A Masterclass in Suspense: The Housemaid Review
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 is the first book I’ve read by Freida McFadden, and I can honestly say, I’m not disappointed. This book had me jaw dropped, yelling at the characters, and questioning every twist and turn of the plot. I can almost guarantee that my neighbors thought I was watching a telenovela.
Characters: 5/10
The Housemaid is the very definition of a plot driven story. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. While the characters might not be the most complex or fully fleshed out, they serve their purpose well in moving the plot along at a nice pace.
Atmosphere: 7/10
Freida does an excellent job of creating a tense and gripping atmosphere throughout the book. There is always a sense of unease, and mystery. Being a hyper visual reader
Writing Style: 9/10
The writing style is clear and engaging making it easy for me to become absorbed in the story. The pacing is well-balanced, with just the right amount of detail and description to maintain interest without slowing down the plot. However, there are a few places in the book where it felt the dialogue was a bit repetitive.
Plot: 10/10
This plot is everything! The plot of The Housemaid is undoubtedly its strongest aspect. The story is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.
Intrigue: 10/10
I couldn’t stop flipping the pages! The intrigue factor is exceptionally high. It was nearly impossible for me to put it down.
Logic: 6/10
While the logic of the story may not always make sense, it does not significantly detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. Some plot points and character thoughts/actions require a suspension of disbelief, but the captivating narrative and strong writing allowed me to overlook this minor flaw.
Enjoyment: 10/10
This book is an incredible enjoyable read the kept me entertained from the beginning to the end. In combination of the gripping plot, engaging writing style, and high intrigue factor, this book is a page turner in the truest sense of the word.
Overall, The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is a thrilling and engaging read that offers a perfect blend of suspense, intrigue, and entertainment. Despite a few minor flaws, the books strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. I highly recommend this book for fans of psychological thrillers.
