The Locked Door is a classic twisty and completely engrossing thriller from the iconic Freida McFadden. When Nora was young she was completely blindsided by her father being arrested and convicted of killing women in the basement of their home. Nora grew up to be a successful surgeon but she leads a very quiet and lonely life. However, things are turned upside down when one of her female patients is found murdered in the same manner that her dad used.

This story is told in dual timelines which helped build the suspense and mystery of what was going to happen next. The side characters in this book were well done and added layers of intrigue and possibilities. Not only are the police investigating the link between Nora but an ex boyfriend from college has recently stumbled back into her life bringing a whole host of issues.

The short and quick pacing of this book made it the perfect weekend read. McFadden has the great ability of writing stories that completely suck the reader in until the very last page.

Frieda McFadden has done it again!

A book that you just can't put down to get through all of the twists and turns!

This was the first book I read by Freida McFadden. As an avid reader of mysteries and thrillers, I can usually guess the ending of a book not too long after I've started it. The Locked Door really surprised me. At first, I thought I knew what was happening but then there was a crazy plot twist I didn't see coming. Some readers might find this novel a bit disorienting, but I enjoyed every minute!

Awesome book. Loved the character development! It was intriguing, kept my interest throughout the story line. Love me some Freida McFadden books

Definitely will be keeping my eye out for her other books. Thank you Freida McFadden, Poison Pen Press, and Netgalley for this book in exchange for a review.

Freida McFadden’s "The Locked Door" delivers a gripping narrative, showcasing her engaging writing style that keeps readers hooked. The novel explores Nora Davis’s internal turmoil as she navigates the repercussions of her father’s horrific crimes. McFadden’s prose is accessible and fast-paced, though it leans towards predictability in its plot twists. The mystery surrounding the copycat murders and the threat of Nora being framed add suspense, but some developments can be anticipated.

Nora's complex emotions about her father's past—shame, fear, and the drive to distance herself from his legacy—are well portrayed, adding depth to her character. Her desperate attempts to keep her secret and the tension between her public persona and hidden fears create a compelling psychological backdrop. While the story is engaging, its predictability slightly detracts from the overall impact. Nonetheless, "The Locked Door" provides an intriguing look at a woman grappling with a dark heritage, making it a worthwhile read despite its more straightforward elements.

Fast paced and easy to follow. Another twisty thriller by FMF. I can see why everyone has her as an auto buy!

To say that Nora Davis is a woman "with a past" is an understatement. She was just a girl of 11 years when they found that her father has been a serial killer (including the torture of his victims). Now a sucessful surgeon, she lives a solitary life under a changed name, hoping no one will ever connect her with her father, who is still sending her (never opened) letter from a prison. But...her patients start to die. Females, like the victims of her father. With their hands cut off...like the victims of her father.

I found this a quite interesting read, mainly because the psychological angle interwoven into the story of Nora, who is living as a damaged soul. Never wanting to have children, never wanting to have a relationship. Always under a dark shadow. And is it only a shadow, or is something twisted IN HER?
These questions are well done and the possible answers keep you on the edge of your seat.
The solution is, on the other hand, quite random, if sinister enough to be believable.
The last chapter´s revelation also makes me to dislike the main character as I do not approve of the current feminist morale of "they got what they had coming for them", the court and the judge should be the ones to have this power in the civilized world.

Not one of my favorites by Frieda McFadden. I didn’t guess the twist at the end, but it was a little bit underwhelming.

The Locked Door by Freida McFadden is a captivating psychological thriller that delves into the darkest corners of the human mind. The story follows Nora Davis, a surgeon with a dark past, who becomes the prime suspect in a series of murders eerily similar to those committed by her father years ago. As Nora tries to prove her innocence, she must confront her traumatic past and uncover the truth behind the killings.

McFadden’s writing is intense and immersive, drawing the reader into a world of suspense and fear. The character of Nora is complex and well-developed, with her struggles and resilience making her a compelling protagonist. The author skillfully weaves together the past and present, creating a narrative that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. McFadden’s ability to build tension and maintain a sense of foreboding throughout the novel is impressive, making The Locked Door a true page-turner.

The atmospheric setting of the story adds to the overall suspense, with McFadden’s descriptive writing bringing the eerie and claustrophobic environment to life. The exploration of themes such as trust, guilt, and the impact of past traumas adds depth to the story, making it not just a thriller but also a poignant psychological exploration.

Overall, The Locked Door is a gripping and well-crafted psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Freida McFadden has delivered a compelling and thought-provoking novel that is sure to captivate fans of the genre.

Well.. High expectations for this one but it didn't deliver. Unfortunately, it has an anti-climatic ending and many unanswered questions

I absolutely love this author. She never disappoints. Read this book and then go read all of her books!

✨🔮🌞🌕🍄🌕🌞🔮✨
Review

The Locked Door - Freida McFadden

4/5⭐️

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This one was truly keeping my mind going the whole time! I couldn’t stop trying to figure out what was going to happen next or what she was going to find next. This book follows Nora who is the daughter of a serial killer who is in jail! Decades later someone is killing again and it can’t be her dad because he’s still in jail. It’s a copycat. While Nora has hidden who her father is things definitely start to feel weird for her because the only ones being found murdered are her female patients. Freida seriously had me guessing till the very last second with this one and I still feel like it’s messing with my head.

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If you like to read:
- Psychological Thriller
- Mystery
- Suspense
- Family Secrets
- Trauma
- Plot twists
- Creeping Dread
- Domestic thriller
- Mind games
… You should definitely check this out

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All-in-all, "The Locked Doors" is a gripping and atmospheric read that delves into the complexities of trust, identity, and family history. Freida McFadden delivers a suspenseful and thought-provoking narrative that leaves readers pondering the blurred lines between good and evil, making it a worthwhile addition to the psychological thriller genre.

The Locked Door was an ok read. I can see why and how it is so loved. The fast pacing and urge to know what's going on definitely had me flipping the pages. Unfortunately, while I really enjoyed the first half of the book, the second half was predictable and a bit underwhelming.

A solid 3 stars.

As always, Freida McFadden has offered an insanely unputtownable fun fast paced thriller, this time about the daughter of a serial killer who is trying to move on with her life when copycat killings start to happen decades later.

While some pieces were predictable, it was still thoroughly enjoyable, and it included the whiplash of red herrings and plot twists in the final act that has become a hallmark of McFadden's work.

I did not see the final twist coming, but do you ever with Freida McFadden?

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review ❤️

3.5 stars

I read three Freida McFadden books back to back this month and this one - The Locked Door - was probably the best of the three in terms of the plot, twists and characters.

This story follows main character Dr Nora Davis. Nora has tried to put her past and the shameful acts of her family behind her. She’s changed her name and done well for herself. Her past comes back to haunt her as a mimic serial killer starts to pick off Nora’s clients. Putting her past firmly in her present.

I didn’t see the twist in this one coming. It was definitely chilling and creepy to read particularly the element of the basement and the lavender! Nora definitely has her flaws and she does let some of them show early on in the story after a run in with a previous patient in a bar after work which did make me question if we were all looking in the wrong place for the suspect!

I think my favourite from Freida is still The Housemaid but this was quite an enjoyable thriller, fast paced and easily finished in one sitting.

I loved the concept of this book, the plot and the idea of it as a whole. Again, like many other of Freida's books, I never once saw the big twist at the end coming and had myself absolutely sure I had figured out what was happening to, per usual, be so wrong. This is up there on my favorites list with some of Freida's other works, such as Never Lie and The Inmate. Definitely a must read!

Freida McFadden has done it again! With "The Locked Door," she delivers another twisty, heart-pounding thriller that will leave you utterly breathless.

Nora, a successful surgeon, has painstakingly built a new life under a different name to escape the horrifying legacy of her father, a notorious serial killer known as "The Handyman." As a child, she endured the unspeakable trauma of discovering her father's gruesome crimes in the basement of their family home. Now, years later, she's living a solitary existence, desperate to keep her dark past hidden.

But when two of Nora's patients are found murdered in the same chilling manner as her father's victims, her carefully constructed world begins to crumble. The question that plagues her every waking moment is: Who knows about her past? And how did they find her?

McFadden masterfully weaves a suspenseful narrative filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. The plot is fast-paced and utterly gripping, evoking a chilling sense of unease that lingers long after you've finished reading.

McFadden's knack for creating complex and flawed characters shines through in Nora, a woman grappling with the trauma of her past while desperately trying to protect her present. As Nora races against time to uncover the identity of the copycat killer, she must confront her deepest fears and the haunting memories that threaten to consume her.

"The Locked Door" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. It's a captivating and disturbing tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat, desperate to uncover the truth. McFadden's ability to create a sense of unease and suspense is truly remarkable, and the story's exploration of complex themes like trauma, guilt, and the enduring effects of a troubled past adds depth and intrigue. Prepare to be captivated, shocked, and ultimately moved by this chilling thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the chance to read and provide feedback.

Nora, a successful surgeon has changed her name because of secrets in her past. Secrets like HER FATHER WAS A SERIAL KILLER... he used to kill woman in the basement of their family home 😱 After while, Nora has two patients and up killed the same way her father used to kill and now... She is suspicious. Who knows about her past? How did they find her??

*I think I've seen this episode of Criminal Minds*

This book was 🤯 wow, I couldn't put it down. Fast paced, creepy, everything I want on a thriller!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.