Book Review The Coworker

Introduction

Whenever I read a Freida McFadden book , I expect something that grabs my attention from the first page. The Coworker does exactly that, pulling readers into a world of secrets and suspense.

In The Coworker, she uses her same gripping style but also explores new emotional struggles. Readers who enjoyed The Housemaid’s Secret will notice the same mix of suspense, guilt, and moral confusion that makes her thrillers so addictive.

Plot Overview of The Coworker

The story begins with Natalie, a top saleswoman at Vixed, a company that sells vitamin supplements. Her strange coworker, Dawn, suddenly disappears without warning. When Dawn doesn’t show up for work, everyone grows worried. Natalie decides to find out what really happened — but the truth is far darker than she imagined.

As Natalie digs deeper, the story takes sharp turns. Every clue makes her question what’s real and who she can trust. What begins as a simple mystery soon becomes a tense game of secrets and lies.

Main Characters

The main character, Natalie Farrell, is smart, driven, and bold. She works hard to prove herself in a competitive workplace. But her choices often cross the line between right and wrong. When police find her coworker dead, Natalie’s life falls apart. She’s accused of things she never imagined, and her fight to clear her name reveals how far ambition can push someone.

Then there’s Dawn Schiff, the quiet accountant who loves her job but never gets the respect she deserves. She’s organized, loyal, and loves turtles. Yet her life changes completely when she uncovers shady dealings in the company. Her tragic end hits hard, especially because she only wanted to be seen and respected.

Their boss, Seth Hoffman, runs Vixed with confidence until the murder shakes his entire business. Through him, the book explores power, loyalty, and betrayal. Watching how he reacts reminds me of McFadden’s The Teacher, another story where trust and control twist in unexpected ways.

Premise & Setup of The Coworker

Right from the first line, Freida McFadden pulls you into the chaos of The Coworker. She gives us flawed, unlikable characters who make bad choices but feel real. The story moves quickly, switching between Natalie’s point of view and the email messages Dawn writes. These short email chapters add mystery and keep the pace sharp.

The main plot focuses on Natalie, who becomes alarmed when her coworker Dawn fails to show up for work. Dawn is known for being on time, neat, and obsessed with turtles. When Natalie visits her home, she finds blood but no sign of Dawn. The police start asking questions, and strange emails between Dawn and her friend Mia hint at bullying and revenge.

Soon, Natalie’s world falls apart. A bloody ceramic turtle turns up in her laundry, and even her boyfriend Caleb seems suspicious. What began as a missing-person case turns into a tangled mess involving Mia’s suicide, old secrets, and an elaborate plan for revenge. Each new reveal deepens the story, showing how lies and guilt connect every character.

Writing Style & Structure of The Coworker

The book is easy to read and well-organized. McFadden writes in a clear, fast-paced style that keeps readers hooked. She switches between Natalie’s narration and Dawn’s emails, which makes the story more exciting and layered.

At just over 330 pages, the pacing feels perfect — not rushed and not slow. The short chapters and constant twists make it hard to stop reading. I especially liked how McFadden used unreliable narrators. Both Natalie and Dawn tell their own version of events, and each one hides something. It makes you wonder who’s really telling the truth.

Even though part two feels a little predictable, the tension stays high. The writing keeps the story engaging until the final chapter.

Reviewer’s Impressions

I’ve read many of Freida McFadden’s thrillers, and The Coworker stands out as one of her better ones. It’s full of clever twists that caught me off guard, and I found myself changing my guesses again and again. I’d rate it 8 out of 10, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers.

Natalie isn’t easy to like, but that’s what makes her interesting. She’s smart, ambitious, and manipulative, while Dawn feels soft-hearted and lonely. The contrast between them keeps the story sharp. McFadden does a great job showing how toxic workplaces and moral choices can shape people in dark ways.

The book constantly shifts your opinion of the characters. Every time you think you understand them, something changes. That unpredictability made me enjoy it even more. If you liked the emotional tension in These Silent Woods, you’ll find similar isolation and guilt here too.

Revelations & Backstory

The story grows more intense as we learn the truth about Dawn’s disappearance. Blood is found in her home, but there’s no body — keeping readers unsure of what’s real. Soon, it’s revealed that Dawn is alive and that Caleb, Natalie’s boyfriend, helped her fake her death. The bloody ceramic turtle becomes the key clue in their revenge plan.

The deeper twist connects to Mia, a girl who appears in Dawn’s emails. Later, we find out her real name is Amelia, and she died by suicide after being bullied by Natalie years ago. This painful secret drives Dawn and Caleb to plot their revenge, creating fake emails and setting Natalie up for murder.

Natalie isn’t innocent either. She’s been dishonest, cruel, and manipulative, even stealing from her company and lying to her boss. But Dawn also crosses moral lines, taking revenge to a deadly level. Caleb confesses his role but never seems sorry.

In the end, Natalie stops Dawn from killing herself, and both decide to hide the truth. The ending leaves a haunting calm — a reminder that guilt and revenge never truly fade.

Strengths and Weaknesses of The Coworker

The biggest strength of The Coworker is its simple, fast-paced writing. It’s easy to follow and stays exciting from start to finish. The mix of first-person storytelling and email entries keeps the pacing lively. The unreliable narrators give the plot more depth and tension, making it hard to put down.

However, the story isn’t perfect. The second half feels a bit predictable, and some twists are easier to guess. The ending works, but it doesn’t deliver the same shock as her best books. Still, the suspense, short chapters, and quick writing style make it enjoyable overall. I’d give it a solid 4 out of 5 for entertainment value.

Final Rating & Verdict

My final rating for The Coworker is 3.75 out of 5. It has all the elements of a classic McFadden thriller — short chapters, quick pacing, and messy characters. But the story loses some energy near the end.

The main weakness lies in the character depth. Natalie feels deliberately unlikable, and most of the side characters exist only to push the plot forward. Dawn’s emails add emotional weight, but they aren’t enough to make the story feel complete.

Overall, The Coworker may not be McFadden’s strongest book, but it’s still an entertaining, twisty read. It’s perfect for fans who want a fast, unpredictable thriller that explores guilt, ambition, and the cost of revenge.