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| Categories | Genre Fiction |
| Author | Freida McFadden |
| Publisher | Independently published (May 12, 2020) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 420 pages |
| Item Weight | 15.2 ounces |
| Dimensions |
5 x 1.05 x 8 inches |
I. Book introduction
In “The Wife Upstairs” by Freida McFadden, Victoria Barnett’s seemingly perfect life shatters after a tragic accident leaves her unable to communicate or care for herself. Sylvia Robinson is hired to assist in Victoria’s care but soon discovers that Victoria’s condition may not be as it seems. As secrets unravel, a chilling tale of deception and betrayal unfolds.
Victoria Barnett has it all.
A great career as a nurse practitioner. A handsome and loving husband. A beautiful home in the suburbs and a plan to fill it with children. Life is perfect—or so it seems.
Then she’s in a terrible accident… and her life is forever changed.
Sylvia Robinson is hired as a caregiver for Victoria. Sylvia moves into a spare room, feeds Victoria, and takes her on long walks. The two women become friends.
But as it turns out, this simple nursing job is more than what it seems. As Sylvia and Victoria’s friendship grows, Sylvia realizes that Victoria is desperately trying to tell her something.
If only she could speak.
Editorial Reviews
- “Absolutely brilliant and spellbinding! Every single character, even minor characters drew me in and contributed to the story in their own way. However, what I loved most about this book, and, without going into detail so I don’t give anything away, is the fact that numerous times as I read, I thought to myself, ‘ I did NOT see that coming!’ I LOVE LOVE LOVE when that happens in a book I’m reading! I was SO darn sure I knew what was going to happen in this book and I was dead WRONG! lolol. And I love that I was wrong. I love the shock and surprises that came with this book. If that is the type of book that appeals to you, then this is most definitely a MUST-READ!” -Stefanie2530, VINE VOICE
- “This was a fast read. I seriously couldn’t put it down… it really got to be a heart pounding take your breath away kind of book. Right to the very end.” -Amazon Top Contributor
- “The narrative unfolds in a way that makes you stay up all night just to see how it ends. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This author knows how to tell a story!” –Amazon
About the Author (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. These include the Housemaid series (The Housemaid (2022), The Housemaid’s Secret (2023), and The Housemaid is Watching (2024)) and standalone novels such as Never Lie (2022), The Coworker (2023), Ward D (2023), and The Teacher (2024)). She is a New York Times bestselling author and has won the International Thriller Writers Award for best paperback.
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 Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden
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1. NINA reviews for The Wife Upstairs
Absolutely brilliant! This book had everything. It got me hooked from the first page and never let up. I figured out what was going on, but still loved the twists and turns. There were no plot holes, if all fitted. Well done to the author (even if I didn’t like another book by her)
2. TRACY reviews for The Wife Upstairs
This was an excellent listen for some fun escapism. Even though I had it all pretty much figured out early on, the well developed characters had me hooked and easily kept me invested till the very last word.
Narrator Angie Kane does a fabulous job as the solo voice for all of the characters. Her impeccable pacing made for a most phenomenal listening experience.
3. SUE reviews for The Wife Upstairs
THE WIFE UPSTAIRS is a psychological thriller by bestselling author Freida McFadden. This is the fifth book I have read from this author, and having loved her novels, I was eager to start reading The Wife Upstairs. As an avid reader of psychological thrillers, I can only say, treat yourself and read all of her books! Her books are so good!
Her Standalone Books Include:
Baby City (2015)
The Surrogate Mother (2018) (Read)
The Ex (2019) (Read)
The Perfect Son (2019) (Read)
The Wife Upstairs (2020) (Read)
One By One (2020)
Want to Know a Secret? (2021)
The Locked Door (2021)
Do Not Disturb (2021)
Do You Remember? (2022)
The Housemaid (2022) (Read)
The Inmate (2022)
Never Lie (2022)
This is my review of The Wife Upstairs.
They meet unexpectedly in a diner…and their lives would be forever changed.
Adam Barnett, a New York Times best-selling author is a handsome and loving husband. He is at the diner to interview an applicant for a full-time caregiver for his wife, Victoria, who is confined to the top floor of their house, unable to walk, talk, feed or dress herself, after a terrible accident. But the applicant never shows up…
Sylvia Robinson needs a job, and when Sylvia steps into action to save the life of a diner in distress, Adam feels that Sylvia would be perfect for his wife.
Adam offers Sylvia the job, with lots of benefits, free accommodation and a generous salary, but it means moving from Brooklyn to a remote area of Long Island. Sylvia desperately needs a job, but she has a sensation of doom lingering overhead. Sylvia accepts the position.
Victoria used to work as a nurse practitioner in ER, where she met Adam as a patient.
But it soon becomes apparent to Sylvia, that Victoria isn’t as impaired as she was led to believe. There’s a story Victoria desperately wants to tell… if only she could get out the words.
Then Sylvia discovers Victoria’s diary hidden away in a drawer, and she starts to read it, and learn more about Victoria. And this is where everything changed…
This was an easy read, but a little more predictable than some of her other books, but I still enjoyed it.
4. JENNIFER HAMILTON reviews for The Wife Upstairs
Trust no one in this twisted psychological thriller by Freida McFadden.
“The Wife Upstairs” follows around Victoria Barnett and Sylvia Robinson.
Sylvia is broke, desperate for work, recently broke up with her boyfriend, and is about to be evicted from her home when she stumbles upon Adam inside of a restaurant. She is unexpectedly offered a job by him to care for his wife, Victoria. Sylvia feels that things are finally looking up for her.
There was a time when Victoria Barnett had everything a woman could dream of – a beautiful home in remote area, a great career that she loved, a handsome and loving husband, and plans for a family. That all changed when Victoria suffered a fall and is now unable to care for herself. She’s unable to feed or dress herself, walk, and her speech is very limited. She’s confined to her bedroom upstairs and requires 24/7 care.
Sylvia immediately takes on the role to care for Victoria, but after finding Victoria’s diary and trying to understand and piece together the words that she’s struggling say, we realize there’s plenty more to the story than her husband is letting on. The more that’s gradually revealed, the less sure we are about what really happened in that house.
I did question some of Sylvia’s choices in this book (they weren’t always the smartest ones) and “The Wife Upstairs” gave off similar vibes between a mixture of other thriller books I’ve read in the past. Thankfully, there were enough differences to keep it distinct. This is another fun Freida McFadden book that will keep you guessing…and because of that, you’ll be up all night wanting to know if your predictions are correct. Expect some surprising twists and turns in this crazy ride!
5. MIKAYLA P reviews for The Wife Upstairs
Thrilling read, I thought about all day
I have read many Freida McFadden books now, and without a doubt this was one of my favorites. Generally her plot twists I predict incorrectly, but this one I knew the entire time and somehow that made it far more terrifying. I felt like I knew what the main character was walking into but I couldn’t stop her.
I tend to read in the mornings before work and this book had me thinking ALL day about returning to read some more as soon as I could!
6. HEATHERLY reviews for The Wife Upstairs
Another great book by Freida! At the beginning it definitely gives off Housemaid vibes. Husband taking care of ill wife, hires another lady to help take care of her. That whole ordeal. It also gave me Gypsy Rose vibes (if you know her story you will see the comparisons once you start reading this book.) However! The book had a lot of twists and the ending was not what I was expecting. Highly recommend!
7. ANGEL NICHOLE reviews for The Wife Upstairs
It was good, but
I did enjoy some of the book, but it was obvious from the get go who “the bad guy” in this book was. This certainly isn’t comparable to the housemaid series where you never know who to trust. Even when there’s a small plot twist near the end, I still knew what the truth was. I like the writing and the story itself. Enjoyed the spooky ambiance of it, but like I said, you know from the get go cause she basically tells you while switching back and forth from the caretaker to the wife’s diary. Now if the plot twist would have been true then the book would have been 5 stars lol
8. CHERIE MONIQUE reviews for The Wife Upstairs
chills up my arms
Girlfriends, this book here was absolutely amazing. I loved it, this ending was savage and brilliant. Frieda girl, you have done it again, I almost was a little bit scared because I was kinda of like wait who is the killer here and you made me think it was Adam but then it turned on Victoria and then back to Adam I was so head confused. lol but all in all it was a good fast read and entertaining. I really did enjoy it. You did not disappoint. Well done friend, well done! 😀
9. RHONDA reviews for The Wife Upstairs
4/5 🌟
While I love Freida McFadden’s writing style and stories, this was not one of my favorite books of hers. I got invested in the story and loved the book up to the end. That’s where my disappointment set in.
I found the ending very lackluster and blasé. I hate to say that but I just felt blah at the end and for once my jaw wasn’t agape. For that reason, it’s a 4/5 from me.
10. JAMIE reviews for The Wife Upstairs
Mild spoilers….
I enjoyed this book. I accidentally picked it up thinking it was the Rachel Hawkins, but was pleasantly surprised that it had higher ratings than Hawkins story. I found the plot enjoyable and, although it was a little predictable in places, I was surprised by the ending. The characters were believable. I’ve seen reviews that have criticized the two female lead characters because there behavior wasn’t believable. Those people were obviously never in an abusive relationship, because I thought the story of Victoria, the wife, was a classic battered wife story with all the appropriate behaviors from someone who feels like they’re trapped in an abusive marriage. Some of the choices by the other female lead, Sylvia were questionable, but felt authentic. All in all, great book.
III. The Wife Upstairs Quotes by Freida McFadden
The best book quotes from The Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden
“The hero subsequently plots the death of his parents and his brother, which is ultimately successful. And he gets away with everything.”
“And that seems to be the essence of our marriage sometimes. He lies to me because he thinks I won’t ever know the difference.”
“But for some reason, I can’t shake this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach.”
“In life, things never go quite the way you want them to. But when you’re creating your own fictional world, you can make everything happen exactly how you want it to. That’s what I love about writing.”
“I can’t say to him what I’m really thinking, which is that this house gives me the creeps. Maybe Victoria loved it here, but I don’t. And for that matter, his wife gives me the creeps too. There’s something about her and that blank expression that terrifies me. It’s an awful thing to say about a woman who has been through something horrible, but I can’t help it.”
“She was there for three months and was still completely dependent for everything. She still couldn’t move her right side at all and that was really limiting her progress.”
“Well, writing books, I guess.” And then something clicked in my brain.”
“And when I look at Adam Barnett, for a moment, I get that sensation. Doom.”
“It’s funny—you don’t realize how much people like you until you’re leaving.”
“It sounds like they were miserable people who rooted for him to fail every step of the way.”
“I don’t want to miss even a nanosecond of my children’s lives, because really, you don’t know how long you’re going to have.”
“It’s funny because even though I had told Mack I was sure I was doing the right thing by moving in with Adam, I guess I did slightly have some doubts. There was this little nagging voice in the back of my head telling me it was too soon and I should wait.”
“didn’t want to push him too hard, but then I felt guilty. It doesn’t seem fair to Victoria that she should have to eat every meal isolated upstairs in her room.”
“feel guilty about Victoria too. She doesn’t know what’s going on between the two of us, but she’s got to suspect. And even though she does have a serious brain injury, she’s with it enough that she would understand I’m sleeping with her husband.”
“That night in the bar, when Mack told me how he felt? I should have ended it with Adam. I should never have married him. I should be with Mack. I made the wrong decision.”
“It’s so hard to read about what happened to her. Before I started reading, I believed she was happy until the moment she fell down the stairs. Now I know she wasn’t. And with every entry, it just seems to get worse.”
“The truth is, I think about him all the time. He’s my last thought when I go to bed at night and my first thought when I wake up in the morning. I dream about him.”
“Nothing matters anymore. I’m just going to let myself rot on the sofa. Maybe if I make myself disgusting enough, Adam will leave me alone.”
“Last night, Adam took me to see Hamilton. That’s a show that’s really big right now, based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the treasury. I know, it’s hard to believe that could be a hit Broadway show, but it really is.”
“I saw her throw a freaking toaster in his head and it made a dent in the kitchen wall.”
“When you’re in a mature, adult relationship, you realize that the most important thing isn’t always proving you’re right. I knew proving him wrong wasn’t going to make the situation better, so there was no point.”
“That probably wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t wear such a short skirt,” Adam said.”
“Nobody could blame you,” Adam spoke up. “All she does is sit around and eat, so this is the result.”
“That probably wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t wear such a short skirt,”
“I get the sense Maggie is reluctant to talk about Victoria Barnett. Which is frustrating, because I get the feeling she’s the only one in this house who might be capable of telling me the truth.”
“I once read that when people have near-fatal heart attacks, they get a sense of doom. They describe a sinking sensation before the chest pain even begins, like the world is about to end. It’s a commonly described phenomenon that nobody can explain. But when something terrible is about to happen, people know.”
“She fell down the stairs about nine months ago.” He winces. “In our house. We have this crazy winding staircase and… I was in the city all day with my publisher, so I didn’t find her till later. If I had been there…”
“I watched him in the dark room. I wanted him to disagree with me. I wanted him to tell me that he loved me too much and that he couldn’t possibly leave. But instead, he got out of bed at two in the morning and started getting dressed.”
Excerpted from The Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden
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