam (a drunk, a gambler and free with his fists) and mother Diana. But Diana and Odie are getting a little respite from Sam, as, after making a pass at Danielle, he is now tied up in her closet, unconscious...
There's also Jun and Daisy Zhao, living cheaply while they save for a house deposit. There is reclusive superstar writer IP Wayatt. There was Jerry (and his dog), and now - after a swift but very thorough clean - there's Lailah with a need to hide from a couple of guys you don't want to mess with.
There's cravat-wearing Keith at reception, plus manager Carol, a widow who has been there what feels like forever and never forgets a face. And there's Mr Balliol, who sees everything that goes on from the screens in his penthouse (though it's the basement where things get really interesting).
Outside the hotel, there is Mr and Mrs May: he is dying of cancer; she has her prayers answered...
And as it's conference time, there are swarms of exactly the kind of people you imagine will be there, including Danny, who has been having a little difficulty with a suitcase. Carol and the hotel staff hate the clean-up operation after these events - it's truly hellish.
The characters all add to the tapestry of the novel whether they directly advance the plot or not; interaction is the important part. There are characters to feel for, to connect with, to hate. Hotel Beresford is the place to sort the sheep from the goats, as it were.
At the heart of the novel there are two questions: What do you really want? (Talent? Wealth? Love?) And what will you do to get it? There's definitely some cynicism in these pages. But there's also love and warmth, and hope for the future too.
It's dark, funny, and piercingly insightful about people and the human condition. It's absolutely terrific.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of my favourite authors. I have read and enjoyed everything he has written (including the amazing January David series). To be honest, I'd probably read his shopping list if he ever published it! Obsessed... maybe.
So... having read and enjoyed The Beresford when I read it a few years ago, believing it to be a stand alone book, I was completely overjoyed when I found out that it was to be part of a trilogy... Now, the events in this book precede those of The Beresford but I don't think that matters as, even though they are billed as two of a trilogy, I think it's more just to link three connected books rather than dictate a reading order. Maybe I'm wrong - I'll reserve the right to change my thoughts when book three is revealed!
Anyway... this book focuses on the Beresford when it was a hotel. But it isn't just any hotel, as you could probably guess. Although I am not sure how to explain exactly what it is without spoiling anything. What I can say is that we mostly focus on the people who inhabit floor 7. Some have been there for a wee while, it being a very modestly priced place to live. For reasons I will leave you to discover yourself. We meet several people / families who live there and witness some rather odd shenanigans. And then there's the convention that is held annually and Mr Balliol who resides in the Penthouse. And then there's Carol who basically runs it all from reception. She also has her own story of how she ended up working there.
Prepare to be sucked into the hotel and all its secrets. Prepare to be shocked and surprised. To have your heart warmed on one side as it is ripped away from the other. Prepare to be frightened.
Forget The Overlook, The Beresford has taken your crown...
It's everything and more. And with the first two books in this trilogy rating so highly for me, I am absolutely hanging to complete it... Please don't make me wait for long. Although I do have something I might be willing to sell for an early copy of that bad boy............ ;)

[Mandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I have buried myself in a book that is dark and twisted so a trip back to the Beresford and the mind of Will Carver was long overdue. It was not long before I remembered just why I love his books and just how much they can leave my brain like mush as I try to work out how to put into words exactly what I have just experienced so I apologise in advance if I look like I am rambling at any point. One thing is certain no one will ever forget their visit to the Hotel Beresford.
Right from the start you are introduced to several of the current residents, some of whom are long term residents, others just passing through. Each one has a story to tell, some of them good, some of them bad but what is evident throughout is that none of them have secrets from the mysterious Mr Balliol who resides in the penthouse suite.
The story is told via each of the residents, giving you multiple perspectives to events and highlighting some of the more genuine interactions that are had with no ulterior motive other than kindness. These moments are fleeting however as this is after all a Will Carver book and there is more fun to be had highlighting the darker side of people’s personalities and the lengths they would go to in order to get what they really wanted and if they get it does it really give them happiness or just a one-way trip to a darker place?
The story of Mr and Mrs May is heartbreaking and one of genuine love as they struggle to make the most of the time they have together and their connection to the Beresford is revealed bit by bit. I loved Carol who ran the hotel with an efficiency that was unparalleled, but you get the feeling she is not someone to be crossed. She is tied to her job for more than one reason but towards the end you can see that even she has had enough of being at the beck and call of everyone.
The short chapters give the feel of a fast paced book and you never know what you will encounter as you turn the next page but one thing you do know is that it is likely to be evil and brilliant in equal measure.

[Bee Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Selling your soul is not easy. It shouldn’t be. The decision to do so is too important.”

The Prequel to the cult bestseller, The Beresford is here and it is just as much of a fever dream. Taking us back to that damned hotel and the lost souls within for another journey into the darkness and depravity, meeting the Beresford again felt like meeting a familiar stranger - the building itself not only offers us a masterfully immersive setting but it almost acts as a character with its own mind.

There’s a strange air of melancholy and isolation from the first page - everyone is suspicious, everyone could be a villain or victim depending on where you’re standing. The writing style is quintessential Will Carver - irreverent, dramatic storytelling with a dry and darkly comic voice and quick, short chapters that keep an intensely fast pace. Taking an amazing locked-room thriller and bringing in the strange and occult, everything is dark and gritty, but cinematic and utterly hypnotic.

Each character brings their own unique story and strange dilemma for us; making us face morality and mortality and look right into the depths of humanity and inhumanity from the innocently troubled to the despicably evil - with the enigmatic Mr Balliol and his ever-present, watching eye that made me want to sweep my own home for cameras. We watch the debauchery, the impulsive, the reckless as We jump between different views, but with a distant third person narration all the way through that shows us exactly what the want and nothing else in a terrifying intrusive and voyeuristic way.

This is the literary equivalent of getting slapped in the face with an MC Escher painting; so check in to the Beresford - but be warned, not everyone leaves the same way, if they leave at all.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you cry out to God and he doesn’t answer your prayers, who else can you turn to? Why, the Devil of course. He’ll make you a deal for your eternal soul. And the Hotel Beresford, a once grand establishment where the rich and elite used to frolic, is the perfect hunting ground for him as he watches from his penthouse at the top of the building and picks out those unfortunate souls in the rooms and apartments below. There are monthly conferences held there too. The devil likes a good conference. This is a story hard to describe in many ways. The reader hears about some of the residents, long and short stay, who all find themselves suffering some kind of hardship or unhappiness, including some of the long standing staff like war traumatised Ollie and manager Carol who deals with the bodies. Lots of bodies. Those on floor seven seem to be especially unlucky but there are some heart-warming and even comedic moments occasionally. There are some really unsavoury characters there but also lots who you can’t help liking (maybe we recognise some of our own flaws in them) and the reader will quickly find themselves caught up in their lives as a dark force watches their every move and free will seems to be a thing of the past. This is a big mixture of different themes, little bits of crime, mystery, noir, thriller and almost gothic horror at times, and I wonder if it has enough of each to appeal to readers who prefer a single genre but I for one greatly enjoyed it (it put me very much in mind of the tv series Fargo). It’s a dark and very compelling read, extremely well written and easy to get lost in as all of humanity is laid bare within those walls. Would you be willing to make a deal?

[Angi Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts
I’ve eagerly awaited this prequel to The Beresford because it was a book that looked at people and their ways. Upstairs at The Beresford delves into even deeper and darker places whilst still delivering the grim humour that you need to get through life. It’s full of moments where the darkness is deep and menacing, but as always Carver looks at humanity and dissects it into it’s base emotions and actions and then throws them into a melting pot to come up with something you will either love, because you see people’s actions, or hate because you think this doesn’t exist.
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I adore the way if it’s only just one sentence, or a character from a previous book, the separate worlds are linked. I actually think Will Carver is one of the few authors who can get away with doing that and not seem cliched.
His characters may be larger than life, but you can look at some of them and actually see what makes them tick and why they act as they do. He makes you care about them. Well, some of them. The ones that you don’t expect to care for are sometimes the ones you root for the most.
Carver’s writing is addictive, dark, deeply disturbing and comic. But it’s always asking questions about the world and our excuses for the things we do. The reasons we excuse ourselves with so as not to feel guilty about things we know are inherently wrong. The Beresford is all the wrong congregated in one building and the questions as always are not why do these people exist, but how do they exist in their own worlds. I loved every single moment of this book. It’s a book I had to walk away from for a few minutes several times to digest the goings on.
Did I love it? Absolutely.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

So here’s a thing. I read the previous book The Beresford and I found it all a bit strange and a bit confusing, although completely compelling reading. This book is a follow up but is a prequel and suddenly it all fell into place in my head. It was a brilliant read and I raced through it in a day it was that good. The author really gets into the human psyche and my goodness aren’t we a selfish, self serving lot! Some fabulous characters in this, including The Beresford Hotel itself, which seemed to have a life of its own. The book focuses mainly on the occupants of the 7th floor along with members of staff and the buildings ‘gatekeeper’ Mr Balliol.

Briefly, meet Danielle Ortega, a nightclub singer who befriends a new resident who has stolen from the wrong people. The Walkers family, a drunken bully and a prostitute who have somehow managed to raise a wonderful child in Odie. Then Mr and Mrs Zhaos who are saving for a house by staying in this cheap accommodation. Just some of the residents on floor 7. All of whom are being watched by Balliol and the quietly formidable hotel manager Carol.

This was a fast paced and thrilling story, extremely dark and menacing, and utterly compulsive. The characters stories are interspersed with philosophical musings. The ‘chosen’ are given the choice between good and evil; asked what they would be willing to swap in exchange for their soul. By the by I do have an unanswered question that is bothering me. What happened to the dog? The book is just a masterly look at human nature, the self serving nature of people and the innocence of a child. I was mentally exhausted when I finished reading it… and relax!

[BookswithLydscl | · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to begin. Suffice to say this book is dark, funny, touchingly sad, and horrific all at the same time, and it's compulsive reading.

I didn't really 'get' The Beresford when I read it last year, but I'm really glad I read it first. Even though this is a prequel, reading TB first meant I mentally knew what to expect and was prepped for just how dark this could, and did, get. I'll definitely re-read TB now, and I think my review will probably be a little different compared to the first go round.

I felt a lot more connected to the characters this time round, especially little Odie with his books. There are grotesque characters, and then there are just the humans trying to do their best, but it makes for a wonderful variety of perspectives and storylines all woven seamlessly together. There are CWs for domestic violence in the Diana/Odie story, and I did find that one difficult to read at times. What helps though is that the chapters are all short so you jump between characters and areas of the building which means it moves at breakneck speed but also then gives you breathing room with the more difficult elements.

Hotel Beresford is a place that could be anywhere (and reminds me of Hotel Cecil in LA) and is as much a character as the people inhabiting it. Will Carver has done a wonderful job creating a chilling atmosphere with a place that is rich and vividly captured on the page and which is further enhanced by the characters and storylines.

I'm looking forward to my re-read of The Beresford and can't wait to see how this dark little trilogy ultimately plays out with book 3.