The Housemaid By Freida McFadden

Um dos melhores thrillers que ja li na vida. Como leitora assidua de livros dos mais diversos generos, posso dizer com tranquilidade que esse é um dos livros que vai ficar marcado na estante especial da memoria. Eu nao sou muito de recomendar ou avaliar coisas (acho que gosto é igual **, cada um tem o seu) mas ESSE LIVRO eu recomendo pra todas as pessoas que gostam ou que estão começando a ler.

I gotta say the writing is great, Nina I was happy to see that she was normal but holy hell she twists you up in this book. The ending seemed like it just came out of nowhere and punches you and then it’s done but the whole lead up and full book was great. Love seeing where Millie goes from here and happy about no prison time. Crazy for sure but a great twist and turn book. So happy I read it.

Très bien écrit. La lecture est facile. Petit bémol – d’image qu’on ne peut pas l’avoir en audio une fois acheté en papier.

Brace yourself, because “The Housemaid” is a novel that will keep you glued to the pages from start to finish, constantly questioning everything you think you know. Just when you believe you’ve unraveled the twisted narrative, author Freida McFadden pulls the rug out from under you, leaving you breathless and craving more. This book is a true masterclass in psychological suspense that demands to be devoured in a single, uninterrupted sitting.

From the opening chapters, McFadden weaves an intricate web of mystery and deceit, introducing readers to a cast of complex characters and a seemingly idyllic suburban setting that harbors dark secrets beneath its pristine veneer. The story’s central figure, the enigmatic housemaid Millie, is a captivating presence, her motivations and allegiances constantly shifting, keeping you guessing about her true nature until the very end.

As the plot unfolds, the tension ratchets up with each turn of the page, as McFadden deftly plants seeds of doubt and suspicion, forcing you to question the reliability of every character’s perspective. Just when you think you’ve pieced together the puzzle, she expertly upends your assumptions, leaving you reeling and eagerly devouring the next twist or revelation.

What truly sets “The Housemaid” apart, however, is its ability to not only shock and surprise but also to delve into the depths of human psychology and the complexities of familial relationships. McFadden’s exploration of themes such as trust, loyalty, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their loved ones adds a compelling emotional layer to the narrative, making the characters and their plights resonate long after the final page.

From the meticulously crafted plot to the richly developed characters and the haunting atmospheric backdrop, every element of “The Housemaid” is a testament to McFadden’s skill as a writer. She masterfully keeps you off-balance, constantly second-guessing your assumptions and reveling in the delicious uncertainty that permeates every chapter.

In the end, this book is an absolute must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. It’s a true page-turner in every sense of the word, a book that will keep you captivated from start to finish, leaving you breathless and utterly floored by its brilliant execution. Do yourself a favor and clear your schedule before diving into “The Housemaid” – because once you start, you won’t be able to put it down until the jaw-dropping conclusion.

I liked this book. It is probably one of the better thrillers/mysteries I’ve read recently, and I did finish it quite fast. The writing style is extremely readable, but don’t expect imagery and beautiful language — this book is very plot-based from start to finish. In the middle, some aspects got a bit repetitive but I guess we needed to have some understanding of Nina, Andrew, and Millie. The book itself also veers off into a bit of romance towards the middle, if you’re into that sort of thing this would be a great read, but if not it may get a bit boring. The twists, however, are quite strong. We get a few clues, although I would say that in this book they’re actually less subtle than the second one. Definitely didn’t expect the ending. For anyone planning on going into this book, you need to know that it’s a thriller first, everything else second. The character development is mediocre, especially with Millie (imho), which is why I don’t think I could give it any more than 5 stars. Overall, solid, I understand the hype and it’s worth the read.

**spoilers**
I didn’t really understand all that was going on with Nina’s daughter, Cecelia. The whole idea of her being allergic to peanut butter and overall being a brat didn’t work that well plotwise, unless she was just meant to be an annoying character all around. I know in Nina’s pov she talked about Cecelia always having to be perfect for Andrew, still there was some confusion I had while reading. If someone could clear that up for me that’d be great.

I began this as an “escape” for a rather boring weekend but ended up totally trapped in a reading marathon. Good plot and character development and some unexpected twists that kept me guessing. FUN READ WITH MERIT