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| Categories | Genre Fiction |
| Author | Freida McFadden |
| Publisher | Bookouture (July 11, 2023) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 352 pages |
| Item Weight | 11.4 ounces |
| Dimensions |
5.25 x 0.8 x 8.25 inches |
I. Book introduction
“Don’t go in the guest bedroom.” A shadow falls on Douglas Garrick’s face as he touches the door with his fingertips. “My wife… she’s very ill.” As he continues showing me their incredible penthouse apartment, I have a terrible feeling about the woman behind closed doors. But I can’t risk losing this job—not if I want to keep my darkest secret safe…
It’s hard to find an employer who doesn’t ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want.
It’s almost perfect. But I still haven’t met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I’m sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I’m doing laundry. And one day I can’t help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything…
That’s when I make a promise. After all, I’ve done this before. I can protect Mrs Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe.
Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It’s simply a question of how far I’m willing to go…
This absolutely explosive and shockingly twisty sequel to international phenomenon and New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller The Housemaid will keep you racing through the pages late into the night. Anyone who loves The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose, The Woman in the Window and Gone Girl will be totally hooked!
This book can also be enjoyed as a standalone.
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’s Secret
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1. LTJ reviews for The Housemaid’s Secret
“The Housemaid’s Secret” by Freida McFadden is another classic psychological thriller that will have everyone talking about it in 2023. A little backstory, “The Housemaid” was the first novel I read by her and I was instantly hooked. She is an exceptional author as I’ve read some of her other books as well but I was anxiously waiting for the sequel to “The Housemaid” because it was one of the best novels I read in 2022.
Now, before I jump into my review, I want to let you all know about two trigger warnings in case they could affect you while reading. McFadden does a phenomenal job not describing anything in any kind of detail which is great but there are insinuations of violence against women and self-harm. Again, nothing is too detailed or graphic, just insinuated so I wanted to give everyone a heads-up about that. McFadden gets major props from me for not going into any specifics in both potential trigger warnings.
I was very happy to get right back into what is going on with the main protagonist Millie since the ending to “The Housemaid” was pretty wild. Millie is awesome and I truly loved all the New York vibes in this novel. Being born and raised in Queens, NY, I loved all the references, especially to the NY Mets. It just felt so authentic and added another layer of immersion to this novel for me being a New Yorker and all.
Besides that, all the little references to the first book in this series were also brilliantly done. I’d recommend reading the first one and then jumping right into this one to see what I mean. McFadden is a great storyteller that delivers some incredible suspense, mystery, tension, and my goodness, her plot twists are on a whole other level. She’s fantastic when it comes to them and they will literally have your jaw on the floor with how crazy they are once revealed. That’s exactly what happened to me and I still can’t believe them.
This sequel delivers in ways only McFadden can conjure as it’s another incredible psychological thriller of a read. I love how all of her books are so fast-paced and addictive, you simply can’t put them down even if you tried. Her writing is so seamless that this novel was a genuine page-turner, especially when you get to the second half towards a crazy ending I never saw coming. Seriously, I’m still completely blown away by the ending.
I give “The Housemaid’s Secret” by Freida McFadden a perfect 5/5 as it’s another amazing novel by her that I’d highly recommend to anyone that wants a wild psychological thriller with crazy plot twists, mystery, and an incredible reading experience. McFadden is truly making a name for herself and I look forward to reading every single thing she’s written and all her future novels. She’s that magnificent and is an author I look forward to reading for many years to come.
2. RACHEL HANES reviews for The Housemaid’s Secret
Dare I say that I liked this book more than The Housemaid?! Once again, McFadden delivered with some mindless entertainment (if you’re looking for a literary masterpiece, this isn’t the book). I was kept turning the pages, and not seeing all the different twists coming (like I did in the previous book).
A brief summary… Our favorite housemaid, Millie returns to work for the very wealthy Garrick household. Douglas Garrick seems to be a nice man, but his wife Wendy does not leave the guest room. This seems very odd to Millie, and some strange occurrences start to take place.
Once again, is Millie imagining things? Is Millie overstepping her boundaries once again? And why does she feel that someone has been following her? Don’t worry- all will be revealed with some surprising twists!
Yes, there were a few discrepancies that I caught while reading this (but who’s counting, 😉), so I’m going with 4.5 stars rounded up. I will say that I do hope we see Millie again in a third book 🤞. I will also be cutting this review short as I plan on doing some cleaning up of my own 🧹🧽🪣
I also recommend both The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret as they are fun, entertaining, thrilling reads! Happy Reading my friends!
3. MARGOT reviews for The Housemaid’s Secret
I don’t know how to say this any better, so here it is: I have read all of Freida McFadden’s books. I am a junkie for her writing. Now that they are finished, for now, no doubt, I may get more sleep and be more productive. Maybe cook a nicer dinner now and then.
The books are all wonderful, very realistic, believable characters you want to be friends with. You should try some…but be careful, you too might have to read them all!
4. L.A. reviews for The Housemaid’s Secret
Once again Freida McFadden releases an outstanding psychological thriller! This is sure to be a hit for those who loved the first one The Housemaid! The audio was condensed enough to finish in one day.
Millie tells it from her POV and reminds us of her prison term she served. She doesn’t share with her boyfriend, Brock, about her past because he is a successful attorney and afraid he will dump her.
Millie is hired by the very wealthy and handsome Mr. Douglas Garrick. He is a demanding arrogant man that has specific rules she must follow. One rule is to not bother his wife Wendy who is ailing and does not come out of her bedroom. When she hears her crying one day, she opens the door to find her bruised and bleeding. She vows to help her escape from this abusive man.
The second one references many highlights from book one, and better if it was read in sequence. It carries the same sarcastic humor and she displays the same confusion and controversial problems.
I was turned down for the ARC by NetGalley and was so excited to get my hands on this highly anticipated book. Freida McFadden did not disappoint!
5. CHELSEA reviews for The Housemaid’s Secret
I’ve read many thriller books this year and many others my Frida too which I’ve really enjoyed but I loved this one! I had loved the first one when I read it some time ago but I had other books I went on to read. Bought the second about a month ago and just wasn’t feeling super into starting it for some reason and then I did and it had me hooked from very early on. I found the whole story line interesting and the twists just kept coming all the way to the end. Very easy read with short chapters. Just very well done!
6. MARYNJ reviews for The Housemaid’s Secret
This is one of the best books i have read in a long time…might be the best ever!!…it amazes me how a writer could think of this story..its unbelievable!.. So interesting that you can’t believe what you are reading..all the twists and turns will.keep you wanting to read on and on..now I’m on to the next book..seems like there are 3 in this series..can’t wait to read the next on..take it from me you will not be disappointed reading this book..bravo to Freida McFadden
7. MILLY M reviews for The Housemaid’s Secret
I loved this book and the twists in it. Although I thought the first one was better. I thought this book was a little quick at first with the situation happening about the abuse going on in the Garrick household but the middle to end makes up for it for me. I was very curious to find out what really happened once Millie found out Wendy threw her under the bus and when she found out that the Douglas that she “killed” wasn’t the actual Douglas Garrick. I love Millie’s character and what she advocates for. I love her strength that even after she has so much going against her and knowing that situations that can put her in risk doesn’t stop her from saving someone else. It pissed me off so much that no one would believe her and what didn’t help her case was her history. This series is the epitome of don’t judge a person based on their past and to not make assumptions about people. I’m glad that Millie had Enzo. I’m very thankful for his character and for how he’s always been there for her and believed her. Everyone needs an Enzo in their lives.
8. KK reviews for The Housemaid’s Secret
A thrilling and entertaining read!
Millie’s new job with a wealthy family uncovers dark secrets lurking behind the elegant facade of her employer’s life, making it exciting to read.
McFadden’s storytelling excels in creating suspense and keeping readers on edge with unexpected twists. The novel’s fast pace, coupled with short chapters, makes it an addictive page-turner. Millie’s character is developed further in this book, showing resilience and a sharper sense of survival. As with the first novel, this one skillfully plays with the reader’s perception of the truth, building tension and intrigue with every chapter.
Even though the plot may feel predictable to readers well-versed in psychological thrillers, the strength of the book lies in its execution, with compelling characters and a plot that keeps readers guessing.
Overall, it’s a thrilling and entertaining read, perfect for fans of domestic suspense and twisty narratives.
9. CARRIE SHIELDS reviews for The Housemaid’s Secret
December 8, 2022…the day that Freida broke NetGalley! When it was announced in her Facebook group that 100 copies would be released by her publisher to her group members first, the hysteria was greater than any Black Friday sale I’d ever seen. I secured a copy, counted the minutes until work was done, and got home and started reading. Dinner wasn’t cooked, texts were ignored, and laundry was overflowing, but nothing could tear me away from this book.
Y’all. If you have to wait until February to read this book, I’m going to weep softly for you because this book is simply amazing. First, if you haven’t read THE HOUSEMAID, get your life together and read it because you’ll need the back story and characters to be established before starting this one. All I can tell you is that Millie became known for more than just taking out the trash in book one, and when she’s let go from a lucrative job because an absent parent was chagrined over her toddler calling Millie “Mama,” she can’t believe her good fortune when millionaire Douglas Garrick calls her to offer her a job.
The Garricks’ penthouse is stunning, and the pay surpasses her wildest expectations, but Millie is troubled by Mrs. Garrick’s absence. Douglas explains that his wife is ill and sleeps a lot, which Millie accepts…until the day she hears crying from behind her closed bedroom door and finds blood on her white nightgown. She breaks the rules and knocks on the door, and when the door opens, Millie is stunned. She vows then and there to make Douglas pay.
If that sounds wild, that’s part one. Part two will remain spoiler-free, but you do need to know I exclaimed “What the actual f*#k!” more than once. Freida doesn’t mess around with her twists, and they are delivered precisely and effortlessly. I’ve long given up trying to predict her endings; I just sit back and enjoy the dark humor that permeates many of her stories and trust the ride that she takes me on. Released to the masses on February 20, 2023, but when that link goes live on NetGalley again, you need to have your account in order!
10. ZULEZREADS reviews for The Housemaid’s Secret
4,5⭐️! Diese Reihe hat mir gezeigt, was ich am Thriller-Genre liebe – ich möchte viel mehr Bücher wie diese lesen. Ebenso wie Band 1 habe ich auch “Sie kann dich hören” innerhalb von 2 Tagen verschlungen. Der Schreibstil sorgte dafür, dass ich das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen konnte. Auch wenn die Struktur der Erzählung Ähnlichkeiten zum ersten Band aufweist, bleibt das Spannungsniveau durch originelle Twists erhalten. Die Kombination aus Wendungen, die durch subtile Hinweise vorauszuahnen sind, und gleichzeitig überraschenden Schock-Momenten hat für mich super funktioniert. Eventuell war aufgrund der Parallelen der Oha-Effekt bei Band 1 ausgeprägter, dennoch bleibt mir bei der Umsetzung nichts zu kritisieren. Millie ist großartige Protagonistin, die sich zwar oft an moralischen Grenzen bewegt, trotzdem nicht an Sympathiefaktor verliert. Ab und an wünsche ich mir bei ihr zwar Aspekte der persönlichen Entwicklung, glaube aber, dass das im Genre einfach weniger üblich ist. Insgesamt ein Buch, das ich extrem gerne gelesen habe und eine Reihe, die ich weiterempfehle😍!
III. The Housemaid’s Secret Quotes
The best book quotes from The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
“Although isn’t there another side to everyone?”
“I always help. I can never, ever walk away, even when I should.”
“Who you are is not something you did when you were a teenager.”
“The last thing I see when I leave the bedroom is Wendy standing over Douglas’s dead body. And she’s smiling.”
“This,” he says, “is the bystander effect. It’s a social psychology phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when there are other people present”
“My last boyfriend was the one who convinced me to follow the career path to social work—so I could help people in need while staying within the confines of the law. You need to help everyone, Millie. It is what I love about you. He really understood me. Unfortunately, he’s not around anymore.”
“It’s funny. When it’s right, you just know it’s right.”
“beauty is less easily perceived when it’s in an unassuming setting.”
“Sometimes he seemed to understand me better than I understood myself.”
“This perfectly demonstrates diffusion of responsibility in a group.”
“I take a sip of the expensive wine Brock poured for me. The expensive bottles are by far better than the cheap ones, but I can never detect all the subtle notes of honeydew or lavender or whatever. He keeps asking me, and now I’m lying and telling him that I can tell, but I really can’t. I’m faking wine.”
“I’ve gotten involved with my employer only one time before, and I will never, ever go down that road again. I’d rather yank my own tooth out with a pair of pliers.”
“Oh, Jesus Christ. It’s not Millie.”
“Miss Calloway,” Detective Ramirez says, “Wendy Garrick is the one who told us about your affair with her husband.”
“Well.” I look down at the nightgown, then back at Douglas. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to look up how to get tomato sauce stains out of fabric.” He stares at me for another moment, then thankfully nods in approval. “Good. You do that.” But I don’t need to google anything. I already know how to get blood stains out of fabric.”
“What is wrong with people? Seriously.”
“She wants me to stay out of it. Mind my own business. Unfortunately, I’ve never been very good at that.”
“Who you are is not something you did when you were a teenager.” His black eyes look intently into mine. “It is clear who you are. If he could not tell from spending time with you, then he is right—he does not deserve to be with you.”
“My heart sinks into my stomach. I have made an incredibly bad judgment call. I have underestimated an extremely dangerous person. And now I will pay the ultimate price.”
“He’s making a terrible mistake and he doesn’t even know it. And part of me wishes he would take his damn hand off my knee.”
“I’d rather yank my own tooth out with a pair of pliers”
“Right in the middle of insisting that I am completely fine, I stop talking.”
“(For God’s sake, what multimillionaire walks around with imperfect teeth? Does he think this is England?)”
“Instead, she made an incredibly bad judgment call. She underestimated an extremely dangerous person. Me. And she paid the ultimate price.”
“You are the one who wanted to end what we have. You are the one who started dating this Broccoli.” I roll my eyes. “His name is Brock.”
“She completely tricked me.”
“You are the one who started dating this Broccoli.”
“I would go outside and bring a knife with me. I wouldn’t do anything with it, but it might be enough to scare off an attacker.”
“They taught me to fish, he’s fond of saying.”
“Thank you very much for the information. And I’ll certainly be coming tonight.” I will be coming tonight.”
“There is a crash that seems to be coming from the bathroom, followed by a splash of water, but I ignore it. If Russell tried to get out of the bathroom and fell, he’s just going to have to get up on his own.”
“so I could become a social worker and do some good in the world. It seems like a no-brainer.”
“Si chiama “effetto spettatore”. È un fenomeno di psicologia sociale secondo il quale, se sono presenti anche altre persone, è meno probabile che un individuo presti soccorso a una vittima.”
Excerpted from The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
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