Originally published on 4/9/26
The real woman behind the New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden has been revealed, and it’s causing quite a stir on the internet. Not only does she have an entirely different name—spoiler: it’s Sara Cohen—but it turns out that she’s actually a brain doctor who has treated thousands of patients.
“My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was (ready to) step back from my doctor job, so it wouldn’t be like everyone I work with suddenly knew and it compromised my ability to do my job,” McFadden told USA Today earlier this week. “I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don’t have anything to hide.”
To celebrate McFadden, who has written 30 thrilling page-turners, we have rounded up her 10 best books. Read on for our list!
‘The Housemaid’
Over the course of her career, McFadden has sold 2 million copies of her Housemaid series—which includes The Housemaid (2022), The Housemaid’s Secret (2023), The Housemaid Is Watching (2024) and novella The Housemaid’s Wedding. In the first book, The Housemaid, Millie is hired as a maid for the Winchesters. She cleans, cooks and imagines what it would be like to live like the wealthy family—but something feels terribly wrong with Mrs. Winchester. Then, one day Mrs. Winchester finds out that Millie tried on one of her dresses and locks Millie in the attic bedroom as punishment, leading to a startling chain of events with a jaw-dropping twist.
What readers are saying: “This book was so much fun to read! The twists and turns were the best things I’ve read in years, and I love how each character made me feel like I was living in their world. If you are a psychological/thriller fan, I highly recommend reading this book.”
‘Never Lie’
McFadden’s 2023 thriller follows newlyweds Tricia and Ethan as they search for the house of their dreams. When they stumble upon a manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who vanished without a trace, they think they’ve found it. But after moving in, a storm traps them inside, causing Tricia to find a series of cassette tapes filled with recordings of past patients. With each tape, Tricia learns more and more about Dr. Hale’s disappearance, and her house. A thrilling tale that’s even better on audio.
What readers are saying: “This book is fast, twisty and completely addictive. The tension keeps building, the clues keep shifting and every time you think you’re one step ahead, the story pulls the rug out from under you. I genuinely could not put it down, and the reveals had me sitting there staring at the wall afterward.”
‘The Inmate’
In this shocking 2024 novel, nurse practitioner Brooke Sullivan takes a job at a maximum-security prison. One of the main rules? Never become friendly with the inmates. The only issue? Brooke has a complicated past with Shane Nelson, a murderer who was convicted after Brooke’s testimony. But Shane knows who Brooke is and he will never forgive her for sending him to prison. What follows is a must-read-to-believe twist that no reader will see coming.
What readers are saying: “I absolutely loved this book. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, I was completely wrong. The twists kept coming and genuinely surprised me, which is rare for psychological thrillers. The pacing was fast, the tension kept building, and the story pulled me in from start to finish. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who loves suspenseful, twist-filled reads that keep you guessing until the very end…. the VERY END.”
‘Ward D’
This creepy 2025 crime novel by McFadden has it all. Ward D is the hospital’s mental health unit, and as a medical student, Amy must spend time on the floor to graduate. But little do Amy’s colleagues know that going back to Ward D might force her to confront a past she has tried so hard to forget. And to make matters worse, soon after her arrival, patients and staff start to vanish. Can Amy make it out alive? Only time will tell.
What readers are saying: “Ward D by Freida McFadden is a gripping psychological thriller that pulls you in from the very first page and refuses to let go. Set within the eerie confines of a locked psychiatric ward, the novel masterfully blends suspense, mystery and emotional depth into a story that constantly keeps you guessing.”
‘The Teacher’
This page-turning tale follows Eve, a schoolteacher who seems to have it all. She starts each day with a kiss from her husband, Nate, then heads off to Caseham High to teach math. All is as it should be…except last year, a student/teacher affair rocked the entire school and everyone is still feeling the aftermath. The student at the center of it all is Addie. Everyone says she’s a liar who destroys lives, but is that actually true? This twisted story of secrets and revenge will keep you turning pages late into the night!
What readers are saying: “The Teacher is a phenomenal read that showcases Freida McFadden’s talent for crafting psychological thrillers. The ending is jaw-dropping, and the entire book is a testament to her skill in creating unforgettable narratives. If you’re a fan of thrillers, this book should be at the top of your reading list.”
‘The Boyfriend’
This 2024 thriller follows Sydney Shaw, who has a bad dating history—but she finally hits the jackpot with her new boyfriend. He’s charming, handsome and a doctor. But when a string of deaths down the coast points to a mystery man who strategically dates his victims before he kills them, Sydney grows suspicious. Is her dream man actually her worst nightmare?
What readers are saying: “Freida McFadden has once again proven why she is the reigning Queen of Psychological Thrillers! As someone who has devoured all of her books, I can confidently say that The Boyfriend is her most gripping and twisted story yet. Just when I thought she couldn’t possibly outdo herself, this book completely floored me with its suspense, tension and mind-bending twists.”
‘The Perfect Son’
Want something that’s going to keep you reading long into the night? Then pick up The Perfect Son. The plot follows Erika Cass, who has a seemingly perfect family and a perfect life. But when the police show up at her house one day asking questions about a missing high school girl who was last seen with Erika’s son Liam, things take a turn. Can Erika prove her son’s innocence or will the evidence against him convince her that there’s a dark side to her so-called “perfect” son? A mind-bending tale that is perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult’s Mad Honey.
What readers are saying: “I absolutely loved this book! Fast-paced, with twists and turns that kept me wanting to read more. Just when I thought I knew who the killer was … I almost jumped out of my seat as I yelled at the words on the page ‘no way!’ An absolute must-read in my opinion! Out of the 13 Frieda McFadden books I have read I would add this one to my top five!”
‘Do Not Disturb’
McFadden’s 2025 thriller follows Quinn Alexander after she commits an unthinkable crime. To avoid prison, she goes on the run. But when a snowstorm forces her to take refuge at the isolated Baxter Motel, owned by the handsome Nick Baxter—who might just have secrets of his own. And if that weren’t enough, Nick’s ailing wife is always watching from the window across the street. Can Quinn escape in time?
What readers are saying: “Another fast-paced page turner by Freida McFadden. This one starts out one way and ends in a total other way. Hang on to your seat as you weather a murder, snowstorm, scary hotel stay, fortune teller and running from the police in this story that will make you rethink what you’ve already read.”
‘Dear Debbie’
Newspaper columnist Debbie Mullen has advised women with relationship problems—including infidelity—for years. Then she loses her job and learns that her husband and teenage daughters are keeping secrets. Can Debbie take her own advice and find out what’s really going on? A twisted tale that will leave readers speechless.
What readers are saying: “I can’t help but love Debbie. Sure, she’s a bit secretive, unpredictable, vengeful and dangerous, but she’s the best wife and mother around. I love the fact that she’s an advice columnist. It’s a twisted take on Dear Abby!”
‘The Intruder’
Chaos, crime and craziness abound in The Intruder, which follows Casey as she braces for a hurricane to hit her remote cabin in the woods. Even more unsettling than the weather is the little girl standing outside her window…covered in blood and holding a knife. Casey invites the girl in and then makes a shocking discovery. What follows is a perfect blend of suspense and secrets.
What readers are saying: “If you like psychological thrillers with twists, unreliable characters, and a story that keeps you guessing, this is definitely worth picking up. It’s the kind of book that’s easy to finish in a day because you’ll want to know what happens next.”
Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/books/the-best-freida-mcfadden-books
Carissa Mosness 