
Member Reviews

Her books get better every time I think I have it figured out I don't. It reminded me of a twisted version of the movie My girl. You just needed to know what's behind the locked door. She is definetly a favorite and I will keep reading. She gives multiple plot twists in a story.

If you like Keirsten Modglin, these 2 authors go hand in hand. They are crazy as hell in that you never see the twists coming, while also being entirely unrealistic. Also, sooooo addictive, you never know what to expect.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an eARC of The Locked Door in exchange for my honest review!
This is the first time I'm reading a Frieda McFadden thriller, and I've been interested in checking out her work after a friend of mine recently enjoyed a book of hers, The Housemaid. I'm definitely bumping that up my TBR pile after having finished The Locked Door, which pulled me into the murky layers of Nora's character and the baggage she's carried over from her serial killer father. I wasn't quite certain for much of the plot whether she's the sort of protagonist who's morally gray yet rootable or if she's just straight-up nefarious, which is part of what kept me turning the page. I liked the supporting cast, too, even when one of them (Philip) made me cringe. At least his behavior doesn't get too over-the-top and extraneous, but still, he made me groan sometimes. And when the fast-paced plotting reached its third act, I found myself very satisfied with how things wrapped up. I hadn't expected it to go in that direction, but it made sense when I thought back on the rest of the narrative.
Overall, I'm officially rating The Locked Door four out of five stars. It's certainly getting me geared up to read more of McFadden's work.

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Freida books are bingeable books at their finest. Clear your schedule, cancel your plans, get a drink and a blanket on the couch and settle in, because you won’t want to take a break from the Locked Door.
This is thriller writing at its finest.

This book definitely kept me on edge. Right when I thought I figured something out, I had something else to string together, messing up my first theory. The chapters were pretty short, which helped me keep my focus! I didn't feel like I knew Nora how I was supposed to. I think that's how it's supposed to be, though, which is genius. In the book, Nora is closed off and has walls up around her life to protect her past. The author had made sure we saw how everyone else saw her. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a very well-put-together book. Definitely recommend!

A gripping novel with ratcheting tension as FMC becomes increasingly suspicious of people around her. Who is planting evidence to frame her? Who can she trust? I can't imagine being a child of a serial killer! The guilt of being related to a monster. The worry that people would find out. The concern about passing those traits onto any children you might bear. This story incorporates all these issues with realism.
This is my first book by this author. I would definitely read more by her!

Another great read by Frieda. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for another ARC!
This book is about Nora, a general surgeon with a past she would rather forget. Her father was a serial killer and her mother killed herself after her father was caught. 26 years later, with a new last name on a new city, Nora has moved past her childhood. But suddenly, two of her patients are murdered under the same M.O her father used. Now suddenly Nora is a suspect and has no clue who is killing her patients.
Frieda books are always fast paced, easy to read, and twisty. A solid 4 stars that I finished in one sitting!

This book is about a daughter of a serial killer. One day things are fine and dandy for Nora. The next day everything is changing. Her view on life and what she deemed was normal for her routines. Suddenly an old fling falls back into her life and things start to shift! With some flashbacks to her childhood, you build an idea of who Nora is and how she became who she is now.
So many great twists and turns. Some you can see and the bam! You're not guessing that one!

I love Frieda’s writing style but this one felt a bit repetitive. While it isn’t my favorite of hers I would still recommend it for a good quick read. I enjoyed the ending reveal

I've read the book before this new publisher and I just wanted to give it a second chance but for some reason, i just couldn't get into it again. I really tried to love it but it just wasn't as good as everyone keeps saying it is. I didn't like the ending, it wasn't NOT predictable, it just felt too cheap for me. I hate books that end like that. Truly, it doesn't make sense to me. And maybe it was the way the Arc is, but I didn't like the format or layout of the book on Kindle. It didn't seem like there were any clear indications on when a new paragraph started or ended. It all was written like a big poem. I even tried to change the layout on my kindle cause maybe I messed it up, but nope, that's how the arc was. I have the book a 2.5/5 stars

Wow Frieda McFadden does it again! This may be my favorite book of hers! It had so many twists and turns and at some point I thought each and every one of the characters was guilty and was completely blown away by the ending! This book is a must read!

I loved this book, like I love all of Freida's books. Lots of twists and turns. Its about a girl who grows up with a dad who's a serial killer, and she becomes a successful surgeon. I'm glad Freida added a little romance in this book. 4.5/5

I originally read this a couple years ago and decided to reread it. This book is full of twists and turns and was even better the second time. Freida McFadden is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely enjoyed this book.

I have read several of Frieda McFaddens books and this is competing for a top spot. I was on edge the entire time and had no idea who to trust or what was actually going to happen. I don’t want to provide any spoilers but you will not be disappointed in this selection!
Thank you NetGalley!

This was the story of Nora who had a serial killer for a father. She changed her name, shut her dad out of her life and became a successful surgeon.
Only things start going wrong when an old friend comes back into her life. Girls start getting murdered in the same MO as her incarcerated father.
This book kept me on my toes and the edge of my seat. I thought I had it figured out but I was wrong. I really enjoyed this book!

The book was pretty good and had new twists that haven't been played out in the genre. Some of the descriptors didn't make sense (why were we told the size of one guy's bed 2-3x?). Not my favorite from the author, but glad I got a chance to read it!

Nora is a talented surgeon and has a medical practice with a long time friend and fellow doctor, Philip. Nora is the daughter of the infamous serial killer, The Handyman. She has since changed her name so she can live her life without being connected to this monster. It’s not easy erasing him from her life as she was knowledgeable of his evildoings when she was a little girl. She is still haunted by them and it’s a constant struggle to escape the tormenting thoughts in her head.
Deciding not to get married or have children in fear of giving birth to someone genetically related to her father she stays away from men. However, she meets an old friend, Grady, and begins to see him off and on. We follow Nora through a series of events that she must fight through and make good decisions every step of the way.
I read this book in just a few sittings. The book refers to the past off and on and gives flashbacks from Nora’s childhood. The chapters are not too long, which I like. The book could have been a few chapters shorter but the content in those chapters did hold some excitement. The characters were interesting and the conclusion was not expected! A very entertaining read and I am looking forward to The Housemaid is Watching in 2024 which is the third book in The Housemaid series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book.

Nora Davis, a talented surgeon leading a quiet life, faces a shocking revelation when one of her young female patients is murdered. What's even more disturbing is the eerie resemblance to her father's past crimes, who, years ago, killed young women in their family basement. Nora had severed all ties with her serial killer father, changing her last name and living discreetly. However, someone has uncovered her true identity and seeks to frame her for the gruesome murder. Proving her innocence becomes a daunting task, especially if the police delve into Nora's past. I found "The Locked Door" by McFadden captivating. It held my interest, and I yearned to uncover more. McFadden adeptly portrays the inner turmoil and self-doubt that someone growing up with a narcissistic psychopath might experience.

Not my favourite of Freida's books but that's probably because some of her others are just outstanding!
Still a great fast paced thriller with plenty of twists to keep you guessing