Book of the Day

Our Review:

An engrossing psychological thriller, "The Housemaid" by Freida McFadden keeps readers guessing right up to the very end. Readers who enjoy home noir and sophisticated mysteries will love this book for its masterclass in suspense and its complex plot with surprising twists.

With his snappy and interesting prose, McFadden moves the plot along at a dizzying rate. A sense of discomfort pervades every page as the author deftly builds suspense throughout. I frequently find myself staying up late reading this book because of how short the chapters are and how many times it ends on a cliffhanger.

Millie, the mysterious housekeeper, is the story's protagonist, and the plot thickens with her cryptic backstory. McFadden does a superb job fleshing out Millie's character, which makes it easy to root for her while simultaneously casting doubt on her honesty and reliability. The intricate interactions between Millie and Nina, as well as the rest of the Winchester family, are expertly developed and give the story more substance.

The power of the book is in the mystery it manages to throw at its readers. When you think you know where the story is going, McFadden surprises you with another turn of events that makes you question everything you ever thought you understood. Tightening up loose ends in an unexpected yet rewarding manner, the ultimate reveal is shocking and satisfying all at once.

Thrillers benefit from this plot-heavy approach, even though it might lead to shallow character development (particularly for supporting characters). In the middle half, there are brief moments of slower pacing, but the tale swiftly picks up where it left off.

"The Housemaid" showcases McFadden's exceptional storytelling skills by skillfully combining psychological manipulation, suspense, and mystery. Thriller fans will be begging for the next book in the series after reading this one.