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The Woman Downstairs
Can you ever really know your neighbours?
When human remains are found in a ground floor flat, the residents of Nelson Heights are shocked to learn that there was a dead body in their building for over three years.
Sarah lives at the flat above and after the remains are found, she feels threatened by a stranger hanging around the building.
Laura has lived in the building for as long as she can remember, caring for her elderly father, though there is more to her story than she is letting on.
As the investigation starts to heat up, and the two women become more involved, it's clear that someone isn't telling the truth about what went on all those years ago...
When human remains are found in a ground floor flat, the residents of Nelson Heights are shocked to learn that there was a dead body in their building for over three years.
Sarah lives at the flat above and after the remains are found, she feels threatened by a stranger hanging around the building.
Laura has lived in the building for as long as she can remember, caring for her elderly father, though there is more to her story than she is letting on.
As the investigation starts to heat up, and the two women become more involved, it's clear that someone isn't telling the truth about what went on all those years ago...
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2019
41 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Carpenter
10 books246 followersElisabeth (Libby) Carpenter won a Northern Writers New Fiction Award (2016) and was longlisted for Yeovil Literary Prize (2015 & 2016) and MsLexia Women’s Novel award (2015).
Elisabeth lives in Preston, Lancashire with her family. She loves the north of England, setting most of her stories in the area – including the novel she is writing at the moment.
99 Red Balloons was Elisabeth’s debut novel.
Elisabeth lives in Preston, Lancashire with her family. She loves the north of England, setting most of her stories in the area – including the novel she is writing at the moment.
99 Red Balloons was Elisabeth’s debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
August 8, 2021
4.5 stars
Sarah is a single mum and student majoring in journalism at Preston University. Laura is a reclusive young woman who is struggling to find her feet after the death of her father from ME. Both women live in the same block of flats and it is a shock when the skeletal remains of a resident are found after dying 2 years before. Sarah is determined to find out more about the mysterious girl downstairs and the truth behind the body.
This book came in my Book of Stories this month and I am so glad it did. This is a story that keeps you guessing, twisting and turning so you are always kept on your toes. I found myself picking it up again and again throughout the day as I just needed to know what would happen.
The only thing I would change is the ending. It needed another chapter to really explain the ending. It was slightly deflated because of this.
Sarah is a single mum and student majoring in journalism at Preston University. Laura is a reclusive young woman who is struggling to find her feet after the death of her father from ME. Both women live in the same block of flats and it is a shock when the skeletal remains of a resident are found after dying 2 years before. Sarah is determined to find out more about the mysterious girl downstairs and the truth behind the body.
This book came in my Book of Stories this month and I am so glad it did. This is a story that keeps you guessing, twisting and turning so you are always kept on your toes. I found myself picking it up again and again throughout the day as I just needed to know what would happen.
The only thing I would change is the ending. It needed another chapter to really explain the ending. It was slightly deflated because of this.
March 30, 2020
Disappointed with this one, the storyline seemed dragged out & didn't hold my interest like other psychological thrillers I've read.
January 12, 2024
3.5 stars. When a woman’s body is discovered in a ground floor flat the local residents are stunned to discover that she’s been there undisturbed, with the tv still playing, for two years.
Sarah lives in the flat above and, as a budding investigative journalist, wants to learn more about this mystery woman. Laura has lived in these flats for what feels like a lifetime, looking after her ailing dad. As these two women’s stories collide it becomes clear that there is more to this mystery than is apparent.
This started off well, I was intrigued by the thought of a body lying in an apartment for years. It felt intriguing, creepy and sad. But I kept getting mixed up between the two characters which really hampered my enjoyment. And I felt some of the decisions made were a little silly. That said it definitely kept me entertained.
I’ve read a few books by this author & have thoroughly enjoyed them so I’m definitely giving her another chance.
Sarah lives in the flat above and, as a budding investigative journalist, wants to learn more about this mystery woman. Laura has lived in these flats for what feels like a lifetime, looking after her ailing dad. As these two women’s stories collide it becomes clear that there is more to this mystery than is apparent.
This started off well, I was intrigued by the thought of a body lying in an apartment for years. It felt intriguing, creepy and sad. But I kept getting mixed up between the two characters which really hampered my enjoyment. And I felt some of the decisions made were a little silly. That said it definitely kept me entertained.
I’ve read a few books by this author & have thoroughly enjoyed them so I’m definitely giving her another chance.
February 11, 2020
I’ve read all of Elisabeth Carpenters books now and I have to say that…OMG THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SO FAR!! Now this will be a no spoiler review but I have to say that when you get to the end of part one, I 100% guarantee that you will flick back to what you have read before whilst your brain catches up with what your eyes have just discovered!! Honestly, it hit me like a ton of bricks and I think Elisabeth Carpenter is clearly very VERY good at what she does to pull this off!
I read a book with a similar plot before where human remains have been found in a property but this book takes that idea and delivers an intriguing narrative that winds its way around two women living in the same block of flats. There’s Sarah, living apart from her husband after his affair but happy with her cosy life as a single mum and her job at the local cafe. But after the human remains are discovered at Nelson Heights she notices someone hanging round and that makes the journalism student very suspicious indeed. And then there’s Laura who’s had a tough time recently after her father has passed away. She’s taken a leap into the workplace after being his carer for years but struggling with her mental health after being relentlessly bullied when younger. She’s lived at the flats longer than Sarah so maybe she has clues to why someone someone living there hasn’t been missed by anyone for nearly two years?
The Woman Downstairs is a twisty, suspenseful thriller that I physically couldn’t put down once I picked it up. It was my favourite type of psychological thriller-one where I suspected everyone but didn’t have a clue where it was going until it hit me across the face with its brilliant plot twist. But don’t get me wrong, it’s not all about the twist here (even though it’s an absolute corker!!) but the characters of the two women who kept me gripped throughout. Both had very different lives but they intersected in a way they could never have dreamed of and I loved how it all came together.
The Woman Downstairs is an utterly brilliant, addictive read and one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and it’s a highly recommended from me!
February 12, 2020
I have been a fan of Elisabeth's work for a little while now. I love the way in which she incorporates the drama with the psychological thriller aspects. I read the synopsis for 'The Woman Downstairs' and it certainly sounded like the kind of read I would enjoy. I must be psychic because that's exactly what happened. I absolutely loved reading 'The Woman Downstairs' but more about that in a bit.
I can honestly say that I wasn't sure about the two main female characters in this book. One lady is called Sarah and the other one is called Laura. Sarah is a single mother, who lives with her son in a flat in a run down area. Sarah was married but the marriage broke down and Sarah moved on. Sarah is seeing another man, but to be quite honest he is about as reliable as the weather. Laura is a bit of a loner and a complex character. She did live with her parents but her mother walked out. Laura had been the main carer for her father, who had been suffering from an illness. Her father subsequently died and Laura has been a lost soul ever since. She hasn't been able to move on and establish a new life for herself. I thought that both ladies were slightly dodgy in their own ways for reasons that I couldn't quite put my finger on. I just had a feeling that they weren't being completely honest with themselves or others. The discovery of a body that has lain in a flat for years brings the two ladies together in a strange sort of way. It soon becomes clear that both ladies remember their pasts slightly differently. Which lady is telling the truth, if any? What happened in the past? What happened to the deceased person in the flat? Well for the answers to those questions and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my giddy aunt, 'The Woman Downstairs' was an amazing read and then some. To say that it proved to be addictive reading, seems like a massive understatement. I picked the book up only intending to read for half an hour or so but I became so wrapped up in the story and so absorbed in the lives of Laura and Sarah that I read for a lot longer than half an hour. In fact the first time I looked up and checked the time I was stunned to realise that I had been reading for more like two hours. 'The Woman Downstairs' was one of those books that proved impossible to put to one side for any length of time. The book wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. If I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about it. It was as if I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The pages turned at a furious pace as I worked my way through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of the book which I had mixed feelings about. Don't get me wrong I was pleased to finish the book because it meant that I knew how the story ended but I was enjoying the author's writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just wish the book had been a lot longer.
'The Woman Downstairs' is superbly written but then I wouldn't expect anything else from Elisabeth Carpenter. In fact all of her books are superbly written. She certainly knows how to start the story in an attention grabbing way and without your realising it, she draws you into the story and then closes her net around you so to speak. Elisabeth uses such powerful and realistic descriptions that I felt as though I was part of the story myself. I must admit that certain descriptions in the book gave me the heebie jeebies and in particular the scene about the discovery of a body shouldn't be read at the same time as you eat a meal, as I was. I was gripped by the story and on the edge of my seat throughout.
Reading 'The Woman Downstairs' felt like being on a scary and unpredictable psychological rollercoaster ride. There were moments that gave me the creeps, moments that took my breath away and moments that left me as stunned as I would have been, had I been punched in the gut.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Woman Downstairs' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Elisabeth's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I can honestly say that I wasn't sure about the two main female characters in this book. One lady is called Sarah and the other one is called Laura. Sarah is a single mother, who lives with her son in a flat in a run down area. Sarah was married but the marriage broke down and Sarah moved on. Sarah is seeing another man, but to be quite honest he is about as reliable as the weather. Laura is a bit of a loner and a complex character. She did live with her parents but her mother walked out. Laura had been the main carer for her father, who had been suffering from an illness. Her father subsequently died and Laura has been a lost soul ever since. She hasn't been able to move on and establish a new life for herself. I thought that both ladies were slightly dodgy in their own ways for reasons that I couldn't quite put my finger on. I just had a feeling that they weren't being completely honest with themselves or others. The discovery of a body that has lain in a flat for years brings the two ladies together in a strange sort of way. It soon becomes clear that both ladies remember their pasts slightly differently. Which lady is telling the truth, if any? What happened in the past? What happened to the deceased person in the flat? Well for the answers to those questions and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my giddy aunt, 'The Woman Downstairs' was an amazing read and then some. To say that it proved to be addictive reading, seems like a massive understatement. I picked the book up only intending to read for half an hour or so but I became so wrapped up in the story and so absorbed in the lives of Laura and Sarah that I read for a lot longer than half an hour. In fact the first time I looked up and checked the time I was stunned to realise that I had been reading for more like two hours. 'The Woman Downstairs' was one of those books that proved impossible to put to one side for any length of time. The book wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. If I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about it. It was as if I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The pages turned at a furious pace as I worked my way through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of the book which I had mixed feelings about. Don't get me wrong I was pleased to finish the book because it meant that I knew how the story ended but I was enjoying the author's writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just wish the book had been a lot longer.
'The Woman Downstairs' is superbly written but then I wouldn't expect anything else from Elisabeth Carpenter. In fact all of her books are superbly written. She certainly knows how to start the story in an attention grabbing way and without your realising it, she draws you into the story and then closes her net around you so to speak. Elisabeth uses such powerful and realistic descriptions that I felt as though I was part of the story myself. I must admit that certain descriptions in the book gave me the heebie jeebies and in particular the scene about the discovery of a body shouldn't be read at the same time as you eat a meal, as I was. I was gripped by the story and on the edge of my seat throughout.
Reading 'The Woman Downstairs' felt like being on a scary and unpredictable psychological rollercoaster ride. There were moments that gave me the creeps, moments that took my breath away and moments that left me as stunned as I would have been, had I been punched in the gut.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Woman Downstairs' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Elisabeth's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
October 22, 2023
Storyline dragged a lot and when I reached the end it wasn’t worth it - the action happened within the space of very few pages and wasn’t unpredictable at all. If you like a good, fast paced, action packed thriller - steer miles away from this.
November 7, 2023
This was a great book. I have read Elizabeth Carpenter before and was impressed. This was another good read. If you want a story of connection, loyality, suspense and unknown identity of a killer then this is a good one.
Nice short but detailed chapters with the parallel narratives. I love the idea of the narratives being told in different tenses but alongside each other.
I felt it was a little long sometimes but I loved it.
Nice short but detailed chapters with the parallel narratives. I love the idea of the narratives being told in different tenses but alongside each other.
I felt it was a little long sometimes but I loved it.
July 25, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up. Much better than it had any right to be! Easy to read, a clever twist and good plot. But will I remember it in 6 months? Doubt it!
March 21, 2020
I have read Elisabeth Carpenter before and have looked forward to reading this one for some time. She didn't disappoint. Her characterisation and story telling keep you turning the pages and, as I have come to learn, the ending is never what you expect.
February 10, 2020
This book is a brilliant thriller, told in the present tense by narrators Sarah and Laura, who, at the beginning of the book do not know each other. The discovery of a body in their building is their point of connection, but this is a slow burn of a novel which keeps its cards very closely to its chest.
You need to pay attention and stay focussed when reading it as I found so many tiny, seemingly inconsequential details became really important later on, as you piece together exactly what could have happened.
It works on lots of levels, there is the nature of whether it was a murder or a natural death, this needs to be resolved for all concerned. There is the nature of social disengagement and the sad feeling of futility that the pace of modern life can allow a situation such as this to happen-the notion that a person can disappear for years and have no one notice, or care about them really affected me as I read.
The body is the trigger point for the story, yet as his or her story is reconstructed through the investigation into what happened in that flat, it metamorphosises into a conduit through which Sarah can tackle her academic block in her journalist studies, her ex-husband tries to use it as an excuse to get her back, and in Laura's case, it is forcing her to face some rather unpleasant truths...
This story is very immediate, due to the use of the present tense, making it feel like it could happen to any of us, and the staccato sentences give us a very defined and narrow view of the block of flats where both women live- the concrete building becomes a coffin or a tomb for ambitions and a life well lived. The perception that outsiders have of what Sarah and Laura call home is immediate and dismissive, with the lack of community being blamed on the poverty of that area.
As Sarah and Laura go about being both haunted by this death and their own back stories, a more immediate threat is lurking in the shadows, who this is aimed at is very uncertain and Elisabeth skillfully twists and turns how the characters behave in order to keep the reader glued to the page and reading way past their bedtime...
I thoroughly enjoyed being kept turning page after page, even though my other half constantly complained how anto-social I was being (my kindle app is on my phone, and we have a no phones in the living room ban) , but my phone did not leave my side until the book was finished. I absolutely want to read more by this author and am excited to do so!
About the author...
You need to pay attention and stay focussed when reading it as I found so many tiny, seemingly inconsequential details became really important later on, as you piece together exactly what could have happened.
It works on lots of levels, there is the nature of whether it was a murder or a natural death, this needs to be resolved for all concerned. There is the nature of social disengagement and the sad feeling of futility that the pace of modern life can allow a situation such as this to happen-the notion that a person can disappear for years and have no one notice, or care about them really affected me as I read.
The body is the trigger point for the story, yet as his or her story is reconstructed through the investigation into what happened in that flat, it metamorphosises into a conduit through which Sarah can tackle her academic block in her journalist studies, her ex-husband tries to use it as an excuse to get her back, and in Laura's case, it is forcing her to face some rather unpleasant truths...
This story is very immediate, due to the use of the present tense, making it feel like it could happen to any of us, and the staccato sentences give us a very defined and narrow view of the block of flats where both women live- the concrete building becomes a coffin or a tomb for ambitions and a life well lived. The perception that outsiders have of what Sarah and Laura call home is immediate and dismissive, with the lack of community being blamed on the poverty of that area.
As Sarah and Laura go about being both haunted by this death and their own back stories, a more immediate threat is lurking in the shadows, who this is aimed at is very uncertain and Elisabeth skillfully twists and turns how the characters behave in order to keep the reader glued to the page and reading way past their bedtime...
I thoroughly enjoyed being kept turning page after page, even though my other half constantly complained how anto-social I was being (my kindle app is on my phone, and we have a no phones in the living room ban) , but my phone did not leave my side until the book was finished. I absolutely want to read more by this author and am excited to do so!
About the author...
February 26, 2020
I enjoyed most of this book as it had that 'page turner' quality that kept me reading well beyond my bedtime.
However, I was left disappointed at the end as the reveal/twist did not take me by surprise as I had already guessed what had happened to Laura, the woman who is found dead downstairs two years after she was last seen alive. There was a little twist to do with Laura's mother's involvement that made me say 'aaaahhh' out loud but in terms of what actually happened to Laura, it seemed a little straight forward and predictable. Maybe I just read too many books in this genre!
It is well written and pacey but lacks that extra depth that I like in books of this kind.
There were a limited number of characters, maybe that's why I predicted it early on, and I didn't feel like I really cared about any of them as much as I wanted to. I felt terribly sad that someone could lie dead for 2 years without anyone realising though.
A solid crime/mystery book that I would recommend others read but it just didn't stand out enough for me to give it a higher rating.
Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for the ARC.
However, I was left disappointed at the end as the reveal/twist did not take me by surprise as I had already guessed what had happened to Laura, the woman who is found dead downstairs two years after she was last seen alive. There was a little twist to do with Laura's mother's involvement that made me say 'aaaahhh' out loud but in terms of what actually happened to Laura, it seemed a little straight forward and predictable. Maybe I just read too many books in this genre!
It is well written and pacey but lacks that extra depth that I like in books of this kind.
There were a limited number of characters, maybe that's why I predicted it early on, and I didn't feel like I really cared about any of them as much as I wanted to. I felt terribly sad that someone could lie dead for 2 years without anyone realising though.
A solid crime/mystery book that I would recommend others read but it just didn't stand out enough for me to give it a higher rating.
Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for the ARC.
September 6, 2024
Suspense unfolds immediately in this gripping drama, when a body is found in a ground floor flat. Scenes play out between the victim two years earlier & the current day where curious journalism student Sarah tries to solve the case. It’s definitely a book that keeps you guessing, with plenty of suspects & little twists, although I felt that the formula of writing in past & present was quite similar to one of the author’s other novels. A good read.
February 8, 2020
Not my favorite from this author… the story itself was interesting but it dragged a lot and by the end I wasn't all that interested anymore… :/
February 24, 2020
Very easy to read but that is the only thing going for it. Her previous books were much better. There were far too many coincidences in this book. A very average forgettable read.
March 1, 2020
Got terribly bored and gave up.
February 14, 2020
When human remains are found in the empty apartment at Nelson heights, Sarah is terrified as well as curious to know more about the situation. Soon she discovers, the remains are 2 years old, which means there had been a corpse lying just below her flat for 2 years since she'd moved in. How creepy is that!
Sarah, is a journalist living with her son at Nelson Heights, also working as a waitress at the neighborhood Cafe. Her ex-husband Alex is a cop working on the case and her current boyfriend Rob, an IT guy seems to be ghosting her recently. Reluctant to know more about the case, she starts digging into the person and she's about to discover shocking facts about her neighbors!
Meanwhile we get to know about Laura, who is currently jobless at her 30s and living with her dad as a carer who died 2 years ago. Now she barely leaves her house, and suffers from insecurity. She had a horrible time at her primary school where she was bullied by the kids and her father homeschooled her afterwards. Her mom is nowhere near her and she has no good friends to support. Now her job searches are mostly a failure but when she gets a telecaller job, she doesn't hesitate to join even when her boss is among her bullies from primary school.
It's not until later when the connection is revealed and you'd have to travel almost 80 percent of the book to discover that. Meanwhile we get to befriend both the women, their lives and everything about them. All the while, the mystery remains and the reader has no clue of what's going on. I liked the parallel narrations the author had implied. It kept me hooked and curious all along. Watch out for bullying, office place harassment, loneliness, depression and suppressed feelings in the characters involved. Emotional, dark and creepy this book is a treat for crime fiction fans!
Sarah, is a journalist living with her son at Nelson Heights, also working as a waitress at the neighborhood Cafe. Her ex-husband Alex is a cop working on the case and her current boyfriend Rob, an IT guy seems to be ghosting her recently. Reluctant to know more about the case, she starts digging into the person and she's about to discover shocking facts about her neighbors!
Meanwhile we get to know about Laura, who is currently jobless at her 30s and living with her dad as a carer who died 2 years ago. Now she barely leaves her house, and suffers from insecurity. She had a horrible time at her primary school where she was bullied by the kids and her father homeschooled her afterwards. Her mom is nowhere near her and she has no good friends to support. Now her job searches are mostly a failure but when she gets a telecaller job, she doesn't hesitate to join even when her boss is among her bullies from primary school.
It's not until later when the connection is revealed and you'd have to travel almost 80 percent of the book to discover that. Meanwhile we get to befriend both the women, their lives and everything about them. All the while, the mystery remains and the reader has no clue of what's going on. I liked the parallel narrations the author had implied. It kept me hooked and curious all along. Watch out for bullying, office place harassment, loneliness, depression and suppressed feelings in the characters involved. Emotional, dark and creepy this book is a treat for crime fiction fans!
February 24, 2020
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Deliciously shocking and twisty, this is a must-read for fans of the psychological thriller. My, my, this one certainly blew me away. My only wish is that I could give 'The Woman Downstairs' more than 5 stars. Elizabeth Carpenter is natural storyteller, with this novel an apt exemplar of her prodigious talent. The blurb would seem to describe a straightforward domestic thriller, but it is anything but. A body is found in a block of flats, and the residents are understandably shaken by the gruesome discovery. There are the usual questions; like the identity of the corpse, and more pertinently, how did it get there? Something terrible happened at Nelson Heights, but what? We follow two residents of Nelson Heights on our journey of discovery - Sarah and Laura, and they provide the voices of meta-characters explaining the pernicious goings on at the seemingly innocuous residence. What follows is a roller-coaster ride with more twists and turns than a slalom run. Claustrophobic, with tension dripping off every page, this is one heck of a psychological thriller. The characters are wonderfully developed and creatively imagined, with the aid of crisp prose and a tautly-plotted story arc. Like an expert of her craft, Carpenter ratchets up the tension to an unbearable degree before its shocking, final crescendo. I was blindsided by the denouement, which was wickedly clever and hugely unexpected. One of the best psychological thrillers of 2020 so far.
AMAZING!
Deliciously shocking and twisty, this is a must-read for fans of the psychological thriller. My, my, this one certainly blew me away. My only wish is that I could give 'The Woman Downstairs' more than 5 stars. Elizabeth Carpenter is natural storyteller, with this novel an apt exemplar of her prodigious talent. The blurb would seem to describe a straightforward domestic thriller, but it is anything but. A body is found in a block of flats, and the residents are understandably shaken by the gruesome discovery. There are the usual questions; like the identity of the corpse, and more pertinently, how did it get there? Something terrible happened at Nelson Heights, but what? We follow two residents of Nelson Heights on our journey of discovery - Sarah and Laura, and they provide the voices of meta-characters explaining the pernicious goings on at the seemingly innocuous residence. What follows is a roller-coaster ride with more twists and turns than a slalom run. Claustrophobic, with tension dripping off every page, this is one heck of a psychological thriller. The characters are wonderfully developed and creatively imagined, with the aid of crisp prose and a tautly-plotted story arc. Like an expert of her craft, Carpenter ratchets up the tension to an unbearable degree before its shocking, final crescendo. I was blindsided by the denouement, which was wickedly clever and hugely unexpected. One of the best psychological thrillers of 2020 so far.
AMAZING!
April 20, 2020
The woman Downstairs by Elisabeth Carpenter.
When human remains are found in a ground floor flat, the residents of Nelson Heights are shocked to learn that there was a dead body in their building for over three years.
Sarah lives at the flat above and after the remains are found, she feels threatened by a stranger hanging around the building.
Laura has lived in the building for as long as she can remember, caring for her elderly father, though there is more to her story than she is letting on.
As the investigation starts to heat up, and the two women become more involved, it's clear that someone isn't telling the truth about what went on all those years ago...
I really enjoyed this book. I liked Sarah. Couldn't put it down. Although I guessed who it was I still really enjoyed this book. I loved the ending. Perfect. 4*.
When human remains are found in a ground floor flat, the residents of Nelson Heights are shocked to learn that there was a dead body in their building for over three years.
Sarah lives at the flat above and after the remains are found, she feels threatened by a stranger hanging around the building.
Laura has lived in the building for as long as she can remember, caring for her elderly father, though there is more to her story than she is letting on.
As the investigation starts to heat up, and the two women become more involved, it's clear that someone isn't telling the truth about what went on all those years ago...
I really enjoyed this book. I liked Sarah. Couldn't put it down. Although I guessed who it was I still really enjoyed this book. I loved the ending. Perfect. 4*.
April 20, 2020
The woman Downstairs by Elisabeth Carpenter.
When human remains are found in a ground floor flat, the residents of Nelson Heights are shocked to learn that there was a dead body in their building for over three years.
Sarah lives at the flat above and after the remains are found, she feels threatened by a stranger hanging around the building.
Laura has lived in the building for as long as she can remember, caring for her elderly father, though there is more to her story than she is letting on.
As the investigation starts to heat up, and the two women become more involved, it's clear that someone isn't telling the truth about what went on all those years ago...
I really enjoyed this book. I liked Sarah. Couldn't put it down. Although I guessed who it was I still really enjoyed this book. I loved the ending. Perfect. 4*.
When human remains are found in a ground floor flat, the residents of Nelson Heights are shocked to learn that there was a dead body in their building for over three years.
Sarah lives at the flat above and after the remains are found, she feels threatened by a stranger hanging around the building.
Laura has lived in the building for as long as she can remember, caring for her elderly father, though there is more to her story than she is letting on.
As the investigation starts to heat up, and the two women become more involved, it's clear that someone isn't telling the truth about what went on all those years ago...
I really enjoyed this book. I liked Sarah. Couldn't put it down. Although I guessed who it was I still really enjoyed this book. I loved the ending. Perfect. 4*.
October 9, 2025
The jury's out on this one - it was 'OK' but ultimately quite forgettable, and I expected it to build up to something a bit more surprising than the rather rambling ending that didn't exactly ring true.
It promised much at the start, and one of the literary devices employed in the early chapters was rather clever
It promised much at the start, and one of the literary devices employed in the early chapters was rather clever
May 13, 2020
Elisabeth Carpenter never disappoints. Yes this one, and the last, doesn't quite compare to her first two books, but this is still a read that I really enjoyed.
I found myself constantly guessing throughout, and I was still wrong! I didn't massively like the main characters, but the story was compelling, intriguing and definitely intense. The ending/revealed was a tad rushed, and I still have a couple of questions that I don't think as fully answered, but I would still highly recommend this book. Can't wait to read this author's next!
I found myself constantly guessing throughout, and I was still wrong! I didn't massively like the main characters, but the story was compelling, intriguing and definitely intense. The ending/revealed was a tad rushed, and I still have a couple of questions that I don't think as fully answered, but I would still highly recommend this book. Can't wait to read this author's next!
February 16, 2020
I preferred this title to the first I read by this author: Only A Mother, because it felt rawer, more real, more emotive, the characters deeper, and the story more complex. The themes and plot were absolutely perfectly woven together to create a tight and unexpected ending that felt plausible. All in all, a thoroughly researched and well-written novel that I read in just one day because I really struggled to put down. I can't wait to read whatever Elizabeth writes next.
January 27, 2023
I really enjoyed the style and pace of this book. I have read and liked Elisabeth Carpenter’s books before and this one was no exception.
I felt so sorry for Laura through this story, especially given what happens to her. There were a couple of loose ends though that bothered me, such as Sarah’s relationships with ex and current partner and what actually happened to Laura at school. It would have been great to have those things wrapped up.
I felt so sorry for Laura through this story, especially given what happens to her. There were a couple of loose ends though that bothered me, such as Sarah’s relationships with ex and current partner and what actually happened to Laura at school. It would have been great to have those things wrapped up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2023
I enjoyed this very much. The chapters alternate between Sarah and Laura who both live in the same block of flats. Sarah lives there with her son after splitting up with her husband who is in the police force. She has a new romantic interest, though he does disappear from time to time on work related trips.
Laura now lives alone. She still lives in the flat she’d lived in with her Dad. At a very young age, Laura became her father’s carer after her mum suddenly upped and left the family home. Her Dad had MS and she cared for him right up to the end. She still misses him and as she spent her life growing up caring for him, she doesn’t have any kind of life outside the flat. But the money he left won’t last her for ever so she knows she’s going to have to go out into the world and find herself a job.
After a body is discovered in one of the flats which Sarah had always thought was empty, it doesn’t take long for word to get out that the body has been there for quite some time. Sarah wants to become a journalist and this story really piques her interest.
The rest of the book follows Laura and her life once she finds herself a job and Sarah trying to find out more about the life of the person discovered in the flat and how they lay dead for so long without anyone ever bothering to find out where they had disappeared to. It’s more mystery than thriller. Very entertaining throughout with mysteries to be solved and eventually a kind of who-dunnit and why vibe getting towards the end. I really liked it, especially as it has quite a poignant undercurrent to the whole plot.
Laura now lives alone. She still lives in the flat she’d lived in with her Dad. At a very young age, Laura became her father’s carer after her mum suddenly upped and left the family home. Her Dad had MS and she cared for him right up to the end. She still misses him and as she spent her life growing up caring for him, she doesn’t have any kind of life outside the flat. But the money he left won’t last her for ever so she knows she’s going to have to go out into the world and find herself a job.
After a body is discovered in one of the flats which Sarah had always thought was empty, it doesn’t take long for word to get out that the body has been there for quite some time. Sarah wants to become a journalist and this story really piques her interest.
The rest of the book follows Laura and her life once she finds herself a job and Sarah trying to find out more about the life of the person discovered in the flat and how they lay dead for so long without anyone ever bothering to find out where they had disappeared to. It’s more mystery than thriller. Very entertaining throughout with mysteries to be solved and eventually a kind of who-dunnit and why vibe getting towards the end. I really liked it, especially as it has quite a poignant undercurrent to the whole plot.
April 2, 2020
3.5 * really.
Not my favourite book by this author but I did enjoy reading it and thought it was very well written. Following 2 women, Laura and Sarah, the book begins when a body is found in ground floor flat in the building Sarah lives. I did guess the victim and perpetrator quite early on as there were just a few too many clues.
Not my favourite book by this author but I did enjoy reading it and thought it was very well written. Following 2 women, Laura and Sarah, the book begins when a body is found in ground floor flat in the building Sarah lives. I did guess the victim and perpetrator quite early on as there were just a few too many clues.
January 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed the guessing game, I had my suspicions with two characters, so for me, it wasn't that much of a surprise when it was revealed who did, in fact, do it.
I think what I enjoyed the most with this book was the unpredictability with the characters, and you feel the tension.
This was my first read of 2024, chosen by my 3 year daughter, and what a fab choice to start this year's reading with.
I think what I enjoyed the most with this book was the unpredictability with the characters, and you feel the tension.
This was my first read of 2024, chosen by my 3 year daughter, and what a fab choice to start this year's reading with.
August 21, 2020
The Woman Downstairs by Elisabeth Carpenter was a good page turner and then, a big let down at the end, especially as I guessed the ending! So it ended up a ok read and it passed the time. Sorry.
Big Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Big Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2021
Thank you Orion Publishing and Netgalley for this book.
I liked the story, I liked the characters, I like the way the book was written but sadly I felt let down by the ending. So for that it gets 3 stars !
I liked the story, I liked the characters, I like the way the book was written but sadly I felt let down by the ending. So for that it gets 3 stars !
September 28, 2021
Another excellent book from Elisabeth Carpenter.
I thought thst empathy with the victim was built up really well, without making her seem pityful. I also enjoyed the time-switch part-way through. The book is easy to read and lends itself well to reading fairly quickly as the suspense is built up right until the end.
I thought thst empathy with the victim was built up really well, without making her seem pityful. I also enjoyed the time-switch part-way through. The book is easy to read and lends itself well to reading fairly quickly as the suspense is built up right until the end.
May 8, 2022
An unconvincing murder story which started well but the author is too intent on bringing in mysterious characters or rather obvious coincidences. Conversations are stilted and would a 9 year old really write a note saying your mum is a slut?
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