THE FAMILY REMAINS is Lisa Jewell's sequel to her book THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS. I read THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS long enough ago that I forget much of it. That detracted from my enjoyment of THE FAMILY REMAINS even though it is just as well written as Jewell's other novels. Although I dislike rereading novels, in this case it would have been better if I had reread THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS immediately before I read THE FAMILY REMAINS.

So, if you haven't read either novel yet, I would suggest you read THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS first, then read THE FAMILY REMAINS soon after. This would be ideal.

The claim on the back of the paperback copy of THE FAMILY REMAINS is that it works as a standalone. But that would not be nearly as suspenseful and might even be confusing. I was confused throughout the book about why the family had to keep their lives secret and why they had to use fake passports. This is why I wouldn't recommend it for book clubs.

THE FAMILY REMAINS is the only book of Jewell's that rates as low as three stars. That is because she fails to remind the reader what came before. This is something basic, something other thriller authors such as Harlan Coben and Karin Slaughter are so good at. Jewell is a writer in the same caliber as they are, but she fails here.