Bookquote.net Bookquote.net – Books Review and Quote site
Related Articles
| Categories | Thrillers & Suspense |
| Author | Freida McFadden |
| Publisher | Poisoned Pen Press (August 29, 2023) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 368 pages |
| Item Weight | 11.7 ounces |
| Dimensions |
5 x 0.92 x 8 inches |
I. Book introduction
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Housemaid!
“Don’t start a Freida McFadden book late at night. You won’t be able to put it down!”― Natalie Barelli, bestselling author of Unforgivable
Two women. An office filled with secrets. One terrible crime that can’t be taken back.
Dawn Schiff is strange.
At least, everyone thinks so at Vixed, the nutritional supplement company where Dawn works as an accountant. She never says the right thing. She has no friends. And she is always at her desk at precisely 8:45 a.m.
So when Dawn doesn’t show up to the office one morning, her coworker Natalie Farrell―beautiful, popular, top sales rep five years running―is surprised. Then she receives an unsettling, anonymous phone call that changes everything…
It turns out Dawn wasn’t just an awkward outsider―she was being targeted by someone close. And now Natalie is irrevocably tied to Dawn as she finds herself caught in a twisted game of cat and mouse that leaves her wondering: who’s the real victim?
But one thing is incredibly clear: somebody hated Dawn Schiff.
Enough to kill.
The Coworker is a tense, unputdownable thriller from New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden that explores the dark ways the past can echo through the present―with deadly consequences.
About Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden is the pen name of an American thriller author and practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. Freida’s work has been selected as one of Amazon Editors’ best books of the year, she is the winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for best paperback, and she is a Goodreads Choice Award winner. Her novels have been translated into 40 languages.
From New York City, McFadden attended Harvard University as an undergraduate. She practices medicine in the Boston area. McFadden self-published her first book through Amazon KDP in 2013. Her 2022 book The Housemaid was an international bestseller. A movie adaptation of the book is set to be adapted for Lionsgate with Rebecca Sonnenshine to pen the screenplay, and Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman and Alex Young to produce.
Freida McFadden lives with her family and black cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
II. Reviewer: The Coworker
| Here is a summary of the book Review “The Coworker by Freida McFadden”. Helps you have the most overview of the book without searching through time. Please access “BookQuote.Net” regularly or save it to keep track and update the latest information. |
1. NINA reviews for The Coworker
Mcfadden is finally back after some let-downs. This was a fast-paced thriller for sure. I liked the characters, which is great after being so dissatisfied with the characters in never lie and ward d. Even if the main character had her flaws, I felt they were explained better and there was some character development (at least a bit). I must admit I saw the twist coming, but was still curious about how it all would play out, so it was a breeze reading. In the afterword McFadden writes that she’s worked on this book for over 20 (!) years and that shows as I couldn’t find no obvious plot holes, and it was told convincingly. Maybe there was a bit too much spoon-feeding when it came to Dawn who obviously was on the spectrum, but from what I read it wasn’t too stereotypical, and I wasn’t annoyed by the way McFadden described her personality. There was actually a lovely moment in the end and I found myself tearing up. How often does that happen in your standard psychological thriller?
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc
2. KAY reviews for The Coworker
My favorite McFadden book so far. Two unreliable female MCs keep me guessing to the end.
Dawn Shiff in accounting is obsessed with turtles, a little odd and a bit OCD. Dawn is always at her desk at 8:45 a.m. until the day she isn’t. No one knows her whereabouts. This is very out of character for her. When Dawn’s phone rings, Natalie Farrell, the pretty sales rep answers it and hears “Help me!” before the line goes dead.
The Coworker is told in two parts. The first part is good at getting to know the characters. I enjoy the back-and-forth email exchanges that reveal their personalities. In the second half, I couldn’t listen fast enough. A body. A suspect. The past. I need answers!
This is my third book by McFadden and I’m glad the author didn’t include a dumb/naive MC this time around. The story is well paced so it was a pretty good popcorn thriller in my opinion.
I enjoyed listening to Alyson Krawchuk performance but I thought the voices of the two MCs were a bit difficult to tell apart. (I can hear the pages turning and some other noises. Hopefully, the final edition will be better.) 3.5⭐
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for my ALC.
Published Aug 29, 2023.
3. CHANTAL reviews for The Coworker
Freida has once again delivered an incredibly binge-worthy and fast-paced read in her latest book. True to her style, she skillfully lured me into a false sense of security with a seemingly predictable plot, only to blindside me with a major twist. It’s this ability to keep readers on their toes that sets Freida apart.
One of the standout aspects of the story was the portrayal of Dawn with autism. I think many readers will either like or dislike her character. In my instance I did find her likeable enough.
There was one minor issue that slightly detracted from the overall enjoyment. The recurring mention of “turtles” became a bit excessive, and by the time Chapter 5 rolled around, I found myself growing weary of it. Freida certainly ensured that turtles would forever be associated with this book in my mind. Nevertheless, this minor gripe did not overshadow the strengths of the storyline.
In terms of the writing style, I must admit that it differed somewhat from her previous works, and there were moments when I didn’t particularly resonate with it. Despite this, I still found myself engrossed in the story, largely due to the engaging storyline.
This book definitely too me on an emotional rollercoaster, expertly weaving a gripping psychological thriller. The pace never lets up, and kept me captivated from beginning to end. And speaking of the ending, it was an unexpected twist that left me in awe. The narration on this book was not the best and voice came over monotonous at times, but still gripped me enough to continue.
In conclusion, Freida’s latest book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who crave an exhilarating ride. While the abundance of turtle references and the occasional issue with the writing style may have dampened my experience slightly, the strength of the plot and the skillful characterization make up for it. Prepare to be enthralled by this suspenseful tale that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen and review this ARC.
4. L.A. reviews for The Coworker
A toxic workplace within a corporate company allowing bullying to permeate their tiny little cubicles makes for a psychological nightmare.
“Secrets bind people close together…”
With unloveable characters all the way to the end and turtles all the way down, my head is spinning…for real! This author is one of my favorites, but with a character like Dawn in love with everything turtles got under my shell. When she crawls under everyone else’s skin, as an accountant, she was thoroughly annoying, and she is missing. Presumed dead by evidence in her home, one of her bullies Natalie is arrested.
When Natalie is arrested for her murder, the plot thickens and derails the story to unlikely twists. Good job! You built a mystery around turtles and e-mails that left an incriminating path, but that ending!!!!
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC in exchange for my review!
5. KANSAS CITY GIRL reviews for The Coworker
Buckle in! From page 1 to the very last page (and I mean very last page) the reader is in for a ride! This storyline carries with it so many emotions and the reader is invested in every single one. Compassion, Empathy, Love, Hate…..and just when you think you have this storyline figured out…you don’t. In my opinion, I believe this is the Best of the Best by this author. A very quick read leaving you begging for more!!
6. TAYTAY reviews for The Coworker
🕵️♀️📚 Unraveling Office Mysteries: “The Coworker” by Freida McFadden
Rating: ⭐️⭐️😜😰🤩
TLDR; I read this with my mom and we could not put it down. This was a fun, quick, and suspenseful read. Gotta love Freida’s twists. I always wonder how she does it but she does. If you are in a reading slump, need a break from a larger series or just trying to get back into reading – read this or start with one of Freida’s books.
This review is for fun and hope its entertaining in some way – enjoy and read this book.
In the cold, sterile halls of Vixed, where nutritional supplements are crafted, secrets fester like an unspoken toxin. Freida McFadden’s “The Coworker” beckons readers into the enigmatic world of Dawn Schiff, the peculiar accountant who vanished, leaving behind a whirlwind of suspicion and a twisted game that not even the office’s queen bee, Natalie Farrell, can escape.
🕰️ A Game of Shadows:
As the clock ticks towards 8:45 a.m., the strangeness of Dawn Schiff unfurls like a shadowy dance. McFadden paints Dawn as an enigma, an outsider harboring mysteries that elude the prying eyes of the Vixed coworkers. The suspense tightens when Dawn vanishes, leaving Natalie ensnared in a web of questions with no easy answers.
😂 Office Humor Meets Dark Secrets:
In the monotony of office life, McFadden injects doses of humor (she’s good at it), transforming the mundane into a comedic escapade. The quirks of office culture find a place amidst the suspense, creating a narrative that oscillates between chuckles and gasps. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, where laughter and tension intertwine in an unusual office tango. Just when you think you got it figured out someone else pops up.
🔍 Twists That Tease:
McFadden’s trademark twists take center stage, beckoning readers into a maze of uncertainty. The anonymous phone call becomes a siren’s song, luring Natalie into a labyrinth where the distinction between victim and perpetrator blurs. With each revelation, the plot tightens its grip, leaving readers guessing until the final, gasp-inducing twist.
👥 Cat and Mouse:
Caught in a twisted game of cat and mouse, Natalie grapples with her connection to Dawn. The lines between alliances and betrayals blur as she navigates the treacherous terrain of office politics turned deadly. McFadden expertly weaves a tale of suspicion and mistrust, leaving readers to wonder who’s pulling the strings.
💀 Echoes of the Past:
The echoes of Dawn’s mysterious past reverberate through the present, casting shadows that stretch far beyond the office walls. McFadden, a maestro of suspense, explores the sinister ways in which the past can claw its way into the present, leaving a trail of deadly consequences.
In “The Coworker,” Freida McFadden concocts a potion of humor, suspense, and office intrigue that proves irresistible. A page-turner that entices you into the labyrinth of secrets lurking beneath the veneer of Vixed, it’s a thriller that echoes long after the final revelation. Will you uncover the truth, or will the shadows of the office swallow you whole? 🕵️♀️🔍🕰️
7. DIANE reviews for The Coworker
A pages turned that will surprise you and keep you guessing until the end
This book is about two co-workers who occupy neighboring cubicles. They aren’t the best of friends, but they seem to get along until one of them goes missing and the other is suspected of murdering her.
Natalie seems to have it all; she’s beautiful, stylish, the top-salesperson, runs a profitable charity, and is the one who is sleeping with the boss and has another boyfriend on the side. Amy on the other hand, is socially awkward, lacks social skills, seemingly has only one friend, and is OCD about several things including turtles, being punctual, over-explaining details, and monochromatic meals. These habits encourage others to make fun of her and push her away.
Throughout the story each one shares thoughts based on their own experiences and interactions with the other. Both have valid points and you can clearly empathize with each of their viewpoints. But one of them has to be lying because their stories don’t match. But which one is it? Both are so relatable and believable. Even other characters in the story can’t seem to determine what is the truth, and they make decisions based on their feelings instead of trying to find the facts.
Through seemingly random events McFadden leads the reader thru the layers of human behavior to finally find the truth of what people are capable of. People are not who they seem to be.
8. SNJEZ reviews for The Coworker
4.5 stars
This was my first read by this author and I thought it was great.
I picked this one because I haven’t read many, if any, thrillers with a workplace setting and I loved that. The story follows two timelines, one in the present and the other six months prior, leading up to the present day. That’s something I happen to love in thrillers and I think it was done so well here.
I had some theories while reading this, but the author did a great job at making me second guess myself. She also made me second guess how I feel about the characters. But even when I found them unlikable and their actions very questionable, to say the least, she managed to make me care about them and their relationships.
I listened to the audio version and really enjoyed it. I’ve seen some negative reviews about the narration but, luckily, it worked for me and helped me stay engaged in the story.
9. SHARON reviews for The Coworker
The Coworker by Freida McFadden is another gripping page-turner. This author could write her shopping list and I’d read it as I enjoy her writing style. Her books grab your attention from the start to the last page.
Although this is not my favourite book by this author I still enjoyed it, so if you like reading thrillers that have jaw-dropping twists this book or any other book by this author is a must-read. Recommended.
10. JOHN KELLY reviews for The Coworker
Shell Games: Unraveling Truths in a Fast-paced Turtle-infused Thriller………
Book Information
The Coworker, written by Freida McFadden, is a 349-page mystery/thriller with an expected publication date of August 29, 2023. The audio version is Narrated by Alyson Krawchuk and spans 8 hours and 12 minutes. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an advance readers copy of this book for review.
Summary
Dawn Schiff stands out as an odd presence among her colleagues at Vixed, a nutritional supplement company, with her social awkwardness, solitude, love for all things turtle, and strict punctuality. When Dawn inexplicably misses work one day, Natalie Farrell, a popular and successful sales representative, is concerned. Soon, Natalie is drawn into an unsettling web of intrigue as she receives an anonymous and disturbing call, revealing that Dawn was not simply an outcast but was instead the target of a sinister plot. As Natalie becomes entwined in a dangerous game of deception, she grapples with the question of who the true victim is, ultimately realizing that Dawn harbored a deep-seated animosity that led to a chilling conclusion: someone’s loathing for Dawn was strong enough to result in murder.
My Thoughts
Freida McFadden’s “The Coworker” is a skillfully constructed novel that takes readers on a roller coaster ride. With an ever-twisting plot and a pace that doesn’t relent, this book will be a popular read for fans of psychological thrillers. As patient as a turtle on its path, ‘The Coworker’ lures you into its enigmatic world before racing your pulse with its shocking revelations.
At the heart of the story is Dawn, a character who, though never explicitly identified as such, exhibits many traits associated with autism. McFadden’s portrayal of those around Dawn offers a thought-provoking exploration of the cruelty and insensitivity often directed at those who are different. Through Dawn’s experiences, the novel sheds light on the hurtful impact of teasing and torment, even when seemingly delivered in jest. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences that stem from a lack of understanding and empathy in society.
The book’s dialogue, while occasionally leaning towards the juvenile, is fitting for the immature nature of the characters in the story. This adds authenticity to their interactions and, which is sometimes annoying, draws readers deeper into their world. The interplay between characters often creates a cat-and-mouse dynamic.
The narrator’s ability to create distinct voices for each character is good, although I found Dawn’s portrayal overly stereotypical, exaggerated, and bordering on offensive. As someone familiar with individuals on the autism spectrum, I found her speech patterns exceedingly mechanistic and not true to life. While I acknowledge the difficulty of capturing such nuances through audio alone, I personally found it excessive.
The novel boasts numerous significant plot twists that should surprise many and keep them invested. The uncertainty surrounding the events grows as the book progresses leaving readers unsure of what or who to believe—a hallmark of an effective psychological thriller.
While the story is a roller-coaster of emotions and surprises, the ending might stretch the bounds of believability for some—it did for me. The choices made by the characters in the aftermath of their shared trauma left me questioning the realism of their decisions.
Recommendation
“The Coworker” by Freida McFadden is a well-paced novel that weaves together intricate storytelling with thought-provoking themes. While it excels in many aspects, there are moments where the portrayal of certain characters could be more sensitive or realistic. Nevertheless, the book’s ability to keep readers engaged and guessing until the very end is a testament to McFadden’s storytelling ability. Recommended.
Rating
3.5 Turtle Stars
III. The Coworker Quotes
The best book quotes from The Coworker by Freida McFadden
“After all, there’s nothing that binds two people like a shared secret.”
“Whatever else you can fake, it’s hard to fake being a genuinely kind person. It’s also exceedingly rare.”
“I notice the wedding band he always wears on his left fourth finger is gone. Recently gone—there’s a visible tan line. My eyes stray to the photograph he always keeps on his desk of him and his wife Melinda, but that’s gone too.”
“I’ve lived thirty years, and it has been utterly exhausting.”
“As strange as Dawn’s schedule is, it’s even stranger that today she isn’t following it. I can’t help but think that Dawn’s absence must signify something ominous. After all, Dawn is never late. Never.”
“That’s what it takes to catch your prey. Patience. We can all learn a lot from the soft-shelled turtle.”
“used to get calls like that all the time, sometimes with just silence, but sometimes with a string of threats on the other line. But I haven’t gotten a call like that since… well, it’s been several months. I doubt it’s that same person—they have no reason to hate me anymore.”
“When you’re smiling, people can hear it in your voice. I always smile during my sales calls—smile before you dial.”
“For example, I asked him how often the refrigerator was cleaned. He looked surprised. So I explained to him that many bacteria such as Listeria can easily grow at cold temperatures. I had quite a lot of data on it, but when I tried to share those data with Seth, he didn’t seem to be interested.”
“Kim Healey is my best friend at work, which sadly means that she’s my best friend in general since work has increasingly become my entire life.”
“So given her current single status, Natalie is likely to never get married.”
“I get so frustrated sometimes. Why is it so hard for me to make friends? It’s so easy for other people. When I watch Natalie and Kim engaging in a conversation together, they have this great rapport and I get so jealous.”
“Caleb is too honest. I can imagine him cracking and telling the detective the truth—we were together last night, but not the whole night.”
“Help me. This is not like her at all. Something is wrong. I know it. Maybe everyone else at the office blew it off, but they didn’t hear the way Dawn sounded on that phone call. She’s in trouble.”
“While the male and the female are going at it, they twist their tails together as the semen passes from the male to the female. But the female doesn’t have to lay her eggs right away. She can hold on to the sperm for several years before laying her eggs, if she so desires.”
“I made a point of inviting her to the bridal shower we threw for her—even though she didn’t end up coming.”
“I explained in detail how the older you get, the chances of getting married decrease significantly. Because as more people in your own age group get married, the dating pool decreases, so your odds of finding somebody suitable to marry continue to go down.”
“Although what I like best about Caleb is the way he looks at me. Like he can’t quite believe his luck.”
“There are street lights, but they only illuminate the street.”
“can’t answer the door for a police officer when I have a murder weapon in my laundry hamper”
“I don’t know why, but somebody has framed me, and they have done a really good job. My life, as I knew it, is officially over.”
“Dawn Schiff’s desk,” I answer. There is silence on the other line. It almost sounds like ragged breathing.”
“I could tell from the way Seth was looking at her that he likes her a lot too. She must be excellent at her job.”
“paying people compliments is a good way to make friends.”
“It’s not your fault.” It’s not. It wasn’t right of me to ask him to lie to the police. That’s not the kind”
“You can’t control who you fall in love with.”
“She’s always been beautiful. Maybe if she weren’t, she would be a better person.”
“finally get to know some of my coworkers. Maybe”
“I always wondered what his type is. I am not anyone’s type. I believe that he does love me, but it’s despite the way I look, rather than because of it.”
“Hello?” I say. “Is anyone there? More silence. Just when I’m about to hang up, two words are spoken in a tortured female voice that send an icy chill down my spine: “Help me.” And then the line goes dead.”
“It sounds like you’re totally fitting in though. I knew you would!”
Excerpted from The Coworker by Freida McFadden
….
Note: Above are quotes and excerpts from the book “The Coworker by Freida McFadden”. If you find it interesting and useful, don’t forget to buy paper books to support the Author and Publisher!
| The above content has been collected from various sources on the internet. Click the Share button to recommend the book to your friends! |
BookQuote.Net Sincerely Introduced!
