If, like me, you love psychological thrillers with shocking twists, dark secrets and lies with page-turning suspense, chances are you’ve come across Freida McFadden. Dubbed the “queen of plot twists,” McFadden has taken the thriller world by storm with her addictive writing style and ability to keep readers guessing until you get to the very last page.
Whether you’re already a Freida reader, new to her books or looking for the best reading order, this ultimate guide will walk you through her must-reads, series, and hidden gems.
Who is Freida McFadden?
Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury and an international bestselling author. Her medical background often inspires the dark, psychological depth of her novels. Known for fast-paced thrillers that can be devoured in a single sitting, she has a growing fan base of readers who eagerly anticipate every new release. As of writing this post she has 27 books in total out with a new one out later in 2025 and another in early 2026.
Where to Start with Freida McFadden
The Housemaid Series
The Housemaid is a breakout bestseller that put McFadden on many readers’ radar. Lots of Freida fans recommend starting with this series with its chilling atmosphere and shocking twists, The Housemaid (and its sequels) are perfect if you want to dive straight into the heart of her style.
Series order:
- The Housemaid
- The Housemaid’s Secret
- The Housemaids wedding (short story)
- The Housemaid Is Watching
Most of her thrillers are stand-alones and the first book I read was The Teacher. With her books I definitely recommend looking up any trigger warnings just in case. Popular stand-alones to start with are Never Lie, Ward D or The Locked Door.
As well as her thrillers some of her earlier books are comedies such as The Devil Wears Scrubs. She also has short stories which are worth mentioning, some like Death Row are only available on amazon kindle.
I've compiled a list of all of her books including her women's fiction/domestic suspense novels:
1. The Devil Wears Scrubs (2013)
3.. Suicide Med (also revised/same as Dead Med) (2014 / rev. 2024)
4. The Ex (2014)
5. Trust Me (2015)
6. The Boyfriend (2015)
7. Want to Know a Secret? (2016)
8. Never Lie (2017)
10. The Perfect Son (2019)
11. The Wife Upstairs (2020)
12. One by One (2020)
13. The Housemaid (2022)
14. Do You Remember? (2022)
15. The Coworker (2023)
16. The Locked Door (2023)
17. The Housemaid’s Secret (2023)
18. Ward D (2023)
19. The Teacher (2024)
20. Just Another Missing Person (2024)
21. The Daughter’s Dilemma (2024)
22. The Housemaid Is Watching (2024)
23. I Will Find You (2025)
24. The Inmate (2025)
25. The Crash (2025)
26. The Tenant (2025)
27. The Intruder (2025, upcoming October)
28. The Gift (novella, 2022)
29. The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie (satirical novella, 2024)
30. Death Row (novella, 2025)
31. Dear Debbie (2026)
What Makes Her Books So Addictive?
- Short chapters that keep you saying “just one more.”
- Unreliable narrators and morally grey characters.
- Twists you won’t see coming.
- Accessible writing style—perfect for both casual readers and seasoned thriller fans.
Ready to Start Reading?
Whether you binge The Housemaid trilogy or dip into her standalones, one thing’s for sure: once you start a Freida McFadden book, you won’t be able to put it down.
