Freida McFadden Books in Order: The Complete 2025 Guide
If you have spent any time on “BookTok” or browsing the thriller section of your local bookstore lately, you have undoubtedly encountered the name Freida McFadden. A practicing physician specializing in brain injury, McFadden has turned her medical expertise into a superpower for writing some of the most grippy, twisty, and unputdownable psychological thrillers of the decade. Her ability to craft unreliable narrators and jaw-dropping endings has earned her the title of “The Queen of Twists.”
However, with a proliferation of novels released over the last few years, knowing where to start can be daunting. Should you begin with her viral hit The Housemaid? Or dive into her earlier, darker humor works? This comprehensive guide provides the definitive list of Freida McFadden books in order, updated for 2025. Whether you are a completionist who wants to read chronologically or a casual reader looking for the best hits, this guide is your roadmap to her twisted literary universe.
Who is Freida McFadden?
Dr. Freida McFadden is a #1 Amazon and USA Today bestselling author. What makes her unique in the crowded thriller genre is her background in medicine. Many of her protagonists are medical professionals, and her plots often hinge on medical anomalies, hospital politics, or the psychological strain of healthcare work.
This adds a layer of verisimilitude to her stories that pure fiction writers often struggle to achieve. She balances her busy medical practice with a prolific writing schedule, releasing multiple books a year, a pace that delights her ravenous fanbase.
The Housemaid Series in Order
This is the series that catapulted McFadden to global stardom. It follows Millie Calloway, a woman with a criminal past who takes a job as a live-in housekeeper, only to find herself in a house of horrors. These books should definitely be read in order to avoid spoilers.
1. The Housemaid (2022)
The book that started it all. Millie gets a job working for the wealthy Nina Winchester. But Nina is erratic, messing up the house just to watch Millie clean it. And Nina’s husband, Andrew, seems too perfect to be true. The twist in this book became a cultural phenomenon.
2. The Housemaid’s Secret (2023)
Millie is back, this time working for a rich tech mogul who refuses to let anyone into the guest bedroom. When Millie hears a woman crying from behind the locked door, her savior complex kicks in. But saving someone isn’t always as simple as unlocking a door.
3. The Housemaid is Watching (2024)
In this installment, the stakes are raised as we see Millie attempting to live a normal life with a family of her own. But the shadow of her past, and the nature of her “skills”, never truly leaves her. It explores the paranoia of suburbia where everyone is watching everyone.
4. The Housemaid’s Legacy (2025)
The latest addition to the saga, released earlier this year. Without giving away spoilers, this book brings Millie’s story full circle, confronting the consequences of the justice she has meted out over the years. It is a darker, more introspective look at the cost of being a vigilante.
The Dr. Jane McGill Series
Before she was a thriller queen, McFadden wrote medical humor. These books are lighter but still possess her signature wit.
- 1. The Devil Wears Scrubs (2013): A hilarious, semi-autobiographical look at the grueling life of a medical intern.
- 2. The Devil You Know (2017): Dr. Jane McGill returns, now a senior resident, dealing with new interns and old enemies.
Standalone Psychological Thrillers
This is where McFadden shines brightest. While these can be read in any order, reading them chronologically allows you to see the evolution of her writing style from medical dramas to intense psychological horror.
Baby City (2015)
A departure from her current style, focusing on the chaotic world of labor and delivery. More humor than horror.
Brain Damage (2016)
One of her first forays into darker themes. A skin specialist discovers a pattern in her patients that points to something sinister.
The Surrogate Mother (2018)
Abby wants a baby but can’t have one. She hires a surrogate, but the young woman she chooses seems to want more than just the money, she wants Abby’s life.
The Ex (2019)
Cassie is dating the perfect guy, Joel. But Joel’s ex-girlfriend isn’t letting go. A classic stalker thriller with a signature McFadden flip.
The Perfect Son (2019)
Mrs. Cass has the perfect family, until her high school senior son is accused of a brutal crime. Is he a monster, or is she blinded by motherly love?
The Wife Upstairs (2020)
A modern retelling of Jane Eyre (not to be confused with Rachel Hawkins’ book of the same name). It updates the gothic classic with modern twists.
One by One (2020)
A group of friends goes on a trip to a remote cabin. They get lost in the woods. Then they start dying. A classic survival thriller.
Want to Know a Secret? (2021)
A high school drama meets murder mystery. It explores the pressure of social media and the secrets suburban families keep.
The Locked Door (2021)
Nora’s father is a serial killer. She has spent her life trying to be nothing like him. But when her patients start dying in the same way her father’s victims did, she becomes the prime suspect.
Do Not Disturb (2021)
Quinn runs away from her life and ends up at the jagged, creepy Baxter Motel. The Bates Motel vibes are strong here, but the ending is pure McFadden.
The Inmate (2022)
Brooke takes a job as a nurse practitioner at a maximum-security prison. Her high school boyfriend, who tried to kill her, is an inmate there. What could go wrong?
Never Lie (2022)
Newllweds Tricia and Ethan are house hunting. They get trapped in a snowstorm in the massive estate of a vanished psychiatrist. Tricia starts listening to the doctor’s patient tapes… and uncovers a terrifying truth.
Ward D (2023)
Medical student Amy has to do her rotation on the psychiatric ward. But she has a secret: she spent the night there as a patient years ago. And the locked unit is horrifying at night.
The Teacher (2024)
Eve creates a new life for herself, but working at a high school brings her into the orbit of a dangerous student and a handsome colleague. A tale of obsession and revenge.
The Crash (2025)
Released in Spring 2025, this novel centers on a woman who wakes up from a car accident with amnesia, only to realize her husband might be the one who caused it. It has been praised for its claustrophobic atmosphere.
Analysis: The “McFadden Formula”
Why are these books so addictive? McFadden has mastered a specific formula. She typically uses dual points of view (POV) or a “Before/After” timeline structure. This allows her to control the flow of information perfectly. You think you know the hero and the villain, and then, at the 60% mark, she flips the perspective, and the victim becomes the perpetrator (or vice versa).
Her prose is accessible and fast-paced. She doesn’t get bogged down in overly flowery descriptions. The focus is always on the plot and the immediate tension. This makes her books perfect “palate cleansers” between dense literary fiction reads. However, underneath the popcorn-thriller surface, she often tackles themes of domestic abuse, gaslighting, and the way society dismisses women’s intuition.
Read Her Books!
Whether you start with The Housemaid or pick up her latest 2025 release, reading Freida McFadden books in order is a journey into the darker corners of the human psyche. She challenges us to look closely at the people we trust, our spouses, our doctors, our housekeepers, and ask: Do I really know you?
With her prolific output, there is always a new nightmare waiting on the shelf. So, lock your doors, turn on all the lights, and prepare to be up all night.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the best Freida McFadden book to start with?
Most readers recommend starting with The Housemaid. It is her most iconic work and gives you a perfect taste of her twisty style. If you prefer a standalone, The Locked Door is an excellent entry point.
2. Does Freida McFadden write under a pseudonym?
No, Freida McFadden is her pen name; she uses it to separate her writing career from her professional life as a practicing physician.
3. Are the books connected?
Aside from The Housemaid series and the Dr. Jane McGill series, her novels are standalones. However, eagle eyed readers might spot occasional Easter eggs referencing characters or locations from other books.
4. Is Freida McFadden suitable for Young Adult (YA) readers?
Generally, no. Her books are categorized as Adult Thrillers. They often contain mature themes, violence, and strong language. Want to Know a Secret? features high schoolers but deals with very adult situations.