The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

*minor spoilers ahead*

The Housemaid is a psychological thriller that follows Millie, a young woman with a difficult past who takes a job as a live-in housekeeper for the Winchester family. At first, the role seems like a lifeline: steady pay, a roof over her head, and the possibility of a fresh start. But soon, Millie realises the job may not be as straightforward as she hoped.

Nina Winchester, the woman of the house, quickly proves to be a challenging character. She has a habit of creating problems for Millie, making you feel sorry for Millie as she has to deal with extreme mess and incorrect instructions, as well as handle Nina’s lack of accountability. The daughter, Cecilia, often mirrors Nina’s behaviour, making Millie’s position even harder. Still, Millie stays, motivated by the need for stability, the appeal of her new surroundings, and the kindness she perceives in Andrew Winchester, Nina’s husband.

The story moves at a quick pace, with short chapters that make the book very easy to read. I finished it in two days, which says a lot about how engaging the style is. The writing is approachable and informal, reminding me a little of Colleen Hoover’s Verity in tone as it is straightforward, readable, and designed to pull you in.

While the first half felt a bit predictable in terms of plot, there were still elements that kept me curious. I wanted to know more about Millie’s past, including her time in prison, and about what really drove Nina’s unpredictable behaviour. I was also intrigued by Enzo, another character in the story, who added a layer of mystery.

As the book unfolded, the tone became darker and had a lot more jaw-dropping moments. By the end, most of the main questions had been answered, and the story tied together in a way that felt complete.

Overall, The Housemaid was a very quick and accessible read. While it didn’t deliver many surprises for me personally, it did hold my interest and offered the kind of fast-moving, entertaining story that I love about psychological thrillers. This is my first McFadden read, and so I’m looking forward to picking up more and continuing with this series.

3/5 stars