I started 2025 reading two psychological thriller books: Freida McFaddens’ The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secrets. If you love psychological thrillers packed with jaw-dropping twists, then these books should be on your must-read thrillers list. Ask me to describe it in one word and I’d say gripping. It’s a rollercoaster of suspense, deception, and deeply buried secrets that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

The Housemaid: A Dark and Addictive Thriller

The first book, The Housemaid, introduces us to Millie. She’s a young woman desperate for a fresh start. When she lands a job as live-in housemaid for the affluent Winchester family, she thinks she finally caught a break. But as she settles into their luxurious home, things quickly turn sinister.

Her employer, Nina, whom she admired at first, looking flawless and seemingly put together in her all-white clothes, starts to become unhinged. When I was reading it, the term gaslighting came to mind. It was the best way to describe Nina’s behavior towards her. And then things take on a more interesting turn when Millie gets warned about being in danger.

And just when I thought I had things figured out, she throws in a mind-blowing twist that changes everything. The shocking revelation reminded me of Verity. I loved Millie in this book. McFadden wrote a heroine that’s enderaring and bad ass at the same time. And I love how the villain in this book got their just deserts with Millie serving them so deliciously.

The Housemaid’s Secret: A Worthy Sequel with Even More Suspense

I truly thought The Housemaid was an exciting read, so I couldn’t wait to start reading the sequel, The Housemaid’s Secret. In this book, Millie now works for another wealthy couple, The Garricks. Here she encounters Wendy Garrick, a woman trapped in her own home, seemingly too ill to leave. she believes she’s learned from her past mistakes—until she encounters Nina Garrick, a woman trapped in her own home, supposedly too ill to leave. Millie thinks she needed to help this housewife who’s in trouble just as she’s helped others before her.

I thought this story was going to take the same road as The Housemaid which would have been a let down. But this was not like other sequels that struggle to live up to their predecessors. McFadden successfully keeps the momentum going. The twists are just as shocking and with a great ending to the story.

Final Thoughts: Are They Worth Adding to Your Must-Read Thriller List?

Absolutely! Both books are fast-paced, filled with unexpected turns, and have the kind of unreliable narrators that make psychological thrillers so addicting. McFadden’s writing style is simple yet effective, keeping the suspense high without unnecessary filler. If you’re looking for binge-worthy, must-read thrillers, The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret will not disappoint

These books are so good that Hollywood has come calling. The Housemaid is getting a film adaptation! I can’t wait to see the story come alive on the big screen!

Have you read these books? What did you think of the twists? Let’s discuss in the comments! And if you like thrillers just like I do, I’ve got some other book recommendations, such as The Silent Patient and The President’s Missing.