Thank you Poisoned Pen Press, Freida McFadden, and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

Freida McFadden is the queen of twists! Yet again. I didn’t see the twist coming at all.

This story sucked me in, spun me around, and spit me back out feeling like I just rode a rollercoaster. Definitely one of my favorite Freida book.

5/5 stars.

Wow! Freida has nailed it once again! I really thought I had figured out the plot twist in this one but right at the end I was just simply jaw dropped!! The only thing I will say is the FMC was a little annoying at times for me which is why I am at a 4 stars.

Freida, you've done it again.
Any book of Freida McFadden's I've read, I've devoured it within a couple of hours and I am on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Nora, a respected surgeon, has a whole past life no one knows about. Her dad was a notorious serial killer, and she's spent her whole life trying to escape her past and forget about the terrible things that happened at home. But someone knows who she is, and suddenly Nora's female patients are being murdered in a copy-cat style, mirroring her dear old daddy's handiwork. Suddenly the police are on her radar, and she is part of the cat and mouse game too (and she is the mouse).

The storyline is amazing. The whole time you're trying to figure out who the copycat is and just when you think you know, another curveball has been thrown. The suspense is one of a kind. This book is the kind of book that makes you question every single character and their motives.

The ending is absolutely jaw dropping and I was not expecting the copycat to be who they were! If you are into thrillers that make your heart race, second guess your thoughts and puzzle you, this book is for you. I devoured every single page and now I am still trying to process what is happening.
Freida is an auto buy for me, and of course I cannot wait until her next book!

This is my 3rd book by Freida McFadden, and it did not disappointed. The story starts a little slow, but it turns interesting quickly. I liked Nora, she had lots of layers to her, I thought she was as evil as her dad, trying to prey on the more innocent ones, I was so scared for Marjorie. The fact that she made a career in the medical field to help others and was good at it, too. Now, her dad was a total phycopath, killing women for the fin of it, his signature, cutting their hands, having such a place right in the basement of his house where he had a wife and a kid. It makes me scared for the things that happen daily in our world that we sometimes don't even think of. The story also had some good twists. I thought at first it was Nora, enjoying cutting on her patients, pretending to be good, then I thought it was definitely Brady, but I didn't want Brady to be the bad guy here. I never saw it coming, that Phillip might be the bad guy, but Harper was totally unexpected. I liked that the author took the time to expand on life after all the crazy. After all she had been through, she deserved a happy ending, and I am glad she got it.

literally read this book in one sitting! freida’s books are so intriguing all i can do is read when i pick one up! such a page turner. i thought i saw it coming but just when i believed i solved it i was wrong!! i totally wish we got a little more of a deeper dive into nora’s childhood, i found those chapters to be super interesting but overall cannot complain!

Freida McFadden's books are easy to get into and you dont want to put them down. The Locked Door felt fast paced, creepy, and unique. I love a book with past and present POVs, plot twists, creepy turns, and a copycat killer too?! Yes, please. As always I enjoyed her storytelling. Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 4 stars.

Frieda does it again! All the twist and turns with a mini dual perspective at the end. It was such an easy read and kept me wanting to read more! This book will definitely keep you guessing constantly. You will not see the ending coming.

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press & Freida McFadden for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I have quickly become obsessed with Freida McFadden's books after binging The Housemaid over the summer, so I was so excited to be approved for this arc. And no surprise but I loved this book! This kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I loved all of the wild twists and turns! Solid 4 star read for me!

Unveiling Shadows and Racing Against Time: A Gripping Journey in "The Locked Door" by Frieda McFadden

Summary:
In Frieda McFadden's literary masterpiece, "The Locked Door," readers are transported into a thrilling world of secrets and suspense. The story follows Nora Davis, a skilled surgeon burdened with a dark and hidden truth: her father was a notorious serial killer. When tragedy strikes as one of Nora's young patients is found murdered in a manner evoking her father's crimes, she finds herself entangled in a relentless pursuit to protect her secret while uncovering the identity of the true culprit.

Review:
Frieda McFadden's "The Locked Door" seamlessly weaves together elements of suspense and mystery to craft a truly enthralling narrative. From the very first page, readers are captivated by McFadden's impeccable storytelling skills, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.

The central protagonist, Nora Davis, is an incredibly well-developed character whose struggles and hidden past draw readers into her world. McFadden skillfully brings Nora to life, creating a sense of empathy, and the weight of her dark heritage becomes palpable, intensifying the intrigue and suspense throughout the story.

As the plot unfolds, the sudden murder of one of Nora's young patients serves as a catalyst for unearthing long-buried secrets. McFadden adroitly guides readers through a labyrinth of twists and turns, generating an unmistakable atmosphere of trepidation and suspense. The constant undercurrent of impending danger keeps readers on the edge of their seats, making "The Locked Door" an unputdownable experience.

Nora's uphill battle to safeguard her secret and uncover the truth intertwines with her personal growth, injecting an added layer of depth into the narrative. McFadden expertly explores Nora's resilience and unwavering determination, evolving her character amidst the chaos and heightening the readers' emotional investment in her journey.

The author's descriptive prowess breathes life into the pages of "The Locked Door", immersing readers in the disquieting ambiance that permeates the story. McFadden's ability to expertly craft each scene with vivid imagery enhances the reading experience, evoking powerful mental images in the minds of readers. Furthermore, the seamless blending of suspense, mystery, and psychological tension sustains a riveting pace throughout the novel.

In conclusion, "The Locked Door" is an exquisite psychological thriller that ensnares readers with its intricate storyline, compelling characters, and an atmosphere of nail-biting suspense. Frieda McFadden deftly navigates the complexities of concealed secrets and their repercussions, delivering a spellbinding literary journey. For those seeking an addictive read filled with unexpected twists and a resilient protagonist, "The Locked Door" is the secret passage that leads to excitement and literary satisfaction. Prepare to be enthralled as you step through the doorway into Nora Davis's world, where hidden truths can no longer remain locked away.

I feel like the thriller community overuses the phrase, "You'll never see this coming," but I have to say in the case of Frieda McFadden's "The Locked Door," it is well deserved. As someone who reads close to 50 mysteries a year, I consider myself a seasoned reader and am rarely surprised by the way a novel ends. I was well and truly shocked this time. "The Locked Door" was suspenseful and well-plotted and genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat. I FLEW through the last hundred pages racing towards a conclusion I thought I had seen coming from miles away only to be gobsmacked by the actual ending.

Nora Davis has spent the past twenty-six years building a quietly successful life. She works as a surgeon, drives an unassuming car, works long hours, and then returns to her quiet, empty house. While the routine and the loneliness of a life unshared might bother other women, to Nora that rigid structure of her life means two things, safety, and anonymity.

After having an idyllic childhood shattered by the realization that her father was a prolific serial killer, responsible for the deaths of close to thirty women, Nora values this safe, anonymous, boring life she's built around herself more than anything. As the twenty-sixth anniversary of her father's arrest looms over her, however, she finds herself drawn into a web of lies, deceit, and danger as someone begins killing her female patients using the same MO that made her father infamous. Nora must stay one step ahead of not only a dangerous killer but also the police as she works to unravel the trail of lies and half-truths swirling around her.

I will not only be ordering McFadden's entire back catalog for our collection (and bingeing it myself) but she will be a new go-to recommendation when I'm talking to patrons who feel like they no longer get the sense of surprise from reading a thriller. "The Locked Door" is a perfect book club thriller, one that any fan of the genre can race through in one dark, lonely evening. And if they check the locks on the doors a little more closely than usual, no one would be able to blame them after finishing "The Locked Door." Special thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an unbiased review! A true must-read!

Thank you Frieda McFadden, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC e-book. Frieda McFadden does it again with another psychological thriller that keeps you guessing every step of the way. Nora's father is behind bars unable to reach her from the outside... or is he? Suddenly women are being murdered in exact fashion as her father's typical MO. How close can Nora get to the case before she is the one being suspected? This book was a quick pull you in type of read and had me guessing up until the final page.

On a McFadden binge!

Another sitting at the edge of my seat read! Nora’s father is a serial killer. When her patients begin dying, she is the prime suspect. Not likable or unlikeable, but a strong character. Loved the past and present timelines, but wish there was a little more from her childhood.

Interesting, with a great twist at the end! I’ve yet to find a book by this author that doesn’t get me hooked!

I always enjoy McFadden's skillful storytelling. It is a mix of suspense and heartache, making it a compelling and unforgettable read. Really liked it!

An entertaining page-turner even though I guessed whodunit halfway through. It was as obvious as the red herrings and not at all mindblowing, especially with such a small cast. Still, I enjoyed breezing through this highly readable thriller and how it kept me hooked. I also liked the dual timelines. The romance grew on me and the epilogue took me by surprise.

Some parts could have been more polished (btw, it's weird how Harper says her roommate will totally "lend" her a condom lol... is she planning to return the condom after use? Or remove one from a box to gift?) but overall, it was a bingeworthy read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Frieda McFadden for this arc for free in exchange for an honest review.

I genuinely enjoyed this book. I have only read the Housemaid by her. This book was fast paced, had short chapters and kept me intrigued, definitely didn’t disappoint. I really loved the flashbacks too. It had a great plot twist that I did not see coming.

🦋psychological thriller
🦋murder mystery
🦋suspense
🦋twists
🦋crime fiction
🦋serial killer
🦋creepy read
🦋action
🦋fast paced-thrillers


The premise of the story was alluring enough. I was reading and thinking how disappointed I was gonna be if it actually turned out how I thought it might, but the way my jaw dropped by the end, it was all worth it. It was a quick read with short chapters
I liked the pacing and the dual timeline. I would have liked a bit more insight into Nora and her mindset especially during her growing phases coz she was definitely somewhat of a creepy kid even if she always ended up doing the right thing. The writing was terrific and it was a pretty good read.

Whew, this was a page turner and a wild ride! You see this all the time in the news—a family member doing terrible things—and nobody is stopping them. Gripping, fast paced, and made of nightmares!

Another fast paced and twisty thriller from Freida! I really struggled putting this book down, and devoured it in one sitting. I love her writing style, and you just never know what is going to happen next with this author!

One of my very favorite authors. Her books always catch me off guard and I very rarely predict the suspense. Loved this one. Didn’t guess this either. Follows the story of a surgeon whose dad is a serial killer and her past following her.

Nora Davis is a surgeon who is keeping a terrible secret about her father in The Locked Door by Freida McFadden. Having changed her name to dodge any link to her father, Nora is on the verge of being outed as a copycat is out there while her father remains in prison for the rest of his life.

Trouble starts when two of her patients become victims of the copycat killer, bringing the police to her office. Nora has always kept a low profile, living a solitary life with little variance. She gets reacquainted with a boyfriend from college and engages in a game of push-me, pull-me with him as she is so damaged from what happened in her childhood.

Nora constantly reassures herself she is not like her father as she works hard in the operating room to save lives rather than to take lives. When she basically forces a vehicle into a crash, she begins to question herself. Could she be a killer like her father? She’s a surgeon saving lives! Does the apple fall not far from the tree? No, it does not, but there is the expected twist that comes with the psychological thrillers that McFadden writes.

Freida McFadden, a brain injury trained physician, writes psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She self-published her first book on Amazon in 2013. A New York native, she has stated in interviews that all the protagonists in her books are based on her. When McFadden was a kid, she read The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin and Judy Blume books. She is most known for her book The Housemaid. McFadden lives with her family and black cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking an ocean.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting November 11, 2023.

I would like to thank Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.