The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

BOOK REVIEW

Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid is a psychological thriller that wastes no time pulling the reader into a chilling, claustrophobic domestic drama.

It is a about to become a movie starring Amanda Siegfried and Sydney Sweeney.

It is the kind of book you think you will just sample before bed, only to find yourself compulsively turning the pages long into the night.

It has unreliable characters, and simmering tension and delivers exactly what thriller fans crave with twists you do not see coming and a protagonist you cannot quite figure out.

The story is told from the perspective of Millie, a young woman down on her luck who accepts a live-in housekeeping job for the wealthy Winchester family.

On paper, it seems like salvation with a steady income, a roof over her head, and a chance to start afresh.

But the moment she steps into their opulent home, she senses something is very wrong.

Nina Winchester, the glamorous yet unstable lady of the house, swings between charm and cruelty.

Her husband, Andrew, is distant but oddly sympathetic.

Their young daughter, Cecelia, is spoiled and difficult, but also strangely perceptive.

Millie quickly finds herself entangled in the family’s secrets while trying to keep her own dark past hidden.

What makes The Housemaid so gripping is McFadden’s skill at keeping the reader off balance.

The characters appear sympathetic and suddenly reveal darker sides, while those who seem menacing at first become more complex as the layers are peeled back.

McFadden structures the book in a way that steadily ramps up tension as little incidents of manipulation, lies, and gaslighting accumulate until Millie is backed into a psychological corner.

The sense of entrapment is palpable, and it mirrors Millie’s own precarious circumstances: she needs this job desperately, even as it becomes increasingly dangerous.

Thematically, the novel explores power, privilege, and deception.

The Winchesters’ wealth allows them to manipulate appearances and control those around them, while Millie, coming from a disadvantaged background, must play along to survive.

There is a sharp critique here of how easily class divides can be exploited, especially within the supposedly “safe” walls of domestic life.

Another strength is the voice of Millie herself.

She is not a passive victim and her wit and resilience shine through, with her narration often having a biting edge of dark humour.

The final act is where McFadden really tightens the screws and the climax is both shocking and satisfying.

The Housemaid is a sharp, fast-paced thriller that balances psychological suspense with just enough melodrama to keep it entertaining.

It is not a subtle novel, but that is exactly why it works.

Julie Chessman