The Housemaid is Freida McFadden’s bestselling series with a whopping combined tally of over 300 thousand reviews on Amazon, proving her formidable force in the thriller genre.

The story revolves around the enigmatic character of Millie, a young woman with a past who accepts a housemaid position with a wealthy family. As she settles into her new role, she becomes increasingly drawn to the mysteries surrounding the family, slowly unravelling a web of deceit and betrayal until it all comes tumbling out in a dramatic finish.

McFadden’s skilful character development means that Millie is not your typical protagonist. Sure, Millie repeatedly makes questionable choices, but her flawed nature and selfish motives make her all the more relatable. Her sharp quips add subtle humour and scrape away heaviness from the suspense, making it an enjoyable read on the edge of your seat.

The second instalment, The Housemaid’s Secret, ratchets up the tension even further, with Millie embroiled in another family drama, learning disturbing truths about her employer. The stakes are raised higher, and danger becomes increasingly palpable. 

While suspense and mystery are paramount in this series, McFadden also delves into more profound themes, like the complexities of power dynamics and the psychological effects of manipulation. Her ability to challenge assumptions is laudable, with these underlying themes giving the series a realistic touch that adds to the unease.

McFadden’s pace is relentless, masterfully building tension that makes readers’ hearts pound until the final shocking revelation. She cleverly executes twists and turns, creating a captivating psychological series that delivers on every front. By comparison, the first book may have hyped up my expectations too much, as I found the sequel a little more predictable. Nevertheless, they’re both still highly entertaining and compulsively addictive – you can be sure I’ll be picking up the new book once it’s released.

The third book of the series, The Housemaid is Watching, will be released in June 2024. All books are available as part of the Kindle Unlimited subscription.

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