For the Thriller Fans: Freida McFadden Favorites
If you are a thriller fan, chances are you know about the literary genius, Freida McFadden. Freida is thriller royalty (in my opinion, anyway). She is the author of over 20 books that have been translated into 45 languages and creates the most captivating and suspenseful stories in the thriller world. And, they can easily be read in just one sitting.
But in case you have not begun your FM journey yet, here is a list of my top 4 favorites to get you started. I rated each of these 5 stars on Goodreads!
1. The Housemaid
The first book in The Housemaid series introduces readers to protagonist Millie. Millie, recently released from prison, gets hired as a live-in maid for Nina and Andrew Winchester, and their daughter Cecelia. As the story unfolds, we learn about the dark secrets of the Winchesters and how Millie is now caught in the middle of it.
I ranked this book 5 stars for a few reasons. First, I found that the character development of each main character felt very real and authentic. I felt like I knew Millie. Second, the storyline is the definition of a psychological thriller. My jaw was on the floor. That type of reaction is what I want when I pick up a thriller.
Trigger warning: violence and abuse
2. The Intruder
One of the most remarkable qualities about Freida's work is that her books rarely go the way you think they will, and that is 100% the case with The Intruder.
Readers are introduced to Casey, the independent main character who lives in an isolated cabin in the woods. On the night of a massive storm, Casey finds a young girl covered in blood on her property. Like anyone, Casey is horrified and wants to help this girl, but then things take a turn...
In short, it was hard to put this one down. Freida fills readers with huge question marks right from the beginning (why is Casey living isolated in the woods? What happened to her? How did this girl get here and why? etc. etc!). This was another 5 star read for me because of the complexities of the characters, the unpredictability of the outcome of the story, and how creatively and seamlessly Frieda brings everything together at the end.
Trigger Warning: child abuse, violence
3. The Crash
This is one of those books where you find yourself internally screaming: "what in the world is happening??" Tegan is a young woman who is 8 months pregnant and determined to create a better life for herself and her baby. She leaves her apartment one night to drive to stay with her brother Dennis, only she ends up driving directly into a huge snowstorm. Tegan ends up crashing her car and almost loses hope, until she is rescued by a couple, Hank and Polly.
Tegan is brought back to their home to recover until the storm passes. However, Tegan quickly gets the feeling that something is off and maybe she actually isn't safe there...
Freida incorporates several plot twists and complex themes that really pull at the heart strings. Every character in this story plays an important role, most likely in ways that you wouldn't expect.
Trigger Warning: themes of suicidal ideation, abuse, substance use, rape
4. The Inmate
The level of investment that I felt for this one is honestly unreal. The story follows Brooke, a nurse practitioner who begins working at a maximum security prison. As if that in and of itself isn't interesting enough, the reader soon learns that her high school love/boyfriend Shane is an inmate there, AND that Brooke provided testimony during his trial that sent him there. OKAY.
Throughout the story, the reader gets glimpses into Brooke's memories with Shane, and ultimately, Brooke begins to wonder if she made a mistake and that Shane is actually innocent after all.
BIG 5 stars (if that existed) for this one. I was so enthralled by Brooke and Shane's story and blown away by the suspense that saturated the book, all the way until the emd.
Trigger Warning: murder
There you have it, readers. Buckle up and enjoy the incredible insanity that is Freida McFadden thrillers!