If you’ve been following my blog for a while, then you’ll know that one of my favorite authors is Freida McFadden. I’ve previously reviewed several of her books – Do You Want to Know a Secret?, Death Row, and The Tenant – and I’ve read quite a few others as well. Today, though, I wanted to look back at one of her earlier novels, and one of the first of hers that I ever read: The Housemaid.

Millie has lived a troubled life and sees the perfect opportunity for a fresh start when she’s hired as a live-in housemaid for Nina and Andrew Winchester. Pretty quickly, she begins to notice that Nina is irrational and unhinged, and she can’t understand why Nina behaves the way she does. Over the course of this domestic thriller, both Millie and the reader grow to hate Nina – but in true, twisty McFadden fashion, we eventually learn that the truth runs much deeper than it first appears, and maybe Nina isn’t “the bad guy” after all.

Covering themes of female anger, class, desperation, and hidden abuse, The Housemaid quickly transforms into a gripping tale of survival that hooks you for the entire ride. And, like McFadden’s other novels, you’re probably going to get a little bit of whiplash along the way.

I read this book over a year ago, but thought it would be fun to revisit it with the movie adaptation coming out this weekend, starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney. Both actresses have been pretty front and center in the public eye over the past few months, which makes for a particularly interesting casting choice. I definitely plan on seeing the film and will likely have some thoughts to share on how it compares to the book.

Freida McFadden’s writing style is addictive, and if you haven’t read any of her books yet, I highly recommend checking them out. She writes thrillers across several subgenres and really does have something for everyone. As we head into snowy season, there are bound to be days when you’re stuck indoors looking for your next read – and if you’re a Kindle girlie like me, many of her books are available on Kindle Unlimited, which is a huge bonus. Her wild plot derailments are exactly what you need for a cozy day on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and ignoring the cold weather outside.

If you’re a Freida fan, let me know in the comments which of her books is your favorite! I haven’t read all of them yet and I’m always looking for my next pick!