The prologue is crazy, in and of itself. This is crazy. Every bit of it. Nora just keeps saying some weird stuff that makes me think some things. 👀 But then theres like things with other characters that I think it could be them. Idk, this is crazy. I have no idea who could be murdering these women. So i finished.. Wow. I loved this. I couldn't stop reading. I love true crime stuff so this really had me hooked from the beginning. But let's talk about that ending. I did NOT expect that. That was absolutely insane. I'm so happy it wasn't the people I thought it was though. Like you'd never expect who it actually was. This was the second McFadden book I've read and wow, so good.

Read this if you like:
serial killers
MC with medical profession
locked rooms
chapters ending with cliffhangers
single POV + 2 timelines
mind blowing plot twists

After reading The coworker I was a bit discouraged to read something else by this author, but I couldn’t resist the blurb. And as I’ve said in my previous review from McFadden: don’t decide to read a book because you see it everywhere, read it because the blurb convinces you to read it.

I am so happy that I read this book, because for me this book is without a doubt worth five stars (and I really needed to read an AMAZING book after I’ve read mostly meh books the last weeks), this one definitely got me back into my reading vibe.

It’s everything you would expect from a psychological thriller: grips you from the start, makes you suspicious about everyone and everything, has a good amount of tension, fast paced, short chapters and a lot of cliffhangers!! I really couldn’t stop reading and needed to know how the story would end. And gosh, that plot twist at the end: ‘wtf” worthy and perfect!! I couldn't predict or foresee that outcome, which only makes me love this book more because it gave me some jaw dropping moments.

I can’t say a lot more without spoiling anything, just go read this book if you like a faced past thriller with unpredictable twists.

Thank you @netgalley & @poisonedpenpress for this ARC.

This book was wild. Freida always gets me. You have your theories and nope you’re wrong or you might figure out one details and then bam, there are several twists on top! Love her books. Fast paced and keeps you intrigued/guessing!

The Locked Door is a fast paced, psychological thriller. Nora as the first person narrator is at times irritating through her actions and thought process. I enjoyed the big reveal, but did not fully enjoy the process of getting there. In my opinion, Freida has written far better books than this one.

I love Freida and this book did not disappoint. The psychological part of all her thrillers is what draws me to her as a reader. There will never be a Frieda book I don’t read.

This book had me hooked from the beginning, like all the Freida McFadden books do. The story is about Nora, when she was 11 years old her father was arrested . He was the notorious serial killer known as the Handyman. As an adult she became a surgeon, everything changes for her when two of her patients die similarly to how her father did his killings. She becomes a suspect because of her past and now she must figure out a way to clear her name. Someone is trying to blame her for it all.

I was not expecting that twist at the end, Freida keeps you guessing on who the culprit is back-to-back.

This book was such an great read. Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

McFadden has done it again! The Locked Door is a page-turner. So much so my family had cook their own dinner last night because I was binge reading. They'll survive, lol.
This gripping story is a about a surgeon, Nora Davis (aka Nora Nierling). Despite her success in life her family secret came back to haunt her. Being the daughter of a serial killer currently serving eighteen consecutive life sentences it was bound to happen. Nora's father, also known as the "Handyman" hit a town in Oregon by storm. Seventeen victims were found in his basement. He is connected to at least ten other murders, but no forensic evidence has ever been found. Nora never told anyone who her father was. She was in the profession of saving lives not taking them. Strange things start occurring though, and soon enough she was suspect for three of her patient's murders. All fingers start pointing in her direction and Dective Barber was determined to get justice for the victims. So, was Nora following in her father's footsteps, or was she being framed?
Freida McFadden had some twists in this story that caught me by surprise. All my guesses were wrong trying to figure out who was killing all these patients. I love a challenging thriller, and the author succeeded with that with The Locked Door. McFadden seems to never disappoint I just want to thank NetGalley and Poisened Pen Press for this opportunity to review this book.

Honestly, at first-- this book felt different than other Frieda books I've read before and I wasn't sure if I was going to dig it...

But dang was I wrong. I was LITERALLY stress reading at times because I NEEDED to know what happened. There was one particular chapter that was a flashback to Nora's childhood that had me particularly nervous.

The Locked Door is dark, violent, and a little gorey. If that bothers you, maybe avoid-- but if you love a good nail biter (it kind of gave me "Silence of the Lambs" vibes a little bit at times)-- HIGHLY recommend it. You won't be able to put it down!

Thank you netgalley for a copy of "The Locked Door" so I could leave my honest review!

Freida has done it again. Y'all know I'm am avid Freida-Readah! I just love how her books always keep you guessing. Out of the theories I had for this one, I NEVER expected the twist. Time and time again, Freida has impressed me with her short, quick, and engaging chapters. This one is in heavy competition with The Housemaid books as my favorite Freida book yet. Thank you so much Freida for bringing another amazing story to life and a big thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this re-release! The Locked Door will re-released through Poisoned Pen Press on October 3rd. If you haven't gotten your hands on it yet, I highly recommend it! It's gonna be available on Kindle Unlimited as well as currently up for pre-order.

Freida at her best! Loved this book. Could finish this in two sittings in spite of my busy schedule. Didn't see that twist coming! Can't wait to read more from Freida.

Freida McFadden writes great thrillers, This is no exception. This follows Nora, a general surgeon, daughter of a notorious serial killer. When a string of murders along the same lines of her fathers happens, people start asking questions... A fast thrilling read.

The Locked Door by Frieda McFadden

My rating:
3.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Nora’s father is a serial killer. 26 years later, now that her father is in prison, Nora can live a normal life as a surgeon. But when women in the area are being killed, is there a copy cat on the loose?

This was my third book by Frieda and I definitely enjoy her writing style! While I enjoyed this one, it wasn’t my favorite of hers. I figured out the twist based on the bones of this one being a little similar to other plots I have read.

With that, the twist wasn’t super shocking in this one and I figured it out about halfway through.

Some of the things the main character did was so frustrating for me it was hard for me to root for her.

Overall this was a quick fun read, but it was a little bit anticlimactic compared to her others I have read!

Thanks netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the copy! This is released on October 3rd, so add to your TBR now!

NetGalley Review — my rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“The Locked Door” by Freida McFadden is a solid mystery! Really fast-paced with an excellent premise.

Dr. Nora Davis is a general surgeon living a quiet life with a big secret — her dad is the infamous “Handyman” serial killer who murdered 18+ women and kept their hands as souvenirs. Now her patients fitting the same type as her dad’s victims are coming up dead and the police are asking questions.

This thriller is set to be published in October 3! Scoop it up for spooky szn! It’s a good one!

Big thanks to @poisonedpenpress for the ARC!

#netgalley #freidamcfadden #thelockeddoor #arc #poisonedpenpress

Nora is the daughter of a serial killer. She has worked her whole life not to be like her father. Now a surgeon her life is turned upside down when a copycat is killing her patients. This was a quick read that kept you guessing.

4⭐️

oh my god this was SO GOOD!! freida never fails when it comes to thrillers i will eat them up every time. it was such a fast read and i couldn’t put it down from the beginning! what i liked about this book was it wasn’t entirely predictable… just a little bit 🥴 but that’s normally how freida writes the book was phenomenal in its plot and characters. i was so hungry for a good thriller and of course this ATE.

this book follows nora, a general surgeon and daughter of a serial killer. nora’s life is thrown for a loop when she’s being accused of the murder of 2 women, both previous patients of hers. nora maneuvers her life after changing her name and now the sudden build up of evidence pointing to her as the killer.

thank you netgalley poisoned pen press, and freida mcfadden for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! <3

The Locked Door is a gripping thriller that is non stop page turning from both start to finish. The thought of a locked-room mystery is shown with skill, and the suspense is maintained throughout. The pacing is excellent, with well-timed twists that keeps you guessing.

The main synopsis is, Nora was 11 years old when her father was arrested and she is now the daughter of the serial killer "The Handyman". As a girl she always wondered why her dad kept the door to his workshop locked and when she found out there was not going back. Still haunted by her past as a successful doctor, Nora is trying to leave the past behind but when the police begin to question her about patients being murdered in a similar fashion to how her father killed his victims it is hard to stay hidden.

This was such a gripping thriller and my first Freida book! I’m so grateful to have been able to read before it was released, truly amazing. Easy 5 stars.

I ended up giving this 3 stars rounded up, so really this is a 2.5 based on the anti-climatic ending and unanswered questions.

Nora is the daughter of a serial killer. Now, a doctor, she's trying to live a normal life, until one of her patients die in the same fashion as her father's killings. Seems like someone has got the drop on Nora, and she starts to investigate who is behind the copycat killings, and why!?? This story is told in a series of flashbacks and current POVs.

I was drawn to this book by the high ratings and the description. Serial killer's daughter!? Say less. When I finished the book, I was disappointed. Many of the flashbacks alluded to Nora being just like daddy dearest; a sicko with a penchant to kill. She's killing animals and diabolically lured a "friend" into the forest to hunt like prey... but then she becomes a fairly normal doctor with no serial killer tendencies? Nah. Was it therapy? I need to know how she went from hunting girls for funsies/scaring the shit out of everyone to a doctor, responsible for SAVING lives. Also, the big reveal was a major f***ing eyeroll (MFE) for me. I don't understand what the culprit's lover had to gain from assisting in the crimes? Like it would take a lot of convincing to get me involved in some shit just for YOUR personal revenge... Hard pass, friendo.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: Interesting premise. Chilling flashbacks.

Cons: No explanation how she went from budding serial killer to normal-ish doctor.

A thrilling book that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of twists and turns. This is a must read!!

I am a huge Freida McFadden fan. This one of hers has similar vibes/really similar story line to A Flicker in the Dark (which I also loved. If you've read AFITD you may have trouble keeping the storyline's details separate and it can get a little confusing of which is which). I thought that I had the mystery figured out until the end when it wasn't even anything I had thought of. I loved getting to know the characters and their development. The chapters switch between past and present. Really enjoyed and feel like it hits a lot of the things that I love about a good thriller. Couldn't figure out who I could trust the whole book. Storyline of murder and emotional abuse- nothing too gruesome or graphic though. If you love a good thriller or watching an episode of Criminal Minds then I would recommend!

You cannot go wrong with picking up a Freida McFadden book! This one was incredible just like all her others.

Nora was 11 years old when her father was arrested and she is now the daughter of the notorious serial killer "The Handyman". As a girl she always wondered why her dad kept the door to his workshop locked and when she found out there was not going back. Still haunted by her past as a successful doctor, Nora is trying to leave the past behind but when the police begin to question her about patients being murdered in a similar fashion to how her father killed his victims it is hard to stay hidden.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the amazing author for my ARC!