Description
“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…
Now a major motion picture starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried * A No.1 New York Times bestseller * A No.1 Sunday Times bestseller * A USA Today bestseller * 5 million copies sold * 20-million-copy bestselling author
This unbelievably twisty read will have you glued to the pages late into the night. Anyone who loves Gone Girl won’t be able to put down The Housemaid!
Read what everyone’s saying about The Housemaid:
“I got severe whiplash from the twistiest turns… Every time I thought I had it figured out… WRONG!!!… I am still reeling… outstanding… If you love a top notch psychological thriller that will have you questioning your own sanity, then this 5 star read is for you.” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“What a wild ride!!! Freida definitely delivered the best twisty ending… Gripping from start to finish… honestly, I just could not put it down… An absolutely mind-blowing shocker that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat literally until the very end.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“One wild ride!… So many twists and turns… I was hooked right away – I even read my Kindle while waiting in my kid’s school pick-up line so I wouldn’t have to put this book down!… addictive… pure perfection!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow!!!… Blimey! What a roller-coaster ride this was! It had me sitting on the edge of my seat!… Superb book!… Fantastic ending!!!!… I highly recommend… fantastic… Big fat 5 stars from me.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“SO GOOD… I didn’t want to put it down! I read 70% in one sitting… I was on the edge of my seat… you will not see the ending coming! Drop what you are doing and pick up this book!” Thriller_book_sisters, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“You will NOT believe the direction this book takes… A jaw-dropping twist… A truly stunning thriller that I could not read quickly enough.” carriereadsthem_all, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I was obsessed with this story… couldn’t get through the story fast enough… I was continuously gasping or saying “noooooo” out loud.” Sarah in Readerland
“I could NOT put it down!… An incredible roller-coaster ride… This book left me hungry for more and I could not believe the ending!!” Goodreads reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ASIN : B09TWSRMCB
Publisher : Bookouture
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : 26 April 2022
Language : English
File size : 2.3 MB
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 338 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1803144375
Page Flip : Enabled
Book 1 of 3 : The Housemaid
Best Sellers Rank: #18 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store) #2 in Crime, Thriller & Mystery (Kindle Store) #2 in Crime, Thriller & Mystery (Books) #14 in Literature & Fiction (Kindle Store)
Customer Reviews: 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (647,271) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Rubina Sayed –
Loved every page!
The book came in very good condition, and I started reading it right away …finished it in one sitting!I absolutely loved The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. Millie’s character was my favorite…strong, sarcastic, and so real. Her little bits of humor made the dark story even more enjoyable. The short chapters kept me hooked and made it so easy to keep saying “just one more.”It’s fast-paced, twisty, and completely addictive, a perfect psychological thriller!
Gayathri Bhupta –
“A fast, addictive thriller that kept me hooked!
The Housemaid is the kind of book you pick up for a quick suspense fix and end up finishing in one sitting. The plot moves at a fast pace with short chapters, and the twists are dramatic enough to keep you turning pages.I really enjoyed the tension between the characters and the secrets unfolding inside the Winchester house. Yes, some parts are a bit over-the-top and not very realistic, but that’s what makes it fun — it’s a perfect popcorn thriller when you want something gripping yet easy to read.Overall, a super entertaining psychological thriller that delivers exactly what it promises. Highly recommended if you enjoy twisty, unputdownable reads!”
SG –
great read!
Great read! Absolutely unstoppable with twists & turns! Must read book. Good plot, engaging & addictive psychological thriller. Loved reading it.
Nimisha –
Excellent Book!
The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden is one of those thrillers that grabs you from the first page and keeps you thinking about it long after you finish. I felt like I was stepping into a world full of mystery and suspense that made me want to keep reading. This book has everything a good thriller should have; mind games, creepy characters and twists that keep you guessing. Just when I thought I had figured things out, the story took another shocking turn that kept me glued to the pages.The main character Millie is a young woman who’s just out of prison and in need of a fresh start. She’s struggling to get by until she gets a job as a live-in maid for the Winchester family. But soon, she realizes that this isn’t the perfect job it seemed to be. Nina, her new boss, is friendly one minute and strange the next and there’s something unsettling about the whole house. The author does an amazing job of creating a creepy atmosphere; Nina’s odd behaviour, the attic room where Millie has to stay with a lock on the outside and the strange way Nina’s daughter acts all made me feel the tension building.I also loved (and sometimes hated) how I never fully trusted any of the characters. They all have something to hide, including Millie herself. Her interactions with the landscaper Enzo and *not so* charming Andrew Winchester kept things interesting and intense. I could feel Millie’s fear and isolation as things got stranger and scarier.And then there are the twists! Every time I thought I knew what was going on, McFadden surprised me again. The last part of the book was especially exciting it felt like a fast race to the end, full of surprises that blew me away. The ending was beyond satisfying, one of those “wow” moments that makes you think about the book long after you’ve finished.Overall, I’d give The Housemaid five stars. It’s a thrilling, page-turning story that kept me up late and left me wanting more. If you’re a fan of thrillers full of mystery, tension, and big twists, you should definitely read this. Frieda McFadden has gained a new fan in me, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Kindle Customer –
What was this book?
I liked the twist in Part 2, but the ending went on a complete detour. The thing with the officer, mother and neighbors, everything felt too rushed and not put in place correctly. I had soo much hopes after the movie release and all but now I don’t think I want to go watch the movie.It’s a decent read, some section gave me goosebumps and some made me cringe (especially Millies internal monologue).
Arudra Eswar –
The Housemaid (2022) by Freida McFadden: A Review
Gripping, twisty, and utterly addictive, The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.The story follows Millie, a seemingly unassuming housemaid who enters the lives of the seemingly perfect Winchester family. But beneath the surface of their posh London townhouse lies a web of dark secrets, and Millie is determined to unravel them.Strengths:Fast-paced and suspenseful: The plot is expertly crafted, with constant twists and turns that keep you hooked.Unreliable narrator: Millie is a fascinating and unreliable narrator, whose perspective constantly shifts, leaving you questioning everything you think you know.Intriguing characters: Each character, from the seemingly innocent Nina to the troubled Mark and the enigmatic Heather, is complex and captivating.Sharp and insightful writing: McFadden’s writing is crisp and evocative, bringing the story and characters to life in a vivid way.Weaknesses:Some predictability: While the twists are mostly effective, some may feel predictable for seasoned thriller readers.Occasional melodramatic elements: Certain plot points and character motivations veer into melodrama, which might not appeal to all readers.Overall:Despite its minor flaws, The Housemaid is a gripping and entertaining read that will leave you satisfied and slightly shocked. If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller with complex characters and dark secrets, this is definitely a book for you.Rating: 4 out of 5 starsAdditional thoughts:The book explores themes of class, power, and deception, adding depth to the story beyond the thrills.The unreliable narrator keeps you constantly on edge, questioning everything you read.The climax is satisfying and resolves the story in a way that feels both logical and emotionally impactful.I hope this review is helpful!
Lucy Appadoo –
I enjoyed this story about Mille, a housemaid who struggles to find work due to her criminal record.Millie meets Nina who hires her as a housemaid, but instantly she struggles with her new employer’s changing moods. She knows more is going on in the household; all the while falling for Nina’s husband, Andrew but not getting along with his daughter, Cecilia.Millie meets Enzo, the family’s gardener who acts strangely and warns her about the family, telling her to be careful and that more is going on. She is confused and dislikes Nina who treats her badly, finding a way to resolve the strange incidences.What I loved about this story was the action-filled drama, suspense, twists and turns, and brilliant, deep characters. I so recommend this first book in this series. Loved it.
Kris –
Un suspense très prenant avec beaucoup de coups de théâtre qui changent totalement l’optique de l’histoire. Sur la fin, cela devient assez grandguignolesque et pas très crédible mais cela n’ôte en rien l’intérêt du récit et l’on a hâte de savoir comment Millie (the housemaid) va se sortir d’affaire.Je vais lire le tome suivant en espérant qu’il sera à la hauteur de celui-ci.
Kindleのお客様 –
English is a second language for me.However, once you start, you can’t stop flipping pages. I was so engrossed on my commuter train I missed my station more than several times.Can’t help wishing Millie just a peaceful quiet life.
Amazon Customer –
A brilliant read ! Couldn’t put it down, twists and turns that had me desperate to know the outcome. Freida McFadden can certainly tell a story. The first of her books i have read, about to download the next.
Isabell Homfeld –
I don’t usually read much thrillers, but I wanted to diversify my reading and broaden my horizons. Recently, I was stuck in a reading slump and struggled to focus on any book. I knew I needed something fresh and gripping to break the cycle, and that’s exactly what The Housemaid gave me—it completely blew my mind.The story follows Millie, who finds herself working as a live-in maid for the wealthy Winchester family. At first, things seem almost too good to be true, but she quickly discovers that the glamorous life she imagined comes with some dark, unsettling secrets. The Winchesters’ luxurious house and lavish lifestyle seem like a dream at first, but Millie quickly senses that something is very wrong beneath the surface. Nina Winchester, the wife, behaves erratically and veers from friendly to hostile in an instant. Andrew Winchester, her husband, seems kind, but his quiet nature only adds to the mystery. Their young daughter is cold and unsettling. And to top it off, the bedroom they’ve given Millie is a small, windowless attic room that locks from the outside—a subtle, eerie detail that makes her question her decision to stay.The Housemaid is an intense, page-turning thriller that had me hooked from the start!Millie is a relatable, if slightly flawed, protagonist who feels real and sympathetic. Her desperation to keep this job, even when things begin to spiral, is believable. McFadden does a good job of portraying Millie’s inner conflict as she balances her need for stability with her growing fear that something sinister is lurking in the Winchester household. Nina Winchester, on the other hand, is a fascinating character in her own right. She’s erratic, manipulative, and unsettling, with a carefully constructed persona that hints at a complex backstory. Her volatile personality and mind games keep Millie—and the reader—on edge.McFadden’s writing style is gripping and addictiv. She does a great job building suspense and tension. She crafts short, punchy chapters, which makes it so tempting to say, “just one more chapter.” I loved how the plot gradually unraveled with shocking revelations and how it keept me on the edge of your seat with its clever twists, sharp suspense. It’s a book that takes a seemingly simple setup—a young, desperate woman getting a job as a live-in housemaid—and turns it into a riveting, unpredictable journey full of secrets and mind games.HighlightsOne of the best things about The Housemaid is the way McFadden uses twists to keep readers guessing. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the plot takes another unexpected turn. Some twists are more predictable than others, but they’re executed with enough skill to keep the suspense high. The story doesn’t rely on shock value alone; instead, it’s the carefully constructed layers of deceit and manipulation that make each twist impactful. Without giving anything away, McFadden builds up to a surprising climax that satisfies, even if it raises a few questions.If you love twisty, fast-paced thrillers with complex characters and a chilling atmosphere, The Housemaid is well worth picking up.