A Book A Week

What’s the last book you couldn’t put down? I get through my TBR pile steadily, squeezing in pages whenever possible and ending each day with reading before bed. Still, nothing beats the excitement of discovering a true page-turner—one of those books that demands you keep reading no matter the hour. That’s exactly how I felt with Freida McFadden’s breakout thriller, The Housemaid. I picked it up late one afternoon and found myself utterly hooked, staying up well past my usual bedtime to finish it in the early morning hours.

Millie is no stranger to hard times. After spending a decade in prison, she’s struggling to rebuild her life. With nothing but her beat-up car to live in, some secondhand clothes, and a few slices of bologna to her name, Millie is desperate for a fresh start. But finding work is nearly impossible with a criminal record hanging over her. Even the most menial jobs seem out of reach. Just as she’s about to lose hope, Millie stumbles across a job listing for a live-in maid. Could this finally be her chance to turn her life around?

The Winchester mansion is a vision of perfection, a far cry from the life Millie knows. Nina Winchester, the elegant lady of the house, is flawlessly put together as she welcomes Millie into her pristine home. On the surface, Nina seems to have it all: a luxurious lifestyle, a beautiful daughter, and a handsome, hardworking husband. The interview goes surprisingly well, and Millie is shocked to find herself not only hired but also with a new place to live. Yes, things are finally looking up. 

From the start, though, Millie senses something isn’t quite right. While the Winchester home is opulent in every way, Millie’s attic room is small and bare, with a door that can only be locked from the outside. Nina brushes off her concerns, explaining that the room is usually used for storage. Still, the oddities pile up. Most alarming is Nina herself, whose demeanor shifts unpredictably—one moment lavishing Millie with praise for her work, the next berating her for following Nina’s own instructions. It quickly becomes clear that the Winchester home harbors secrets, and Millie is about to be wrapped up in them. 

The Housemaid delivers everything I look for in a popcorn thriller. It grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go until the last. While the premise will feel familiar to anyone who reads domestic thrillers, Freida McFadden’s execution sets it apart. The story is sprinkled with red flags and eerie clues, keeping the reader on edge as Millie ignores the warning signs in her desperation for stability. The twists come fast and furious, ramping up the tension with every chapter.

Yes, the plot leans into the outrageous at times, and some scenes—especially those involving domestic violence—are difficult to stomach. But the book’s short chapters and breakneck pace kept me compulsively turning the pages. While somewhat predictable, the conclusion ties everything together in a deliciously satisfying way. Freida McFadden has crafted a bona fide page-turner in The Housemaid, and I was more than happy to lose sleep devouring it in one sitting.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 92)

Last year, I embarked on a mission to dive into the works of authors I hadn't previously explored. This endeavor introduced me to many fresh voices and titles that I might not have otherwise encountered, leading me to discover numerous authors who have now earned a spot on my must-read list. This year, though, I've primarily focused on chipping away at my existing backlog of books, meaning I've been revisiting more familiar authors. This pattern shifted with my recent read, None of This is True by Lisa Jewell. Despite having several of Jewell's titles languishing on my TBR list for years, it was the consistent high praise from my trusted circle of book-reviewing friends that finally nudged me to delve into her work. Now, having experienced her storytelling firsthand, I completely understand the acclaim.

Strangers Alix and Josie are birthday twins, born on the exact same day. Their paths serendipitously cross during separate celebrations of their shared birthday. Despite being the same age, their lives are starkly contrasting. Alix enjoys a seemingly idyllic existence, married to a successful and charming man, raising two young children, and hosting a financially and creatively rewarding podcast. In contrast, Josie's life is more subdued. She's married to an older retired man and has two grown children, one of whom is estranged from her. The chance meeting between the two women on their birthdays is brief, and they quickly part ways.

Fate soon intervenes, and Alix and Josie's lives intersect once more, mere days after their initial rendevous. Is this another random coincidence, or is there more to it than meets the eye? This second encounter sparks a conversation where Josie begins to unveil her personal challenges and yearning for change. Alix, having exhausted her podcast's focus on celebrating women's achievements, sees Josie's narrative as a fresh angle to rejuvenate her show. With Josie's reluctant consent, the two embark on a collaborative venture. As Josie delves deeper into her story, Alix begins to discern underlying shadows and potential dangers. Will this narrative evolve into a tale of triumph over adversity, or is Alix unwittingly steering her podcast into a true crime story?

In None of This is True, Lisa Jewell masterfully weaves a narrative rife with deceit, faltering relationships, and unchecked envy. While the story took its time to establish its rhythm, the unveiling of the character's true intentions and motivations was gripping, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. Jewell employs a dual narrative, alternating between Alix and Josie's perspectives, skillfully leading the reader along a tantalizing trail of breadcrumbs. Trust becomes a scarce commodity by the story's conclusion, leaving readers uncertain about the tale's ultimate destination. This level of suspense and uncertainty is precisely what I crave from a thriller, and Jewell delivers in spades. None of This is True is a riveting, compulsively readable novel, the type of book that keeps you glued to its pages late into the night. It left me eager to dive into more of Jewell's novels at the earliest opportunity.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 29)