If you’re ready to dive into a rollercoaster of suspense and sharp plot twists, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best Freida McFadden books—in order, because we know you don’t want to miss a beat.
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Freida McFadden is one of those authors who knows exactly how to get inside your head—and mess with it. She has a knack for delivering psychological thrillers that keep you guessing until the very last page, and has solidified her place as a must-read in the thriller genre. With more than 20 books to her name, Freida McFadden has written across a few different genres, but her thrillers? Those are the real stars of the show.
If you’re looking to dive into a world of unreliable narrators, dark secrets, and twists that will make you question everything, this guide to the best Freida McFadden Books is your new best friend.
McFadden’s collection includes a mix of standalone novels and her super-popular Housemaid series. She’s even written a few medical humor books (we’ll save those for another day), but here, we’re sticking to her thrillers, the kind of books that’ll keep you up way past your bedtime. So let’s jump into the best Freida McFadden books, arranged in order to make your reading journey as twisty and satisfying as possible.
Series Books by Freida McFadden
If you’re ready for a full series that packs all the twists, tension, and thrills of McFadden’s standalones, then the Housemaid series is where you’ll want to dive in.
1. The Housemaid (The Housemaid #1, 2022)
Main tropes: Domestic thriller, unreliable narrator, hidden secrets
The Housemaid is the book that took Freida McFadden to the next level. It’s no surprise—this is a classic domestic thriller done right. Millie, a woman down on her luck, takes a job as a live-in maid for the wealthy and seemingly perfect Winchester family. The mansion is gorgeous, the job seems simple, and things are finally looking up for Millie. But, as you can probably guess, nothing is ever what it seems in Freida McFadden’s books.
The more time Millie spends in the house, the more unsettling things become. Secrets are lurking behind every corner, and soon Millie finds herself trapped in a dangerous game she never signed up for. Trust me, you’ll be turning the pages faster than you realize.
What readers are saying:
Readers absolutely love The Housemaid. It’s got a 4.4-star rating on Amazon, and one reviewer said, “This book had me in a chokehold from page one. Every time I thought I had things figured out, I was dead wrong.” Fans of twisty domestic thrillers will feel right at home (pun intended) with this one.
2. The Housemaid’s Secret (The Housemaid #2, 2023)
Main tropes: Domestic thriller, manipulation, hidden secrets
The Housemaid is the book that took Freida McFadden to the next level. It’s no surprise—this is a classic domestic thriller done right. Millie, a woman down on her luck, takes a job as a live-in maid for the wealthy and seemingly perfect Winchester family. The mansion is gorgeous, the job seems simple, and things are finally looking up for Millie. But, as you can probably guess, nothing is ever what it seems in Freida McFadden’s books.
The more time Millie spends in the house, the more unsettling things become. Secrets are lurking behind every corner, and soon Millie finds herself trapped in a dangerous game she never signed up for. Trust me, you’ll be turning the pages faster than you realize.
What readers are saying:
Readers absolutely love The Housemaid. It’s got a 4.4-star rating on Amazon, and one reviewer said, “This book had me in a chokehold from page one. Every time I thought I had things figured out, I was dead wrong.” Fans of twisty domestic thrillers will feel right at home (pun intended) with this one.
3. The Housemaid Is Watching (The Housemaid #3, 2024)
Main tropes: Domestic thriller, hidden dangers, voyeurism, unreliable characters
Millie and her family have finally found their dream home in a picture-perfect neighborhood—or so they think. But the moment they settle in, strange things start happening. Millie’s gut tells her someone is watching them, and in Freida McFadden’s world, that’s never a good sign. Just when Millie thought her troubles were behind her, she’s pulled back into a web of suspicion, secrets, and danger lurking behind every window.
The neighbors may seem friendly, but Millie knows better than to trust appearances. With eerie events escalating, it’s clear that her new life might just turn into a living nightmare. Is it paranoia, or is something—or someone—actually watching her?
What readers are saying:
Fans on Goodreads can’t get enough of this one. One reviewer wrote, “McFadden does it again! Just when you think you know what’s going on, BAM, you’re wrong!”. With twists at every turn, readers are calling it “the perfect mix of creepy and thrilling”. If you’re in the mood for a page-turner, this one will keep you glued to the edge of your seat.
Standalone Books by Freida McFadden
If you like to pick up a book and know that everything will be wrapped up in one, edge-of-your-seat sitting, Freida McFadden’s standalone thrillers are perfect for you. Each one has its own unique storyline, but they all share that addictive mix of suspense, unreliable narrators, and endings you didn’t see coming.
4. The Inmate (2022)
Main tropes: Prison drama, unreliable narrator, past secrets
Now, The Inmate is a whole different vibe. It’s a psychological thriller, but this one takes place inside the walls of a prison—talk about claustrophobic! Brooke, a nurse, takes a job at the very prison where her ex-boyfriend Shane is serving time for a murder she testified against him for. What could go wrong, right? Well, pretty much everything.
As Brooke adjusts to her new job, things start getting weird (classic McFadden move). Shane insists he was framed, and as Brooke digs deeper into the case, she realizes the past isn’t as neatly wrapped up as she thought. Soon, she’s caught in a web of lies that threaten to pull her under.
What readers are saying:
With its suffocating atmosphere and fast-paced twists, The Inmate has become a fan favorite. “I stayed up until 3 a.m. finishing this book because I just HAD to know what happened,” one reviewer wrote. It’s got all the tension you could want, plus a final twist that hits like a freight train.
5. The Locked Door (2021)
Main tropes: Serial killer, family secrets, dark past.
In The Locked Door, McFadden takes us into the life of Nora, a successful surgeon who’s hiding a pretty dark secret: her father was a notorious serial killer. Yeah, talk about family baggage. Nora’s spent years running from her past, but when a new series of murders start mimicking her father’s MO, she finds herself in the crosshairs of suspicion.
The beauty of this book is how McFadden keeps you guessing. You’ll flip back and forth between wondering if Nora’s being set up or if she’s more like her father than she’s willing to admit. Either way, you won’t know the truth until the last page—and it’s one heck of a ride getting there.
What readers are saying:
Fans of The Locked Door praise it for its clever twists and dark psychological edge. One reviewer said, “I didn’t trust a single character in this book, and I loved every second of it.” If you’re into dark family secrets and can’t-look-away suspense, this one should be on your list.
6. Do Not Disturb (2019)
Main tropes: Psychological thriller, unreliable narrator, cat-and-mouse chase.
Do Not Disturb kicks off with Quinn, a woman on the run after committing a crime. She finds herself in a secluded inn, hoping to lie low and figure out her next move. But as she settles in, she realizes she’s not the only one hiding secrets. The other guests at the inn seem just as shady—if not more—and before long, Quinn is caught in a dangerous game of survival.
What makes this book so fun (and stressful) is how Freida McFadden keeps ratcheting up the tension. You’ll spend most of the book trying to figure out who you can trust—spoiler: it’s probably no one.
What readers are saying:
“I felt like I was living in that creepy inn,” one reviewer said. Another added, “The twists and turns just keep coming. I had to force myself to take a break because I was reading it way too fast!” This is the kind of psychological thriller that’ll have you looking over your shoulder long after you’ve put it down.
7. One by One (2018)
Main tropes: Survival thriller, isolated setting, mystery.
In One by One, a group of coworkers heads to a remote cabin for a corporate retreat. It sounds innocent enough—until a snowstorm traps them inside, and one by one, they start disappearing. Now, with no way out and a killer among them, the survivors must figure out who’s behind the murders before it’s too late.
This book has all the ingredients of a classic locked-room mystery, but with McFadden’s signature twisty style. You’ll be kept guessing about who the killer is until the very end—and the isolated, snowbound setting adds an extra layer of tension.
What readers are saying:
“This book had me biting my nails,” one reader wrote. Another called it “And Then There Were None meets The Shining, with a modern twist.” If you’re into survival stories where no one is safe and trust is in short supply, this is the perfect pick.
8. Ward D (2023)
Main tropes: Medical thriller, psychological suspense.
Ward D takes place in the unsettling world of a psychiatric ward, where Amy, a medical student, is working an overnight shift. What starts as a routine night quickly spirals into chaos when strange and terrifying things begin happening around the hospital. As the night progresses, Amy realizes she may not be dealing with patients after all—something far more sinister seems to be at play.
This book has a creepy, atmospheric quality that keeps you glued to the page. If you love medical dramas with a heavy dose of psychological suspense, Ward D is right up your alley.
What readers are saying:
“This book was creepy and intense, and I could not put it down,” said one reader. “The final twist blew my mind.” Fans of medical thrillers with a psychological twist will devour this one.
9. The Perfect Son (2023)
Main tropes: Family secrets, psychological thriller.
In The Perfect Son, a couple’s seemingly perfect son is accused of a horrifying crime, and their world unravels as they try to uncover the truth. As they dig deeper into their son’s life, they realize they didn’t know him as well as they thought.
This is one of McFadden’s more recent releases, and it packs a punch with its family secrets and shocking revelations.
What readers are saying:
“I could not stop reading,” said one reviewer. “Every chapter left me with more questions, and the ending was a total shocker.” If you’re into domestic thrillers with a twisty family dynamic, you’ll want to add The Perfect Son to your list.
10. The Ex (2021)
Main tropes: Romantic suspense, psychological thriller.
In The Ex, Cassie becomes the prime suspect when her ex-boyfriend is found murdered. Desperate to clear her name, Cassie digs into the case, uncovering dark truths about her past and the people she thought she knew. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more danger she finds herself in.
This book blends romantic suspense with psychological twists, making it perfect for readers who like a little romance with their thrills.
What readers are saying:
“This was a rollercoaster ride from start to finish,” one reader said. “Freida McFadden is the queen of twists, and this book does not disappoint.” If you love thrillers with a romantic edge, The Ex is a fun, fast-paced read.
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