Freida McFadden's top 11 books ranked – No. 1 is an all-time classic

Exploring the Gripping World of Freida McFadden: Ranking Her Best Psychological Thrillers

Freida McFadden has solidified her position as a leading voice in psychological thriller fiction, enthralling countless readers with her suspenseful narratives and intricate plots. A best-selling author renowned for crafting psychological thrillers, McFadden’s novels are characterized by their compelling pace, shocking twists, and unreliable characters, often delving into themes of deceit, memory, and ethics. Her rapidly expanding fanbase and numerous bestsellers underscore her status as a prominent and widely discussed author in the thriller genre. Here, we present a ranking of her most popular books, based on reader ratings from Goodreads.

Top Freida McFadden Thrillers: Reader Ranked

11. The Perfect Son

Reader Rating Count: 367,383

In “The Perfect Son,” McFadden delivers a psychological thriller that compels readers to question every assumption. The narrative centers on Grace, a mother who has always perceived her son, Eli, as faultless. However, she uncovers a revelation that casts doubt on everything she once held true. As concealed truths emerge, Grace becomes ensnared in a frightening network of falsehoods.

10. Ward D

Reader Rating Count: 375,035

“Ward D” unfolds within the confines of a locked psychiatric ward, following Amy, a medical student embarking on a night shift in a hospital’s mental health unit. An ordinary shift rapidly descends into a harrowing ordeal as Amy senses a growing unease and the feeling of being watched. As the night progresses, the situation deteriorates into chaos, transforming an unsettling shift into a desperate fight for survival.

9. The Coworker

Reader Rating Count: 435,363

Natalie is the beloved office personality—charming, sociable, and consistently competent. Dawn, conversely, is withdrawn, quiet, and frequently the subject of office gossip. However, when Dawn abruptly vanishes, Natalie finds herself at the center of a perplexing enigma. As Natalie investigates her coworker’s disappearance, increasingly disturbing details surface, revealing Dawn’s hidden secrets and the possibility that someone within the office sought to conceal them.

8. The Locked Door

Reader Rating Count: 476,935

Imagine the horror of discovering your father was a notorious serial killer. This is the chilling reality confronting Nora, a successful surgeon who has dedicated her life to concealing her past. But when a new series of murders mirrors her father’s heinous acts, suspicion immediately falls upon her. Now, both the police consider her a suspect, and an unknown individual is attempting to frame her. The deeper Nora investigates, the closer she comes to uncovering a terrifying and deeply buried truth.

7. The Boyfriend

Reader Rating Count: 596,247

“The Boyfriend” narrates the tale of a seemingly ideal relationship that takes a sinister turn when a woman begins to suspect her boyfriend is not who he pretends to be. Her deepening investigation unearths a reality far more disturbing than she could have ever envisioned. This is a compelling psychological thriller exploring themes of trust, deception, and the terrifying possibility that the person you love is a complete stranger.

6. The Housemaid Is Watching (Book 3)

Reader Rating Count: 631,854

As the third book in McFadden’s acclaimed “Housemaid” series, “The Housemaid Is Watching” takes readers on another thrilling journey with Millie, the protagonist whose roles as a housemaid invariably lead to sinister discoveries. In this installment, Millie is employed by a seemingly perfect couple concealing dark secrets beneath their flawless exterior. As the psychological tension intensifies, Millie realizes she is not merely uncovering secrets this time, but may be more deeply entangled in the unfolding mystery than she initially believes.

5. The Teacher

Reader Rating Count: 725,444

In “The Teacher,” Olivia, a high school educator, is accustomed to grading assignments and managing challenging students. However, when one student submits a piece of work containing shocking and disturbingly detailed descriptions of an actual crime, she becomes embroiled in a perilous situation. As Olivia endeavors to unravel the truth behind the unsettling essay, she is drawn into a chilling sequence of events that makes her question her own safety and surroundings.

4. The Inmate

Reader Rating Count: 791,746

“The Inmate” follows Brooke, a nurse who accepts a position at a maximum-security prison, only to encounter Shane, her former high school sweetheart, incarcerated for a brutal crime. When Shane asserts his innocence, claiming he was wrongly convicted, and Brooke becomes closer to him, she begins to question the veracity of his conviction.

3. Never Lie

Reader Rating Count: 1,091,863

During their house hunt, newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are forced to seek refuge in an abandoned mansion due to a sudden snowstorm. Inside, they discover tapes belonging to the previous occupant, a psychiatrist who vanished without a trace. As they listen to the recordings, they start assembling the fragments of the doctor’s final days. However, the more they uncover, the more they understand that these unearthed secrets possess the power to shatter their lives.

2. The Housemaid’s Secret (Book 2)

Reader Rating Count: 1,144,840

Following the immense success of “The Housemaid,” McFadden returned with “The Housemaid’s Secret,” a sequel that many fans contend surpasses the original in suspense and intrigue. This time, Millie takes a position in a lavish penthouse, working for an enigmatic woman who remains perpetually confined to her room. One strict rule is imposed: never enter the guest bedroom. Initially compliant, Millie’s escalating curiosity leads her to make a fateful decision that alters everything.

1. The Housemaid (Book 1)

Reader Rating Count: 2,224,783

Claiming the top spot is “The Housemaid,” the novel that propelled McFadden to best-selling author fame. The story centers on Millie, a woman urgently seeking a fresh start, who accepts a housemaid position for a wealthy couple. Initially, everything appears flawless. However, a sense of oppression envelops the house, her employer’s conduct becomes increasingly unsettling, and a locked door upstairs conceals a sinister secret. As Millie approaches the truth, she realizes she is in far greater peril than she could have ever imagined.

Notably, “The Housemaid,” a gripping psychological thriller, is being adapted into a movie starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, and Michele Morrone, scheduled for release on Christmas Day in 2025.