Incredibly tense, deeply strange and SO SO SO SO SO much fun. I read this in one gulp and would recommend everyone do the same.

THE COWORKER is an intriguing workplace thriller that pits two coworkers against each other in a twisted story of deceit, lies and secrets. McFadden tackles some weighty subject matter including the power of past secrets to destroy as well as workplace bullying and the devastating consequences that can result when it crosses a line. This story features a character exhibiting several traits of autism, although she's never identified as such, and highlights the insensitivity and brutality often directed at people who others perceive as different or strange. There's a lesson for each of us within the pages of this book.
This thriller unfolds through the points of view of two coworkers, Dawn Schiff and Natalie Farrell. Dawn is an accountant - unique, awkward, anti-social, highly observant, possibly autistic, and a stickler for punctuality with an obsession for turtles that she oddly appears to identify with. Don't you wish you had a shell to withdraw into when you need to escape? On the other hand, Natalie is the office golden girl - a beautiful, social butterfly who isn't above using her appearance to get what she wants. As the top salesperson of the office, she's the boss's obvious favorite in more ways than one. Everyone loves Natalie . . . or do they? The office staff, who include Natalie's boyfriend Craig and best friend Kim, are often heard making hurtful jokes at Dawn's expense. Do they think she can't hear them? When Dawn fails to show up for work one morning at her normal time, Natalie is shocked and left with a growing sense of dread. A mysterious phone call with a crypted plea for help convinces her to go by Dawn's house to check on her. Natalie's discovery fuels an investigation and turns unwelcome, accusatory eyes on her. It isn't long before accusations of bullying start flying, and evidence of a crime starts piling up. What happened to Dawn Schiff? Is Natalie a friend or foe? The story that follows is an intriguing game of chess with two unreliable narrators telling their side of the story. It's up to readers to decide who to believe.

THE COWORKER is a chilling, twisted psychological thriller that is rendered via two extremely unreliable narrators making it nigh on impossible to decide who the real villain is. Several plot twists keep readers on their toes and second guessing themselves. Part of the story is revealed through emails from Dawn to a mysterious friend living across the country that are highly effective in creating doubt in the minds of readers as well as that of law enforcement. The author's choice of dialogue is simplistic, lending a childlike quality to some conversations, and given the state of mind of some characters, it's quite effective in keeping the storyline authentic. While the story gets off to a slow start, things quickly start popping with one twist after another, and there's no avoiding the growing sense of malice in both Natalie and the readers. Part of this sordid tale isn't hard to figure out as I did early on, however, the author saves a few shockers for both characters and readers for the ending. I suspect readers will be split on the way this eventually plays out, but I enjoyed the author's twist on justice in the end. Is it believable? Is justice served? You decide.

THE COWORKER is a unique thriller that takes a hard look at toxic coworkers and workplaces with an eye on the disastrous consequences that often result from office bullying. While it's easy to brush it off as "joking", the long-term mental effects on those who may be the subject of bullying are heartbreaking, sad and sometimes deadly. Author Freida McFadden has given us all something to think about. Highly recommended to fans of psychological thrillers and domestic and workplace thrillers.

Greta book, full of twist you won’t see coming, I literally couldn’t stop reading, and after I finished it, I whished it were more. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT .

The #freidaforce has been working our way through Freida McFadden's entire backlist this year, so I was beyond psyched to score this ARC as we near the end of her list of books.

ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ: Natalie comes into work one morning surprised to find her coworker Dawn hadn't arrived yet. After finding some strange clues, Natalie goes looking for Dawn only to end up as the prime suspect in her murder.

ᴍʏ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴄᴇɴᴛs: This one brought me back to core Freida with the twists that keep me reading her backlog. This wasn't my favorite of her books, but it was a solid thriller that kept me engaged and wanting to figure out what had happened to Dawn.

I love being surprised by the twists and did not see it coming when Part II began. Then, just as the story smoothed out, another turn was thrown at us over and over until the end with what is one of the best epilogues I've read in a long time.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮:
🐢 are a loyal friend to the end
🐢 have an unhealthy obsession with turtles or want to know everything there is about them
🐢 enjoy Freida’s brand of twisted thrillers

I quickly finished this book in 2 days! I got hooked on Freida McFadden's books when I read the Housemaid. I would give this book 4 stars. I don't think the story itself is going to be for everyone. While I was hooked into figuring out what happened to Dawn, the part with Caleb fell short for me. That's all I will say to not include any spoilers. Quick, fun read!

An incredible thriller that is fast pace and “edge of your seat” worthy. With a part two that will absolutely shock you and more than 2 sides to the story, you don’t know what to believe right up until the very last page.

The narrators were unreliable and I loved it. It made all the surprises in the book even better. By the end, I couldn’t tell what was up or down. Amazing read!

I don’t want to give too much away to this story, but it is an absolute must read and another great write by McFadden. Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the advanced copy!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance e-book copy. I really enjoy Freda McFadden‘s Housemaid, and have been trying to read her backlist and current as they come out. I really do like Freda McFadden’s writing. I was entertained with this and blew through it in two days.

Freida did it again! She wrote and amazing storyline that has you hooked and feeling things for fictional characters, only to realize you might be completely wrong about that character in the end! I loved the turtle obsession that Dawn had. I had a coworker obsessed with sea turtles once and it made me think of Kate & miss her quirkiness.
The ending fell a little flat for me. I wanted more to happen. So I took my rating down to 4 stars rather than 5.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Freida has done it again. A thriller that makes you question everyone...even yourself!! Twists that you never see coming, and just when you think you have figured it out she hits you with the ultimate twist!

This book is packed with twists! It was entertaining and had me guessing until the end. I enjoyed the characters and I think that Dawn was a wildcard from the start. Her character was well developed and I think that her social mannerisms were described vividly enough for me to visualize her well, well done on the character descriptions and development!

Another entertaining Freida read!

Much like Freida’s other novels, this one is fast-paced, keeps you guessing, and leaves you wondering who to root for… all with the authors personal brand of humor (that I love!)

I will say this book is more realistic than Freida’s other books, and for that reason I was less surprised by the twists.

Nevertheless, it was a fun one!

This was a really fast paced thriller that I had a hard time putting down. The story is told primarily from one person’s perspective, Natalie and also included are emails from several characters. I liked both of the two main characters a lot, or at least I found them intriguing and interesting as both had some character flaws that furthered the story. When Natalie arrives to work and finds that reliable and odd Dawn isn’t there on time she is instantly worried. When she is in Dawn’s neighborhood she swings by Dawns house and discovers a lot of blood. As more of the story unravels the reader questions what is true and what is misdirection. A fun thriller for sure.

The Coworker, overall, was a good read. The beginning was a little exciting, but then it started to drag on for a while before it picked up again. It definitely felt like a do-over of a very popular book that was made into a very popular movie. The characters were well written. They fit into the story and interacted well within the narrative. I will recommend it to others and it was a quick read. I know Freida always has some twists in store, so I read it in 2 days to discover what was around the next corner. Read it! You’ll like it!

Freida’s writing style is always so easy to read. The plotting in The Coworker is well-crafted as her plots always are. I think her fans will all be very pleased with this book.

The Coworker is one of the best books I’ve read this year, which is why I give it a 5/5 stars. The plot is so good - easy to guess the big plot twist, but the small plot twists along the way are what really make this book an excellent read. Also, the characters: you absolutely love to hate them, especially Natalie. Once you think she might have something redeeming about her, she immediately shows you why she is the worst. It is so interesting to see some of these chapters from her point of view. Overall, this book is classic Freida McFadden; she writes the suspense/thriller genre so well! Cannot recommend this book enough.

The author stated that this book took 4 rewrites to perfect the ending and I’m glad she did. This book was very well thought out and very well drafted.

Both the main characters Dawn and Natalie are multidimensional and both slightly twisted. This was a great before bed read and the ending was very tidy.

Definitely a must read of this season

She’s done it again! What a great thriller by Frieda! I always look forward to each and every book of hers. They always have me on the edge of my seat waiting for the plot twist and this didn’t disappoint! Thank you for the opportunity to read this awesome book! Will recommend to all my friends!

When you pick up a book by Freida McFadden, you know you won’t be able to put it down until you are finished. That was the case for me with THE COWORKER. I absolutely love books filled with office drama, because who hasn’t had drama at the workplace at one point in their life? There’s always the office favorite. The one who gets away with everything. Meet Natalie Farell, a beautiful top sales rep for Vixed, a nutritional supplement company and the office favorite. When her strange coworker, Dawn Schiff doesn’t show up for work one day, Natlie is thrust into the mystery surrounding Dawn’s disappearance.

I loved how Dawn’s POV is told through a series of emails to a friend named Mia. It worked brilliantly in this story. Natalie’s character really got under my skin! She was such a bully and I found myself constantly annoyed at her actions.

I had so many theories about what could have happened to Dawn and how Natalie was involved and of course I was never correct! Thank you, Freida, for listening to my theories! This author is the Queen of misdirection, and nothing is ever what it seems. I love that about her books!

THE COWORKER is high on the list of my favorite Freida McFadden books, and I know her fans will love it! Thank you to the author for always making sure I always have an early copy of your books and to the publisher, @poisonedpenpress for sending this to me.

Frieda McFadden writes such intriguing mysteries. I truly couldn’t figure this one out (and I’m usually pretty good at doing so!) The twists kept coming with this story. Every time that I thought the big reveal had happened, there would be another twist! This story had me on the edge of my seat!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for my ARC!

I never fail to absolutely devour Ms. McFadden’s books and this one was no different. I always think that I have things figured out, but then the twist hits and I find out what I expected couldn’t be further from the truth. I love the fact that this story addresses bullying along with the severity of the effects it can have on its victims. It was also refreshing to see the spotlight shine on a main character who was labeled as “different” and to see things from their perspective vs the perspectives of the other “normal” characters in this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in return for my honest review.