The Housemaid (2022) & The Housemaid’s Secret (2023)

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (2022) 

Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Plot: Millie is hired by Nina Winchester to clean, cook, and help out with her daughter. Nina is demanding and her moods are erratic, only alleviated by the presence of her husband Andrew. Millie imagines how it would be to have Nina’s perfect life…and her perfect husband.

Analysis: Millie and Nina are both decently layered characters and their interactions will keep a reader on their toes. This book isn’t super high quality, but I enjoyed it well enough and it’s easy to read. I’d definitely call it a popcorn thriller. 

There’s some plot holes and the prose is nothing special, but the twists are fun and it kept my interest. (I also enjoyed the movie adaptation!)

The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden (2023)

Laura’s Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Plot: Millie is hunting for a job again when she stumbles into a housemaid position for the Garricks. The wealthy Garricks have a beautiful penthouse, but what about their marriage? Everything may not be as perfect as it seems.

Analysis: I think the first half of the book relies on the reader’s familiarity with the last book to carry the story. The new characters aren’t engaging and are pretty flat.

There is a twist about halfway through that does make the story more interesting, and it develops into an entertaining plot line. I still didn’t love most of the characters, so that leaves me with mixed feelings. This is an okay thriller but doesn’t live up to the first book. And I didn’t find it totally believable.