I loved this book. Easy read because you get hooked immediately. I've never had a story so thrilling that it kept me on the edge of my seat! The characters were going through such struggles The ending. Omg the ending of her books are crazy good. Love love love.

I was hooked at the prologue!

When Nora Davis was 11 years old, her father was sent to prison for life for the deaths of 18 women. Twenty-six years later, Nora is a successful surgeon leading a fairly normal life until two women are found murdered with aspects similar to her father’s MO. Her father is in prison, so is there a copycat?

I went back and forth trying to decide who murdered these women and even if Nora was responsible. There were red herrings pointing to different people, but I did not guess the twist at the end! It was amazing!

This was a very quick read for me, because I kept wanting to turn the page to see what is going to happen. It certainly kept my interest. I was saying “wow” and “oh, my gosh” all the way through.

This is the first I have read by Freida McFadden. I have seen all the rave reviews for her prior books. I’m sure this one would not disappoint those who have loved her other books. I’m so happy that I have her whole backlist to go through now! This was a 5/5 stars for me.

I always finish Freida’s books in a day haha and this one was no different. It was faced paced and excited the whole way through. With alternating time lines, it kept my hooked and needing to know what was going to happen next. Definitely recommend for Freida fans.

The Locked Door is another solid thriller by Freida McFadden. It combines the classic tropes of a serial killer and a family-based psychological thriller, and the combo works well. The tension builds effectively throughout the novel and the twists are good. It's not my favorite of her books, but I'd definitely recommend for those who appreciate the psychological thriller genre.

Dr. Nora Davis has tried her best to distance herself from her past. She moved, changed her name, left everything behind. But when your father is a notorious serial killer, you can only run so far. Especially when 26 years later, women start dying again with his exact MO. Nora is positive her father is still in jail, and she knows she didn't kill those women. But who is? And who is trying to frame her for those crimes?

Honestly, this was a disappointing read for me. I LOVE Freida McFadden's other works (The Housemaid and The Perfect Son are two of my favorites), but this one just fell flat to me. The premise is very interesting--a young girl learns her father is a serial killer and 26 years later, she has to relive all of it. But the pacing of the story felt flat, and some of the characters felt that they didn't get the development they needed or deserved. I did like the flashbacks to what Nora was like as a child--showing tendencies that would have made her father proud, but not giving in to them and trying to be a better person. I think that would have been the better story to tell--a young girl being groomed by her serial killer father, decides enough is enough, and stops him.

The plot twist wasn't as good as they normally are, and I think that's because the characters didn't have the development that McFadden usually provides them. The murderer was barely in the story, and I think a few more areas of misdirection or moments where we would be able to look back and see that person for what they are after the fact would have made a huge difference. And the epilogue was unnecessary and made things feel too neat when they should have stayed messy--it gave the appearance that Nora overcame her traumatic childhood and life in less than a year without help, support, or therapy, and there's just absolutely nothing no way that would be possible.

It was a very quick read and written in a way that keep me interested in the story--I read the entire thing in one sitting--but it just fell flat for the genre, especially compared to McFadden's other novels. Over all it's a solid read if you're a fan of the author and genre, but it's definitely not her best.

Dr. Nora Davis leads a solitary existence, but has still managed to make a name for herself as a successful general surgeon. She also happens to be the daughter of a notorious serial killer. When two of her patients end up murdered in her father’s signature style, she begins to question everything and fears that her dark past will come back to ruin her. Told through absolutely chilling flashbacks (we could have used more of these, particularly some to fill in the gaps during Nora’s med school years) and a warp speed present day narration, The Locked Door is a razor sharp, nail biting ride that I was able to fly through in one sitting. Don’t be surprised if this one keeps you up all night. Freida McFadden is known as a queen of twists and The Locked Door is no different. Without divulging any spoilers, the author excelled in laying out a trail of breadcrumbs that I thought led me to solving the mystery only to have the rug pulled out from under me in the end- it was thrilling to get this one wrong! Written in a truly terrifying nature, the flashback chapters during which we meet Nora as an 11 year old and learn about her family history stand out as this novel’s greatest strength. The author could have devoted more chapters to Nora and her father’s past without sacrificing pacing, but for the sake of my nerves and weak constitution, I’m glad she did not. Those who do not do well with extreme levels of gore should still be alright with this serial killer novel as the most graphic details are kept behind locked doors; we’re, thankfully, given more thrill than torture. Narrator Nora is extremely well developed and while her inner monologue comes off as mildly clinical, I found this only added to the building tension as we learn more about her background. From the gripping prologue to the very last page, this book delivers exactly on its promise to thrill and terrify, a perfect pick to kick off October and an easy 5 star recommendation from this reviewer. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

This book was a fun, quick read. It was fast paced and suspenseful. I enjoyed the short chapters, and all of the twists. I really enjoyed Nora as a character and found myself rooting for her throughout the book. This one was a solid 3 star read for me. Nothing over the top, but a good time.

Thank you to the author and published for granting me an E-ARC of this book in exchange for my review. That being said---WHOA! I did not expect the ending of this book at all.

In The Locked Door we meet Nora who is a successful surgeon trying to live a quiet existence. She's sworn off dating and letting people close to her because of who she really is--the daughter of the infamous serial killer, The Handyman. Her father is serving numerous life sentences, however, one of Nora's patients ends up dead in the same horrific manner he murdered his victims and the cops start investigating Nora. Someone knows who she is. Someone knows her secret.

This book hooked me from the very first chapter and I could not put it down until I finished it. It's been a few days since I finished reading and I'm still thinking about it. The suspense was top-notch and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing throughout. I found Nora to be very relatable and a great narrator. The supporting characters gave just enough that it didn't distract from the main character and story, nor did McFadden give away the main twist of the book by revealing too much. I will definitely be looking at more books by Frieda McFadden.

I could not put this book down! If you love psychological thrillers that keep you turning the page, this is the book for you! Freida McFadden is the master at character development! From the moment you start this book, everyone is a suspect...EVERYONE. Run...don't walk...to get this book!

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this e-book.
3.5 stars. The pace was great and it kept me engaged. I did not see the twist coming but it didn't come from a place that doesn't make sense unlike in other thrillers where the culprit is someone so far off the plot just for the sake of the surprise element.

If your needing a book so captivating you cant put it down, this is the book for you, I literally read this book in one sitting. I love Freida McFadden and have read quite a few of her books but this is definitely one of my favourites of her work. For anyone looking for a gripping psychological thriller that makes you second guess your assumptions this is definitely the book for you.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisened Pen Press for the arc of The Locked Door by Frieda McFadden.

I have truly enjoyed other books by this author and I know I will do that again, but The Locked Door wasn't one of them unfortunately.

I felt that I just wanted to rush through it, cause I didn't find the plot so interesting and it really felt slow in the beginning. I didn't get what I've gotten before from this author which I think is a great thriller writer. Her twists and turns that she put in her books makes her books very surprising. But The Locked Door didn't do much for me and wasn't my kind of book.

3.5 stars

Nora is a successful surgeon, homeowner, and reluctant cat-mom. On the outside, she has a great life. But in reality, she lives with a terrible past that she can’t let go of- her father is a notorious serial killer. While her father is in prison for the rest of his life, her childhood still influences her actions in the present. Even worse, it starts to come back in very real and tangible ways when former patients start turning up dead and the killings are very similar to her father’s. Now not only does she not know who to trust, but she must try and convince the police and herself that she isn’t behind these murders.

I appreciated the premise of this story. The daughter of a serial killer presents a fascinating main character with the potential for a lot of depth and development. The way that the story is told in past and present timelines made the narrative more intense and I really enjoyed the flashbacks to when she was a child learning about her father’s crimes. I thought the pacing of the story was also well done and that things were revealed at the right times. Nothing felt too dragged out or rushed.

I do wish that there was more depth to the characters, Nora in particular. There was so much opportunity to explore the psyche and emotional trauma that a serial killer’s child would have and I feel like that was missed in this book. I also felt like the constant references to her father were overbearing. If Nora was obsessed and hyper-aware then I could see the point, but she wasn’t really portrayed as being that way. The characterization was of a woman who wanted to forget her past. So the constant “my father” lines were too much. Also, while I was surprised by the twist, I didn’t particularly like it. I felt like it was so far out there that it was too unbelievable. I honestly am alright with knowing the twist beforehand, if the build up to it and revealing of it is done really well. That, in my option, is better than a twist that comes completely out of left field and can really only be linked to the rest of the story in very loose connections.

Overall though, I think this is a great introduction to thrillers. The writing isn’t overly intense or involved and it isn’t so creepy that it would be scary to readers new to the genre. I would still recommend this to people looking for a light, easy to read thriller.

What an extremely intriguing book! First of all, serial killers are my Achilles heel when it comes to a book. Second of all, children of serial killers is maybe sometimes better. I was all in for this ride. What I was really hoping was that it wasn’t a surprise sibling twist, because that one has been done quite a few times. That is what made this one a 4 star vs a 5 star for me.

Psychological thriller books are my favorite but sometimes I feel like you can figure out the ending halfway through, but this book had me going one direction and completely went the other way. Finished it in half a day and didn’t want to put it down. The book was easy to follow along and kept you on your toes with all of the different characters. I couldn’t imagine being the daughter of someone who murdered so many people.. but this book gave a good look into the possible effect it could have if you were the daughter. Good read.

I could not put this book down! I read it in one day, which I do not usually do.

The story is about a woman whose father was a serial killer, and then 26 years later, copycat killings begin. The protagonist, Nora Davis, is odd, but likeable. She is a highly respected surgeon, and a powerful character. The story takes the reader on a journey through the copycat killings, and someone trying to set Nora up. It goes back and forth between the past (26 years ago when her father was caught) and the present. There was a twist at the end that I did not see coming!

The characters in the book were well developed and likable. There was some bullying that happened in the past and an uncomfortable incident between Nora and her long-ago classmate but I think the outcome of the incident was important to Nora’s character.

I have read several Frieda McFadden books but this was by far my favorite!

Thank you, NetGalley and Frieda McFadden, for the advanced copy.

I think I liked this one more than The Housemaid! What a page turner. You think you know who did but .... Nora's father is a monster. She's trying to keep her old identity a secret, not to be associated with that monster. But something happens and now she has to relive this whole nightmare. I love how strong Nora is and tries to keep her sanity at the same time try to solve the situation. Things happen to her and your thinking, ok, she's got some psychological issues but then hmmm. Awesome read, highly recommend!

This book was very good and has just the right amount of suspense to keep me on my toes. I covered my mouth in surprise so many times!!

I am giving this book 3 stars however, because after reading the book I still have so many questions. I know as a reader you are supposed to acknowledge the fact that there are things left unsaid, but I feel like there were some plot holes. And surprisingly I kind of guessed who did it about 40% in… :/

Overall, you should read it if you love suspense books! Just go into it with an open mind.

another freida mcfadden hit! 4 ⭐️

the locked door is about a woman who’s father committed horrible crimes when she was a kid, and he was sentenced to life in prison. it’s now many years later, and women are dying in the same way they did when her father was around. and her father is still safe in prison. that’s all i’ll say about that because it’s best to go into thrillers with as little info as possible!

this one was super interesting and definitely keeps you interested the whole time. a little predictable to me but i still had lots of fun and didn’t guess the twist. definitely recommend!

thanks to netgalley and poisoned pen press for this eARC of the traditionally published version of the locked door!

Nora Davis has been running from her serial killer father’s reputation since she was 11 years old and has even changed her name from nettles to Davis she is now a Surgeant and enjoys her quiet life and although it is solitary it’s hers and private. Her favorite bar is Kristof in one night while there she sees someone familiar and eventually will realize it is her ex from college named Brady and they will have a one night stand but one quick mention reminds Nora why she broke it off and it doesn’t help that he too has a place like her dad‘s basement that no one can go in. When one of her patients is found dead with her hands missing in the exact same way that made her father an infamous killer she is blamed but Nora is not that type of killer… She’s a different kind. This book was so good and even though throughout the book Freda McFadden explains the story as ago there is still heart palpitating scenes in every reason I have come to love her books. I do believe this is an older story of hers but it is definitely still full of her flair and a talent that only belongs to her. There is so much I have left out of the summary for this OMG awesome book! I want to thank poison pen press and Net Galley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.