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8/10
Author : Freida McFadden
Narrator : Lauryn Allman
Length : 09h 44m
Published By : Hachette UK-Bookouture
Release Date : Feb 20, 2023
Genre : Psychological Thriller
Short Review :
The Housemaid's Secret" is somewhat of a sequel to Frieda McFadden's The Housemaid. I use the term "somewhat" because the two stories are primarily connected through the protagonist, Millie Calloway, but not extensively. You can easily jump into this book without missing much, aside from a few minor details carried over from the first novel. The narrator has done a solid job with both of these psychological thrillers.
Long Review :
Millie Calloway is now employed as a housemaid and babysitter for a wealthy family that pays her generously. However, things can't stay perfect for her for a long time, can they? Not long after, she is unexpectedly fired, and the way it happens is actually quite amusing. Left without a job, Millie begins searching for new employment to cover her living expenses. After a few weeks of unsuccessful applications and repeated rejections due to her prison record, she finally lands a job with Douglas Garrick, the CEO of Coinstock and one of the wealthiest people in the city.
Millie is satisfied with her handsome salary while working for the couple, but she begins to notice that something is off about his wife, Wendy, who rarely leaves her room. When Millie spots blood stains on some laundry and notices something strange in the bathroom sink, her curiosity gets the better of her, and she decides to investigate. She musters up courage and knocks on Wendy's door, though Wendy is initially hesitant to speak with her. However, after some persistence, Wendy reluctantly opens up, and Millie is horrified by the sight of her scarred face. Determined to help, Millie vows to assist Wendy, no matter what it takes.
The plot is strikingly similar to The Housemaid, and if you've already listened to its prequel, it becomes fairly easy to predict what the twist in this thriller might be. However, despite the familiarity, I actually enjoyed The Housemaid's Secret more than the The Housemaid, as it still managed to surprise me in the end. It’s certainly a challenge to address all the potential plot holes in a thriller of this nature, but Frieda McFadden did an impressive job of doing so. She skillfully incorporated a few coincidences, which I’ll elaborate on below—but only for those who have already listened to the audiobook, as it may serve as a spoiler.
About The Author
Frieda McFadden
Frieda McFadden, the author of The Housemaid's Secret, is a bestselling American writer best known for her gripping psychological thrillers. Before becoming a full-time author, McFadden worked in healthcare, but she has always had a passion for writing, especially in the thriller and suspense genres. She made her debut with The Housemaid, which quickly gained popularity due to its intense plot and shocking twists, marking the beginning of her successful career in suspense fiction.
McFadden is particularly praised for her ability to create fast-paced, page-turning narratives with unpredictable twists and well-developed characters. Her stories often revolve around complex, morally ambiguous characters and explore themes of power, deception, and betrayal. The Housemaid’s Secret is a sequel to her earlier work The Housemaid, continuing the suspenseful and dramatic storyline.
