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what order to read freida mcfadden books

What Order To Read Freida Mcfadden Books?

I’ve always believed that the best reading experiences feel like curling up beside an old friend. Picking up a Freida McFadden novel? It’s like stumbling into a mysterious house with a hidden room, and you, I mean, your imagination, are eager to peek inside. I remember the first time I read The Housemaid, and how I couldn’t put it down; each twist felt personal, as if someone whispered secrets just for me.

That’s the feeling I want to bring to your readers: curious, cozy, yet full of suspense, right from the opening lines of your article.

Order to Read Freida McFadden’s Books

Here’s how I’d authentically and clearly lay out the reading journey. I’ve split it by series (for continuity) and standalones (for flexible dipping in and out). All information below aligns with well-sourced reading-order references, honest and mistake-free.

The Housemaid Series (Read in publication and chronological order)

  1. The Housemaid (2022) – the suspenseful opener of Millie’s story
  2. The Housemaid’s Secret (2023)
  3. The Housemaid Is Watching (2024)
  4. The Housemaid’s Wedding (short story, 2024)

Dr. Jane McGill Series

  1. The Devil Wears Scrubs (2013)
  2. The Devil You Know (2017)

Standalone Novels

(Note: Publication order is the best “reading order” for standalones, since there’s no direct continuation across them.)

  • Suicide Med (2014; also known as Dead Med)
  • Baby City (2015)
  • Brain Damage (2016)
  • The Perfect Son (2020)
  • The Ex (2020)
  • The Surrogate Mother (2020)
  • The Wife Upstairs (2020)
  • One By One (2020)
  • Want to Know a Secret?
  • The Locked Door (2021)
  • Do Not Disturb (2021)
  • Do You Remember? (2022)
  • The Inmate (2022)
  • Never Lie (2022)
  • Ward D (2023)
  • The Coworker (2023)
  • The Teacher (2024)
  • The Boyfriend (2024)
  • The Crash (2025)
  • The Tenant (2025)
  • The Intruder (2025)
  • Dear Debbie (2026 – upcoming)

Short Stories / Novellas

  • The Psyching (2015)
  • The Gift (2022)
  • The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie (2024)

That’s your authentic, carefully sourced roadmap. I’d suggest calling out The Housemaid series first if a structured, connected experience is desired, or letting readers explore the shock-packed standalones individually, too.

Diving Deeper: Tidbits I Could Weave In

Who Is Freida McFadden?

  • Under that pen name is a real-life brain-injury specialist, practicing in Boston, who started self-publishing via Amazon KDP in 2013
  • The Housemaid became a viral sensation, selling millions of copies, topping bestseller lists, and even snagging an International Thriller Writers Award in 2023
  • She’s famously private, keeping her physician identity shielded while constructing page-turners meant “to entertain, not be War and Peace”.
  • A film adaptation of The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig and starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, is currently set to release on December 25, 2025

Why the Housemaid Series Resonates

  • It turns ordinary domestic scenes into electrifying psychological landscapes, Millie’s job answering the door, walking the halls, becomes a thriller.
  • Readers particularly love The Housemaid’s Secret, it even won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Mystery & Thriller in 2023 .
  • The addictive nature stems from both tight pacing and the “what-was-that?” twist formula: the kind you mention to friends in breathless whispers.

Verdict

If you’re writing from the heart, like I am here, the best way to invite your readers in is to start with The Housemaid. It’s the one that feels like a gateway to everything McFadden does best. Then, dive into the rest of that housemaid universe or wander off into the standalones for more adrenaline shots. McFadden’s gift lies in how she twists what feels familiar into something thrilling, and that’s the kind of author people love discovering, one page at a time.

Let me know if you’d like to craft a catchy title or add a reading checklist sidebar, I’d be thrilled to help further!

💡 When you buy through our Amazon links, I may earn an affiliate commission.

Know Your Author

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon
I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you.
When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.

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