me as hard as it probably should have. By the time the pieces came together, I felt more like, “Oh, okay,” than “Wow.”

I think part of my issue is that the book relies on a lot of thriller convenience. Wendy’s plan is elaborate, but it also feels fragile in a way that made it harder for me to fully buy into. The idea that two people could use the apartment, manipulate Millie, and pass one of them off as Douglas works in a dramatic sense, but it also had me thinking too much about logistics instead of feeling swept away by the twist.

That said, I did not hate the book. It was still fast and entertaining, and there were enough breadcrumbs to keep me reading. I also appreciate that McFadden knows exactly what kind of book she is writing. She writes twisty, accessible popcorn thrillers, and even when one does not fully land for me, I usually still have a decent time with it. This one just did not have the same sharpness as The Housemaid. The first book felt more surprising, more tense, and more satisfying in how everything clicked together. This one felt like it was trying to recreate that formula, but with less impact.

Overall, The Housemaid’s Secret was an okay sequel, but not a standout for me. If you loved Millie and want more of her chaotic justice-seeking energy, it is worth reading. If you are hoping for something as clever and twisty as the first book, this one might feel a little underwhelming.

Spoilers below:

The big reveal is that the man Millie thought was Douglas Garrick was not actually Douglas at all. The real Douglas is the man shown on the news after his death, and Millie realizes she has never seen him before. The man she knew as Douglas was Wendy’s lover, Russell Simonds, who helped her set the entire situation up.

Wendy’s bruises, blood, locked-door routine, and “abused wife” presentation were all part of the trap. Millie believes she is rescuing Wendy, but Wendy is really manipulating Millie’s savior complex. She knows Millie is someone who cannot walk away when she thinks someone is being hurt, and she uses that against her.

In theory, that is a great setup. In execution, it felt a little too neat for me. The pieces are there, but the emotional punch was not as strong as I wanted it to be. The final revenge twist, with Millie turning the situation back around on Wendy, was satisfying enough, but overall, the ride felt more predictable and less clever than the first book.

So, for me: entertaining, readable, and very Freida, but not her strongest.