The Housemaid Book Review: A Thriller by Freida McFadden
Hello readers and welcome back to my blog! I hope you’re all doing well and reading lots of good books. I recently read a thriller that really surprised me and today I’m going to talk about it. So make sure you keep reading for my full The Housemaid book review.
And if you’re looking for more thriller recs, click here.
What is The Housemaid by Freida McFadden About?
“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own…
Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.
I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.
I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.
But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.
They don’t know what I’m capable of… (from Amazon.com)
What Were My Thoughts Going Into This Book?
I was feeling a little iffy, but I decided to give it a chance because it was included in my Kindle Unlimited membership. Why was I feeling iffy? Well, when it comes to Freida McFadden psychological thrillers I don’t always love them. They feel very hit or miss. Some are fun and others are odd and poorly written. The quality is all over the place so I never know what to expect.
But The Housemaid is becoming a movie starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, so I knew that I had to read the book beforehand.
What Were My Feelings While Reading The Housemaid?
I had a lot of feelings while reading this book. I didn’t necessarily feel attached to Millie as a main character, but I did feel bad for her. This unbelievably twisty read throws a lot at her character, and I’m not really sure how she made it out unscathed.
I felt furious with Nina. I figured she must be very mentally unwell to behave the way she did. It made me sick how Andrew Winchester just ignored his wife’s bad behavior.
But then there was a twist. There’s always a plot twist in Freida’s books. And everything I thought I knew about the Winchester family was put into question. The short chapters and different perspectives really kept me on the edge of my seat.
What Did I Like About It?
I understand why Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid is her most popular book. It’s a good thriller that has plenty of twists and turns. And as the story unfolded, I really had no idea who I could trust in the Winchester house. Millie Calloway, the lowly housemaid? Or Nina Winchester, the lady of the house who rules with an iron fist?
What Didn’t I Like About It?
You really had to suspend your disbelief for some things. The attic room sounded terrible. I know Millie was desperate for a job but I have a hard time believing she would be okay living up there.
And to be honest, I was surprise by how much Millie put up with. Millie’s first day or so as a live-in housemaid goes okay. But things go downhill very quickly. I was surprised that she didn’t just quit. But hey, that wouldn’t make for a very interesting book, would it?
Would I Recommend The Housemaid to Other Readers?
Yes. I think The Housemaid is probably Freida McFadden’s most popular book for a reason. It’s a good introduction to her as an author because it’s gripping, has interesting characters, and it feels like it actually had an editor. My honest review is that it’s a fun thriller that will keep you guessing. It’s an easy read that you won’t want to put down. I myself read it in just a couple of days over a holiday weekend.
Will I Read the Rest of the Books in the Series?
Yes, I think I will. Because maybe they’ll get made into movies as well, who knows? The second book in the series is called The Housemaid’s Secret and the third book is called The Housemaid is Watching. There’s also a short story entitled The Housemaid’s Wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Housemaid a Good Read?
Yes, if you enjoy psychological thrillers I think you will find The Housemaid to be a good read. By the time you’ve finished the first half of the book, you’ll think you have it all figured out. But think again because there are a lot of dark secrets that are revealed later on.
What Age is the Housemaid Book Appropriate For?
I think The Housemaid would be good for ages 16 and up. There’s nothing really violent or sexual in Freida’s books, but this book does cover topics like abuse (physical, mental, emotional) and gaslighting which aren’t really appropriate for kids.
Will The Housemaid Be Made Into a Movie?
Yes, the Housemaid is being made into a movie. Sydney Sweeney will be playing Millie Calloway while Amanda Seyfried will be playing Nina Winchester. I enjoy both these actresses and look forward to seeing what they can do
In Conclusion
Thanks for checking out my The Housemaid book review. If you enjoy thrillers, this is a good book to check out! I was in a bit of a reading slump this past Spring and this story really woke me up and made me interested in reading again.
