Merry Christmas 2025

 

Wishing everyone

A Very Blessed Merry Christmas 2025

May you and your home be blessed with the spirit and the cheers of Christmas

May you know the reason for this season.

Never Lie by Freida McFadden

 

Synopsis :

Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are searching for the house of their dreams.

But when they visit the remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who vanished without a trace four years earlier, a violent winter storm traps them at the estate… with no chance of escape until the blizzard comes to an end.

In search of a book to keep her entertained until the snow abates, Tricia happens upon a secret room. One that contains audio transcripts from every single patient Dr. Hale has ever interviewed. As Tricia listens to the cassette tapes, she learns about the terrifying chain of events leading up to Dr. Hale’s mysterious disappearance.

Tricia plays the tapes one by one, late into the night. With each one, another shocking piece of the puzzle falls into place, and Dr. Adrienne Hale’s web of lies slowly unravels.

And then Tricia reaches the final cassette.

The one that reveals the entire horrifying truth.

This is what I say :

Yes, I am on a roll with titles by Freida McFadden. Right after The Housemaid Series, I decided to check out the stand alone title by Freida McFadden.  I started with Never Lie which she wrote in year 2022.  It was a very easy read - I started reading during my lunch break (about 1 hour) and continue after dinner and completed at around 11 pm the same day/night.

Similar to The Housemaid, Never Lie was extremely intriguing.  Fast paced and each chapter are from a different view point of different key characters in the book.  Knowing the twist that the author likes to have in her book, I read with that assumption and unfortunately I was a bit off angle.

It also wasn't really a nice title to read just before bed as death and murder are  her key themes.  I went to bed thinking that I need a break from what she wrote but the next thing I know, I downloaded another of her title in my tablet which I will start reading the very next day.

My tips/spoiler for you : Both Tricia and Ethan aren't who you think they are.

The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden

 

Synopsis :

I used to clean other people’s houses—now, I can’t believe this home is actually mine. The charming kitchen, the quiet cul-de-sac, the huge yard where my kids can play. My husband and I saved for years to give our children the life they deserve.

Even though I’m wary of our new neighbor Mrs. Lowell, when she invites us over for dinner it’s our chance to make friends. Her maid opens the door wearing a white apron, her hair in a tight bun. I know exactly what it’s like to be in her shoes. But her cold stare gives me chills…

The Lowells’ maid isn’t the only strange thing on our street. I’m sure I see a shadowy figure watching us. My husband leaves the house late at night. And when I meet a woman who lives across the way, her words chill me to the bone: Be careful of your neighbors.

Did I make a terrible mistake moving my family here?

I thought I’d left my darkest secrets behind. But could this quiet suburban street be the most dangerous place of all?

This is what I say :

This is the third and final title in The Housemaid Series by Freida McFadden.  I started reading this title in early November and over last Sunday, I read The Housemaid is Watching that Sunday afternoon and thus completed the series.

The series are actually not related as in they are stand along stories but the style are quite similar.  A murder and lots and lots of twist and turn right up to the final sentence.

In this third book, Millie is no longer a housemaid but instead she has a housemaid.  However, murder seems to still follow her wherever she goes.  We also get to meet her two children. Is it true that apples dont fall far from the tree?  Are Millie's children like her in ways that she wont' want?

In this third book, we also see the return of 2 minor characters from the earlier book which to me is the nuggets of gold that the author tossed to her readers.

There are lots of loop holds and some characters can be developed into a new series. Even then, I enjoyed The Housemaid is Watching but I am also glad to say good bye to Millie and let she and her family live in peace from now on.

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

 

Synopsis :

It's hard to find an employer who doesn't ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want. It's almost perfect. But I still haven't met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I'm sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I'm doing laundry. And one day I can't help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything...

That's when I make a promise. After all, I've done this before. I can protect Mrs. Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe. Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It's simply a question of how far I'm willing to go...

This is what I say :

After reading two titles by Freida McFadden, both relating to The Housemaid, I have come to realise that nothing is as simple as what it seems and twist and turn in the storyline are just a norm for the author.

 I have also realised that no two person's opinion about this title is the same. Some loved it, some doesn't and some are rather strong in their detest of this series.

Started with The Housemaid, and I am sure due to its success, book two is entitled The Housemaid's Secret and it is just as intriguing as the original title.  

The main character is still Millie from the first book but she has evolved slightly in book 2. She's similar but not really the same.

Anyway, I loved The Housemaid's Secret and read it during my recent flights.  I am starting on book 3, The Housemaid Is Watching very soon.  I read all these as e-book.