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The Room Upstairs
You can't choose your family, but sometimes they're all that's standing between you and utter darkness.
Martin Gable is a boy becoming a man, but nothing can prepare him for the evil that has entered his home. A mysterious doorway has appeared on the landing outside his bedroom. Something is alive inside the mysterious room beyond. Something old. Something hungry.
As old resentments arise and home becomes a dangerous place, Martin must become a man and face down the monster his family brought home before it's too late.
Martin Gable is a boy becoming a man, but nothing can prepare him for the evil that has entered his home. A mysterious doorway has appeared on the landing outside his bedroom. Something is alive inside the mysterious room beyond. Something old. Something hungry.
As old resentments arise and home becomes a dangerous place, Martin must become a man and face down the monster his family brought home before it's too late.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2020
629 people are currently reading
842 people want to read
About the author
Iain Rob Wright
158 books1,824 followersOne of Horror's most respected authors, Iain Rob Wright is the writer of more than forty books, many of them bestsellers. A previous Kindle All-Star and a mainstay in the horror charts, he is a prolific producer of unique and original stories. From his apocalyptic saga The Gates to his claustrophobic revenge thriller ASBO, Iain writes across a broad spectrum of sub genres, creating both beloved series and standalone titles.
With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally, he is often seen sharing his family memories with his fans on Facebook.
To get 6 of his books for free (no strings), just visit: www.iainrobwright.com
With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally, he is often seen sharing his family memories with his fans on Facebook.
To get 6 of his books for free (no strings), just visit: www.iainrobwright.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
July 8, 2025
What Lies Beyond the Door?
A Small backstory:
Martin Gable an 11 year old boy along with his family go to a boot sale (something like a flea market) and they bring home some cool treasures or what they think are treasures until things start getting strange. Martin's sister starts getting nosebleeds and Martin starts feeling sick, but when a strange door appears on the second floor landing is when things take a turn for the worse as when the door is opened darkness lays beyond almost like a portal to nowhere.
What happens to Martin and his family? What is the door and where does it lead? Can the family survive what is on the other side of the door? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
This was a creepy story which starts off with a bang in the first chapter rolling along to the end with some hair raising twists along the way! Lots of edge of the seat wondering of what was going to happen next moments! Giving this one four "Twisted Terror" stars!
A Small backstory:
Martin Gable an 11 year old boy along with his family go to a boot sale (something like a flea market) and they bring home some cool treasures or what they think are treasures until things start getting strange. Martin's sister starts getting nosebleeds and Martin starts feeling sick, but when a strange door appears on the second floor landing is when things take a turn for the worse as when the door is opened darkness lays beyond almost like a portal to nowhere.
What happens to Martin and his family? What is the door and where does it lead? Can the family survive what is on the other side of the door? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
This was a creepy story which starts off with a bang in the first chapter rolling along to the end with some hair raising twists along the way! Lots of edge of the seat wondering of what was going to happen next moments! Giving this one four "Twisted Terror" stars!
May 10, 2021
I found this book in audiobook and I was so pleasantly surprised with how the story kept getting better and better.
As Martin and his family buy a couple of interesting objects at a second hand store, they have no idea of the consequences their choice will have.
The family members start to experience weird physical changes as well as something seems to have moved in with them in their home.
Since the story is told from the perspective of Martin, a young boy that sees all the horrors unfold in front of him,his point of view brings such an interesting tone to the story.
What at the beginning seems to be a simple mystery to solve, ends up in a full on horror nightmare for the family and their loved ones.
As Martin and his family buy a couple of interesting objects at a second hand store, they have no idea of the consequences their choice will have.
The family members start to experience weird physical changes as well as something seems to have moved in with them in their home.
Since the story is told from the perspective of Martin, a young boy that sees all the horrors unfold in front of him,his point of view brings such an interesting tone to the story.
What at the beginning seems to be a simple mystery to solve, ends up in a full on horror nightmare for the family and their loved ones.
July 17, 2025
You can't choose your family, but sometimes they're all that stand between you and utter darkness. Martin Gable is a boy becoming a man, but nothing can prepare him for the evil that has just entered his home.
Martin Gable is an average ten-year-old boy trying to navigate life with a moody older sister, an unstable mother and a stepfather who has been more of a father to him than his own ever had been. All that changes after the family's trip to the local flea market. Shortly after returning home, strange events begin to happen like the sudden appearance of a door on their landing...a door that was NOT there when they left for the market. The door that had NEVER been there before. Now more bizarre events begin to unfold as something uninvited, enters their home.
Martin and his family have no idea how to handle the entity, or whatever it is that has taken up residency on their landing. They need help, but who can possibly help them? When a stranger offers to help the family, they have no choice but to accept, but will the "thing" in the upstairs room be able to be sent back to wherever it came from before total chaos breaks loose?
Iain Rob Wright is a fairly new author for me. I have loved everything that I have read by him thus far. He is literally a "master" when it comes to producing horror. Kudos for coming up with a character like a hungry entity that feeds off...of all things... people's careless words. The story is totally the "evil child" of the result of a breeding between "Poltergeist" and the "X- Files". It's set sometime in the 1990’s and transports us back to a time of landlines instead of smart -phones and internet was so new that it was "dial-up". This was the time of a much "less connected" world, so Martin and his family had to struggle with the entity that invaded their home without the benefit of any of conveniences of today to help.
The story starts quickly and continues at a fast pace with new developments unfolding so quickly that it was hard to believe that most of the events that the family was trying to deal with only took place over a few days. By the end of the story, it seemed that there may be more to Martin's story than the events happening in this single book. It seems that this is a stand-alone, however I am really hoping for at least a future sequel. We need to see how the events that turned out over those few days in 1998. I loved the entire idea of the story and the characters, but the 4.5-star rating was because I felt that there are still questions that need and could be explored.
Martin Gable is an average ten-year-old boy trying to navigate life with a moody older sister, an unstable mother and a stepfather who has been more of a father to him than his own ever had been. All that changes after the family's trip to the local flea market. Shortly after returning home, strange events begin to happen like the sudden appearance of a door on their landing...a door that was NOT there when they left for the market. The door that had NEVER been there before. Now more bizarre events begin to unfold as something uninvited, enters their home.
Martin and his family have no idea how to handle the entity, or whatever it is that has taken up residency on their landing. They need help, but who can possibly help them? When a stranger offers to help the family, they have no choice but to accept, but will the "thing" in the upstairs room be able to be sent back to wherever it came from before total chaos breaks loose?
Iain Rob Wright is a fairly new author for me. I have loved everything that I have read by him thus far. He is literally a "master" when it comes to producing horror. Kudos for coming up with a character like a hungry entity that feeds off...of all things... people's careless words. The story is totally the "evil child" of the result of a breeding between "Poltergeist" and the "X- Files". It's set sometime in the 1990’s and transports us back to a time of landlines instead of smart -phones and internet was so new that it was "dial-up". This was the time of a much "less connected" world, so Martin and his family had to struggle with the entity that invaded their home without the benefit of any of conveniences of today to help.
The story starts quickly and continues at a fast pace with new developments unfolding so quickly that it was hard to believe that most of the events that the family was trying to deal with only took place over a few days. By the end of the story, it seemed that there may be more to Martin's story than the events happening in this single book. It seems that this is a stand-alone, however I am really hoping for at least a future sequel. We need to see how the events that turned out over those few days in 1998. I loved the entire idea of the story and the characters, but the 4.5-star rating was because I felt that there are still questions that need and could be explored.
March 24, 2020
I came across this book when I was looking for free kindle books on amazon. I love supernatural and horror things so I thought I would give it a try. I absolutely loved this book! The writing is fantastic and it has disturbing parts which I loved. Very shocking and surprising! I’d definitely recommend this! I’m going to be looking for other books by this author!
March 14, 2020
Home Sweet Hell
I really enjoyed 'The Room Upstairs', especially the fact that the characters didn't just automatically believe something supernatural was happening and fall into X-Files mode - no questions asked. I wish I could add another star for that fact alone!
I really enjoyed 'The Room Upstairs', especially the fact that the characters didn't just automatically believe something supernatural was happening and fall into X-Files mode - no questions asked. I wish I could add another star for that fact alone!
March 11, 2020
It was okay. I thought it was corny and not great but entertaining enough.
February 27, 2020
The monster in the next room
Iain is an awesome author. Not only do I enjoy his novels but the part of himself he puts into his “forwards”. It is always nice to get a window into the soul and everyday life of the author who wrote the stories that we enjoy tremendously. I will always write a review for Iain’s books because I don’t want him not to be able to continue with his craft. He is just too good!
This story is another great example of Iain’s ability to create unique and fascinating characters that the reader roots for. The entire story is a foray into the monsters that live in our world. The monster is less important than the people who fight them. What thrilled me to no end is that the ending seemed to be leading to a follow up book on the same topic with repeating characters. I can’t wait!
Iain is an awesome author. Not only do I enjoy his novels but the part of himself he puts into his “forwards”. It is always nice to get a window into the soul and everyday life of the author who wrote the stories that we enjoy tremendously. I will always write a review for Iain’s books because I don’t want him not to be able to continue with his craft. He is just too good!
This story is another great example of Iain’s ability to create unique and fascinating characters that the reader roots for. The entire story is a foray into the monsters that live in our world. The monster is less important than the people who fight them. What thrilled me to no end is that the ending seemed to be leading to a follow up book on the same topic with repeating characters. I can’t wait!
February 22, 2020
Gore-laden horror but rife with deeply detailed characterization and realistic character evolution, THE ROOM UPSTAIRS makes me glad to live in a single-story home. A blended family in Birmingham, England, is poor but mostly happy. Until a visit to a car boot sale (similar to American flea markets) sees the adolescent daughter bringing home an antique-appearing pendant and the eleven-year-old son a doll replica of a film series' evil clown, and real Evil enters the household, tempting each member into wishes, ranging from the simple and mundane, to life-changing and life-destroying. Author Iain Rob Wright delivers imaginatively-premised unspeakable, implacable, Horror. Just try to sleep after reading this one. That creaking door will keep you wide awake.
February 26, 2020
Brilliant
Read this in one evening. Great to read it written in the first person for a change. No spoilers but there could be other books following this one. Very descriptive as usual and great to meet the characters all set in an era I knew well!
Read this in one evening. Great to read it written in the first person for a change. No spoilers but there could be other books following this one. Very descriptive as usual and great to meet the characters all set in an era I knew well!
May 8, 2020
A review is forthcoming, but this was probably one of my favorite Iain Rob Wright books.
June 12, 2020
This was so great! Would have read in one sitting did I have the time. Exciting and scary and loved the characters. Might be my favorite of his yet.
February 2, 2022
Yo this was so great 🙌
April 25, 2020
. . . the monsters outnumber us by an insurmountable number. It’s a war we can never win. We can only hold the line. . . .
If I had to put this book on a shelf, it would be young adult British horror with lots of blood and guts. Enough blood and guts and little bits and pieces that most young adults I know should probably not read this. Because besides the gruesome scenes we encounter once the door to The Room Upstairs is opened and releases its latest victim, there's a creep factor that's pretty damn scary as well.
I remember when Wright's first book was released and I picked up a copy of The Final Winter and I thought it was hot shit. Since then he's written literally a dictionary of horror stories and other cool stuff (The Peeling Trilogy comes to mind). This, for me, ranks up there for late night chilly willies. Kudos to the author!
If I had to put this book on a shelf, it would be young adult British horror with lots of blood and guts. Enough blood and guts and little bits and pieces that most young adults I know should probably not read this. Because besides the gruesome scenes we encounter once the door to The Room Upstairs is opened and releases its latest victim, there's a creep factor that's pretty damn scary as well.
I remember when Wright's first book was released and I picked up a copy of The Final Winter and I thought it was hot shit. Since then he's written literally a dictionary of horror stories and other cool stuff (The Peeling Trilogy comes to mind). This, for me, ranks up there for late night chilly willies. Kudos to the author!
October 18, 2020
Spooktober 2020 Book 18
For a short book (at only 192 pages), The Room Upstairs packs a pretty hefty punch, both in scope and story.
I’ve read Wright before (actually seem to read at least one of his books each October...or at least one time during the year), and I’ve always been moderately pleased with his stuff. That being said, The Room Upstairs is probably his best work since Asbo.
This one isn’t super deep or very rich in backstory, but it makes up for it with pacing and a pretty satisfying climax. I would have liked a little bit more exposition and a slightly more compelling conclusion, but still, Wright was able to get a hell of a lot of good story stuffed into this relatively short novel, so I’m not complaining.
For a short book (at only 192 pages), The Room Upstairs packs a pretty hefty punch, both in scope and story.
I’ve read Wright before (actually seem to read at least one of his books each October...or at least one time during the year), and I’ve always been moderately pleased with his stuff. That being said, The Room Upstairs is probably his best work since Asbo.
This one isn’t super deep or very rich in backstory, but it makes up for it with pacing and a pretty satisfying climax. I would have liked a little bit more exposition and a slightly more compelling conclusion, but still, Wright was able to get a hell of a lot of good story stuffed into this relatively short novel, so I’m not complaining.
May 4, 2020
This was just ok
For me, this book was just so so. The writing itself wasn't bad but it failed to create any tension or eeriness and I found some of the situations to be silly. Wasn't great for me.
For me, this book was just so so. The writing itself wasn't bad but it failed to create any tension or eeriness and I found some of the situations to be silly. Wasn't great for me.
June 18, 2020
I have no idea why this has so many 5* reviews but it barely got a 1 * from me. Not scary but laughable, especially when the story repeated the same thing over and over. I skim read last few chapters just to get it over with.
August 25, 2020
Rating: B-
The Room Upstairs is a supernatural horror circling around Martin and his family. Martin is an 11-year-old boy and part of a poor family. His father left them 4 years ago and his mother's boyfriend Charlie is trying his best to provide. One day they go to a boot sale and buy a few things; Sarah a necklace, Martin a clown doll and Charlie gets himself a wooden Jackal figurine. However things get weird when Martin starts to vomit uncontrollably and Sarah gets nose bleeds.
This book was full of common horror tropes and crazy red herrings. I liked the family dynamic. Sarah was a bit one-note but it's pretty typical for teens to behave like that. Charlie was such a great father and is working hard to provide for the family as the sole breadwinner. Their mother, unfortunately, is an alcoholic and no longer works.
I thought the pacing was a bit all over the shop, however, the story is interesting and went in some unexpected directions. I liked the gory elements and the evil presence. It reminded me a little of Hellraiser. The end of the story was a little frustrating but the epilogue was something I was glad to see. There were some strong melancholic feelings in the final scenes. Overall a decent spooky horror.
I think this one is worth reading out of IRW's bibliography.
The Room Upstairs is a supernatural horror circling around Martin and his family. Martin is an 11-year-old boy and part of a poor family. His father left them 4 years ago and his mother's boyfriend Charlie is trying his best to provide. One day they go to a boot sale and buy a few things; Sarah a necklace, Martin a clown doll and Charlie gets himself a wooden Jackal figurine. However things get weird when Martin starts to vomit uncontrollably and Sarah gets nose bleeds.
This book was full of common horror tropes and crazy red herrings. I liked the family dynamic. Sarah was a bit one-note but it's pretty typical for teens to behave like that. Charlie was such a great father and is working hard to provide for the family as the sole breadwinner. Their mother, unfortunately, is an alcoholic and no longer works.
I thought the pacing was a bit all over the shop, however, the story is interesting and went in some unexpected directions. I liked the gory elements and the evil presence. It reminded me a little of Hellraiser. The end of the story was a little frustrating but the epilogue was something I was glad to see. There were some strong melancholic feelings in the final scenes. Overall a decent spooky horror.
I think this one is worth reading out of IRW's bibliography.
August 10, 2021
This was an excellently written horror story that had the right amount of everything to make it perfectly creepy and ominous. The book was action-packed and before I knew it, I was hurtling through to the end. Martin, Sarah, Sharon, and Charlie really were the perfect close-knit family. Highly enjoyable read.
All I felt now was anger. I wanted to destroy the evil thing that was tormenting my family… I wanted to face it down and tear out its eyes or whatever it had for a face. I was ready to kill.
All I felt now was anger. I wanted to destroy the evil thing that was tormenting my family… I wanted to face it down and tear out its eyes or whatever it had for a face. I was ready to kill.
June 15, 2022
A family brings home treasures from a garage sale. Afterwards the family begins to experience all types of harm. A room appears that eats their friends. The family will never be the same. They must figure out how to undo the harm that has been bestowed upon them
December 23, 2025
3.5
an object bought from a car boot sale takes a family on an unfortunate adventure. be careful what you wish for whether its said outloud or not. the cost is too high for those wishes! join Martin and his family on a journey with a demon. Will they defeat the demon and who will survive?
an object bought from a car boot sale takes a family on an unfortunate adventure. be careful what you wish for whether its said outloud or not. the cost is too high for those wishes! join Martin and his family on a journey with a demon. Will they defeat the demon and who will survive?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2020
This was a very easy but interesting quick read. I liked the ending, but I wish it was a bit longer.
November 19, 2022
Pretty good. Kind of a horror, mystery, paranormal. In that order.
April 28, 2025
Rating - 3.5
I was dreading reading a horror book that could be truly spooky—and it definitely delivered on the spookiness. The story is short, which I liked, but the chapters dragged a bit before the real horror began. However, once it started, it was absolutely spine-chilling. I got so immersed in the story that I couldn't even figure out what kind of ghost we were dealing with at first. But mind you, it’s not a ghost in this book—it’s a demon, and a powerful one at that.
The characters were good, though they lacked depth. I wish the author had focused more on at least one or two characters so they could have left a stronger impact on me. The plot itself was interesting and frightening. While the storyline might feel a little slow in the beginning, as I moved forward, it kept me on my toes, eager to learn more and more about the demon.
Overall, it’s a good and quick horror read—perfect for taking a break from longer books, and that's exactly what I appreciated about it.
I was dreading reading a horror book that could be truly spooky—and it definitely delivered on the spookiness. The story is short, which I liked, but the chapters dragged a bit before the real horror began. However, once it started, it was absolutely spine-chilling. I got so immersed in the story that I couldn't even figure out what kind of ghost we were dealing with at first. But mind you, it’s not a ghost in this book—it’s a demon, and a powerful one at that.
The characters were good, though they lacked depth. I wish the author had focused more on at least one or two characters so they could have left a stronger impact on me. The plot itself was interesting and frightening. While the storyline might feel a little slow in the beginning, as I moved forward, it kept me on my toes, eager to learn more and more about the demon.
Overall, it’s a good and quick horror read—perfect for taking a break from longer books, and that's exactly what I appreciated about it.
September 13, 2025
Creative, disturbing, sad. Another worthy horror book from thsi author. So far I've enjoyed most I've read by him.
July 10, 2023
I liked the story but...I don't really know what I expected but this was quite gross, descriptive wise.
May 25, 2020
3.5 stars
First book by this author. Not bad. I'm a huge fan of the horror genre. I was hoping this would give me a good scare. Though it did not it was still a pleasant read. I will say I do not like anything demonic. I don't like watching or reading about demons. I lean more towards supernatural/ghosts/spirits. Had I known this was about a demon I probably wouldn't have read it.
Glad I did though.
First book by this author. Not bad. I'm a huge fan of the horror genre. I was hoping this would give me a good scare. Though it did not it was still a pleasant read. I will say I do not like anything demonic. I don't like watching or reading about demons. I lean more towards supernatural/ghosts/spirits. Had I known this was about a demon I probably wouldn't have read it.
Glad I did though.
March 8, 2020
Wow! I'm never disappointed when I read one of Iain's books, and this one kept me on the edge of my seat. During one part of it I even gasped out loud! After finishing it I thought of something Stephen King once said when asked where he gets his ideas He said "I just think of what could actually happen". Imagine walking into your house and finding a door where isn't supposed to be one. Would you enter in? A must read if you like supernatural horror.
March 2, 2020
Hold on to your seat, when you pick up this book! A lovely family suddenly finds themselves in the middle of some very bizarre happenings, but what could have brought on these horrible events? Something has changed in their lives and things slowly begin to spiral into tragedy after tragedy.
How will learn the cause? Can they stop if it they do learn the cause?
You'll have to read the book to find out, which (not generally being a sci-fi fan, but definitely making an exception for this book, I highly recommend.
Iain is one of new favourite authors!!!
How will learn the cause? Can they stop if it they do learn the cause?
You'll have to read the book to find out, which (not generally being a sci-fi fan, but definitely making an exception for this book, I highly recommend.
Iain is one of new favourite authors!!!
February 25, 2020
This is another first class, hugely entertaining horror story from Iain Rob Wright. Written from the point of view of Martin, a young boy, soon to be teen, that lives with his Mum, sister and step-dad. What struck me immediately was how the author had so perfectly ‘got’ Martins voice. It really feels like a young boy has said each word. Not an easy thing to achieve but done so here with great skill. The story has all the hallmarks of an Iain Rob Wright book from the scary to the amusing to elements of mystery. It all starts with a door, not out of the ordinary you’d think, but why is there a door where one shouldn’t - couldn’t - exist! Then terrible things begin to happen to Martin and his family. Is there anyone who can help them survive? Or are they all at the mercy of the darkness that has invaded their home and their lives? Just start reading and enjoy the ride, don’t go into it with any preconceptions and you'll be rewarded with a first class story. Highly recommended.
February 29, 2020
Evil doesn’t target evil. It targets innocence and youth. It targets the best of us.
It is said that Money is the root of all evil. Poverty and desperation are a breathtaking, stomach-churning fast-track to HellsVille Central in this superb tale from my number 1 British Horror Author Iain Rob Wright. Grief is an ocean and Family is your lifeboat. Will the Gable’s reach the shore intact when confronted by unimaginable, senseless Evil (with a Capital E)?
Since discovering “The HouseMates” and “Sam” I have gorged on every offering by the writer in one sitting, much as I have those of Stephen King. This latest tale is a cracker!
Gates 6 now please Mr Wright?
It is said that Money is the root of all evil. Poverty and desperation are a breathtaking, stomach-churning fast-track to HellsVille Central in this superb tale from my number 1 British Horror Author Iain Rob Wright. Grief is an ocean and Family is your lifeboat. Will the Gable’s reach the shore intact when confronted by unimaginable, senseless Evil (with a Capital E)?
Since discovering “The HouseMates” and “Sam” I have gorged on every offering by the writer in one sitting, much as I have those of Stephen King. This latest tale is a cracker!
Gates 6 now please Mr Wright?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews