The Housemaid Is Watching

I love all of Freida McFadden’s books. The housemaid books are the right amount of suspense and thrill. Keeps you on the edge of your seat and you can’t put the book down. I recommend this book to my friends.

There’s a line in the book, told with a wink, about how a third novel in a series is never as good as the first two. Not true in this case. This was just as good as the other Housemaid novels. For background on Millie and Enzo, it definitely helps if you’ve read the first two novels. This one is set a decade later, in which Millie has 2 children, and is no longer a Housemaid. She’s a social worker, which - though maybe a bit unrealistic given her prior years in prison- is a perfect job based on her willingness to help other women in need. The first half of the book is somehow both fast-paced, and also a slowish burn. I felt there was some repetitiveness in Millie’s thoughts about Enzo’s secrets, especially his possible infidelity. It’s exciting to read, but just when you think the plot’s going to really move, the author pulls back, and it only inches forward. Normally building this type of suspense is great, but I think the author did it a few too many times. The other thing I found a bit puzzling was the hesitation between Millie and Enzo to communicate with each other about what they were separately doing. If you’ve read the other 2 books you know that, both separately and together, Millie and Enzo have done a number of criminal things (even though they were done to protect themselves, or others). Their unwillingness to truthfully communicate - mostly from Enzo’s side - after having gone through so much together, felt a little out of character. Those two areas are why I gave this book a 4 instead of a 5. Otherwise, this book was terrific. An attentive reader might guess some things, but would be unlikely to figure it all out. As the book progresses, the pages fly by. You can’t stop reading. Millie is, and always has been, a very likable and sympathetic character. Enzo is more of a mystery, but also very likable (and apparently VERY hot, which contributes to driving the plot). And Millie’s 2 very different children, Nico and Ada, are written realistically, with the mix of doubt and happiness that children aged 11 and 9 normally have. If you’ve read and liked the previous Housemaid books, you’ll like this one. If you haven’t, go back to read the first 2, and then come back to this one.

SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW If you make it that far in the book, that seems to be some foreshadowing that this one is not on par with the rest of the series or McFadden's other books. I usually enjoy her books as a fast, entertaining read with 2 (or more!) sides to every story and an interesting twist at the end that at least I don't often see coming. This book was slower getting started and never really gained speed. There was a LOT left unexplained and at the end, even the plot twist was a big "ummm, what??" moment. So we are to believe Nico was horribly traumatized because he had to play with toys in a room? So traumatized that he started beating up other kids, flushing pet insects, not eating and acting up? I thought maybe this was not so stated pedophelia but TBH, the vagueness took away from the credibility. And he’s so traumatized that his sister felt compelled to stab the person doing this? And then other references (ok, maybe 2) to what a horrible person Jonathan was but no previous evidence? The no details about the other kid who went missing 3 years ago but nothing until all of a sudden there’s a boy in the neighborhood? The weird Martha stuff all throughout... The weird 11 year old boys stuff in Ada's part? There really were far too many odd little tangents that didn’t line up, make sense, or get resolved. I dunno, this one just didn't work for me. I finished it but it all left me scratching my head because it just didn't make much sense.

Let me just start with: THIS BOOK. Wow. The Housemaid Is Watching grabbed me from the start and didn’t let go until the final twist—and even then, I’m still thinking about it. From the very beginning, I was suspicious of everyone: Enzo being way too friendly with the new maid and acting shady, Suzette constantly stirring drama, and Scarlett who had me screaming “kill her already” more than once. I had feelings about these people—and let me tell you, some of those feelings were very justified. Millie’s role in the household really shifted throughout the story. She started off just trying to live a peaceful life with her family, but jealousy, protectiveness, and straight-up survival mode kicked in quick. Her instincts were going off like sirens, and mine were too. The secret room reveal? Jaw. On. The. Floor. I KNEW something bigger was going on. And Ada? My heart broke for her more with each chapter. Speaking of Ada—when that final reveal came? That she stabbed Jonathan because he was a child abuser?? That scene hit like a freight train. I was shocked, emotional, and furious all at once. And just when I thought I had it figured out, BAM—Martha the housemaid swoops in and finishes the job. Talk about an unexpected hero. I was not ready for sweet little Martha to go full avenging angel with the knife slice, but I was clapping when it happened. Freida McFadden absolutely knows how to keep a reader on edge. Every chapter had a hint, an Easter egg, or some little line that made you pause and wonder if it would come back later—and it usually did. The pacing was fast and the suspense just kept building. Every time I thought I had a handle on things, another twist hit. I loved how the kids, Ada and Niko, were woven into the mystery—especially their reaction to Scarlett and their own hidden trauma. And let’s not forget Janice the nosy neighbor! I didn’t pay her much attention at first, but she ended up playing a huge role too. No one in this book was just a background character. In the end, I was rooting for Millie, Enzo, Ada, and Niko to get their peace—and they did. It wasn’t pretty getting there, but justice was served, secrets were unearthed, and I closed the book feeling totally satisfied. Highly recommend this to anyone who loves domestic thrillers, unreliable characters, twisty secrets, and a woman who finally says enough is enough.

** spoiler alert ** Like the first two books in the series, this was a quick, enjoyable read. But I definitely have some critiques! The discrepancy between Ada's POV and how Jonathan actually died had me thinking it was an egregious editing error, and I was really frustrated for a bit. Then we learn the truth about his murder...OK cool, so not an inconsistency. But Millie and Enzo didn't seriously question that?? When Ada finally told the truth, it wouldn't have made sense for her to leave that part out if she was the one who slit his throat since she already assumed that she had killed him. Millie actually saw the body seconds after, and she didn't probe her daughter with more questions?? This really bothered me. And then Suzanne. OK, she was admittedly a crappy person and should've reported her husband to the police once she discovered his secrets. But the options that Ramirez gave to her were awful and definitely an injustice to the justice system. Not saying that Jonathan didn't have it coming...but that left either his true murderer not going to trial, or the little boy's family never finding out what happened to him. And I'm not trying to cast Jonathan in a better light, but based on what we know, it's not clear that he was a pervert. A child killer, yes. And how he manipulated Nico was definitely weird and inappropriate. But otherwise, it wasn't really clear what was happening there. He was watching Nico on camera...OK, and? I guess his perversions are supposed to be implied, but that was super vague. Nico was obviously going through some serious stuff, and his parents barely attempted to address any of his behavior. Granted, there was a lot going on with their lives, but why would he drastically change right after he starts helping the Lowells at their house? Come on, huge red flag! I'd probably round up from a 3.5 because these things just weren't in line with reality.

Frieda McFadden has done it again with *The Housemaid’s Watching*, the latest addition to her gripping psychological thriller series. If you're a fan of twists that leave you breathless, this book will hit you like a freight train—and the endings of the series as a whole? Insane. In the best way possible. McFadden’s mastery of suspense is in full force here; every page pulls you deeper into the intricate plot, leaving you second-guessing everyone’s motives and wondering where the truth truly lies. The pace is relentless—once you start, you won’t want to put it down. But let’s talk about the ending—McFadden saves the best for last. The conclusion will hit you with such force that you’ll find yourself re-reading it in disbelief. Every twist ties together in the most satisfying, jaw-dropping way. It's the kind of ending that’s so unexpected yet completely earned, leaving readers stunned and satisfied. For those who have followed the series from the start, it's a thrilling crescendo that wraps everything up with heart-pounding intensity and a gut-punching final twist that will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about the characters and their motives. If you’re in the mood for a dark, twist-laden thriller with a finale that will leave your head spinning, *The Housemaid’s Watching* (and the entire housemaid series) is a must-read. McFadden has once again proven that she is a master of suspense, and the insane endings in this series solidify her as one of the top names in the genre.

GREAT book from a fantastic author. Side plug... see the movie too!! These books are always an enjoyable read

Review of The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ How many dark and twisted people can one person meet in a lifetime?! Poor Millie just can’t catch a break - every corner she turns, there’s another secret, another manipulative mind, another moral mess. Just as I was starting to get a little tired of Millie’s choices, Freida McFadden pulled me right back in with the introduction of Ada and Nico. I loved the addition of the kids and how their presence gave the story a fresh, eerie edge that tied perfectly into the series. Like the first two books, this one is fast-paced and full of red herrings that kept me flipping pages long past bedtime. Every time I thought I had things figured out, I was proven wrong - though I did call the ending early on (and still enjoyed watching it all unfold). So many morally gray characters, so much tension, and a finale that truly wraps up the chaos in classic McFadden style. What a twisted, satisfying conclusion to an addictive series!