The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

The Housemaid #1

Rating: ★★★★☆

Dates Read: 2/17/23 - 2/18/23

    A young woman seizes a chance at a fresh start when she becomes part of the wealthy Winchester family's household. Working as their housekeeper and caring for their daughter, she is drawn into their lavish lifestyle. But beneath the surface of elegance and opulence lies a dangerous web of secrets. The woman becomes entangled in Nina Winchester's manipulative games and Andrew Winchester's pain. As she daydreams about living Nina's life, she is unaware that her curiosity may lead to devastating consequences. The attic bedroom she inhabits soon becomes a prison, and she must face the reality that her true identity and capabilities may be exposed to the family that knows nothing about her past.

    I absolutely enjoyed this book! It had me hooked from the start, and even though I had a feeling about where the story might be headed, the ending still managed to surprise me. The short and easy-to-read chapters made it a breeze to get through, and while the writing style might not be the most remarkable, it served the thriller genre well. I love popcorn reads that keep me thoroughly entertained, and this book certainly delivered on that front.

    The characters were the driving force of the story, though I must admit that Millie, the main character, felt a bit bland. We only learn about her backstory towards the end of the book, and she lacked a distinctive personality, making it difficult to connect with her. However, that just gives me more of a reason to read the sequel. I can't wait for the second one to see what happens next.

    The twists in the plot caught me completely off guard, especially the way the ending unfolded. However, I felt that the conclusion was rushed, leaving me with a sense that something was missing in the last 50 pages. Still, I enjoyed the dynamic between Nina and Millie in the final moments. On a more critical note, I found that the book's portrayal of mental illness and psychotic disorders was concerning. It seemed to vilify psychiatric institutions and people in need of treatment, which left a bad taste in my mouth. (I'm publishing this here after reading numerous McFadden novels, and this seems to be a constant theme in her books.)

    Overall, I was pleased with the book, and I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel, even if I thought it could have worked well as a standalone.