9 Authors Like Freida McFadden
There’s nothing quite like diving into a book that grabs you by the shoulders, locks eyes with you, and refuses to let go until the final twist drops like a bomb. Some authors just get it—they write psychological thrillers with such compulsive momentum, dark twists, and gasp-worthy reveals that you can’t help but scream really loudly when it all comes together (or falls apart). For me, Freida McFadden is one of those authors.
I first heard about bestselling author Freida McFadden when a fellow reader recommended The Housemaid with the caveat, "Cancel your plans once you start." They weren’t wrong. That book had me on the edge of my seat, eyeing every character suspiciously, listening for staircases that creak and wondering if the housemaid is watching. What makes Freida McFadden books so gripping is her ability to create ordinary characters trapped in extraordinary circumstances, and often in a story home overlooking the ocean where secrets simmer below the surface.
If you love that experience—the heart-pounding thrill, the dark humor, the moments where you whisper Did that just happen?—then this roundup of authors like Freida McFadden is for you. Consider this your new TBR list filled with writers who specialize in psychological thrillers and medical suspense, twisted domestic situations, and characters that will haunt you long after the last page.
Authors Like Freida McFadden
Before we dive into the list, let’s talk about who Freida McFadden is and what makes her books such a hit. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her work, a bit of context helps set expectations and shows why these authors are such a great match.
Who Is Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author known for her unputdownable psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. A practicing physician specializing in brain injury, McFadden brings a sharp medical lens to many of her stories, weaving in authentic clinical details with spine-tingling suspense. She lives with her family and a cat in a centuries-old house that could probably double as the setting for one of her books. Her breakthrough success came with The Housemaid, which quickly went viral on BookTok and solidified her as a thriller writer to watch.
How Many Books Has Freida McFadden Written
As of now, Freida McFadden has penned multiple novels, including over 20 psychological thrillers and medical humor titles. Some of her most popular books include:
The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret
The Perfect Son
Never Lie
The Coworker
Do Not Disturb
With more releases scheduled regularly, her growing library gives readers plenty to binge.
What Genre Is Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden writes across several genres, most notably psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, and medical humor. Her stories often feature flawed but relatable female protagonists, unreliable narrators, and chilling plotlines that make you question everything. If you enjoy books like The Wife Upstairs, you’ll likely devour Freida McFadden’s catalog. Her thrillers tend to unfold in claustrophobic, emotionally charged settings—think a home overlooking the ocean with staircases that creak and a housemaid who might not be what she seems.
9 Authors Similar To Freida McFadden
Authors Like Freida McFadden
Tarryn Fisher
Book Feature of An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher
Tarryn Fisher is the queen of morally grey characters and unpredictable plotlines. Her novel The Wives is a twisty tale about a woman who discovers her husband may be married to other women—and that’s just the beginning. Like McFadden, Fisher excels at building tension and unraveling it in shocking ways. Her stories make you question the people closest to you and sometimes, even your own memories.
Authors Like Freida McFadden
Alice Feeney
If you want psychological thrillers that feel like a punch to the gut, Alice Feeney delivers. Her novel Sometimes I Lie is a masterclass in unreliable narration. Feeney writes the kind of stories where every sentence matters and the final twist will make you scream really loudly. You won’t want to read her books alone in the dark.
Authors Like Freida McFadden
Lisa Jewell
Author Interview with Lisa Jewell
Lisa Jewell writes domestic suspense with deeply drawn characters and haunting emotional stakes. Her books, like The Family Upstairs and Then She Was Gone, explore secrets buried in the past and how they resurface in devastating ways. Jewell's books are perfect for fans of Freida McFadden looking for that eerie, what-happens-behind-closed-doors kind of thrill.
Authors Like Freida McFadden
Shari Lapena
Known for The Couple Next Door and An Unwanted Guest, Shari Lapena crafts classic whodunits with a modern edge. Her fast-paced writing style, multiple POVs, and knack for suspense make her a great read-alike for McFadden fans. Expect twists, secrets, and cliffhangers that will keep you flipping pages into the night.
Authors Like Freida McFadden
K.L. Slater
K.L. Slater’s books often feature ordinary women plunged into terrifying situations, much like the protagonists in Freida McFadden books. With titles like The Widow and The Apartment, Slater knows how to build dread and suspense in everyday environments. Her stories feel like they could happen to you, which makes them all the more chilling.
Authors Like Freida McFadden
B.A. Paris
B.A. Paris burst onto the scene with Behind Closed Doors, a thriller about a seemingly perfect couple with a horrifying secret. Her novels usually center on domestic situations gone very, very wrong. Her prose is tight, her pacing swift, and her stories often leave you with a gnawing sense of unease.
Authors Like Freida McFadden
Megan Miranda
Miranda blends atmospheric settings with gripping mysteries, often rooted in small-town secrets or isolated communities. Her bestseller All the Missing Girls cleverly unfolds in reverse, and her more recent work The Only Survivors continues to showcase her ability to keep readers guessing. Her novels pair well with Freida McFadden’s for fans who love plot-driven suspense.
Authors Like Freida McFadden
Samantha Downing
Downing’s breakout hit My Lovely Wife features a couple who, well, murder for fun. Her dark humor and inventive plot twists make her a standout in the thriller space. If you like your psychological thrillers with a dose of twisted domestic dynamics and satire, Downing is one to watch.
Authors Like Freida McFadden
Ruth Ware
Often described as the Agatha Christie of our time, Ruth Ware writes closed-circle mysteries set in creepy environments—a glass house in the woods, a luxury cruise, a gothic boarding school. Her most popular books include The Woman in Cabin 10 and The Turn of the Key. Ware's writing is immersive and layered, with staircases that creak and settings that almost become characters themselves.
If you love authors who keep you guessing, offer a touch of medical or domestic drama, and make you wonder whether you can hear someone if you scream in a house by the sea, then this list is for you. Whether you're on the hunt for more psychological thrillers and medical suspense or just need to restock your TBR after devouring every last Freida McFadden book, these authors won't disappoint.
Looking for more recommendations? Don’t miss my roundup of the best psychological thrillers and my curated guide to the best thriller authors you should know.
The Best Freida McFadden Books
If you're just discovering Freida McFadden or want to know which of her novels to pick up next, these are some of her most popular and highly recommended books. While readers have different favorites, these psychological thrillers consistently rank among her best thanks to their shocking twists, unreliable narrators, and impossible-to-predict endings.
The Housemaid – The novel that introduced many readers to Freida McFadden. Millie takes a live-in housekeeping job for a wealthy family, but it quickly becomes clear that everyone in the house is hiding dangerous secrets. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with jaw-dropping twists, this is the perfect place to start. (You could link to your The Housemaid Books in Order post if you have one.)
The Housemaid's Secret – The bestselling sequel follows Millie as she begins another housekeeping job, only to find herself caught in yet another web of lies, manipulation, and murder. Fans who loved the first novel will appreciate the escalating suspense.
The Housemaid Is Watching – The third installment proves that Millie's story is far from over. McFadden continues to raise the stakes while delivering the unexpected plot twists readers have come to expect.
The Boyfriend – One of Freida McFadden's most talked-about standalone thrillers. As a woman searches for love, she discovers that finding the perfect boyfriend may be much more dangerous than being single. Like many of McFadden's books, every chapter leaves readers questioning who can be trusted.
Never Lie – A newly married couple becomes trapped in a remote mansion during a snowstorm, only to discover recordings left behind by the home's missing psychiatrist. The isolated setting and constant suspense make this one of her strongest psychological thrillers.
The Teacher – Set inside a seemingly ordinary high school, this novel explores secrets, manipulation, and betrayal between students and faculty. It showcases McFadden's talent for making everyday settings feel unsettling.
The Coworker – Office politics become deadly in this fast-paced thriller about two coworkers whose complicated relationship takes a shocking turn. Readers who enjoy workplace suspense will find plenty to love here.
The Locked Door – Nora Davis has spent her life trying to escape the legacy of her serial killer father. When murders begin mirroring his crimes, she becomes the prime suspect. This darker psychological thriller is a favorite among longtime fans.
Ward D – Taking place almost entirely inside a locked psychiatric ward, this claustrophobic thriller combines medical suspense with unexpected twists. McFadden's own medical background adds authenticity to the hospital setting.
The Inmate – A nurse begins working at a prison only to discover that one of the inmates is someone from her past. Packed with secrets, revenge, and surprising revelations, it's another excellent example of McFadden's signature storytelling.
Books Similar To Freida McFadden
If you've already read every Freida McFadden novel and are looking for your next page-turner, these books deliver many of the same qualities: unreliable narrators, shocking twists, psychological suspense, and stories that keep you guessing until the very last page.
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine – A clever domestic thriller about deception, obsession, and ambition. Like Freida McFadden's novels, every revelation changes how you see the characters.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – One of the most popular psychological thrillers of the past decade, this novel features a memorable narrator and a twist that surprised readers around the world.
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney – A tense, atmospheric thriller about a married couple whose anniversary getaway takes a sinister turn. Readers who enjoy unreliable narrators and shocking endings should add this to their list.
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen – This bestselling psychological thriller constantly shifts readers' assumptions, making it an excellent recommendation for Freida McFadden fans.
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica – Multiple disappearances, shifting timelines, and unexpected revelations create the same addictive reading experience that McFadden readers often seek.
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris – A seemingly perfect marriage hides disturbing secrets in this fast-paced domestic suspense novel that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose – A successful defense attorney represents her husband after he's accused of murdering his mistress. Packed with courtroom drama and surprising twists, it appeals to many Freida McFadden fans.
Verity by Colleen Hoover – Although marketed differently than many traditional thrillers, this suspense novel features disturbing secrets, unreliable storytelling, and one of the most discussed endings in recent years.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell – Lisa Jewell combines psychological suspense with compelling character development in this unsettling novel about two women whose lives unexpectedly become intertwined.
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena – A missing baby, suspicious neighbors, and constant plot twists make this one of the most accessible psychological thrillers for readers who love Freida McFadden's fast-paced style.
These novels all capture the elements that make Freida McFadden so addictive to read: ordinary people hiding extraordinary secrets, impossible-to-see plot twists, escalating tension, and endings that leave readers immediately searching for their next thriller. They make excellent choices while you wait for her next release.
