The Housemaid / The Housemaid's Secret

The Housemaid #1-2

by Freida McFadden

The Housemaid

“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…

The Housemaid's Secret

“Don’t go in the guest bedroom.” A shadow falls on Douglas Garrick’s face as he touches the door with his fingertips. “My wife... she’s very ill.” As he continues showing me their incredible penthouse apartment, I have a terrible feeling about the woman behind closed doors. But I can’t risk losing this job—not if I want to keep my darkest secret safe...

It’s hard to find an employer who doesn’t ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want.

It’s almost perfect. But I still haven’t met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I’m sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I’m doing laundry. And one day I can’t help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything...

That’s when I make a promise. After all, I’ve done this before. I can protect Mrs. Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe.

Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It’s simply a question of how far I’m willing to go...

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

688 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

#1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She lives with her family and possessed cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.

Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!

Reviews

[tyzyfoneczyta · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, podobała mi się bardziej, niż pierwsza część, a ta już była świetna. Ciekawe, co będzie w trzeciej

[Melanie Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread the house made for a second time since the movie comes out soon and it still didn’t disappoint even though I knew what was gonna happen. It was still quick easy read again and helped me remember all the details.

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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…

My Thoughts: The journey with The Housemaid kept me turning pages rapidly. Back and forth we go, trying to figure out the secrets that will keep the characters on their toes.

I thought my favorite was Millie, but then the story flips and we learn more about Nina. Nothing is quite what it seems.

Will Nina turn out to be a character we enjoy, too?

By the end, all is sorted. 5 stars.

[Ellin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book that I read in oro valley. They were fun and went quickly. Again another twist of people pretending and doing evil, yet it is written in such a way that you are believing everything until it unravels at the end.
Wife appeared to be being beaten and starved by the rich husband and the maid, millie wanted to help her. She was treated oddly by the husband with super specific grocery requests, cleaning and staying away from Wendy, his wife.
All is well in the end after Millie thinks she has killed the husband. Wendy had another man, her lover, step in and act as her husband and makeup was the trick to show she was beaten.

[Hema Segaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely, one of the best psychological thrillers ever. I love how interesting each character is. Once you feel like you know a character, BOOM something unexpected happens. I couldn’t put the book down. I cannot wait for book 3 to be released! I have already pre-ordered it and ordered 4 more of her books all in the same category of psychological thrillers. Frieda is absolutely my favorite authors this year! Bravo! 10/10 recommendations from me.

[Rylynn Jaspersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series!!! The first one had me pulled in. I could not put it down. I thought the second one wouldn’t be as enjoyable and I was definitely wrong. I enjoy a good mystery on occasion, but I don’t like one where the murderer is going around the whole time and you’re fearing for everyone’s life. This was not like that it was a slow burn in the best way and not easy to predict. 10/10 recommend!

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok! Let’s go.! This book was the first ever that kept me awake. Once I started reading , I could not put it down. I love that there’re no fancy words, old English words that you needed to have a dictionary. It was clear and the surprise kept coming. I can’t wait to start ready the 3rd & 4th. If a 100 ⭐️ was an option I would put it. I will not say to much to give it away. If you haven’t read it as yet, go now. Enjoy the read!!

[Jennifer Acosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing !! I loved everything from start to finish ! I loved that in the end there was a camera which saved Millie from being the suspect and I also loved that she ended up with Enzo because he was always very good to her ! I think that wendy got what she deserved and I loved that the police wanted to be Millie’s reference for when something happens again !

[Shandi Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally. If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. It is SO good. Not what you expect to happen at all. It has so many twists and turns. You’ll be on the edge of your seat reading it and you won’t be able to put it down!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Great book. Being a housemaid isn't an easy task but working with someone who seems to have a dual personality makes it even more difficult. All seems perfect for a while until things start to sour drastically. McFadden always keeps you guessing and always a great ending.

[Mary Kamrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both books are so intriguing that I did not want to stop reading until the end. The third book in the series looks equally as interesting. Freida McFadden always writes books that draw the reader in immediately.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

So the 1st book took me 2 business days to read. It’s good but I wouldn’t say it’s great, out of this world. I will admit it definitely threw me off guard when I got to Nina’s Part 2. I did enjoy it.

Will I continue the series? -No.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were fabulous!! I was hooked right from the start of the first book! As soon as I was finished with that one I went right into the 2nd book. I would highly recommend reading this book series!!

[Betsy Suits · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a fun modern mystery with a twist, this is it! The story is told by a young New Yorker who works for a crazy rich family and I mean crazy! It's entertaining and the will keep you turning the pages. It would make a good movie.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freida McFadden has hit a winner with this Houshmand's series. Books #1 and #2 do not disappoint. If you like an unusual twist to your novels, Freida is the author for you! What a way to begin a new year!!!

[Cheryl Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

no spoilers here.
Just another great read by McFadden. twist after twist.

personally I think The housemaids Secreat is much better than the First book.

Great to see the development of key characters from the first book too.

im fast becoming a McFadden fan.

[Kim Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Housemaid Series. As I read I kept wanting to know more. It was not easy choosing when to stop reading and save it for the next day. I wish Freida would continue with Millie’s character in future books. Great book with twists and unexpected turns.

[Dani T · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD I LOVE THRILLERS

[Aubrey Bowser · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn’t bad just not a lot.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. I read it so quick because I couldn't put it down!!!

[Yamilet G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a good one with a plot twist.

[Addiii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this book. You never really knew what was about to happen. My jaw-dropped in so many parts of it It was crazy. Absolutely awesome!!!

[Sophia Mains · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. I like Millie. Wish the story line was a bit more complex but good.

[lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love me some Housemaid and Freida!

[Sarah Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freida McFadden really outdid herself writing these books. I honestly wish I could read these books for the first time again.

[Bhumika Tandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am obsessed with Millie's dangerous encounters :D
Can't wait for release of the 3rd book !

[Nichole Maehrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

You think you know…..but in all reality you don’t. The way I thought I knew what was going to come next and it happened completely opposite.

[Kelly Latta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved these books! Great twists and turns

[Marieke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prenant jusqu'à la dernière page.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the first one for sure, second was ok ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌸