Self Publishing Titans
The Housemaid Is Watching
by Freida McFadden
Published
June 11, 2024
Pages
400 pages
Language
English
Publisher
Poisoned Pen Press
Available Formats & Prices
View on AmazonHardcover
$21.54
Paperback
$12.58
Audiobook
$0.00
Audio CD
Not found
About This Book
A twisting, pulse-pounding thriller from Freida McFadden, the New York Times bestselling author of The Housemaid and The Coworker "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. 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. Even though I'm wary of our new neighbor Mrs. Lowell, when she invites us over for dinner it's our chance to make friends.
Her maid opens the door wearing a white apron, her hair in a tight bun. I know exactly what it's like to be in her shoes. But her cold stare gives me chills… The Lowells' maid isn't the only strange thing on our street.
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? I thought I'd left my darkest secrets behind. But could this quiet suburban street be the most dangerous place of all?
From New York Times , USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Freida McFadden comes the next installment of the unbelievably twisty, tension-packed and globally bestselling Housemaid series. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone read: and once you start, it will have you up all night racing through the pages until the final explosive twist.
Introduction
In the faded elegance of a once-grand estate, secrets lie buried beneath layers of dust. The new housemaid, Eleanor, becomes the unwilling keeper of the household's darkest mysteries. With each passing day, the very walls seem to whisper treacherous tales, and Eleanor finds herself drawn into a web of deceit.
Unbeknownst to the family, she is watching, listening, and unraveling truths that could bring everything crashing down. Every glance she steals fills her with dread as she teeters on the precipice of revelation.
Key Takeaways
The book explores intricately woven narratives of deceit and revelation with every turn of the page. The protagonist's complex journey unveils intergenerational dynamics and moral dilemmas seamlessly layered within. Suspense escalates as hidden secrets emerge captivating readers' attention and stimulating thought-provoking questions.
Detailed Description
Within the stately yet crumbling walls of the estate Eleanor quickly learns that appearances are deceiving. Disguised as a mere observer Eleanor harbors her own motives while becoming an inadvertent executor of justice. The family members each carrying their concealed burdens underestimate the perceptive housemaid in their midst.
As Eleanor delves deeper she pieces together an intricate tapestry of lies manipulating her silence as her greatest power. Compelled by a personal agenda and haunted by shadows of her own past Eleanor's covert investigations push her closer to uncovering a truth that could prove cataclysmic for all involved. Set against a backdrop of vivid intrigue and growing tension the narrative exposes Eleanor's struggle to maintain fragile alliances while challenging her ethical boundaries.
With intelligence and resilience Eleanor navigates a perilous landscape choosing between loyalty and survival while quietly wielding influence over the unsuspecting players around her.
Standout Features
The book masterfully blends a gothic setting with contemporary themes weaving psychological depth into its mysterious plot The atmospheric descriptions evoke a haunting ambiance that envelops the reader A complex and multidimensional protagonist like Eleanor offers readers a narrative rich with internal conflict and resilience Her evolving dynamics and personal growth add emotional layers to the story Compelling twists and turns continually challenge readers' perceptions allowing them to unravel the eerie mysteries at heart Unexpected revelations keep the suspense building to an unforgettable crescendo.
Book Details
1464221138
978-1464221132
5 x 1 x 8 inches
11.5 ounces
Specifications
Rating
Based on 125937 ratings
Customer Reviews
holy moly
This is my 6th book completed by Freida McFadden, obviously 3rd of the Housemaid’s and I have to say, she’s really outdone herself. By far my favorite of the 3 and that’s saying a lot because I have said that after every single one. The twists, turns and utter shock has been outstanding to experience as a true lover of all things psychologically thrilling. I cannot recommend her books enough. The slow (for a lack of better words at 1am… because that’s how late I have stayed up to finish this, even though I have to be up in 4 hours for work) build up that is somehow just as grabbing as the page flipping frenzy of the last few chapters is my favorite part. She somehow makes it the perfect combination of informative and daunting without being too wordy and descriptive. READ THEM ALL! Onto my next tomorrow evening.
BEST OUT THE OF 3
They say the 3rd book of a series is always the worst but holy, this book was way better than the first 2. Couldn’t put the book down and next thing, I’m already finished. I wish there was a little more to Suzette’s story at the end. It felt a bit rushed as if Freida was limited to her typical “under 400 pages” rule but the book itself was great!
Twists will keep you on your toes!
Overall great book, many twists, really gets you thinking. I like how it talks about Millie and Enzo in a later time than the earlier books in the series. Just felt the ending was a pretty rushed for such a great series!
A smartly plotted thriller
I just finished binge-reading the Housemaid trilogy, which I liked very much - especially books 1 and 3. I live in Italy, and I was positively surprised by the perfect Italian spelling and word usage and, mostly, by the author grasping facts that only an authentic Italian can perceive. For example, the fact that American Italian Food - and pizza - does not taste at all like in Italy :-) I enjoyed Millie and Enzo's story not only because I love the characters but also because it is a smartly plotted thriller with a warm and funny background. It is an intriguing novel that entertains and leaves the reader with a smile—a rare gem. Congratulations!
Should’ve stopped at the second book
** Spoilers ** Oh boy there’s a lot to unpack here. Not one of the better Freida books I’ve read especially being in one of the best series written. First, there’s a time hop. Yes ladies and gentlemen Millie is now in her 40’s married to Enzo with two children. Right from the beginning this didn’t even feel like the same series because of this time hop. I felt like it was such a leap that Millie and Enzo were completely different characters. Secondly, there was so much repetitiveness throughout the whole book. Millie’s past about being in jail, how broke her and Enzo are, Enzo having to flea Italy; it all felt very over saturated. There was some plot holes that never got filled in which was frustrating because some things were mentioned so many times over. The book is around 400 pages long and I felt like nothing remotely interesting happened for 200 pages. It felt forced and almost like it was written in a rush to just try and continue the series. To me there was a huge plot line that never really got closed up, which could’ve been on purpose but I hope the series doesn’t continue after this. (What the heck is Janice’s story line for?!) The ending was sub par in my opinion for a Frieda McFadden book. I was so excited for this to come out but I was thoroughly disappointed. I read through it fast thinking something crazy was going to happen and I just felt meh at the end. It truly didn’t even feel like I was reading a Freida McFadden book. *sigh* Trigger warning - child abuse & intentional unaliving of a child
I hope the series is done now!
This is my least favorite series by this author - book 1 was EH, book 2 a little better, but book 3 was the best of them all. I am hoping that they are done with this character as there can't be anymore that can be written about her or her husband, Enzo. The reader needs to read the previous books in the series to understand what is happening (and even then they have questions)... The plot is unique, it is fast moving (mostly) and at times it is entertaining, but it is just not this reader's cup of tea. It needs more drama, angst, twists...it doesn't wow me like her other books. Overall a decent read and one that a true fan of the author should read, but again, not my favorite series or characters by the author.
Read in one night!
I couldn't put this down so I ended up reading through the night. Its a macabre story with a lot of Justice and a happy ending. I read the other two in the series but it was so long ago I don't remember the details that are mentioned in this book. If you're going to read this one, read the other two first and be able to read all three together for a richer experience. I'm going back however to the cozy mysteries where there's humor and mayhem but on a lighter note. These psychological thrillers so well written leave a sick feeling in my stomach and my soul
