Book Review: Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden

Title: Want to Know a Secret?
Author: Freida McFadden
Pages: 398
Published: Jan 2021
My Rating: 3.5/5
Find it on Amazon here

Book Blurb:

Everyone has secrets.

YouTube baking sensation April Masterson knows the secret to the perfect gooey brownies. Or how to make key lime squares that will melt in your mouth. But if you keep watching her offline, you may find out some other secrets about April. Secrets she’d rather you didn’t know.

Like where did her son go when he snuck out of the house? What was she doing with the local soccer coach behind fogged windows? And what’s buried in her backyard?

Everyone has secrets. Some are worse than others. April’s secrets are enough to destroy her.

I’ll make sure of that.

My Thoughts:

Yes, yes, I know. I’m on a Freida McFadden roll! What do I say? Some days I’m running on energy fuelled by pure stress and overwhelm, and just want to have a parallel distraction I can engage in on the side. For some reason, Netflix is just not it. These days, it’s a fast-paced, bite sized, easy-to-read mystery that I can look forward to. So here we are! 

And that’s the tough bit about “reviewing” a book - I can only talk about how it made me feel and why. What do I think of the story and the writing - it does not make a book good or bad, just what my experience with it was. For these Freida books, I have a hard time putting it in words, because they do everything I want them to do - they’re the perfect distraction, have the perfect amount of mystery, they don’t stress me out (I appreciate the trigger warnings and the notes about making the book more family-friendly). Are they the perfect thrillers? Mostly not but they do somehow check boxes for what I NEED and that’s huge for me. 

Now coming to the actual book! It starts with April’s POV. April is a YouTuber where she posts baking secrets. Her new next door neighbour is friendly, has a hot husband, but April feels something is off. Soon enough, Maria feels like someone not to be messed with. April starts receiving sinister text messages from an unknown number, messages about her family and threatening to expose her secrets. After about half the book, the POV shifts to another character, and the entire story gets re-narrated from this new viewpoint. It is unique in concept, and kind of like a trademark of Freida’s (gave very ‘The Housemaid’ vibes). Unreliable narrator, twists and turns, and a shock reveal at the end. The writing style is engaging - you can run through the entire book in a (fairly long) sitting. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this one! It was a bit hard to connect with the story at the beginning because I found April REALLY ANNOYING. It might be her narration, or her dumb thoughts, I’m not sure. But I just could not see things from her point of view. 

And I have to talk about the husbands. Was it just for the story or is that a reality nowadays? All the husbands depicted were so… useless. Not caring much for their kids, having affairs, working late, not showing up, etc. Sean (Maria’s husband) seemed to be an exception (and apparently he was also incredibly hot, so yay Maria), but overall, everyone else had a partner that was almost non-existent. 

The twists and turns were entertaining. The final twist was completely unexpected for sure, and the author did a good job incorporating emotions into the story through April’s mother and their relationship. Some things were also quite obvious so didn’t feel exactly shocking but I still enjoyed the reading experience overall. I would recommend it if you’re looking for a fun, light mystery. Would I read it again? Most likely not, but if when I’m old and bored and find this book, I would not say no. So see you again in 50 years! Cheers.

Book Review: The Keeper by Tana French

Title: The Keeper (Cal Hooper #3)

Author: Tana French
Pages: 496
Published: Mar 2026
My Rating: 4/5
Find it at: Amazon

Book Blurb:

On a cold night in the remote Irish village of Ardnakelty, a girl goes missing. Sweet, loving Rachel Holohan was about to be engaged to the son of the local big shot. Instead, she’s dead in the river.

In a close-knit small town, a death like this isn’t simple. It comes wrapped in generations-old grudges and power struggles, and it splits the townland in two. Retired Chicago detective Cal Hooper has friends here now, and he owes them loyalty, but his fiancée Lena wants nothing to do with Ardnakelty’s tangles. As the feud becomes more vicious, their settled peace starts to crack apart. And when they uncover a scheme that casts a new light on Rachel’s death and threatens the whole village, they find themselves in the firing line.

“One of the greatest crime novelists writing today” (Vox) crafts a masterwork of atmospheric suspense that brings the story of one of her most beloved characters to a spellbinding conclusion.

My Thoughts:

After spending the last few months speeding through twisty thrillers where someone is always lying, dying, or both, The Keeper by Tana French was a complete change of pace. And I didn't realize how much I needed it.

This isn't the kind of book you fly through in a weekend. In fact, it took me a while to settle into it. The writing feels dense at first, the pacing is deliberately slow, and I found myself having to adjust my reading rhythm. But once I did, I didn't want to rush anymore. Tana French's writing is absolutely top-notch—beautiful without trying too hard, rich in detail, and the kind of prose that makes you pause every now and then just to appreciate how a sentence is put together.

The story follows Cal as another mystery unfolds in the small Irish village of Ardnakelty. I kind of expected a fast-paced whodunnit packed with shocking twists every few chapters, but this book caught me off guard. The mystery is there, but it almost feels secondary. What this book is really about is the town itself -- its people, their relationships, loyalties, grudges, history, and the invisible threads that hold the whole community together. That was my favourite part.

Tana French

The author doesn't just introduce characters; she lets you live with them. She explores why they make the choices they do, what drives them, how they see themselves, and how everyone fits into the intricate social fabric of this tiny farming village. By the end, I felt like I knew Ardnakelty (except for how to say the name) almost as well as the characters did. It was such an intimate look at a place and a way of life that's so different from my own, and I found myself genuinely fascinated by the everyday lives of farmers and small-town families. It's that depth that, in my opinion, elevates this from being just another mystery novel into something much more memorable.

I also loved the distinctly Irish flavour of the book. The local Dublin and rural Irish expressions and dialogue gave the story so much personality. I won't lie -- it was a bit of a struggle in the beginning, and I occasionally had to reread conversations to make sure I'd understood them. But once my brain adjusted, it became one of the book's biggest strengths. It made the setting feel authentic rather than generic.

There were a couple of things that didn't quite work for me, though.

The biggest one was the way Cal and Lena's relationship starts to unravel once Lena decides to involve herself in the situation. I understand why the author took it in that direction, and from a storytelling perspective I can see what she was trying to achieve. But emotionally, it just didn't ring completely true for me. When someone you love is going through an incredibly difficult time, pulling away and leaving them to deal with it alone felt like an odd choice. It occasionally felt more convenient for the plot than believable for the relationship.

I also found myself wishing the mystery had a little more punch. There are certainly reveals and surprises along the way, but I kept expecting bigger twists that never really came. That's probably partly on me, I went in expecting a traditional suspense novel when that's not really what this book is trying to be.

Overall, though, I'm genuinely glad I picked this one up. It was refreshing in a way I wasn't expecting. It slowed me down when I usually race through books, reminded me that stories don't always have to sprint toward the next plot twist, and immersed me in a world that felt incredibly real. It made me stop and appreciate the quiet details of people's lives, their communities, and the places they call home.

If you're looking for an action-packed thriller, this probably isn't the book for you. But if you enjoy character-driven stories, immersive settings, gorgeous writing, and books that quietly get under your skin rather than shouting for your attention, I'd absolutely recommend giving The Keeper a try.

Book Review: Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

Author: Freida McFadden
Published: Jan 2026
Pages: 327
Find it at Amazon here
My Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

Sometimes, enough is enough…

Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction.

Or at least, she did.

These days, Debbie’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie’s done being the bigger person. She’s done being reasonable and practical. It’s time to take her own advice.

And now it’s time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most.

My Thoughts!

At this point, I'm picking and finishing Freida's books like a McDonald's meal - a decent quick fix that acts as a break in between "heavier" books. Dear Debbie was a surprisingly entertaining read and ended up being exactly the kind of book I needed between more emotionally demanding books.

The story follows Debbie Mullen, a suburban wife, mother, and advice columnist whose life appears fairly ordinary on the surface. But from the very beginning, there is something unsettling simmering beneath that picture-perfect exterior. Debbie has recently lost her job, her family relationships seem strained, her husband Cooper is acting suspiciously, and strange things keep happening around her. Some things become obvious, like we know who is behind the petty revenge actions, but there's a constant, nagging, annoying feeling about WHY and how is it relevant. This is not majorly a murder mystery - for most of the book it felt like I kept waiting for something to happen, that this is not just a clever woman's daily journal, or at least understand the motive behind her actions. 

Debbie herself is an interesting protagonist. At first, she comes across as petty, judgmental, and honestly not all that likeable. But she also has an incredibly sharp mind, and watching her navigate situations was one of the most engaging parts of the book. She’s the kind of character you don’t necessarily root for, yet you can’t stop reading about. The story gradually reveals more layers to her personality, and while I never fully warmed up to her, I was definitely invested in seeing how everything would play out. The Dear Debbie column angle was also interesting, and used in a way to further throw off the reader - like, what do you mean Debbie's going around responding to questions in her newspaper column with ideas to kill their husbands?

What was constant was the sense of discomfort that runs throughout the book. This isn’t a fast-paced, twist-every-chapter thriller. Instead, it’s more of a slow-burn domestic thriller with a creepy undertone that never really goes away. Freida McFadden does a great job of making you feel like something is off, even when nothing particularly dramatic is happening.  There are ongoing mysteries surrounding several characters and their secrets, and I found myself continuously questioning everyone’s motives. The book finally picks up pace in the later half and I have to admit - the classic sharp turn/twist, characteristic of Freida's style, did come and for a change, was not that surprising to me! 

The writing style is classic Freida McFadden - simple, accessible, and very easy to binge. I flew through it in just a few hours (THE best therapy). The chapters are short, the narrative keeps moving, and even when not much is happening, the atmosphere keeps you turning pages.

That said, I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as a strong mystery. The mystery element is there, but it felt secondary to the character dynamics and the growing sense that something was deeply wrong beneath the surface. Some plot points also required a fair amount of suspension of disbelief, and there were moments that felt a little unrealistic. The ending, however, was satisfying and tied things together in a way that worked for the story. (Go Debbie!) Major themes that this book is centred around includes moral ambiguity, revenge, and taking justice into your own hands.

Overall, I think Dear Debbie is best approached as a fun, slightly dark, domestic thriller rather than a complex mystery. It’s the literary equivalent of a palate cleanser—a quick, engaging read that scratches the reading itch without demanding too much from you. Not every book needs to be groundbreaking, and sometimes that’s exactly what you’re in the mood for.

Would I recommend it? Yes—if you’re looking for a lightweight thriller with an unsettling atmosphere, an unconventional protagonist, and a story you can finish in an afternoon. Just don’t go in expecting an intricate whodunit. This one is more about the creeping discomfort, the morally messy characters, and the entertaining ride along the way.

Book Review: Wolf Hour by Jo Nesbo

Title: Wolf Hour
Author: Jo Nesbo
Pages: ~400
Release Date: Feb 2026 (some International editions might have been released sooner - original Norwegian title was first released Jan 2025)
Publisher: Knopf

Find it at: Amazon

Book Blurb

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2016. When a small-time criminal and gun dealer is shot down in the street, all signs point to Tomas Gomez, a quiet man with a mysterious past—and deep connections to a notorious gang—who has seemingly vanished into thin air. Other murders soon follow, and it appears Gomez is only getting started. Meanwhile, Bob Oz, a down-and-out suspended police officer with a dubious past of his own, becomes fascinated by the case: he is obsessed with the notion of hunting down a serial killer who only he can understand, a killer with a story as tragic as his own.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2022. An enigmatic Norwegian man with ties to Minneapolis—a self-described crime writer—has traveled to the United States to research the Gomez case, in the hopes of writing a book about it. But as his investigation progresses, the writer’s seemingly neutral position reveals itself to be more complicated than the reader is initially led to believe.

My Thoughts!

I’m glad I read this book—and this is not something I say lightly in this case because I took forever to actually start it, and then almost skipped it after a few pages. The story and writing style felt so different from my usual fast-paced picks that I wasn’t sure I’d get into it. BUT it was absolutely worth pushing through those initial reservations because it ended up hooking me completely and stayed on my mind long after I finished it.

The story revolves around a murder investigation in a quiet setting, where multiple characters—each with their own pasts, motivations, and emotional baggage—become connected in unexpected ways. Bob Oz is a detective with his own set of issues - a failing marriage, personal tragedy, drinking problem - all things that have affected his stellar reputation at work. When he gets a call for a possible homicide investigation, we are immediately provided with a glimpse of his crass, straightforward attitude and natural penchant for looking beyond the obvious. He's not a very likeable character from the start, but he grew on me. As the case unfolds, we slowly start to see how deeply intertwined everyone’s lives are, and how past decisions ripple into the present in ways no one can escape.

The major themes in the book relate to how our past shapes the future, grief, loss, the interconnectedness of things, moral ambiguity, gun violence, 

The writing quality is top notch—very sophisticated and honestly just flawless. I don’t even know what else to say. It’s what you’d expect given Jo Nesbo's reputation, but since this is my first book by him, I was genuinely impressed. There’s a level of depth and precision in the writing that really elevates the whole reading experience.

The plot is intricate and intriguing—it feels complicated at first, but when you step back, it’s actually quite simple at its core. What makes it stand out is how deeply it hits emotionally. This isn’t just another revenge story or a fast-paced whodunnit. It goes beyond that. The police investigation angle gave me slight Lee Child vibes initially, but that’s where the similarities end. What really stood out to me was how clearly we see the emotional layers of the characters. You’re not just following events—you’re feeling them. The story keeps reinforcing those emotions in different, very realistic ways, which made it surprisingly relatable.

There are multiple POVs, which I’ll admit was a bit confusing at the beginning—especially since they’re sometimes separated by just a paragraph break rather than full chapters. I also have a bit of beef with the "past and present" POVs which, in my opinion, didn't create much interest and added unnecessary complexity - until the end I couldn't figure out who was narrating the present version (and maybe I'm still wrong, lol). 

Now the mystery!! I did have my suspicions about a certain character, but what actually ended up happening was completely unexpected. That twist added so much to the overall “wow” factor for me and really elevated my perception of the book. There's one thing to read a book with a mind-boggling mystery, and another to have that PLUS emotional depth in the story. It was just "holistic". Bob Oz is a name I will remember long after having finished the story (as long as my memory can serve me, that is.) What I do know is I will 100% recommend Wolf Hour if you're looking for a police/detective mystery with high quality writing and broad, interconnected themes.

Book Review: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

Finally! I had begun to think my thriller era had started to feel a bit dull and repetitive. This book proved me wrong and reminded me why I love reading so much!! It was such a refreshing change from the usual writing styles, and SO engaging—I literally carried it everywhere just to sneak in a few pages whenever I could. Let’s dig into the deets:

Author: Holly Jackson (author of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder)
Pages: ~400
Release date: July 17, 2025
Publisher: Bantam
Buy it on Amazon here

Book Blurb

In seven days Jet Mason will be dead.

Jet is the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Woodstock, Vermont. Twenty-seven years old, she’s still waiting for her life to begin. She’ll do it later, she always says. She has time.

Until, on the night of Halloween, Jet is violently attacked by an unseen intruder.

She suffers a catastrophic brain injury. The doctor is certain that within a week, she’ll suffer a deadly aneurysm.

Jet never thought of herself as having enemies. But now she looks at everyone in a new light: her family, her ex-best friend turned sister-in-law, her former boyfriend.

She only has seven days, and as her condition deteriorates she has only her childhood friend Billy for help. But nevertheless, she’s absolutely determined to finally finish something:

Jet is going to solve her own murder.

My Thoughts

I had high expectations going into this—especially since it won the Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 (and let’s be honest, readers are rarely wrong). At the start, I was a little sceptical—it felt like it might be overhyped—but about a third of the way in, I was completely hooked.

For one, we know almost nothing about Jet and her family at the beginning, and that curiosity builds so well as the story unfolds. Even when I thought I had figured out the “killer,” I still had no clue why Jet was targeted until much later. Kudos to Holly Jackson for her highly engaging and immersive writing style. It’s not overly complex—no jumping timelines or multiple POVs—but it never feels dull.

Jet’s voice (her internal monologue) is written in a very specific way that makes it feel raw, immediate, and oddly relatable. The mystery itself is also really well done—characters are introduced gradually, connections are there to be made, but nothing is too obvious. It genuinely felt like I was on this journey with Jet and Billy, trying to solve her own “murder” alongside them.

And that premise? So unique. A victim solving her own crime while dealing with grief, loss, and the looming reality of her own death - it sounds heavy (and it is), but it’s handled in a way that keeps you completely invested.

I also really appreciated the emotional depth of the story. Yes, it’s a mystery, but it’s also about Jet’s life - her relationships, her regrets, her fears, her ambitions. Knowing she has only days left adds this layer of urgency and reflection that makes everything hit harder. The book feels whole in that sense - it’s not just about solving a crime, it’s about everything that comes with it.

I do give this book a very high rating of 4.5/5 stars, but it did have some aspects I did not enjoy a lot. Jet, for one, is endearing but also not super likeable. I felt bad about the way she treated others sometimes, especially dismissing her mother's (valid, imo) feelings and seemed quite selfish to me. It became annoying at a point where I felt tired of her acting that way. Granted, she gets a pass because she was going to die, but still. And oh, poor sweet Billy! Probably the most likeable character here - I love how his story was depicted and I did feel bad for him throughout.

The ending was satisfying (though a little emotional, as expected), and overall well-executed. There were a few loose ends I wish had been tied up more neatly, but nothing that ruined the experience for me—which is saying a lot because I can be picky with thrillers.

Would I recommend this? 100% yes. Whether you’re a thriller regular or just getting into the genre, this one is such an engaging, emotional, and genuinely enjoyable ride!

Book Review: To All the Men I've Killed Before by Katy Brent

Author: Katy Brent

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 384

Release Date: Aug 2026

Find it at: Amazon

Book Blurb

If a man hurt your best friend – like, really hurt her – what would you do?

1. Key his car?
2. Broadcast what a scumbag he is to everyone in his life?
3. Hunt him down and chop him into little pieces?

If you picked number 3, I think we could be friends. Because that is exactly what I intend to do.

I’ve tracked this lowlife to LA and brought my little sister Antoinette along for the ride. It’s like a girls’ trip, only with more knives.

It won’t be the first time I’ve killed for revenge. But it will be the sweetest.

My Thoughts!

First, thank you HarperCollins Canada and NetGalley for an advance review copy of this book!

I went into To All the Men I’ve Killed Before expecting something a little different—in a good way. The premise is bold: a revenge-driven female serial killer, a girls’ trip to LA, and a mission to take down a man who’s hurt someone close to her. It sounded like it could be dark, funny, maybe even a little “chick-lit but make it unhinged.”

The story follows Kitty Collins (our resident killer) as she tracks down a man who’s seriously harmed her best friend. She heads to LA—with her younger sister Antoinette in tow—for what is essentially a revenge mission disguised as a chaotic girls’ trip. And this isn’t Kitty’s first time doing this either, which kind of sets the tone for the whole book. This book is in fact the third in the Kitty Collins’ series, but even though I read this one without reading the previous two, I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. It flows well.

To give credit where it’s due: this book is very readable. The writing flows easily, it’s fast-paced, and I flew through it because it genuinely kept me hooked. There’s also a strong sense of voice—Kitty is bold, unapologetic, and very much committed to her own version of justice. Antoinette, meanwhile, brings a more chaotic energy, especially as she starts getting a little too comfortable with the whole killing thing. The sister dynamic was actually one of the more interesting parts of the story.

But… the story itself (anddd maybe execution) didn’t quite sit well with me.

I struggled with how over-the-top and unrealistic a lot of it felt. There were quite a few plot holes, things that just… happened without explanation, and very little sense of consequence for actions that should have had major fallout. The characters also didn’t always behave in ways that felt believable, which made it harder to stay fully invested. I mean, I can believe the killers are obviously OK with killing people, but when you add at least 5-6 more characters that become aware of the fact AND they are OK with it - that frustrated me no end! If that’s the reality of this world, I would like to go live on Mars.

And then there’s the tone around revenge. I understand what the book is tapping into—frustration, anger, the whole “men getting what they deserve” angle. That part is real. But the way the story leans into violence as not just justified, but enjoyable, didn’t sit right with me. The moral line felt blurred in a way that wasn’t thought-provoking so much as… uncomfortable.

I get that this isn’t meant to be a serious, grounded thriller, and maybe that’s the point. It’s exaggerated, a bit chaotic, and probably meant to be taken with a pinch (or handful) of salt. And for the right reader, that might be exactly what makes it fun. For me, though, while I appreciated the original concept and the addictive writing style, the execution and tone just didn’t fully work.

Overall, an easy and compelling read with a standout premise—but definitely one that will depend heavily on your taste.

Book Review: Boring Asian Female by Canwen Xu

Title: Boring Asian Female

Author: Canwen Xu

Pages: 261
Published: Apr 2026 (Releasing 28 Apr 2026)
Publisher: HarperCollins Canada

My Rating: 3.5/5

Find it at: Amazon

First, a shout out to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance review copy through Netgalley for this review! I feel so much in my element when I’m able to do this!! 

Boring Asian Female caught my immediate attention with its fun title and cover design. Reading the blurb made me even more intrigued and I knew this would be something I want to read - and I am glad I did! While there was a layer of mystery in the story, it was mostly the story of an immigrant Asian girl obsessed with proving herself by getting through to Harvard Law. Yes, it does feel like a cliche but that’s the whole point - the expectations set upon some people, directly or indirectly through society, and how it influences the trajectory of their entire existence. 

Blurb

Thank you for your interest in our school, but we regret to inform you that…” You’re not special. You’re too average. You’re too boring. 

Elizabeth Zhang is well aware of her place in the world. She’s in the tenth percentile for likability, the seventieth percentile for attractiveness, and the ninety-ninth percentile for academics. While she’s never been the most beautiful or the most liked, she knows she has the intelligence and ambition to achieve her greatest dream: Harvard Law School.

But when Harvard rejects Elizabeth for not standing out enough—which she knows means she's just another boring Asian female—her carefully constructed life falls apart. What shocks her even more is that Laura Kim, a classmate at Columbia, got in. Elizabeth can’t figure out how this could have happened. Why was Laura accepted? What makes her so interesting?

At first, she follows Laura because she’s curious to see what made her stand out to Harvard. What does Laura order for lunch? Where does Laura shop? What are Laura’s hobbies? But no matter how hard she tries, Elizabeth just can’t understand what makes Laura so special.

The only thing she does understand is that Laura has taken her spot. A spot that, after all her hard work, she feels she deserves more. A spot that she’ll simply have to take back.

Layered and subversive, Boring Asian Female reveals how societal expectations and personal pressure can unlock the darkest parts of a person and exposes how far one young woman is willing to go to fulfil her deepest ambition.

My Thoughts

I definitely enjoyed reading this book, though not due to my usual reasons. I appreciate the depth of the plot after finishing the book more than what I had imagined reading the blurb - Asian culture is known for their deep focus on academic excellence and Elizabeth is no exception. Her family moved to the US for a better future, but after dissatisfaction with their mediocre job and low prospects, her father returns to his home country and Elizabeth stays on with her mother in a small town in South Dakota. But Elizabeth has dreams - dreams that involve New York and securing a fancy and comfortable life for herself. She is determined to become a lawyer. The book follows her story as she studies at Columbia and spends lots of time preparing for Harvard Law, but she gets a letter of rejection. 

The story takes us through the following days, weeks and months as Elizabeth slowly starts to spiral trying to understand the reason for her rejection, and obsessed with her classmate Laura who was accepted. She goes on to behave in questionable ways, making assumptions, and engaging in stalker-like behaviours bordering on illegality, until the characters reach a breaking point and Elizabeth is officially diagnosed as someone going through mental distress and requiring help. The ending was satisfying but not 100%. However, considering the circumstances, I suppose there was no other way it could go! 

I like the concept and the message the story is trying to bring forward- it was especially eye-opening to see things from Elizabeth’s point of view. A third party observer would always be more judgmental and critical (and for some actions, rightly so), but the point of the story is to get inside the head of someone who’s spiralling and see things from their perspective. What they feel, understand, perceive and how it defines their sense of self. It is relatable as most of us go through university with certain degree of hopes for our futures and expectations around the same. The story gives a satirical angle to elite institutions and high-achieving kids whose identity weighs heavily around merit and certain definitions of success.

The writing itself is fast-paced, well-written, although a bit boring especially in the first half. I think it could be due to lack of POVs or shifts in timeline. We are completely in Elizabeth’s head all the time and it felt like a change was needed here and there to break up the monotony. There were also parts that felt rushed or unexplained, and the mystery itself was lacking - even though the point of the story was something else, I felt some mystery could have been added as separate layers rather than having a singular narrative stating facts as and when they happen. 

The story also explores friendships and their importance in one’s life. How these relationships can help ground someone going through mental distress and help them feel hopeful about themselves. I liked Elizabeth and Eunjin’s friendship as well as characterization. Each had their own set of positives and flaws and the story brought that out well. It made me feel lots of empathy while simultaneously feeling annoyed with the characters. 

Is this a book I would read again? Possibly not, but mostly because the story is unique and kind of not easy to forget. 

Would I recommend others to read this? Absolutely! If not for the writing, I’d recommend reading it for the story and the themes. 

Book Review: The Intruder by Freida McFadden

Author: Freida McFadden (author of The Housemaid series among others)

Pages: 279

Published: Oct 2025

My Rating: 3.5/5

Buy it at Amazon here

Blurb

Who knows what the storm will blow in…

Casey's cabin in the wilderness is not built for a hurricane. Her roof shakes, the lights flicker, and the tree outside her front door sways ominously in the wind. But she's a lot more worried about the girl she discovers lurking outside her kitchen window.

She’s young. She’s alone. And she’s covered in blood.

The girl won't explain where she came from or loosen her grip on the knife in her right hand. And when Casey makes a disturbing discovery in the middle of the night, things take a turn for the worse.

The girl has a dark secret. One she’ll kill to keep. And if Casey gets too close to the truth, she may not live to see the morning.

In this taut, deadly tale of survival and desperation, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden explores how far one girl will go to save herself.

My Thoughts 

This was a tricky one. After all the hype for Freida, I guess it can add pressure and make someone have high expectations from all their works! I say tricky because while I loved reading this story, it also didn’t make me go “oooohhh wow”. I’m thinking I probably won’t have a lot to share on this one but you never know with me. Let’s dig in! 

Writing: Very good! The language is clear, easy to read, easy to relate and get inside characters’ heads, clever choice of tone for different characters, and you are never bored. So that’s a big plus and the biggest reason this story feels elevated. 

Another thing I noticed is also a bit of flatness - while there are character POV switches, it doesn’t get confusing (although I realized why towards the end of the book). Usually with multiple timelines and POVs thrillers tend to make me go back and forth between the pages (no thanks to my postpartum brain), but this one was “easy” enough! A characteristic of this author’s writing style is the unreliable narration which always makes me wonder what in the world is happening and whether I should believe anything at face value or not.

Plot and storyline: The story follows present-day Casey, and the young girl she finds outside her cabin covered in blood, along with her closest neighbour Lee. Equally significant, if not more, is the story of young Ella along with her family and friends. Closer towards the end things start to reveal themselves, some expected but some shocking. I admit, the twist WAS surprising and changed everything as we had learned to understand, and it did surprise me, but it was also the only “thrilling” thing that happened. The rest of the story and events are engaging and keep you hooked, but for a thriller it reads at a steady pace and is overall “soft”. It’s not super complex, but packed with tension and can get addictive! 

Themes: The book explores sensitive themes - childhood abuse, power and control, in a multi-layered fashion. Things are not exactly “shocking” but definitely disturbing. We never know who is in control, really, or how power dynamics may shift quickly. It also explores paranoia, impact of past events on your future, trust (you never know who’s on your side or why). 

Overall, the plot made sense, kept me engaged and kept wanting to know more, so it is a book I would recommend (along with some trigger warnings), to anyone looking for a hooking, thrilling mystery. This book did not put me off Freida McFadden, so I’m on the lookout for her next one!