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📚 Title: The Housemaid is Watching
✍️ Author: Freida McFadden
📅 Published: June 11, 2024
📚 Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Have you ever moved into a new house, ready to start fresh, only to realize… something feels off? Like the walls have secrets, and the air is just a little too thick with unsaid words? Well, buckle up, because that’s exactly what happens in The Housemaid is Watching, the third book in Freida McFadden’s Housemaid series.

Now, if you’re here, you’ve probably already read the first two books (and if you haven’t—go fix that immediately!). We first met Millie as a housemaid with a past, then saw her tangled in even more webbed-up chaos in the sequel. But this time, things are different. She’s married. With kids. And she’s trying to be normal. Trying. But, in true McFadden fashion, normalcy is a distant dream when your new home seems to be watching your every move.

The Good, the Twisty, and the “Hmm… That Was Predictable”

Let’s start with what works. The setup? Chef’s kiss. The transition from the second book to this one is smooth—Millie has built a new life, a new family, and yet, the universe refuses to give her a moment of peace. We’re thrown into a psychological minefield where things are just unsettling enough to keep you flipping pages past bedtime.

There are some deliciously unpredictable twists, the kind that make you whisper “No WAY” to yourself at 2 AM. And McFadden knows exactly how to keep her pacing snappy—there’s never a dull moment, even when the suspense leans more toward eerie than heart-pounding. You know something is wrong, but you’re not sure what… until it slaps you in the face.

But—and here’s where I get a little picky—this installment doesn’t quite nail the mystery aspect like its predecessors. Some plot points? A little too easy to see coming. And listen, I love a good psychological thriller that keeps me second-guessing, but there were moments where I found myself muttering, “Yeah, saw that one coming.” Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but if you’re craving mind-blowing twists, you might find yourself a tad underwhelmed.

The Real Hook: Domestic Thrillers & The Fear of “Perfect” Families

One thing McFadden does get right? That creeping anxiety about whether we ever really know the people closest to us. Family thrillers are having a moment right now—probably because, let’s be real, the idea of home isn’t as safe and secure as we like to pretend. Whether it’s the rise of true crime documentaries or viral stories about hidden cameras in Airbnbs (yikes), we’re all just a little obsessed with the idea that the biggest threats might not come from strangers, but from within our own walls.

Millie’s life may look put together, but it takes just a few cracks for everything to spiral. And that’s what makes The Housemaid is Watching still worth the ride, even if it doesn’t quite have the same “WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!” energy as Book 1 or 2.

Final Thoughts: Still a Fun Read, but Not McFadden’s Best

At the end of the day, I enjoyed this book. Maybe not loved it like I did the first two, but enjoyed it enough to recommend it—especially if you’re already invested in Millie’s journey. It’s a good thriller, just not a great one.

If you’re looking for something with jaw-dropping, head-spinning reveals, this one might leave you wanting more. But if you just need a solid, binge-worthy read that leans into creepy family drama, it still delivers.

So, what’s your take? Do you think thrillers about “perfect families gone wrong” are overdone, or do they still keep you hooked? Let’s chat in the comments!