Member Reviews

When you pick up a book by Freida McFadden, you know you won’t be able to put it down until you are finished. That was the case for me with THE COWORKER. I absolutely love books filled with office drama, because who hasn’t had drama at the workplace at one point in their life? There’s always the office favorite. The one who gets away with everything. Meet Natalie Farell, a beautiful top sales rep for Vixed, a nutritional supplement company and the office favorite. When her strange coworker, Dawn Schiff doesn’t show up for work one day, Natlie is thrust into the mystery surrounding Dawn’s disappearance.

I loved how Dawn’s POV is told through a series of emails to a friend named Mia. It worked brilliantly in this story. Natalie’s character really got under my skin! She was such a bully and I found myself constantly annoyed at her actions.

I had so many theories about what could have happened to Dawn and how Natalie was involved and of course I was never correct! Thank you, Freida, for listening to my theories! This author is the Queen of misdirection, and nothing is ever what it seems. I love that about her books!

THE COWORKER is high on the list of my favorite Freida McFadden books, and I know her fans will love it! Thank you to the author for always making sure I always have an early copy of your books and to the publisher, @poisonedpenpress for sending this to me.

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Frieda McFadden writes such intriguing mysteries. I truly couldn’t figure this one out (and I’m usually pretty good at doing so!) The twists kept coming with this story. Every time that I thought the big reveal had happened, there would be another twist! This story had me on the edge of my seat!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for my ARC!

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I never fail to absolutely devour Ms. McFadden’s books and this one was no different. I always think that I have things figured out, but then the twist hits and I find out what I expected couldn’t be further from the truth. I love the fact that this story addresses bullying along with the severity of the effects it can have on its victims. It was also refreshing to see the spotlight shine on a main character who was labeled as “different” and to see things from their perspective vs the perspectives of the other “normal” characters in this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in return for my honest review.

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Very intriguing read. It is full of twists and turns, and the ending surprised me. Highly recommend.

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I can't tell if this is a good book or not.... BUT I tore through it which stands for a lot when I'm reading a thriller/mystery. At the same time, I saw most of the twists coming (with the exception of maybe one). However, that didn't affect my read. If anything I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to see if I was right in my guesses or not.

The characters were my biggest bump. I'm not sure that either is made to be likable per se. I definitely found sympathy, but I didn't necessary LIKE either of the man characters.

A small note: one of the main characters is autistic-coded. I'm not the one to say whether or not this was a good representation, but there were certain things about this portrayal that rubbed me a bit the wrong way!

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I've had mixed experiences with Mcfadden so far - she's well known for bingeable, easy to read thrillers with well plotted reveals, but not always the most original (a few have been accused of outright plaigiarism) and sometimes morally questionable (mental health rep).
so I'm happy to say this is actually her most interesting and unique book i've read so far, her writing is definitely improving and she made morally grey characters that you actually care about! I feel like the synopsis gives too much away, so I advise going into this blindly and just letting the little reveals unfold themselves. I really enjoy a mystery set around workplace drama, and would love more receommendations similar to this!

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O M G!! This book is one of my top 5 books by Freida! The twists and turns that were throughout the entire book had me second guessing everything that I thought I had figured out! So good! And of course I was able to read it just as quickly as all the other books! Can’t wait for the next one.

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Almost all of us have experienced an annoying or difficult coworker but hopefully not many have resorted to taking that person out. The coworker is a wild ride from start to finish and I’d say one of McFadden’s best for “twist” factors. I will say that the beginning reads a bit slow but overall, I absolutely enjoyed it. I didn’t figure this one out, I had my suspicions but I wasn’t even close.
Thank you to Freida McFadden and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read an ARC edition for review.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Publication Day! Only Freida can make characters that I hate so much! Natalie was so unlikeable, so incredibly selfish, I just wanted to hit her with a ceramic turtle! However, I loved, loved, loved Dawn's quirky character. Let's rewind. Natalie and Dawn are coworkers, and because Dawn is...strange, Natalie is a bit of a mean girl to her. But when Dawn doesn't show up for work, Natalie sets out to find out what happened to her.

This book definitely has the twists that Freida is known for, and they do not disappoint. First I was like, no! Then I was like WHAT? Then I was like stop it! And let's not forget Freida's sense of humor-definitely made me chuckle a few times. A very quick read that will have you flying through the pages to find out what happened next.

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Yea …loved it. Natalie welcomes Dawn to Vixen where she works ,but soon in Natalie is brushing off Dawn. Dawn really wants to be her friend but her love of everything turtles makes Natalie into thinking Dawn is off her rocker. Dawn is very awkward and doesn’t feel welcome. She is on time and never late…ever!!!! One day Dawn doesn’t show up for work and Natalie wonders why. This is when the fun begins , full of twists and it all connects at the end !!

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Dawn is strange. Natalie is the star cheerleader grown up. They work in the cubicles next to each other.. until Dawn turns up missing and Natalie is concerned. But is she too concerned? Were they even friends? Told from dual prospectives, The Coworker is the definition of a mystery and whodunnit that Freida McFadden has so artfully mastered.

This has to be one of my favorite books of the year. I’ve read so many mystery/thrillers that I’m pretty hard to stump at this point and this one left me guessing until the very end. I’m a sucker for a dual prospective, especially when one is leading up to the event. I’m going to also request a moment of silence for THAT EPILOGUE. I mean… CMON. Five star book.

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This was the first book that I've read by this author but I'll definitely be reading more in the future.

It all begins with Natalie's co-worker, Dawn, not showing up for work one day and Natalie soon finds herself as a person of interest in the case of Dawn's disappearance.

This had me feeling all kinds of hate and sympathy for the characters when reading. It easily had me hooked and I found it interesting and well paced. I had guessed some parts of the plot but enjoyed discovering the parts that I hadn't.

4.5⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

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Title: "The Co-worker”
Author: Freida McFadden
Finished reading: 8/30/23

In "The Co-worker," Freida McFadden masterfully crafts a gripping narrative that delves into the intricate web of human connections, exploring the enigmatic realm of co-workers and the profound influence of past actions on present lives.

McFadden's storytelling prowess shines through as she navigates the complex landscape of interpersonal relationships within a professional setting. The narrative revolves around the central theme of unraveling the facade that often conceals the true nature of those we work alongside. With a deft touch, the author weaves a tale that uncovers the layers of secrets, regrets, and desires that shape each character's trajectory.

Drawing readers into a world of uncertainty and intrigue, McFadden skillfully explores the question of how well we truly know the individuals we interact with daily. The protagonist's journey mirrors the doubts and suspicions that often arise when faced with the dissonance between surface impressions and hidden truths. The narrative serves as a mirror, reflecting the reader's own experiences of grappling with understanding and misjudging those around them.

As the protagonist unearths the past actions that cast lingering shadows on the present, McFadden adeptly captures the emotional turmoil and personal growth that accompany such discoveries. The author's portrayal of the delicate dance between unraveling the past and preserving relationships adds depth and authenticity to the characters' experiences.

"The Co-worker" stands as a testament to McFadden's ability to blend mystery, human psychology, and personal introspection seamlessly. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for crafting relatable characters, the author encourages readers to question assumptions and delve deeper into the narratives that shape our interactions.

In conclusion, "The Co-worker”, is a captivating exploration of the complexities that define our relationships with those we share our professional lives with. Freida McFadden's narrative prowess captivates, challenges, and resonates, leaving readers with a renewed awareness of the hidden layers that comprise the individuals we thought we knew. This book is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the intricacies of human nature and the mysteries that lie just beneath the surface.

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This book was amazing!!! I finished reading this book start to finish in one night! It kept me guessing all the way through! I love the way Freida build these characters. They have parts of them that you love and parts that you hate which felt realistic.

I will def recommend others to read this and can’t wait to read more books by Freida!

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This didn't go how I expected it to go AT all. I really loved the little plots at the end of part two.
It's very clear McFadden is a great writer and I will definetly check out more of her work. This book was definetly crafted well, and I am SO glad we got answers to ALL the things that would need to be explained.

This book was written so well. That really shows. But GOD were these characters bloody annoying. I suppose that was the point though. I liked part two a lot better.

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Thank you to Poisoned Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Holy cow I finished this book in 48 hours. As a Freida lover I had high hopes for this book and it did not disappoint. The way the plot just kept growing and growing and the suspense was thrilling. I was hooked from the beginning. I thought I had it figured it about 50% through and in true Freida fashion, plot twist....I was so wrong. That epilogue though!!!!!

Everyone needs, no HAS, to buy this book!!! Definitely top 3 favorite book by her!!!!

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HAPPY PUB DAY!!

I am so embarrassed that this is my first Freida McFadden book! I know she has been blowing up TikTok and this book did not disappoint! I loved the characters that Freida has created BUT the plot full of twists and turns has to be the best part of this novel! I think this book is for any Freida McFadden fan but also for the reader looking to dip their toes into McFadden's novels before diving into her extensive backlist!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

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Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!
Freida McFadden’s books are some of my favorite books. Easily digestible, twisty physiological thrillers are my jam and this one isn’t an exception.

I had expected a couple of the twists in the book but some still took me by surprise. Freida does it again with getting me hooked and not letting me go until the final sentence.

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The Coworker- Freida McFadden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

She’s back at it again! Another twisty, fast paced and highly addictive thriller. Freidas morally grey characters always get me! I never know who to trust, who to be weary of or who to believe 🤣 I devoured it in 48 hours. I’m never disappointed when it comes to ms Freida. She knows what she’s doing, and I’m here for it. If it has her name on it, I’m reading it!!

Y’all go check out The Coworker!! I highly, highly, recommend!!

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This was actually my first Freida McFadden which feels shocking to me considering I am a major major thriller girlie. Tik Tok has been hyping her up for months, but I tend to never get around to my to be read list on Kindle Unlimited because I prioritize my arcs and library books. That being said, I am running to go check out Freida's backlog!! This book delivered exactly what I was hoping it would. Suspenseful, thrilling, unpredictable, and totally unputdownable!

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