Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Another great one by Freida McFadden.
I always enjoy her books.

Was this review helpful?

📖My Thoughts📖

Holy shishkabibbles! I don’t even know where to start with this one! Amazing work as always, that’s for sure! I honestly don’t know how on earth Freida McFadden is able to continuously crank out such awe-inspiring books, but I for one am beyond grateful that she does! I can’t get enough of her writing! I was recently approved for this book (older book, different publisher) and I was so excited to finally get to review one of her books from Netgalley rather than ones I’ve picked up from the library. I seriously loved this book. It was just as good as the others she’s written. The suspense, the thrills, the twists, just everything. All the components make for the well known recipe of a McFadden gem. This book was fast paced, twisted and kept me on the edge of my seat! As always, it definitely hit the spot and fed my bookish appetite! I can’t wait to get my hands on another McFadden book!
Thank you Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Freida McFadden for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Was this review helpful?

This was my first book From Freida that i read a couple years ago and it was so awesome. She is such a great writer. Thank you so much for letting me read this.

Was this review helpful?

"The Locked Door" by Freida McFadden is a thrilling ride from start to finish, blending suspense, mystery, and psychological depth in a way that keeps you guessing until the very last page. McFadden has a talent for crafting a story that's as compelling as it is creepy, taking the reader on a journey through the dark corridors of the human mind.

The story revolves around a protagonist whose reliability is as much in question as the mysterious circumstances she finds herself in. McFadden expertly plays with themes of memory, trust, and fear, making you question what's real and what's not. The locked door itself is a brilliant metaphor for the secrets we keep and the truths we're afraid to face.

What I particularly loved about the book was McFadden's ability to create a tense, atmospheric setting that feels claustrophobic and unsettling. The characters are well-developed, each with their own flaws and fears, making them feel real and relatable. The plot twists are clever and unexpected, demonstrating McFadden's skill in keeping the reader engaged and on edge.

"The Locked Door" is not just a simple thriller; it's a psychological deep dive that explores the complexities of the human psyche. McFadden has a knack for narrative pacing, building suspense in a way that's both subtle and shocking. The ending, without giving anything away, is satisfyingly unsettling, leaving you to ponder the story long after you've turned the last page.

In conclusion, if you're a fan of thrillers that are as thought-provoking as they are suspenseful, "The Locked Door" is a must-read. Freida McFadden has delivered a gripping novel that's not only entertaining but also a fascinating exploration of fear, memory, and the unknown. It's a book that hooks you from the beginning and doesn't let go, making it a perfect pick for anyone looking for a story that's dark, twisty, and utterly engrossing.

Was this review helpful?

Great story, well written. I was hooked from page one and couldn't put down the book. The ending was mind blowing, I did not see that coming. Freida is a very talented writer and a must read of the thriller genre. Highly recommended

Was this review helpful?

Love, love, loved this book! OMG! Where has McFadden been? I can't believe I have been missing out on her books. This is my first one and I absolutely LOVED it to bits! The thrills, they mystery, the suspense and the twists - whoa!! I am obsessed! I can't wait to read the rest of her work! A definite must-read for fans of her work and for anyone looking for their next great read - especially if you love a mystery thriller.

Was this review helpful?

This was my 8th book by Freida McFadden and it definitely kept my attention from start to finish! The storyline was compelling, and the twist was unexpected. Will happily pick up anything this author writes!

Was this review helpful?

I was in the mood for a thriller and this one hit the spot. It has short chapters, it reads super fast and plot twist at the end got me good. I thought I knew who did it... nope, I didn't! 😂 I liked the back and forth between past and present. Getting to see Nora's past and how it lead up to the future definitely made you think the entire time.

This was my first Freida book and won't be my last for sure!

Was this review helpful?

Im a huge fan of short chapters so really liked this one. Refreshing plot that I havent come across lately. The twist in this book was incredible and made the book for me.

Was this review helpful?

Freida never misses for me and this one was no exception. Had me hooked from the beginning and had me guessing the whole way through. Highly recommend! (and every book by Freida!)

Was this review helpful?

Frieda McFadden is definitely becoming a new go-to author for me. I've loved her books so far and this one do not disappoint. I love her writing style, it's easy to understand and keep up with from start to finished. The characters were well developed and the story completely suck you in. I read this over a weekend because I couldn't put it down.

Was this review helpful?

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

Was this review helpful?

This was my first FMF book. I was an avid reader as a child and teenager but as an adult hadn’t continued to explore reading a whole lot. After a season when my focus was really affected I picked up this book to try to get back into reading. Success! It was one of the twistiest books I’ve read in years! I sped through it in just a few days and it definitely reignited my love for books! I’ve enjoyed many of the authors books since. But this one holds a special place in my heart as the one that helped me get back into reading.

Was this review helpful?

Nora Davis has worked tirelessly to create a different life from her childhood. From a name change to completing medical school and starting as a surgeon, Nora needs to prove to herself and the world that she is nothing like her notorious serial killer father. She's successful at this until the death of a young female patient who was murdered in the same gruesome way as her father's victims. Has her dad escaped from prison or has a copycat picked up where the serial killer left off?

The audio narration does little to help McFadden's already lacking plot. The narrator's voice was lacking and all of the characters sounded the same. In her defense, she was given little to work with. Nora's character left little to be desired and the flashback chapters came across as useless and only present as a red herring. Overall, if you like to be able to read the clues and piece things together while reading mystery thrillers, then I do not recommend The Locked Door.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars

I am a huge Frieda fan. I have a few of her books that are top tier, this one however fell a little flat for me. I enjoyed the past and present timelines and the plot of this book. I unfortunately saw the twists coming because of how much one aspect of the MCs life was talked about. I also felt like there was a lot of back and forth in this book that was unnecessary and didn’t seem to progress the story, it only seemed to try and sway readers to believe something else and hide the twists that were to come. I overall had a great time while reading the book, it’s just unfortunately not a favorite by this author.

Was this review helpful?

I don't know why I keep trying this author. I have not liked anything she has written and feel her writing is mediocre at best. I will not be reading any more books by her.

Was this review helpful?

Omg Freida McFadden has done it ago!! This book is so so good. It twists and turns and kept me guessing all the way until the end. I highly recommend!!

Was this review helpful?

"The Locked Door" by Freida McFadden is an absolute gem in the mystery genre, earning a well-deserved five stars from this reader. From the moment I cracked open the book, I was immediately drawn into the richly crafted world McFadden has created. The intricate plot weaves together twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end, showcasing the author's masterful storytelling skills.

McFadden's characters are incredibly well-developed, each with their own distinct personalities and motives that add layers of complexity to the narrative. I found myself fully invested in their journeys, rooting for some while suspecting others, creating a truly immersive reading experience.

What truly sets "The Locked Door" apart is McFadden's ability to seamlessly blend suspense with moments of heartfelt emotion and humor. The pacing is perfect, with every chapter leaving me eager to uncover the next clue in the mystery.

Overall, "The Locked Door" is a must-read for fans of the mystery genre. Freida McFadden has crafted a captivating tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Was this review helpful?

"The Locked Door" by Frieda McFadden was another hit for me. Nora Davis is a successful surgeon, building a solitary yet overall content life for herself. No one knows that when Nora was a little girl, her father was arrested for the pile of bodies that was found in their basement. And she intends to keep it that way.

Flash forward to the present. One of Nora's patients is killed in a brutal manner. Nora is horrified, as this seems to mimic the method that her father used to use to kill his victims. But her father cannot be responsible. After all, he is safely locked up in prison. Which leads Nora to believe that there is someone else from her past who knows all too well how evil her father was. Someone who intends to continue carrying out his horrific acts. Nora is now in a race to find out who this person is.....before he or she acts again.

I will admit it....I am a sucker for McFadden's books, and this one is no exception. Fast-paced, unpredictable, and with enough plot twists to keep me on my toes, I would absolutely recommend this book for my thriller lovers out there. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I was so disappointed in this one and had to DNF it halfway through. Normally, I really enjoy the books by Frieda McFadden and was really intrigued by the synopsis of this one. However, this felt so unpolished compared to some of her other books. The writing was somewhat disjointed and repetitive, the characters weren't developed properly. Nora just wasn't a believable character for me. I just don't get how this book came from the same author who wrote The Housemaid.

Was this review helpful?