Family Remains: A Novel by Lisa Jewell Summary

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About the Author of Family Remains

Lisa Jewell is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Family Remains, a gripping psychological thriller exploring twisted marriages, fractured families, and deadly obsessions. Born in 1968 in London, Jewell has written over 20 novels that have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and been translated into nearly 30 languages.

Known for her "superb pacing, twisted characters, and captivating prose," she masterfully crafts suspenseful domestic thrillers with complex family dynamics and dark secrets lurking beneath seemingly perfect surfaces.

Before becoming the queen of psychological suspense, Jewell wrote bestselling romantic comedies and family dramas, including her debut Ralph's Party, which became the UK's bestselling debut novel of 1999. Her other acclaimed thrillers include Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs (to which The Family Remains is a standalone sequel), None of This Is True, and Invisible Girl. One of her novels is currently being adapted into a Netflix series, cementing her status as one of contemporary thriller fiction's most influential voices.

FAQs About Family Remains

What is The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell about?

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell is a psychological thriller that follows three interconnected storylines: Lucy and Henry Lamb dealing with their traumatic past, Rachel Gold escaping her abusive marriage to Michael Rimmer, and Detective Samuel Owusu investigating human remains found in the Thames River. The novel explores family secrets, obsession, and identity as these narratives converge around the notorious house at 16 Cheyne Walk, where dark events from 25 years ago continue to haunt the present.

Is The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell worth reading?

The Family Remains is worth reading for fans of twisted family dramas and psychological thrillers, though reviews are mixed compared to its predecessor. Readers appreciate Lisa Jewell's masterful plotting and character development, with the novel successfully tying up loose ends from The Family Upstairs. However, some critics note it lacks the same thriller pacing and tension as the first book, with certain sections feeling like filler, particularly Rachel's backstory. Overall, it delivers a satisfying conclusion for invested readers.

Who should read The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell?

The Family Remains is ideal for psychological thriller enthusiasts who enjoy multiple timelines, unreliable narrators, and complex family dynamics. Fans of domestic suspense, police procedurals, and stories exploring trauma and obsession will find this compelling. The book particularly appeals to readers who loved The Family Upstairs and want closure on those characters, though it also works for newcomers to Lisa Jewell's work. Anyone interested in twisted relationships and dark family secrets will appreciate this intricate narrative.

Do I need to read The Family Upstairs before The Family Remains?

The Family Remains can be read as a standalone, but reading The Family Upstairs first significantly enhances the experience. Lisa Jewell provides sufficient backstory and references to crucial incidents from the first book, allowing new readers to follow along. However, reading both novels deepens emotional investment in the characters and their outcomes, making the revelations more impactful. The full extent of the Lamb family's suffering and the house's dark history becomes much more powerful when experienced chronologically.

What happened to Birdie Dunlop-Evers in The Family Remains?

Birdie Dunlop-Evers was a cruel, twisted woman who abused the children living in the Cheyne Walk house alongside con artist David Thomsen. In 2019, her remains are discovered in the Thames River after being stored on the house's roof for 25 years. While Henry Lamb was involved in Birdie's death, Justin Redding (Birdie's former boyfriend) ultimately takes the blame in a suicide note, allowing Henry to escape justice. The investigation reveals Birdie's obsession with David and her role in grooming Lucy for abuse.

How does Rachel Gold's storyline connect to The Family Remains?

Rachel Gold marries the charming Michael Rimmer, who quickly reveals himself as an abusive monster. After leaving him, Rachel discovers someone is blackmailing her father with compromising photos of her and suspects Michael. When Rachel confronts Michael at his house in Antibes, France, she discovers Lucy Lamb cleaning up Michael's dead body—Lucy killed Michael in self-defense after he abused her years earlier. Rachel protects Lucy during the police investigation, ultimately connecting their lives and providing Lucy with crucial support.

What are the main themes explored in The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell?

The Family Remains explores trauma's lasting impact across generations, examining how childhood abuse shapes adult identity and relationships. The novel delves into obsession through Henry's fixation on Phin Thomsen and his pattern of impersonating others. Domestic violence features prominently through Rachel and Lucy's experiences with Michael Rimmer. Additional themes include:

• Family secrets
• The consequences of silence
• Survival
• The search for identity and belonging

Lisa Jewell also examines how people rebuild their lives after escaping toxic environments.

Is The Family Remains as good as The Family Upstairs?

Most readers agree The Family Remains is not as unsettling or suspenseful as The Family Upstairs, with slower thriller pacing and less mystery. The first book's dark atmosphere and shocking revelations set a high bar that the sequel doesn't quite match. However, The Family Remains excels at character development and tying up narrative threads, providing satisfying closure for invested readers. While it blends family drama with domestic thriller elements rather than pure suspense, it remains an above-average read that showcases Lisa Jewell's plotting skills.

What role does Henry Lamb play in The Family Remains?

Henry Lamb is a deeply disturbed character who has spent 25 years impersonating Phin Thomsen, the boy he loved during their traumatic childhood at Cheyne Walk. Henry obsessively searches for Phin in Chicago, seeking personal fulfillment and reconciliation for past cruelty. After a healing conversation with Phin, Henry initially embraces his true identity, but the novel ends with him developing a new obsession: Kris Doll, Phin's ex-boyfriend. Henry's sketchy nature and involvement in Birdie's death create ongoing tension throughout the narrative.

Does The Family Remains have multiple timelines?

Yes, The Family Remains uses multiple timelines and perspectives to build its complex narrative. The main storyline occurs in 2019, following the discovery of Birdie's remains and the murder investigation. Rachel's storyline begins a couple of years earlier, chronicling her marriage to Michael Rimmer and its aftermath. Flashbacks reveal events from 25 years ago at the Cheyne Walk house, providing crucial context for understanding character motivations. Lisa Jewell skillfully weaves these timelines together, creating a layered psychological thriller that gradually reveals connections.

How does The Family Remains end?

The Family Remains concludes with mostly happy resolutions for Lucy and Rachel, though it leaves room for potential sequels. The police rule Michael's death as organized crime, clearing both women. Justin's suicide note takes the blame for Birdie's death, protecting Henry from consequences. Lucy moves into her first home with her children, and Phin reconnects with his daughter Libby. However, the ending suggests future trouble as Henry, after briefly embracing his identity, grows bored and begins obsessively impersonating Kris Doll, hinting that his dangerous patterns continue.

What is Detective Samuel Owusu investigating in The Family Remains?

Detective Samuel Owusu opens a murder investigation when human remains are found in the Thames River in 2019, identified through forensic evidence as Birdie Dunlop-Evers. The bones were stored in one location for 25 years before being moved to the river. Samuel traces Birdie's connection to 16 Cheyne Walk and discovers evidence that her remains were buried on the house's roof. His investigation leads him to Libby Jones, Lucy and Henry Lamb, and Justin Redding, uncovering the horrific abuse that occurred in the house decades earlier.