Like with a lot of Frieda’s books, this one was very fast paced and I was sucked in right away.
I didn’t like this one as much as some of her other work, the storyline was just a bit lacking for me - and at times a few loose ends (Brady’s crazy landlady??). I didn’t predict the twist at the end, so that was fun because I was convinced this was the first time I had guessed the Frieda plot twist.

You're the child of a serial killer whose marks are blue eyed, dark haired women. At age 11, you’re the one who exposed him after finding the cellar in your house to be his workspace. He’s incarcerated for life and your mom committed suicide in prison. What are the chances you survive as normal person?
Nora is a successful surgeon, living her life under a new name and doing everything possible to stay under the radar until there is a murder with the characteristics of her father’s killings. Who is doing this? Some think it’s Nora.
The author gives us several potential leads and lets the reader decide who is the better candidate that is imitating her father’s behavior and why. Our certainty of the copycat killer changes in each chapter.
The anguish of being the spawn of this man is a constant presence for Nora. Does she have these same tendencies, having the same DNA? Can she survive the exposure of her family’s story to the community?
The twist to the story is out of the blue and a shocker. This reader never came close to anticipating this ending.

I wanted to like The Locked Door so much, but it just kind of left me underwhelmed. I didn’t like that the main character was in a contest to have more surgeries than her partner.

Wow!!! As always Freida has another hit! I literally could NOT put this book down. This book had me hooked from the beginning. The characters, the plot all the twists and turns. Amazing job!!! So thankful to be given the opportunity through NetGalley and Poisoned Pen to read this ARC! I have yet to find a Freida book that i hated. The way this author writes is captivating to the readers for sure. Thank you for another amazing read!!!

Oh my. What a suspenseful tale, which grips from the very start, with an 11 year old upstairs and her dad down in the cellar, killing people! Years later he's in prison, she's a successful surgeon. Quiet life. Nothing to hide. But don't go down to the cellar! Brilliant twist .. this is a stay-up-all-nighter.

This book was crazy! I read it so quickly because I couldn’t put it down. It started off great and stayed that way. Nora’s life was insane and every detail the author gave made you understand Nora more. Freida McFadden consistently puts out great books!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Another great one by Freida McFadden.
I always enjoy her books.

📖My Thoughts📖

Holy shishkabibbles! I don’t even know where to start with this one! Amazing work as always, that’s for sure! I honestly don’t know how on earth Freida McFadden is able to continuously crank out such awe-inspiring books, but I for one am beyond grateful that she does! I can’t get enough of her writing! I was recently approved for this book (older book, different publisher) and I was so excited to finally get to review one of her books from Netgalley rather than ones I’ve picked up from the library. I seriously loved this book. It was just as good as the others she’s written. The suspense, the thrills, the twists, just everything. All the components make for the well known recipe of a McFadden gem. This book was fast paced, twisted and kept me on the edge of my seat! As always, it definitely hit the spot and fed my bookish appetite! I can’t wait to get my hands on another McFadden book!
Thank you Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Freida McFadden for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was my first book From Freida that i read a couple years ago and it was so awesome. She is such a great writer. Thank you so much for letting me read this.

"The Locked Door" by Freida McFadden is a thrilling ride from start to finish, blending suspense, mystery, and psychological depth in a way that keeps you guessing until the very last page. McFadden has a talent for crafting a story that's as compelling as it is creepy, taking the reader on a journey through the dark corridors of the human mind.

The story revolves around a protagonist whose reliability is as much in question as the mysterious circumstances she finds herself in. McFadden expertly plays with themes of memory, trust, and fear, making you question what's real and what's not. The locked door itself is a brilliant metaphor for the secrets we keep and the truths we're afraid to face.

What I particularly loved about the book was McFadden's ability to create a tense, atmospheric setting that feels claustrophobic and unsettling. The characters are well-developed, each with their own flaws and fears, making them feel real and relatable. The plot twists are clever and unexpected, demonstrating McFadden's skill in keeping the reader engaged and on edge.

"The Locked Door" is not just a simple thriller; it's a psychological deep dive that explores the complexities of the human psyche. McFadden has a knack for narrative pacing, building suspense in a way that's both subtle and shocking. The ending, without giving anything away, is satisfyingly unsettling, leaving you to ponder the story long after you've turned the last page.

In conclusion, if you're a fan of thrillers that are as thought-provoking as they are suspenseful, "The Locked Door" is a must-read. Freida McFadden has delivered a gripping novel that's not only entertaining but also a fascinating exploration of fear, memory, and the unknown. It's a book that hooks you from the beginning and doesn't let go, making it a perfect pick for anyone looking for a story that's dark, twisty, and utterly engrossing.

Great story, well written. I was hooked from page one and couldn't put down the book. The ending was mind blowing, I did not see that coming. Freida is a very talented writer and a must read of the thriller genre. Highly recommended

Love, love, loved this book! OMG! Where has McFadden been? I can't believe I have been missing out on her books. This is my first one and I absolutely LOVED it to bits! The thrills, they mystery, the suspense and the twists - whoa!! I am obsessed! I can't wait to read the rest of her work! A definite must-read for fans of her work and for anyone looking for their next great read - especially if you love a mystery thriller.

This was my 8th book by Freida McFadden and it definitely kept my attention from start to finish! The storyline was compelling, and the twist was unexpected. Will happily pick up anything this author writes!

I was in the mood for a thriller and this one hit the spot. It has short chapters, it reads super fast and plot twist at the end got me good. I thought I knew who did it... nope, I didn't! 😂 I liked the back and forth between past and present. Getting to see Nora's past and how it lead up to the future definitely made you think the entire time.

This was my first Freida book and won't be my last for sure!

Im a huge fan of short chapters so really liked this one. Refreshing plot that I havent come across lately. The twist in this book was incredible and made the book for me.

Freida never misses for me and this one was no exception. Had me hooked from the beginning and had me guessing the whole way through. Highly recommend! (and every book by Freida!)

Frieda McFadden is definitely becoming a new go-to author for me. I've loved her books so far and this one do not disappoint. I love her writing style, it's easy to understand and keep up with from start to finished. The characters were well developed and the story completely suck you in. I read this over a weekend because I couldn't put it down.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

This was my first FMF book. I was an avid reader as a child and teenager but as an adult hadn’t continued to explore reading a whole lot. After a season when my focus was really affected I picked up this book to try to get back into reading. Success! It was one of the twistiest books I’ve read in years! I sped through it in just a few days and it definitely reignited my love for books! I’ve enjoyed many of the authors books since. But this one holds a special place in my heart as the one that helped me get back into reading.

Nora Davis has worked tirelessly to create a different life from her childhood. From a name change to completing medical school and starting as a surgeon, Nora needs to prove to herself and the world that she is nothing like her notorious serial killer father. She's successful at this until the death of a young female patient who was murdered in the same gruesome way as her father's victims. Has her dad escaped from prison or has a copycat picked up where the serial killer left off?

The audio narration does little to help McFadden's already lacking plot. The narrator's voice was lacking and all of the characters sounded the same. In her defense, she was given little to work with. Nora's character left little to be desired and the flashback chapters came across as useless and only present as a red herring. Overall, if you like to be able to read the clues and piece things together while reading mystery thrillers, then I do not recommend The Locked Door.