Let me start by saying – this book ruined my sleep schedule. I picked up *The Housemaid* thinking I'd read a chapter before bed, and next thing I knew, sunlight was streaming through my windows. Freida McFadden's psychological thriller is THAT addictive.

The story follows Millie, an ex-con desperate for work who lands a too-good-to-be-true job with the wealthy Winchester family. From the first page, McFadden masterfully builds unease – Nina Winchester's 'perfect housewife' act has cracks you can't ignore, and her husband Andrew's charm feels... calculated. My favorite moments were when Millie would notice subtle red flags (like why are there locks on the OUTSIDE of some doors?), making me shout 'RUN!' at my book.

What makes this stand out from other thrillers? The pacing is perfection – no boring filler chapters here. Just when you think you've figured it out (I was so confident around page 150), McFadden yanks the rug out with twists that left my jaw literally dropping. Pro tip: Don't read spoilers! Half the fun is being completely blindsided.

The only slight critique? The epilogue introduces an element that feels unresolved (no spoilers, but fellow readers will know what I mean). It didn't ruin the experience for me, but did leave me craving more closure.

Final verdict: 4.8/5 stars. Whether you're a thriller veteran or new to the genre (this was my first McFadden book – definitely not my last), *The Housemaid* delivers white-knuckle tension with characters that'll haunt you long after finishing. Just clear your schedule first – you won't be able to stop reading.