Cleverly plotted, complex and multi-layered, Millie discovers that she is not the only one whose life is built on secrets and lies and comes face to face with a master manipulator. Will she be able to turn the tables? Andrew, Nina’s husband, is the perfect guy, too good to be true. He empathises with Millie’s plight but can he go against his own wife? What I didn't: I really enjoyed The Housemaid but because this followed the same format, I found the plot and twists more predictable. I also sympathized with fewer characters this time around and found myself starting to get annoyed with Millie (I struggle reconcile characters who withhold information from the people around them and this was a huge part of Millie in this book). I did, however, feel like the ending tied things up well and overall, I was entertained by this book. I have gotten into the habit of listening every time I pass the guest bedroom door. It’s snooping. I know it is— I won’t deny it— but I can’t help myself.

I was impressed by how the author could take such a typical plotline and develop it into a captivating story. Right from the prologue till the end, I couldn’t keep the book aside. This, despite the fact that the story was disturbing, creepy, weird, even OTT. This book completely fulfilled my little Nancy Drew heart. This book took a piece of my heart and gave me something in return. This is the book I didn’t know I needed in 2023. This is the author that I didn’t know I needed to dive into! If you get anything from this review, all you need to know is…. YOU NEED TO PUT DOWN WHATEVER IT IS YOU’RE READING AND GRAB THIS BOOK! The blurb doesn’t do justice to the book and totally misrepresents it. It also contains minor spoilers. Thankfully, I read the blurb only after completing the book. cecelia is standing behind me, her pale blue eyes boring into me, wearing a white frilly dress that makes her look like a little doll. and by doll, i’m of course talking about that creepy talking doll in the twilight zone that murders people. I love trying to figure out what is going to happen, where the plot is going, who is telling the truth, who is reliable, etc. This one kept me on my toes. I found it to be fun, dramatic, surprising, and hard to put down!

Currently Reading - Physical Book

But I’m always playing Nancy Drew while I’m reading. Looking for bread crumbs, piecing clues together. So starting this book. Best thing for me. Anyway, the two of them hatch a plan to save Wendy. Blah blah some stuff happens and Millie shoots Douglas and he’s dead. A description perfectly suitable both for The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret, and yet. It was just a different story and I don’t think I can describe it better than that without spoiling things. If you have not read, The Housemaid, I highly recommend it. This book does work nicely as a standalone but reading the first book gives you more insight into Millie and her need to help others. Millie is an interesting and fully fleshed out character. She has a prison record and takes whatever jobs she can to make ends meat. She it tough and vulnerable at the same time. She also tends to get into some interesting and tense situations.

But then an ad has been posted for a live-in maid with light duties. Millie interviews with the elegant wife/mother in her elegant house with her elegant handsome husband. Against all odds, Millie gets the job. But Nina, her new boss, is a bit "off". Nina has spent some time in a psychiatric hospital. She spins on a dime from day to day. Cecelia, nine years old, is spoiled rotten and lights up Millie every chance she gets. Millie feels sorry for Andrew, the husband, who is caught in this emotional blender on high speed. First of all, the tagline "From behind closed doors, she sees everything" must have been chosen by someone who never read the book, because it couldn't be farther from the truth: Millie goes through the novel blissfully unaware of everything that happens around her, be it behind closed doors or not. Even the most telegraphed plot twists somehow catch her by surprise, despite all the warning signs and the not-so-cryptic warnings she receives from other characters. The only ones who see everything from behind closed doors are Andrew and Enzo, and how sad it is that a novel written by a woman, with a woman as a protagonist, should depict both its female main characters as such hapless damsels in distress? Whatever it was, the story felt fresh and new, and I was excited to spend some more time with the familiar characters again. Now how to tell you about this one without spoiling anything. Like Freida is known for, this one is a twisty tale with many big and small twists that happen throughout the book. A few I did see coming, but not most of them. That easy writing style lulls you into the story. When I read a thriller especially when I am reading one that will be twisty, I am on high alert watching for everything little tell and suspecting everyone of being dishonest. And still Freida pulled the wool over my eyes. Kudos to her! I finally have the chance to use a phrase so many of my reviewer-friends do: it’s a popcorn thriller! Treat it as such than as a literary classic. As long as you read it with your logical side kept aside, you can have fun with it.

Now onto the book. First I agree that this could be read as a standalone book. The story of Millie, Wendy and Douglas is complete. But I would be remiss to not mention that I think it adds to enjoyment having read book one first. Every day she cleans the home - it's gleaming and spotless. That is until Nina comes down and makes a mess and makes Millie clean it up again. Millie can't help but wonder why. Then there is the groundskeeper who warns her of danger when she first arrives. But Millie shakes it off. She can deal with one spoiled housewife. Her spoiled daughter is another issue, but Millie tries to win her over. Then there is Andrew - the achingly handsome husband who must put up with a demanding and erratic wife. There are also a few convenient coincidences. (Then again, these are found in almost every thriller, which is why I don’t read much of this genre.) The first thought I had when I started The Housemaid’s Secret was how I could exceed the maid. I didn’t have to worry, that was just as good. The maid’s secret is tight and is not allowed to leave after his spectacular end. It is a bloody book: you will go to the walls while you read it because you cannot look the other way. Clearly, this woman is in an abusive relationship and is afraid of her husband. She must help her. Something sinister is going on. She cannot allow this man to kill his wife.