Book Review The Housemaid’s Secret

Introduction

When a book like The Housemaid becomes so popular, it’s easy to expect disappointment from its sequel. For me, though, The Housemaid’s Secret turned out even better. I was truly impressed—enough to add it to my top ten books of the year. In this review, I’ll share my honest thoughts as a reader who loves psychological thrillers and appreciates a strong story.

Freida McFadden’s sequel keeps the same tense energy and familiar main character but moves the story to a fresh setting. It’s just as gripping as the first book. If you haven’t read The Housemaid, I suggest starting there first. Some parts of this book connect closely to the earlier story. For fans of the first novel, The Housemaid’s Secret proves that McFadden knows how to keep her magic alive. Readers who liked The Inmate will also recognize her sharp writing and psychological twists.

What It’s About

The story begins with a tense moment when a car seems to be following the main character. It’s a small scene but immediately builds a sense of fear and suspense.

In The Housemaid’s Secret, we meet Millie again. She’s still working as a housemaid while studying, trying to build a better life. Her new job is with Douglas Garrick, a rich man who lives in a fancy penthouse with his wife. Before Millie starts, Douglas warns her not to enter the guest bedroom where his wife stays. He says Mrs. Garrick is sick and cannot be disturbed.

At first, Millie tries to follow every rule. But her instincts tell her something is wrong. She hears crying from the locked room and sees blood on Mrs. Garrick’s nightgown. Her kind heart pushes her to help, even if it means putting herself in danger. She wants to protect the woman, no matter the cost.

McFadden keeps the tension high, filling each chapter with fear, guilt, and moral choices. Millie’s actions make the story unpredictable and emotional.

Character Updates of The Housemaid’s Secret

This review avoids spoilers but gives a clear picture of how the story moves forward. Like The Housemaid, this sequel ends with shocking twists and bold ideas that keep readers hooked.

Millie’s character remains complex. She’s strong yet sometimes naive, smart yet reckless. Her past as an ex-con still affects her life. She struggles with finding jobs, hiding her record, and rebuilding trust.

This time, Nina (a key character from the first book) is missing, which was disappointing for me. Enzo, who once dated Millie, now runs a business helping abused women escape dangerous relationships. They broke up over family issues, but his role adds an emotional touch. Millie is now dating Brock, a rich lawyer who doesn’t know her full story.

She’s taking classes at a community college, hoping to become a social worker. Her dream is to help women who went through abuse—something she deeply relates to. After losing one job, she joins the Garricks in New York City. What starts as a simple cleaning job soon turns into a nightmare.

When Millie sees Mrs. Garrick’s bruises, she suspects Douglas of violence. Her plan to help goes wrong, and she’s fired. But then, the story twists sharply at the midpoint, leading to a shocking reveal at the end.

Millie is both a victim and a survivor. She’s emotional yet brave, flawed yet fascinating. Some side stories, like her relationship with Enzo, feel weaker, but the main plot stays powerful. The setup for the next book, The Housemaid Is Watching, promises even more drama and suspense. Fans of The Coworker will love the slow build of secrets and surprises that McFadden writes so well.

Reviewer’s Quick Take of The Housemaid’s Secret

Jen’s Quick Take shows that, like the first book, The Housemaid’s Secret moves fast. The story is clear, easy to follow, and packed with tension. I loved how the point of view shifts kept me engaged, and the twist was completely unexpected.

Pros:

• A fresh story that still connects well with the first book.

• A big twist that genuinely surprises you.

• Fast pacing that keeps readers turning pages.

Cons:

• The New York City setting could have been stronger.

• Some parts feel repetitive.

• A few moments stretch believability.

Still, these small flaws don’t ruin the story. McFadden’s thrillers are built to entertain, not overthink. She delivers exactly what fans want—suspense, surprise, and solid storytelling.

Themes & Atmosphere

This isn’t a detective story but a psychological thriller that focuses on character emotion and secrets. I went in with high expectations and came out impressed. The story is filled with tension, mystery, and fast-moving scenes that make it hard to stop reading.

The book’s Manhattan setting feels glamorous yet dark. Inside the Garricks’ penthouse, the contrast between wealth and fear stands out. Millie’s life is full of challenges—her studies, her job, her love life—and her goal of helping others adds depth. It shows how a sequel can expand its world without losing heart.

If you like thrillers set in closed spaces with hidden truths, you’ll enjoy this one. It has the same edge-of-your-seat feeling as One Perfect Couple. Both stories test trust, courage, and human nature.

About the The Housemaid’s Secret

While touring the Garricks’ beautiful penthouse, Millie feels something is wrong. Behind one locked door, a woman cries—but Douglas tells her to ignore it. Millie tries to stay calm and keep her job. She needs the money and can’t afford anyone digging into her past.

Her daily routine seems normal: cleaning, cooking, and admiring the view of the city. But she can’t stop wondering what’s happening behind that door. One day, she finds bloodstains on a nightgown and decides to look for the truth. When she finally opens the door, what she sees changes everything.

Millie makes a promise to protect Mrs. Garrick. She’s done it before and knows the risk. But this time, the danger feels closer. Douglas Garrick has secrets—and Millie is ready to make him pay. The only question is how far she’ll go to protect another woman while hiding her own dark truth.

Final Rating & Verdict

Writing a good sequel is never easy, especially for a thriller. But Freida McFadden manages to do it. The Housemaid’s Secret keeps the same intensity as the first book. The pace is quick, the plot is engaging, and the ending truly shocks you.

For me, this was a fantastic follow-up. It proves that McFadden can maintain both suspense and quality from one book to the next. I’ll definitely keep reading her work—she knows how to build tension, surprise her readers, and make every story feel alive.