This book is as creepy as creepy can get. The way I felt weird and suspicious throughout reading it tells a lot about it, I do not generally read thrillers but the ones like these are hard to put down. The main character did not feel reliable at all and the twists just kept coming.

Loved the suspense! So far my fave of the four, with a good plot, a little bit of gore and a really good plot twist. I didn't predict this ending at all and really captivated me. There was a fair bit of character growth throughout the story and polished off nicely. I was a bit skeptical how this one would end (I really thought she was somehow killing people subconsciously 😅) but it turned out well.

Freida McFadden is a go-to for suspenseful, quick reads that keep readers on their toes. I did figure out who the "villain" (other than Nora's father) was, but there were several twists that still created a satisfying surprise ending. It was nice to have at least one truly sympathetic, likable character in the book. As always, McFadden's dark humor was completely entertaining. This is a good fit for readers who may be fascinated by real-life serial killers as well as those who enjoy a little abnormal psychology here and there.

The Locked Door was a quick read that was full of twists that I didn’t see coming. Freida had me believing I had it all figured out multiple times, but I was proven wrong over and over. I was not a huge fan of the last book I read from this author, but I’m glad I gave this one a shot!

Book Review: The Locked Door by Freida McFadden

The Locked Door by Freida McFadden is a gripping psychological thriller that dives deep into the dark side of family secrets and inherited trauma. McFadden, known for her taut suspense and unexpected twists, delivers a chilling story filled with tension and dread, making it difficult to put down from the very first page.

The protagonist, Dr. Nora Davis, is a skilled surgeon hiding a dark past—her father was an infamous serial killer who committed horrific crimes in their family home. Nora has spent her adult life distancing herself from this legacy, burying her traumatic childhood and keeping her history a secret. However, when a string of murders begins to mirror her father’s grisly methods, Nora becomes the prime suspect. Haunted by the past and desperate to clear her name, she must confront the secrets she thought she’d left behind.

McFadden’s writing style is sharp and immersive, with short, punchy chapters that keep the reader hooked and the pace relentlessly fast. She expertly weaves flashbacks to Nora’s childhood, revealing disturbing glimpses of her father’s crimes and the traumatic impact on Nora’s psyche. This gradual unfolding of her background builds suspense while adding layers to Nora’s character, making her both intriguing and sympathetic.

The twists in The Locked Door are cleverly crafted. Just when you think you’ve pieced everything together, McFadden throws in a surprise that takes the story in a different direction. She plays with the theme of nature vs. nurture, raising questions about whether Nora can ever escape her father’s influence and whether evil tendencies can be passed down. The atmosphere is tense, and the mystery surrounding the copycat murders keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

While the novel primarily focuses on suspense, McFadden also gives us a look into Nora’s isolation and the toll her father’s crimes have taken on her sense of self and her relationships. This emotional depth adds a layer of poignancy to an otherwise dark story, making Nora’s struggle feel raw and real.

Verdict: The Locked Door is a masterfully crafted thriller that will appeal to fans of dark, psychological suspense. Freida McFadden has created a haunting story full of twists, chilling flashbacks, and a protagonist grappling with the shadows of her past. With its gripping pace and relentless tension, this book is a must-read for thriller lovers looking for a story that will keep them on edge until the final, shocking revelation.

This book was so interesting. Freida is such a popcorn thriller writer. Much of the book, I was rolling my eyes at how cringey it was. But there was also a lot of the time that I was super invested in the plot and who was responsible for the killings. I wish that Frieda would try to write slightly more sophisticated. It, at times, felt like a high schooler’s writing. I could completely predict the next line at times due to the corny dialogue.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

This was a fast-paced psychological thriller that will get you hooked with its dark and twisted plot. The story revolves around Dr. Nora Davis, whose chilling family secret resurfaces after years of being locked away. With all the unpredictable twists that Frieda is typicallt known for, the ending will leave you breathless!

You can't go wrong with Freida McFadden! Her books are entertaining and always have a twist you will never see coming. You'll think you have it figured out and then by the end you're shocked that it was the person you never even suspected. The Locked Door follows Nora whose father is a convicted serial killer. Nora has started over with a new name (and is a respected surgeon. When her patients start being murdered as her father used to kill his victims, Nora can't figure out what is going on. Is her father somehow out of prison without her knowledge? Is this a copycat? Read to find out the truth. You won't be disappointed.

A good premise. I enjoy books that have flashbacks along the way to help untangle the truth. As always, a quick paced enjoyable thriller.

Thank you for my e arc!

This wasn’t the best thriller. It had me questioning everyone, and I really thought the killer was the other doctor in her practice. I thought the ending was rushed and didn’t make sense to me. The long lost sister just wasn’t realistic.

This book gave me so many chills, and kept me guessing. Nora Davis (Nierling) grew up the child of a serial killer father who has been sentenced to 18 life sentences for his murders. Nora Davis is a successful surgeon, and has tried to put her inherited traits from her dad and traumatic childhood behind her; but then, two bodies of patients she's performed surgeries on turn up dead, in the same fashion that her father killed his victims. Detectives think Nora is following her father's serial killer footsteps. Nora discovers that some is out to get her and frame her, but who and why? The person out to frame her is someone Nora never expected. At the end, there's a family secret exposed that Nora didn't see coming. At the end, Nora does find her own slice of happiness. This is a classic thriller from Freida McFadden that will leave you captivated.

I enjoyed reading The Locked Door. When I started reading I was sure I had read this plot before. Some searching on Amazon tells me the book was published in 2021. I guess it must have been reworked and newly released. I liked the plot and characters. I liked Nora and sympathized with her over her past. I thought I knew the ending but of course I didn't remember the twist at the end. I'm giving it four stars because I'm sure I had read it before.

4.5 stars for this one! I love Freida books they always keep you guessing right until the last minute!

Intense, scary and fun!! I loved this book just as I do with every one of this author's titles. I can't wait to read the rest of her catalogue!

I'm late jumping on the Freida train but her books have not disappointed and there is always a twist at the end that has you second guessing what you just read which I love!

Nora Davis is a surgeon who loves her job. Besides working at a hospital she co-owns a practice with someone she went to medical school with. The practice is the perfect little knit tight family that all get along and enjoy each other each day! However Nora has a secret. Twenty-six years ago her father was sentenced to 18 lifetimes in prison for murdering 18 women. His victims had blue eyes and brown hair, he severed their hands and was know as “the handyman”. After he was as arrested Nora’s grandma raised her and she didn’t make any contact with him ever no matter how many letters he sent her. Nora had her last name changed when she was younger so no one knows who her father is and it wouldn’t destroy her life. Nora’s patients two of them with blue eyes and brown hair have been murdered with their hands severed. Who could be doing this? Is the handy man back or are we dealing with someone who’s trying to get to Nora and kill her next? You’ll have to check this one out to find out!

Twisty and freaky, the perfect Frieda thriller! Her books are always so good and have you hooked from the beginning. I thought I knew who the killer was till about 65% into the book and the twists and turns kept coming! I was blown away with the ending the just how the book came full circle. This one was on my kindle netgalley shelf for far too long 🙈🙈 I read almost the entire book on my plane ride, it was that good! Highly recommend this one - another well done Frieda book!

⭐️ 3 ⭐️

The Locked Door

Plot:
As a child, Nora Davis was oblivious to the horrific acts her father committed in their basement. Now, decades later, she is a successful surgeon who has kept her father's criminal past a secret. But when a young patient is murdered in the same brutal fashion as her father's victims, Nora finds herself in danger. Someone is framing her for a serious crime, and while the police have no evidence against her, Nora’s dark family secret remains hidden—at least, until they investigate her basement.

Thriller | Mystery

My Thoughts:
I really wanted to like this after loving Never Lie. But this book just didn’t hit the spot for me. It seemed all over the place and a tad boring at times. I didn’t connect with the plot and the suspect was pretty clear from the moment the character was introduced. Eh,.

The Locked Door by Freida McFadden is another hit from the best selling thriller author. I was instantly drawn into the life of the main character. It made me wonder, how would I react if I was in her shoes? I would probably be afraid to get close to people too. I f0und her character to be very realistic and relatable. I liked the flashbacks to her childhood and her father.
There were a lot of shocking twists, that I didn't seeing coming. I did not figure out who the killer was and I was not expecting to find out that the main character helped commit a murder of her own. Another hit from Freida McFadden!

Another easy to read page turner by Freida! The whole time you’re not sure what’s really going on or if the main character, Nora has gone off the deep end. Overall, I thought the story was a bit unoriginal but I definitely was hooked enough to keep reading. In true Frieda fashion I didn’t see the big twist coming!