Review: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller that quickly pulls you in and keeps the tension simmering. The story grabs your attention right away with Millie, who is broke and living in her car when she lands the chance to work as a housemaid for an affluent family. The job promises a good paycheck, but there’s a catch: her employer, Nina, proves to be increasingly volatile. With no better options, Millie accepts the position and does her best to keep her head down.

As the days go by, Nina’s behavior grows more erratic, and Millie finds herself caught between serving her unpredictable boss and being drawn to Nina’s husband, a handsome and wealthy man. From early on, I suspected there was more to him than what appeared, which gave every interaction a sense of unease. That hunch kept me alert, and when the twist finally arrived it felt less like a surprise and more like a confirmation of the tension that had been building. Even so, the way the reveal was handled carried enough weight to keep me invested and satisfied.

This shift gives the whole story a sharper edge. Instead of breaking the suspense, the twist deepens it, shifting my sympathies and suddenly making me root for both Nina and Millie, which isn’t where I expected to end up. The backstory adds just enough weight for you to cheer when retribution finally arrives, even though the details of that ending aren’t as fleshed out as they could have been. Despite that, the ride getting there was worth it. The audiobook had a good pace, made for easy listening, and delivered the same sort of quick, addictive enjoyment I got from reading The Crash earlier this year.

Overall, The Housemaid may not be a perfect thriller, but it’s an engaging and easy listen with enough suspense to keep you interested. The narration works well for the story, even if the plot itself feels fairly familiar. For me, it landed closer to an enjoyable but not exceptional experience, around a 3.5/5.