Skip to main content

Member Reviews

wow, Freida has done it again with a highly addictive and bingeable read!
From page 1, I couldn’t put this book down, I kept needing to know what was going to happen.
I thought I had this book figured out and then Freida hit me with Part II and I could have NEVER guessed what was going to happen!
A twisty ride and one of the biggest plot twists I’ve read all year..add this to your list ASAP😍

Was this review helpful?

I love reading Frieda books! This one was no exception. It kept me enthralled and was a page turner! I'm a real reader, so I'm always close to guessing the plot twists and I didn't fully guess this one and I loved it!
Freida drew me in from the beginning. At first I wasn't a fan of the emails BUT they contained so much information and they gave us another look into the characters personality. The way Dawn was described reminded me of someone I know and it tickled me pink! I really think Dawn was my fav character, I understood her.
This book is a MUST READ!!!!

Was this review helpful?

I love most of this author’s work, and I really enjoy interacting with her and other fans on her Facebook page, but this book wasn’t my favorite. Like the others, it was easy to read and full of surprises, but some of it felt a bit too far fetched. I’m still glad I read it, and I really appreciated the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I have never reached for a book faster, nor finished it in just a few hours!!

This is the first Freida McFadden book I have ever read and I completely understand the hype!! Her writing is so captivating and the story is not so far fetched you lose connection.
She had me believing one thing right from the start and I HATED Natalie. SPOILER: How quickly I was proven wrong and my opinion changed was crazy! I also thought Natalie was losing her mind and had amnesia!
Dawn was a character I loved, she seemed so misunderstood and just wanted love/friendship. I respected the way Freida portrayed her autism without explicitly diagnosing her. I will never look at turtles the same! It will always be a reminder of this book!
The twist!!!!! The character who was involved with the twist had my jaw dropping! I was not expecting it at all and that's no exaggeration!
I applaud Freida for her writing in this fast paced thriller! It gave me the perfect amount of curiosity and anticipation I needed!!

Was this review helpful?

She has done it again. I loved this book. It definitely takes you on a journey through out this entire book and has you thinking that it's going one way then it takes you on a totally different way. I was shocked by all the twists and turns

Was this review helpful?

She’s done it again! I’m such a huge Frieda McFadden fan I’m obsessed with her books. And this was no different. They way she writes just sucks you in. You binge read because you know this twist is going to be mind blowing you just have to get to it. And this book was no different I did not see those twists coming. This book and the storyline was so addicting I had to know what happened. Both narrators were so unreliable you never knew who to believe and you’re literally trying to figure out what is happening the whole book which I loved. Freida McFadden is definitely one of my favorite authors. Please check this out and all her other books you won’t regret it.

Was this review helpful?

Office Drama taken to a whole new extreme..

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)

"The Coworker" by Freida Mcfadden delves into the mysterious depths of an office filled with secrets, crafting a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Set in the world of Vixed, a nutritional supplement company, the story centers on Dawn Schiff, an enigmatic accountant, and Natalie Farrell, a top sales rep. As the plot unfolds, layers of intrigue and suspense are masterfully peeled back, revealing a web of deception that leaves both characters and readers questioning the truth.

Plot Summary:
When Dawn Schiff, an unconventional and introverted figure at Vixed, suddenly goes missing, Natalie Farrell is plunged into a chilling and complex mystery. An unsettling anonymous phone call hints that Dawn's life was far from ordinary, unveiling a dangerous game of manipulation and deceit. As Natalie grapples with her involvement, the story takes readers on a suspenseful journey to uncover the truth behind Dawn's disappearance and the sinister intentions of those around her.

What I Liked:

The book's pacing is a standout feature, maintaining a consistent level of engagement from start to finish. Freida Mcfadden expertly weaves a narrative that skillfully balances suspense and intrigue, making it difficult to put the book down.

The use of mixed media, particularly emails, adds a unique dimension to the storytelling. These emails offer insights into other characters' points of view and provide backstory in an engaging and innovative manner.

Freida Mcfadden's ability to create unlikeable characters shines once again. The cast of characters in "The Coworker" is diverse, and their complexity adds depth to the overall story.

The epilogue is a triumph, leaving a lasting impact and lingering questions that continue to resonate even after the final page.

What I Didn’t Like:

While the plot twist was unexpected and took the story in a surprising direction, it lacked the same shock value that readers might have come to expect from other works by the author.

The portrayal of emails as dialogue-heavy and overly lengthy did not entirely capture the authenticity of real email communication, which at times hindered the immersion into these segments.

Who I Would Recommend This Book To:

I would highly recommend "The Coworker" to fans of mystery thrillers who relish the exploration of unreliable narrators and intricately woven plots. Freida Mcfadden's adept storytelling, combined with the engrossing office setting and layers of suspense, will undoubtedly captivate readers who enjoy unravelling the secrets hidden beneath the surface.

In "The Coworker," Freida Mcfadden showcases her talent for crafting riveting narratives that pull readers into a world of uncertainty and suspense. With its engaging pacing, inventive narrative techniques, and memorable characters, this mystery thriller is a compelling addition to any bookshelf.

*Note: This review is based on personal opinions and impressions, and individual reader experiences may vary.*

Was this review helpful?

Another mind-bending intense read by Freida. Natalie is accused of a heinous crime. Is she innocent? Not completely, but she certainly doesn’t deserve all that’s coming her way. Or does she? Be careful who you go about forgetting in your life… you just never know when it will come back to haunt you.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my goodness.

I've been a fan of Freida for a while and have been so excited for this release.

Dawn works for a popular company called Vixed. Her coworker - Natalie, works in the cubicle next to her.
Natalie worries when Dawn fails to turn up to work one Monday morning, after they all know so well how punctual Dawn is - they even know the times she nips to the loo! Dawn's cubicle phone rings, and the phonecall startles Natalie and her concern grows deeper.
Natalie heads to Dawn's after work, and what she finds will change her life.

By chapter 44 I thought I had cracked it, but by the time I was halfway through chapter 45, I was completely wrong!
If you're a fan of Freida, or psychological thrillers with a twist you'll *really* never expect - you must read or listen to this book. It's probably my favourite book of hers yet!

☆☆☆☆☆

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Just when I was feeling jaded about psychological thrillers, along comes The Coworker, a riveting and clever drama set in an innocuous office.

Natalie is top salesperson at Vixed and prides herself on her friendliness and thoughtfulness - for the past five years she has even organized a 5k in support of cerebral palsy in honor of her friend Amelia. So, she notices when quirky and super conscientious Dawn in the next cubicle doesn’t turn up for work one day, even though she had wanted to talk to both Natalie and Seth, their boss, about a matter of great importance.

Nobody else is concerned, but Natalie decides it’s so out of character for Dawn that she should investigate. When she goes to Dawn’s house, she finds it empty but a lot of blood on the floor - what has happened to her coworker? Mixed in with the police investigation are emails from Natalie to her friend Mia from when she first started at Vixed to just before she disappeared which present a different picture of office life.

Using these two different perspectives, my sympathy back and forth between Natalie and Dawn without ever really knowing the real version. I was thoroughly gripped the whole way through as the twists kept coming. Even if the author doesn’t quite stick the landing, this is a real winner.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

Was this review helpful?

This is my second book by Freida McFadden and I flew through it in a couple of days. Full of twists and turns and I didn't know who I could trust.

(I am seeing a lot of reviews mentioning how often turtles are talked about and how annoying it is but as someone who has had many a 'special interest' who can shoehorn them into any conversation I found it authentic.)

Was this review helpful?

Thank you net galley for this ARC This is my first Freud's McFadden book and I loved it. The twists and turns kept me interested til the end. Highly recommend this to others

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much for this ARC. I love this author and i will be reading more from her in the future!

Was this review helpful?

ARC Review
2.5
Man, I am a big Freida fan. Her books are easy to read, her twists are fun, and she’s overall just a really nice and funny author to interact with. I will ALWAYS pick up one of her books. But this was the first book of hers that I did not enjoy. I think the reason this one wasn’t as exciting to me was the workplace setting and the character quirks. It felt much more like a satirical mystery instead of her usual psychological thrillers. I prefer the darker atmospheres of her others more than I did this. I also thought Dawn’s obsession with turtles was just a little too much to read about. It was funny the first few times, but then I just didn’t care as much about it because it felt so ridiculous, which I get was the point, but took it from being quirky to seeming too over the top to even be remotely realistic. The second half of the book was good, full of twists and turns in every chapter it seemed like, but the first half was not grabbing my attention like they normally do. I wanted to love it so much. I literally jumped up and down in excitement when I was approved for the ARC, but I just couldn’t get into this one.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! Didn't see that coming! No surprise there though, as I can never seem to figure out the ending - and I'm glad I can't, because I love feeling blown away!
Natalie and Dawn are coworkers, and one day Dawn doesn't show up to work. Natalie can set her watch by Dawn's schedule. Natalie starts to worry when she answers a phone call from Dawn's phone.
Just what happened to Dawn? Natalie is determined to find out.
Follow the chase and maybe you'll find out what happens.

Was this review helpful?

I love Freida McFadden's books! I couldn't put this one down and read it in an afternoon. If you're looking for a good thriller, this is the book for you. Couldn't give it five stars just because it was pretty predictable, but I enjoyed it regardless!

Was this review helpful?

Everybody is crazy.

That’s the message of this book. This book had my jaw dropped multiple times. Just when I think I knew what would happen I was proved wrong. Freida McFadden just has a way of writing that keeps you engaged through the whole book.

Was this review helpful?

This story was so wild! I did find Part 1 to be a bit repetitive and predictable but I loved Part 2 and thought that Freida really turned the whole story upside down. Some of the turtle stuff was a little overdone, but I loved the quirkiness of Dawn. The twists in the end really wrapped up everything for me really well!

Was this review helpful?

Having read all of Freida’s books to date, I knew I was in for a treat when I picked up The Coworker and it didn’t disappoint! I loved the similar styling to The Housemaid, with 2 parts that draw you in and then drop a bombshell to tilt your whole perspective.

This is in my top 5 Freida reads, if you love thrillers with short chapters, great twists and an addictive storyline, I’d recommend this book!

Was this review helpful?

I couldn't put this one down! There were multiple twists that weren't necessarily the most shocking I've ever read but were all unexpected. Freida McFadden definitely knows how to whip up a fun mystery thriller that surprises you all the way until the very end!

Was this review helpful?