Bestselling author Freida McFadden is no stranger to writing superb thrillers with a compelling mystery and intriguing characters at the center. Her work was chosen as one of Amazon Editors’ best books of the year and she is a Goodreads Choice Award winner.
Most fans will know her from her steller The Housemaid series, of which the first two instalments immediately became bestsellers and firm favorites of mystery lovers worldwide. Her third instalment, The Housemaid is Watching, however, does not share the first two books’ depth of plot or compelling mystery.
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MCFADDEN’S USUAL PLOT BRILLIANCE FAILS TO SHINE IN THIRD ‘THE HOUSEMAID’ INSTALMENT
McFadden has built up a solid fanbase and stellar reputation in the book world as a fast-paced thriller writer with smart twists and turns in her stories which keep readers hooked. Her writing is known for its well-thought-out plots and intriguing characters. Sadly, these qualities are missing from her third instalment in her The Housemaid Series, called The Housemaid is Watching.
MYSTERY AND WRITING STYLE ULTIMATELY LET DOWN NOVEL
I had two main issues with this novel: the writing style and the mystery. The Housemaid is Watching is let down by repetitive and surface-level descriptions. Readers who did not pick up any of the previous novels in this series, will find the characters a bit bland if you don’t know their backstories. They are not described in great detail and what we do know about them is repeated over and over again.
My second issue with the novel was the mystery. The crux of a compelling mystery, I believe, lies in the twists. If a ready can see a twist coming a mile away, it takes away from your enjoyment. In The Housemaid is Watching, the main twist is hinted at so frequently and so obviously, that when the big reveal came, it was not an ah-hah moment but an oh okay moment. Maybe if readers could not figure out the final twist from so early on, it would have been a more satisfying reveal.
But here are some things about the novel, that I did enjoy. It was nice to see our returning characters, Millie and Enzo. I love the way McFadden describes their relationship, and it is unique to see their character development in their relationship dynamics. The novel is also very easy and quick to read making this a perfect weekend or poolside book to fly through.
‘THE HOUSEMAID IS WATCHING’ SYNOPSIS
“You must be our new neighbors!” Mrs. Lowell gushes and waves across the picket fence. I clutch my daughter’s hand and smile back: but the second Mrs. Lowell sees my husband a strange expression crosses her face. In that moment I make a promise. Now we finally have a family home. My past is far, far behind us. And I’ll do anything to keep it that way.
I used to clean other people’s houses—now, I can’t believe this home is actually mine. The charming kitchen, the quiet cul-de-sac, the huge yard where my kids can play. My husband and I saved for years to give our children the life they deserve.
But things turn sour quickly in our perfect new life. I’m sure I see a shadowy figure watching us. My husband leaves the house late at night. And when I meet a woman who lives across the way, her words chill me to the bone: Be careful of your neighbors.
Did I make a terrible mistake moving my family here?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
According to her website, bestselling author Freida McFadden is a physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. McFaddon’s work was selected as one of Amazon Editors’ best books of the year, she is the winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for best paperback, and she is a Goodreads Choice Award winner. Her novels have been translated into 40 languages.
McFaddon lives with her family and cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean.
The Housemaid is Watching is published by Sourcebooks, Inc and is available for purchase from Exclusive Books stores for R265.
