Is The Housemaid by Freida McFadden Worth the Hype?

GENRE: Adult Thriller

LENGTH: 336 pages

PLOT

Fresh out of a decade in prison, Millie takes a job working as a housemaid for the wealthy Winchester family. There’s Nina, the housewife, Andrew, the businessman husband, and their bratty daughter Cecelia. Shortly after she arrives, sinister events begin to ensue.

CHARACTERS

Almost all of the characters in this novel were insufferable. The sole exception is the groundskeeper, Enzo. He is the only one who has solid morals and is selfless.

            We learn early on that Millie was in prison for a long time, but it isn’t until very late into

the novel that we learn the reason why. I liked this because it added to the mystery and made her character more intriguing. I kept wondering if her crime would come into play in the plot. Outside of that, I really didn’t like her. She is constantly thinking cruel things about Nina’s mental health and physical appearance. It’s all too common for characters with mental illness in thrillers to be villainized and I’m tired of it. Also, Millie (and by default Freida) doesn’t have to find plus-sized people attractive, but there’s no need to be so insulting about it or to repeat it with such frequency.

Nina spends a lot of the novel gaslighting Millie. She has constant mood swings. I don’t think this book has all that much tense, anxious atmosphere I personally like in my thrillers. However, Nina’s behavior did keep me a little on edge as you never knew when she’d lash out next. I had a little sympathy for Millie in these circumstances even if I didn’t like her.

Andrew is written as the charming husband and father who is always coming to Millie’s rescue when Nina is on the attack. He’s overly perfect and Millie develops romantic notions about him early on.

I thought Cecelia would be written to be a creepy child like I’ve seen in some thrillers before. Instead, she was simply a bit of a thorn in Millie’s side due to her spoiled attitude.

WRITING

The novel is told in three parts. Part one is from Millie’s perspective, part two is from Nina’s perspective, and part three is told from both Millie and Nina’s perspectives. They are all told in first person.

The writing of this novel was okay. I wasn’t blown away, but there isn’t anything wrong with it, per se. As I mentioned above, I love atmospheric thrillers. This one didn’t capture the dark, sinister tones I think it was going for. The actual plot is so incredibly predictable. I didn’t feel clever figuring out the plot ‘twists’ ahead of time, because this is the most obvious twist I’ve ever read in a thriller.

The way the conflict is resolved was somewhat satisfactory. However, it is also wrapped up too neatly in my opinion.

IS IT WORTH THE HYPE?

I am genuinely baffled by how this book has millions of fans. I don’t say that to be mean, I just really don’t get the appeal from the lack of atmosphere to the blatant twist. The only person I’d recommend this to someone who is brand new to the thriller genre. So, no, I don’t think this book is worth the hype.

McFadden has another book whose synopsis piqued my interest – Do Not Disturb, which is about a woman who kills her husband, goes on the run, and ends up at an isolated motel where she must survive the night. It sounds like it will be a lot more atmospheric and up my alley than The Housemaid. So, in spite of being unimpressed by McFadden’s writing, I am still going to give her a second chance.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Drugging, child abuse, spousal abuse, captivity, infertility, suicide, sexual assault

FINAL RATING: 2⭐️