The Family Remains Ending Explained

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell is a gripping thriller that explores the themes of trauma, violence, family, and identity. It is the sequel to The Family Upstairs, but it can be read as a standalone novel. The book follows the lives of several characters who are connected by a dark and twisted past that involves a murder, a cult, and a mysterious mansion.

Setting the Scene

The book begins with the discovery of a bag of bones in the river Thames, which belong to Birdie Dunlop-Evers, a musician who was killed in 1995 in a mansion at 16 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.

The mansion was the scene of a horrific tragedy, where three adults were found dead in a suicide pact, and a baby girl named Libby Jones was found alive in a crib. The adults were part of a cult that had taken over the house from the wealthy Lamb family, who had mysteriously disappeared.

Libby Jones inherited the house when she turned 25 in 2019, and sold it to a couple after learning the truth about her biological parents and siblings. She also met her long-lost brother and sister, Henry and Lucy Lamb, who had escaped from the cult as teenagers.

Lucy Lamb had fled to France with her boyfriend Michael Rimmer, who was actually a violent and abusive man. She had a son with him, Marco, whom she left behind when she ran away from him. She changed her name to Rachel Gold and became a successful jewelry designer in London.

Henry Lamb had lived a nomadic life, using different identities and aliases. He had a daughter with Birdie, whom he named Phoebe. He also had a son with another woman, whom he named Max. He kept in touch with Lucy and Libby, but he never revealed his true identity to anyone else.

The book alternates between the perspectives of Rachel, Henry, Libby, and a detective named Samuel Owusu, who is investigating Birdie’s murder. The book also flashes back to the events that happened in the mansion in 1995, as well as the aftermath of Libby’s inheritance in 2019.

Explanation of the Ending

Key Events

• Rachel learns that Michael has been found dead in his house in Antibes, and she decides to go there to claim Marco, whom she hasn’t seen in 15 years. She also hopes to find some clues about Michael’s past and why he was so obsessed with her.

• Henry decides to go to Antibes as well, after receiving a letter from Michael that threatens to expose his secrets. He also wants to see Marco, whom he suspects is his son, not Michael’s. He also wants to find out what happened to Birdie, whom he loved and never forgot.

• Libby decides to go to Antibes too, after receiving a message from Henry that he needs her help. She also wants to see Marco, whom she considers her nephew. She also wants to reconnect with Henry and Lucy, whom she hasn’t seen since they sold the house.

• Samuel follows the leads from Birdie’s case, and discovers that she was killed by Michael, who was also the leader of the cult that had taken over the mansion. He also learns that Michael had a history of violence and manipulation, and that he had targeted Lucy because she looked like his first wife, who had died in a car accident.

• Rachel, Henry, Libby, and Samuel all converge in Antibes, where they uncover the truth about Michael and his motives. They also learn that Marco is indeed Henry’s son, and that he has inherited Michael’s fortune and properties. They also find out that Michael had a daughter with his first wife, who is still alive and living in London.

• Rachel, Henry, Libby, and Marco decide to start a new life together as a family, and move into Michael’s house in Antibes. Samuel closes Birdie’s case, and returns to London. He also meets Michael’s daughter, and tells her about her father and half-brother.

Character Resolutions

• Rachel finally escapes from Michael’s shadow, and reunites with her son Marco. She also reconnects with her sister Lucy, and her brother Henry. She also finds love with Samuel, who understands her trauma and supports her healing.

• Henry finally faces his past, and confesses his role in Birdie’s death. He also reveals his true identity to Marco, and embraces his fatherhood. He also reconciles with his sisters Libby and Lucy, and his daughter Phoebe. He also finds peace with himself, and decides to write a book about his life.

• Libby finally finds her place in the world, and bonds with her family. She also develops a friendship with Max, Henry’s son. She also pursues her passion for photography, and documents her family’s journey. She also finds happiness with herself, and decides to live in the present.

• Samuel finally solves Birdie’s murder, and brings justice to her memory. He also falls in love with Rachel, and accepts her family as his own. He also helps Michael’s daughter cope with her father’s legacy, and introduces her to Marco. He also finds fulfillment with his career, and decides to write a book about his case.