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Upstairs

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Max has always been close to his grandfather. He spent his summers at Gramps’ estate, learning most of what he knows from Gramps.

When Gramps suddenly passes away after being ill for a short time, he leaves the estate, a beloved train set in the attic that Max and Gramps built together, and a massive fortune to Max and his wife, Courtney.

When Max and Courtney move into the mansion, Max quickly starts seeing and hearing something upstairs. The staff and Max’s estranged father tell him he’s crazy and that his grandfather was unwell. They tell him there is no monster. But Max knows what he’s seeing. He knows something isn’t right upstairs.

Come along on the journey as Max tries to convince everyone he’s not crazy, has fond memories of his grandfather, and tries to prevent the monster from killing him or his loved ones.

Upstairs blends family drama, nostalgia, inherited wealth, and psychological terror in a way you likely haven’t experienced before.

310 pages, Hardcover

Published January 20, 2026

2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read

About the author

M. Jandreau

5 books16 followers
Upstairs is now available everywhere books are sold! Signed copies available at https://www.upstairsbook.com

M. Jandreau released his debut novel A Sour Chord in 2014, My Last Days in 2020, Dudley Road in 2023, My Best Friend, Marty in 2024, and 2026;s Upstairs! With a profound ability to depict powerful and relatable emotions, he tackles hard-hitting life issues and tough questions with even tougher answers. Make sure you bring tissues and have a clear schedule – you won’t be putting these books down until you turn the final page!

When he isn’t busy working on his next novel, he spends time with his wife and daughter, is a long-time drummer, lover of movies and television, and technology addict. Born and raised in Massachusetts, he hasn’t found the desire to leave since. He lives in the small town of Southborough with his wife, his eight-going-on-15-year-old daughter, and their two incredibly furry cats.

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Haly Hoards Books.
189 reviews20 followers
November 21, 2025
3.5☆
Available 20 January 2026

Upstairs starts with Max, the main character, giving a eulogy of his beloved grandfather. It is an interesting way to start this horror story.

The writing style is done in a manner that makes the reader feel as if s/he is listening to an old friend tell his story. The prose flows naturally.

The way the story unfolds also created a sense of growing tension. It felt like sitting with a friend in a comfortable, sun bathed sitting room. As strange events began to occur the sense of foreboding grew like the onset of the gloaming. Shadows lengthened, the hue of the sunlight darkened and the temperature dropped. As the story reached its horrible climax the darkened night had fully enveloped the reader.

I received a free advance review copy for, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the author, publisher and Booksirens.

The ending, what truly haunted Max, was a twist! Did not see it coming! It was a very original ending to a haunting, one I had not experienced before.

The author really really needs to learn how to properly use the subjective and objective use of the word, "I." The use of "I" instead of "me" was done too many times to count.

There are also many references to popular movies and television shows. The author mentioned The Office numerous times. I don't watch television and the references meant nothing to me.

Upstairs was a unique experience and because of that I might recommend it.
Profile Image for Samanthasue218.
380 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2026
No spoilers. Read via kindle (ARC).

This book gives you creepy vibes, that if you are a dreamer —you may not want to read prior to bed like me, otherwise you’ll have nightmares. Reading in the dark gave me eerie vibes, but had me at the edge of my seat for the ride. I definitely didn’t see the twist coming, I actually thought it was going to be something completely different, so it was nice surprise to not guess what was gonna happen at the end. This book definitely is a good quick horror easy read, but has depth and heaviness to it. Easily could have binged this book in one day, if I had the time to as it’s good at keeping your attention and wanting to find out how it ends.

Would I recommend? Yes if you’re okay with horror books, “modern haunted house” vibes, and heavy topics.
Profile Image for Danette Fowlie.
232 reviews4 followers
November 13, 2025
This book gives you chills and makes you think twice about the noises you hear at night. It is a very eerie and interesting read and I loved every minute of it. Great book to read before bed to make sure you don't fall asleep! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Christian  Domenicci .
79 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2025
​🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 "Genuine Chills and a Jaw-Dropping Plot Twist!"
​First, I want to extend my most sincere thanks to the author, M. Jandreau, and BookSirens for giving me the opportunity to read this Advance Reader Copy (ARC).
​This is exactly the type of story you read late at night, under the warm glow of a lamp, wrapped up snugly in a blanket. That said, this book blew me away! It instantly makes you question what lurks in the darkness, watching.
​This read gave me genuine, authentic shivers. As a reader who loves to create the perfect atmosphere to make a story truly immersive, Upstairs delivered completely.
​If you are one of those people who gets nightmares, or who stays up pondering the horror long after you finish the last page (like I do), then this story is absolutely for you. The characters are very well-built, and the narrative is excellent and genuinely creepy.
​I definitely did NOT see the plot twist coming—OMG 😱! I am giving this 5 stars without hesitation because I loved this story, and it will undoubtedly make you question many things.
236 reviews6 followers
December 10, 2025
Upstairs hit two of my favourite themes in books: haunted houses and references to the 90s. With lots of nostalgia for this millennial reader, Upstairs was a quick paced journey with grief horror. I enjoyed discovering the secrets of the house unfold.

While not the ending I was expecting, readers were delivered the ending the story needed. It was a bold choice with the writing that paid off.

I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
3 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
January 7, 2026
I usually give books a maximum of ten pages to hook me, or I'm out. This one had me committed in just two. I also loved the title. it's one of those that says, "Read me." The moment when the max sat in his grandpa's empty house brought me right back to when I was sitting in my own grandpa's empty home trying to absorb every part of it before closing it up.I felt a strong need to have a talk with the storyteller’s father like, a full-on therapy session talk. Oh no, wait, I changed my decision… I want to have a fight with him. During the scenes at the grandpa’s house, I was lost in the book and totally hooked. My inner monologue was just: "Eh? Aha… Oh… What?… No, what? Let's go back a page because what just happened?… Umm… okay then… Hahaha! There you go, girl you sleep, priorities set.Two things I absolutely love First, no fancy words. English is my second language, and I could read this smoothly without guessing meanings or re-reading sentences because they were too wordy or complex. Second, no sexual details where they were not needed. I want to personally thank the writer for this. I have been sick of reading sexual scenes in books that would have suffered no change without them.I want reader to know this is horror book but it's a good horror book. I want to say some days you want a horror book but a lighter one and one in which not every line is horror and a sweet lady with her sleeping passion makes you chuckle in between. This is a book that will hook you from start to end. I promise the ending will satisfy you. Reading it is like listening to the most interesting gossip your friend is telling and it gets so good that you forget you're waiting for the bus. Then the bus comes and reminds you that you need to board and go home, and you're almost annoyed at the interruption. (I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this voluntarily). (This book is so good whenever I plan to buy a hardcopy whenever I possibly can).
136 reviews2 followers
November 22, 2025
Upstairs by M. Jandreau follows Max as he navigates life after the loss of the person he cherished most, his grandfather who he lovingly calls Gramps. Gramps leaves Max his entire estate, including a mansion that feels made for a classic haunted tale. He amassed his wealth as an early video game developer, something Max speaks about with real admiration. His parents, however, are a different story. Max views them with a kind of quiet resentment, convinced they coasted on his grandfather’s success without ever building anything for themselves.

As the plot unfolds, it leans into everything I enjoy about a spooky house novel. The atmosphere is haunting and the sense of unease lingers from chapter to chapter. It kept me wondering what exactly was happening within the walls of the estate.

That said, this book was good rather than unforgettable. The writing style is unique, sometimes in a way that pulled me out of the story. Max frequently breaks the fourth wall to talk to the reader, and while creative, I found it a little unusual. There is also a fair amount of repetition. In the early chapters in particular, the book reminds us again and again that Max’s parents left him at his grandfather’s house, which eventually became distracting.

Overall, it is a solid and atmospheric read with a few quirks that kept it from being a perfect fit for me. Still, if you enjoy spooky houses with a slow simmer of tension, this one is worth picking up.

Thank you to M. Jandreau and BookSirens for proving this advance review copy do free in exchange for an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily.
Profile Image for Simone.
4 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was a wild ride!!! The first few chapters were gripping in a way that used very imaginative imagery, settings described with great detail that made it so clear in my mind’s eye. There were various flashbacks throughout the book that clarified the importance of some of the current scenes and it helped to build on the plot. The first quarter of the book grips you then when you reach the middle, the story ramps up quickly. The imagery, once again, takes the lead in creating visceral terror and I had to have my light on when reading some parts. The end was a twist!!! It can be somewhat of a slow burn in some chapters but the end is so worth it!! While this was a truly captivating read, I found some things along the way that I didn’t like. Firstly, it seemed like the main character’s wife was sort of tossed into the story. We know nothing about her and her character seems to be almost thrown in to check some character check box. I also found some of the main character’s inner monologue to be goofy and did not represent the complexity of the character well. Lastly, there was way too much talk of becoming ‘sick’ and I felt it was extremely over the top and it took away some of the focus on the chapter. Overall, I recommend ‘Upstairs’ for those who want a book with fantastic descriptions and scene setting and a story with major twists and turns!
Profile Image for Lish (BookSirens reviewer).
24 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy
January 13, 2026
I received a free eARC of this book thanks to BookSirens and the Author. I am leaving this honest review completely of my own free will.

This was a solid suspense/horror read for me. I’m struggling with not going too far into details because I hate spoiler-y reviews, but if you are fiending for that classic haunted house feel with a twist, this one definitely has it.

I will say the pacing in the first half had a little drag for me, but once it picked up, it really picked up. The time spent in the beginning was utilized to build relevant context and background so I didn’t mind it at all. After that, it fully had my attention and I had to see where this was all going.

The overall aura was creepy, sad, and tense; the twist at the end was good and frankly, kind of depressing(appropriately so). This read served as a reminder for me that sometimes the scariest monsters are often the ones hiding right under your nose. . .

It covers some heavy/hurtful topics, so keep that in mind. Check trigger warnings before proceeding, for sure. Also probably not the best book to binge right before spending the night home alone. . . Every little noise and my cats doing literally anything has me checking the house for hidden closets/rooms right now.

Overall, again, this was a really solid read and worth picking up if you like suspense/horror with heavy topics, low-medium gore, and a little edge.
129 reviews6 followers
November 30, 2025
This is a fantastic and believable horror story. Max is very fond of his Gramps; he spends more time with him than he did with his parents as a child. Max and his wife Courtney visit Gramps for dinner every Sunday, so Max is shocked when he gets a call advising him that Gramps has passed away. His grandfather was extremely wealthy, earning his money from programming for the government and inventing video games. Max and Courtney are stunned when the lawyer tells them that they’ve inherited the mansion and everything on the grounds. Max’s father is absolutely furious that he will only inherit $2 million dollars but Max gets the bulk of the estate.

Max and Courtney move into the house but have been advised not to go upstairs after dark and to never open the bedroom door at night-no matter what they may hear. Thus starts Max’s descent into a hellish existence. The only reason for the 4* rating is that Max’s Gramps was quite ill for the last several years of his life but somehow, Max was unaware of this.

I received an ARC and this review is my personal opinion.
Profile Image for Veronica.
73 reviews
Read
January 10, 2026
ARC Book Review 👻📖

Max grew up idolizing his grandfather, spending summers at his sprawling estate and building a cherished train set together in the attic. When his grandfather dies suddenly, Max inherits the mansion, the fortune… and whatever still lurks upstairs.

After moving in with his wife, Courtney, Max begins seeing and hearing things no one else can. The staff dismiss him. His estranged father insists his grandfather was sick—and that Max is imagining monsters that don’t exist. But Max knows what he’s seen. And he knows something is very wrong.

Upstairs is a chilling blend of psychological and supernatural horror that keeps you questioning what’s real. Is Max unraveling under grief, or is the house hiding something deadly? The tension builds steadily, the atmosphere is eerie, and the emotional weight makes the fear feel personal.

Thanks to @booksirens and @jandreauwrites for the opportunity to be an advanced reader.
Profile Image for The Book Ssirren.
1,809 reviews72 followers
Review of advance copy
January 2, 2026
I truly enjoyed this book. I loved the relationship max had with his grandfather. So I can understand the emotional toll it took on him. While others didn’t believe him, he knew. And he didn’t need their validation. I’m in his side. I’ve seen things. And if you know, you know. I found this book to be very gripping. It totally pulls you in and you’re in this haunt with the monsters right alongside Max. I loved the scares that this book had you feeling. It was intense and dark. It gives you the creepy vibes. Which means this was written very well. I loved it so much that I read it in one sitting.
This is my first time reading this author. And I found their strike to be awesome, the scare to be perfect, and the creepiness to spot on. Can’t wait to read more.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Michele.
420 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 19, 2026
An interesting horror story -- Max, who loves his grandfather, inherits his house when his grandfather dies. When he moves in, he is warned to avoid the upstairs. But in the attic is the train set that he and his grandfather spent a lot of time bonding over. Max can't resist and because he spends so much time up in the attic trying to recreate that feeling of camaraderie from his childhood, we get to see his slow descent into madness. As his sense of reality becomes warped, he doesn't understand why his family doesn't see what he does. In the end, we find the real culprit of his alternate reality.

My only comment that I have about the ending is that I wish we had an epilogue to see what the future looked like ten years later.
Profile Image for Mary Urban.
Author 1 book3 followers
Review of advance copy
January 19, 2026
Who doesn't dream of inheriting a huge fortune and becoming filthy rich? Max didn't expect it, but this is his new life. The catch is that there's something evil lurking in the attic of his new, big, dreamy house. Furthermore, was Grandpa really so great? Why did he drive Max's parents away at all costs? Has Max inherited not only his fortune, but also his insanity? Is what's happening to Max something else entirely? I guess you'll have to read it to find out. It's a gripping read, although some paragraphs are a little repetitive and the plot moves slowly at first, but not so much to spoil the enjoyment, and I did enjoy it. The story kept me on the edge of my seat until I finished reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
25 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy
December 29, 2025
Thank you to M. Jandreau and BookSirens for the ARC - I am happily leaving this review voluntarily. I was immediately connected to this book as someone who had a very close relationship with their wonderful, kind and caring grandfather. The want to reconnect after they are gone can be so deep and in our MC Maxwells case, unhealthy. This story weaves in haunted houses, monsters, family trauma and more into a binge worthy package. ‘Upstairs’ had me flabbergasted in the last few chapters and provided an excellent ending - a thrilling (and heartbreaking) ride to the very end! I loved the pop culture references throughout too, made the characters relatable.
Profile Image for Rebecca Morel.
136 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
January 12, 2026
I received an advance copy of this book, knowing nothing about it or the author. I was immediately drawn in as the descriptions were amazing and made me picture a sprawling mansion and grounds near my home. It was essential about a husband and wife who inherited a house from his grandfather and the strange things that happened while settling into the home. I must admit, the middle of the book took a strange turn I wasn't feeling, but when the book wrapped up, it all made so much sense! I'd almost like to see a second book.
Profile Image for Shae.
42 reviews2 followers
January 25, 2026
As a whole, I thought it was an interesting story. It was slower in the first half of the book, and I felt that a lot of the memory flashbacks were repetitive. It felt like pieces were missing while other parts fell off. The secret passageways weren’t mentioned again, despite the impression they’d play a bigger role. And the book on the occult? It was gone as quickly as it was introduced. Plot holes aside, the ending was rushed.

Despite all the above, I think the author did a good job with the MMCs descent into madness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Zimbellina.
257 reviews19 followers
January 13, 2026
Max inherits his grandfather’s house along with everything in it. Unfortunately there’s something there he didn’t count on.

I enjoyed this book. I loved Max and Courtney and Gramps and enjoyed how the book unfolded. The characters were well done and the plot moved at a good pace. I was a little disappointed by the ending but it was still a good book.
Profile Image for Ang.
212 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2026
I received a copy of upstairs as an ARC from the author via Booksirens.

A haunted house horror with very creepy vibes and a twist you just won't see coming.

I absolutely loved this book. Thank you so much for the ARC
Profile Image for Miss_curly_tots .
142 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2026
I got this book as arc via booksirens. This is my voluntary review.
Maybe dont read this before bed, it starts of creepy 😳 , had references to tv shows through out the book.
Was not expecting the twist near the end.
1,248 reviews60 followers
January 20, 2026
Max's life changes after his Grandfather dies. Now everyone thinks Max is going crazy. Is he or is there something there? Creepy.
33 reviews
February 6, 2026
True love wins always when there is absolute trust between 2 people.

Brilliant writing
Profile Image for Erikka Ladouceur.
14 reviews
January 4, 2026
I was not expecting the book to go the way it did. Max and Courtney learn of Max’s gramps will and what it entails. They shortly move into Gramp’s old place. Shortly after things go array. What happens? 🤫🤫 go to read the book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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