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| Categories | Genre Fiction |
| Author | Freida McFadden |
| Publisher | Grand Central Publishing (August 23, 2022) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 336 pages |
| Item Weight | 11.2 ounces |
| Dimensions |
5.25 x 0.85 x 8 inches |
I. Book introduction
The Housemaid is a twisted tale of manipulation, deceit, and survival. In the latest psychological thriller by Freida McFadden, ex-convict Millie becomes the maid for the wealthy Winchester family. It was the only job she could find, but there’s something odd about Nina, her new employer. On the other hand, Nina’s handsome husband, Andrew, is kind and friendly. Millie’s attracted to him and they begin an affair. Nina has a history of disturbing psychological problems and has accused Andrew of abusive behavior. When Nina flees, Millie has visions of becoming Andrew’s next wife. Soon, however, she finds herself on the receiving end of Andrew’s wrath. Concerned for Millie, Nina returns home – only to find a murder scene. When police start investigating, the murder trail spins into a shocking conclusion.
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Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.
I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.
I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.
But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.
They don’t know what I’m capable of…
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 Housemaid
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1. LTJ reviews for The Housemaid
“The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden is just one of those novels that for years to come, I will speak highly of and recommend to anyone that wants an incredible thriller. One that’s also filled with mystery and psychological terror all wrapped together brilliantly. From McFadden’s excellent writing style to all the characters I absolutely loved, this is easily one of the best novels of 2022.
It’s a very addictive read that is so hard to put down, you’ll more than likely find yourself reading deep into the night because it’s a genuine page-turner. I loved all the little revelations that pop up here and there on top of an incredible story. Just when you think you have it figured out, this novel turns your world upside down.
Don’t worry, I will not go into any specifics or spoil anything for you but I’d consider this a must-read novel. Besides the fantastic pacing, I also loved all the New York references since I’m a New Yorker and it really felt close to home. Thinking back on everything, I can’t tell you how many authentic jaw-dropping moments I had while reading this as this novel completely blew my mind.
The ending was beyond satisfying and just something I didn’t expect at all! LoL saying it was a drop-the-mic moment is an understatement. This was a wild, insane, fun, adrenaline-filled thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. It was a wonderful reading experience as I wish every novel I read was like this!
I give “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden a perfect 5/5 as this is a masterpiece. I’ve read many novels in my life and this is one of the most memorable ones that will forever stand out for me. This novel was unique, exciting, and everything you could ever want in a thriller and then some. It’s a rollercoaster of a read from start to finish and I can honestly say that McFadden has a new reader in me. This was the first novel I’ve read by her and I’m genuinely excited to read more of her work and whatever future novels she writes. She is an amazing author with one incredibly creative and talented mind!
2. ALI GOODWIN reviews for The Housemaid
The plot twist in this book got me good!! I never ever saw it coming🤯. I love how this book started out so creepy and eerie, with Nina behaving so weirdly, and then really escalated in the second half to full-on dangerous. I also love how Millie is so mysterious. We don’t know much about her for a huge chunk of the book. It was fun to slowly unravel more of her back story. The only downside to that, though, is that it did take me a little bit to care about Millie because we didn’t know a lot about her in the beginning.
Overall 4 stars! A fun, fast-paced mystery/thriller. The only reason I didn’t rate it 5 stars is because I wish there were a few more mini-plot twists sprinkled throughout, but overall, I really enjoyed it and would definitely read the sequel!!
3. NILUFER OZMEKIK reviews for The Housemaid
Wow! After all the buzzing hype surrounding this book that never seems to diminish, I finally decided it was time to dive in and award myself some entertaining popcorn reading. However, oh boy, this book absolutely deserves every bit of its never-ending hype. It exceeded my expectations, had me gritting my teeth, squirming restlessly in my seat, and, even though I anticipated the delicious twist from the beginning, I still admired how the author perfectly developed this smart cat-and-mouse game. The last third, in particular, was exceptionally brilliant! I knew right from the beginning that I would enjoy this heart-throbbing, jaw-dropping, unputdownable, twisty psychological thriller, but I didn’t expect to love it even more and immediately decided to jump into the next book of the series, despite some reviews emphasizing that it might not be as good as the first one. I just couldn’t resist spending more time in Millie the maid’s disturbing, mind-bending world!
Meet Millie: recently released from prison for a crime we don’t know if she committed or what kind of crime she got involved in. She’s homeless, living in her Nissan, worn down from her latest job at the bar, getting rejected even from burger joints, barely having a chance to start over at her young age (she’s in her mid-twenties, a pretty girl, but she disguises her beauty behind glasses and baggy clothes, just in case somebody thinks she’s too attractive to be hired). She can’t believe her luck when her application as a housemaid at Winchester House (correction: it’s a mansion surrounded by a gate with a beautiful landscape) is approved by Nina Winchester: a stay-at-home wife, a bit overweight, dressed only in white, a sophisticated woman who seems friendly at first sight.
Millie is introduced to Nina’s little girl, who looks like she jumped out of a Children of the Corn movie with her weird baby doll dress, white-blond hair, and spoiled brat attitude that rubs her the wrong way. Then there’s the father, the breadwinner of the family, the overly handsome Andrew Winchester, who seems like Prince Charming and whom Millie can barely stop herself from drooling over.
Millie doesn’t mind that she has to live in the attic, with a room that has the tiniest window that never opens and a lock outside the door that mostly gets stuck. She also keeps herself in check as Nina’s emotionally unstable behavior pushes her buttons until they nearly fall to the floor. She can’t flip the bird to her unsatisfied, bickering, witchy employer and her irritating, annoying little daughter because if she doesn’t get a good reference from her employer, she’s forced to live in her car, violating her parole, which could send her back to prison. She keeps her mouth shut, but it’s not easy to deal with Nina’s mood swings.
When she learns a dirty little secret about Nina’s past and gets warned by the hot, candy-like landscaper Enzo, who unfortunately speaks only Italian, she realizes that by accepting this job, she may be putting her life in danger. Especially when it’s so tempting to get seduced by Mr. Winchester, while his wife watches them like a jealous hawk, ready to tear her limbs apart. Oh, Millie, you’ve found yourself in another prison you can’t escape, haven’t you?
Overall, I’m giving this highly earned five stars and diving into the next novel of Millie the Maid as fast as possible! This story has truly captivated me, and I can’t wait to see where Millie’s adventures take her next.
4. CLACE reviews for The Housemaid
4.47!
I don’t read thrillers that much. I think I have only read 6 with 4 of them being Holly Jackson’s books but that’s pretty much it, and I remembered how quickly I read them and how much I enjoyed some of them so I decided that I was going to read a lot of thrillers when I got free in June and The housemaid was the first target and it’s safe to say, I loved it. The way this was so fast paced and it had me hooked!! I would’ve read it in one sitting but because of Eid and having so many guests over and with my cousins coming to stay with us, it made it hard for me to binge read this but I still read a huge portion of it whenever I picked it up, I was literally forced to keep it down. I stand by what I said, thrillers are the hardest to write because it’s a mess at the start, there are so many leads and only one culprit and the way you have to tie all of them together while keeping the reader hooked is a really hard job which Freida nailed 🤭 this book also gave me verity vibes and I was here for it.
The story follows our main character Millie who’s an ex-convict, desperate for a job. She finds one as a housemaid for the Winchesters and from there onwards her life starts to get messy. I would say Millie in this book was a badass, especially with how everything was done in the end 😭🤌🏻 wow just wow. I really liked her. I won’t talk about Nina and Andrew because they are heavily tied to the plot and plot twists and well….I mean I guessed the main twist but not the intensity of it but some of you may not so I won’t say anything except for how conflicting and interesting characters they were to read and 👀 Enzo 👀 can we get more scenes of him??
In thrillers the one thing I learned was that it’s never the first person who the MC thinks of as the culprit so my doubts were on someone else and I had predicted that it would be them but didn’t know why or how and man 💀 that was fucked up, the intensity of what they did skyrocketed it really helped me feel for our victim.
I also liked how well it was partitioned into three parts and how one followed mille then Nina and then both.
Overall, I think that all that I can talk about without spoiling anything but I would definitely recommend it because I had an amazing time.
____
This is Freida McFadden’s highest rated book…….let’s see what the hype is all about 🤭
(Let the June thriller tbr marathon begin!)
5. JC BERTOT reviews for The Housemaid
My second book by Fried McFadden and it did not disappoint. This storyline was great and Millie the lead character was strong, confident and just a fireball to read about. It was entertaining from the first chapter to the end. Filled with twist and turns around every corner. Just when I thought I knew where she was headed a ball came out of left field and there I was left with my mouth hanging open. A full 5 stars for this book! Highly recommend for an enjoyable read.
6. LEVIN ZHAO reviews for The Housemaid
I liked this book. It is probably one of the better thrillers/mysteries I’ve read recently, and I did finish it quite fast. The writing style is extremely readable, but don’t expect imagery and beautiful language — this book is very plot-based from start to finish. In the middle, some aspects got a bit repetitive but I guess we needed to have some understanding of Nina, Andrew, and Millie. The book itself also veers off into a bit of romance towards the middle, if you’re into that sort of thing this would be a great read, but if not it may get a bit boring. The twists, however, are quite strong. We get a few clues, although I would say that in this book they’re actually less subtle than the second one. Definitely didn’t expect the ending. For anyone planning on going into this book, you need to know that it’s a thriller first, everything else second. The character development is mediocre, especially with Millie (imho), which is why I don’t think I could give it any more than 5 stars. Overall, solid, I understand the hype and it’s worth the read.
**spoilers**
I didn’t really understand all that was going on with Nina’s daughter, Cecelia. The whole idea of her being allergic to peanut butter and overall being a brat didn’t work that well plotwise, unless she was just meant to be an annoying character all around. I know in Nina’s pov she talked about Cecelia always having to be perfect for Andrew, still there was some confusion I had while reading. If someone could clear that up for me that’d be great.
7. MOMMALAYNE reviews for The Housemaid
**”The Housemaid”: A Gripping Tale of Tension and Deception Behind Closed Doors.**
**”The Housemaid”** by Frida McFadden is an exhilarating psychological thriller that delves into the complex dynamics of a seemingly perfect family and the secrets that lurk beneath their polished surface. The story follows a housemaid who meticulously cleans the Winchester family’s beautiful home, managing their daughter and preparing meals, all while living a secluded existence in her tiny attic room. As she observes Nina, the wife and mother of the household, she becomes increasingly aware of Nina’s manipulative tendencies, particularly how she creates chaos just to watch her maid clean it up.
The tension escalates as the maid’s harmless curiosity leads her to try on one of Nina’s pristine dresses, inadvertently exposing the fragile boundaries between them. When the maid discovers that her attic room locks only from the outside, the stakes are raised, and the encroaching sense of dread becomes palpable. McFadden skillfully crafts a narrative that blends desire with danger, as the housemaid grapples with her growing attraction to Andrew, Nina’s husband, while contemplating what it would mean to step into their perfect life. **”The Housemaid”** is a gripping page-turner filled with twists and psychological depth, keeping readers on edge as they unravel the haunting truths of identity and control in a home fraught with hidden turmoil.
8. SK reviews for The Housemaid
It was a quick fun read, exactly what I needed. The book gripped me from the start and I struggled to put it down.
The story is not something unique tbh. But the way it’s told is chef’s kiss. The author is quite talented, reading it was envisioning it. The story is told in three parts, I found part 1 and part 2 to be quite predictable but part 3 is what wowed me.
It is only when I learned Nina’s truth, that I found myself sympathizing with her (to a limit). I liked Millie, although I didn’t like some of her actions. Andrew was…. I got no words.
If you want something easy, quick, fun and thriller to read- this is it.
9. LISA reviews for The Housemaid
The Housemaid is one of those psychological thrillers that was creepy…. Yes I said creepy characters that put shivers up my spine the whole way through,I thought I had it worked out but not tthe reveal had my head spinning, I loved every twisted sick moment of this book.Frieda McFadden writes a twisty sick prose I could not put down.
Nina & Andrew Winchester have the perfect home Andrew has his dream job & they have a daughter Cecilia who goes to a private school, they both decide to hire a nanny to take care of their huge home & Cecilia, so Nina interviews Millie who has been living in her car& finding it hard to make ends meet she was fired from her job at a burger joint& thinks the nanny job would suit her down to the ground. She gets the jobNina welcomes her to the family she is delightful at first but Nina has a dark side that when you cross her things start to go to hell.
When Nina shows Millie her room up in the attic Millie senses an uneasiness about the room dread consumes her, from here on nothing is what it seemsThe Winchesters are an influential family but Andrew thinks Millie is unfairly treated& tells Nina to cool it.
But what is real & what isn’t?
There are so many read herrings in this story the mind boggles all I can say this was so good & scary it made hairs in my neck quiver, this was my first read by Miss McFadden & wont be my last one thing I thought Cecilia was a spoilt little brat who got on my nerves big time but once I read the backstory it all made sense.
10. RI reviews for The Housemaid
4.5 Stars
Freida did it again! This is the best psychological thriller I’ve ever read. Not that I have read many, but this book was mind-blowing. Fast paced, twisted, entertaining, shocking, and a page turner for sure. It was thrilling and suspenseful enough to keep me intrigued but also not too heavy or intense.
I couldn’t help but binge listen the entire boom.. Everytime I had to stop listening to the audiobook I couldn’t wait to get back to it. It started slow but after reading a few chapters I was completely immersed in the plot and mystery of Winchesters and Millie their housemaid. The secrets, the lies, the broken characters, Nina being a moody bitch to Millie, Cecelia being a brat, Millie being… Millie — just annoyed because of Winchesters, wanting to destroy them, and lusting after the tattooed Gardner Enzo and her boss Andrew and Andrew being the most perfect guy ever. I’m telling you every character in this book was entertaining but also annoying at the same time except Millie. She kept me intrigued throughout the story. Because there was so much about her past I didn’t knew until the very last chapters of the book and even though it was written from her pov as well as Nina’s, it was hard to know everything about her character. She was so secretive and now I can’t wait to read more about her in the next books of this series.
The characters were also well written as compared to other books by Freida McFadden. I couldn’t trust anyone, but that’s what you should do first when reading books written by Freida. Never ever believe anyone. Definitely not the “too good to be true” characters.
The plot twist in the end? Well, I kind of saw that coming but also… didn’t. It wasn’t like “my jaw was on the floor” kind of plot twist but still the best one because I had to stop my audiobook and think about it for a minute because it was really fucked up in every sense. The open ending made it even better. I was suspicious about every character in this book and I was right about some of them. Though I was guessing always the worst of them. You know trust issues when you are reading a psychological thriller book. I’m really looking forward to reading “The Housemaid’s Secret” Let’s hope it’s as amazing as this one.
III. The Housemaid Quotes
The best book quotes from The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
“He has no idea this is just the beginning.”
“What do you like to read?”
“Books.”
“What kind of books?”
“The kind with words.”“Then again, plenty of men are idiots.”
“I initially wanted to hire a maid in hopes that she would become my replacement—that if Andrew fell in love with another woman, he would finally let me go. But that’s not why I hired Millie. That’s not why I gave her a copy of the key to the room. And that’s not why I left a bottle of pepper spray in the blue bucket in the closet. I hired her to kill him. She just doesn’t know it.”
“He’s almost perfect. And I hate his guts.”
“Those are the four most beautiful words in the English language. You can go now.”
“There’s something about this room that’s making a little ball of dread form in the pit of my stomach.”
“If you don’t take care of your teeth,” she continues, “then you lose the privilege to have teeth”
“My husband is a monster,” I say aloud. “He tortures me. He holds me hostage in the attic.”
“I could just barely make out the word he said. Pericolo. Whatever that means.”
“There’s something in his expression that sends a chill down my spine. And then he shakes his head, almost imperceptibly. Almost like he’s trying to warn me. But he doesn’t say a word.”
“And then he kisses me. And God help me, I kiss him back.”
“As Nina and I exchange details about tomorrow, I wonder if she would feel the same way about me if she knew I spent the last ten years of my life in prison.”
“That will be the end. I’ll die in this room.”
“I could scream and yell all I wanted, and nobody would hear.”
“I have just made a dangerous enemy.”
“As I shut the door, I notice marks in the wood. Long thin lines running down the length of the door at about the level of my shoulder. I run my fingers over the indentations. They almost seem like… Scratches. Like somebody was scraping at the door.”
“Mrs. Winchester is only a few inches taller than I am in my flats, but it feels like she’s much taller.”
“—he holds up the chicken nugget—“you have to first examine the nugget for any deformities. Missing head, missing leg, or missing tail. If the dinosaur nugget has any of these critical defects, it will be rejected.”
“The door isn’t stuck. It’s locked.”
“You’re not in love with me anymore?” she bursts out. “How can”
“Step Eight: Find a Replacement”
“So”—Lisa slides the knife back into the wooden block and straightens up, her blue eyes wide and anxious—“can you help me, Millie?” “Yes,” I say. “I believe I can.”
“Do you want me to… go?” “No,” he says. “I want you to stay.”
“how good I had it before I was married to a psychopath who would lock me in a room overnight just because I missed a hairdresser appointment.”
“What kind of books?” “The kind with words.” Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be, Cecelia.”
“No puedo fiarme de nadie, salvo de mí misma.”
“Do you know those movies about the scary cult of, like, creepy kids who can read minds and worship the devil and live in the cornfields or something? Well, if they were casting for one of those movies, this girl would get the part. They wouldn’t even have to audition her. They would take one look at her and be like, Yes, you are creepy girl number three.”
“No one likes their mother-in-law, right?”
“So what do you like to watch on television?” I ask, hoping she’ll take the hint. She frowns like I offended her. “I prefer to read.” “That’s great! What do you like to read?” “Books.” “What kind of books?” “The kind with words.”
“I agree,” Jillianne says. “And even though there is a vegan option, it’s not vegan and gluten-free. So what are people who are both vegan and gluten-free supposed to eat?” I don’t know? Grass?”
“A muscle twitches under her right eye.”
“Or more likely, he’s thinking about the dead body in the attic upstairs.”
“Why…” I clear my throat. “Why is the lock to this bedroom on the outside rather than the inside?”
“I agree,” Jillianne says. “And even though there is a vegan option, it’s not vegan and gluten-free. So what are people who are both vegan and gluten-free supposed to eat?” I don’t know? Grass?”
“Is there something wrong with me that I am scared this nine-year-old girl is going to murder me?”
“So what do you like to watch on television?” I ask, hoping she’ll take the hint. She frowns like I offended her. “I prefer to read.” “That’s great! What do you like to read?” “Books.” “What kind of books?” “The kind with words.”
Excerpted from The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
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