Review: The Housemaid

By: Freida McFadden

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If you are looking for a suspenseful thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is a must-read. This book is a psychological thriller about Millie, a young woman eager for a fresh start and desperate for a job. She thinks she has found the perfect position as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy family until she realizes that her employers have a few dark secrets. 

Millie is excited to be hired by Nina Winchester, who initially appears friendly and welcoming. But when Millie moves into the tiny attic room of the family’s gigantic mansion, she quickly realizes things aren’t as they seem. The room has a lock on the outside – a detail that makes her wonder what she is signed up for.

What truly differentiates this book from others is McFadden's skill for creating tension and introducing deep, easy-to-understand characters. The chapters are filled with twists that make you want to keep reading to discover what happens next. This story draws you in further with each chapter, leading to an ending you won’t see coming.

One of The Housemaid’s greatest strengths is how McFadden builds suspense, making the readers feel Millie’s discomfort as she tries to follow the strange house rules and Nina's unpredictable mood swings. Every chapter brings a new twist, and McFadden knows exactly when to reveal a new piece of the mystery, which keeps us hooked and on our toes to find out what is going on in the Winchester house.

McFadden also excels at creating layered, morally complex characters. Millie’s innocence and determination make her relatable and easy to root for, while Nina’s character is cryptic and full of contradictions, challenging readers to understand her motivations. The characters are flawed, which adds a layer of depth that makes the story feel more real. 

Beyond its thrilling plot, The Housemaid tackles themes of control, power, and manipulation, questioning how far one can go to escape their circumstances. Millie’s journey isn’t just a thriller; it’s also a psychological exploration of vulnerability and trust. As readers, we are invited to think about how control can shift in relationships and what lengths someone might go to. McFadden explores these themes in a way that is thrilling and insightful, bringing readers to reflect on who they can trust.

If you’re a fan of gripping psychological thrillers that keep you guessing until the end, The Housemaid should be on your reading list. PLUS it's the first in a series, so there is more to look forward to if you get hooked!