The Housemaid Is Watching (The Housemaid #3) was a great read by Freida McFadden. This book brings us eleven years after we’ve seen Millie and Enzo. Millie used to clean houses and now she and her family have a house of their own. Millie is immediately wary of her new neighbor Mrs. Lowell. But when Mrs. Lowell invites the family over for dinner, her maid opens the door and her cold stare gives Millie chills. Millie is then warned to be careful of her neighbors. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.

Loved it nearly as much as the first. I thought I already filled in this review way back when I first listened to this book. I have posted on goodreads and my Facebook group "Psychological Thriller Readers".

It was amazing how Freida was able to break out of the formula for the 3rd book in a series, yet keep the same characters we love.

4.5 rounded up because of the fact that I devoured it in 2 days and had fun! I read her first installment and remember commenting on enjoying the gaslighting, yelling out loud at the book😆. I did not read the second but the publisher sent the third to me & I quickly found out that this can be read as a stand alone. I felt Freida did a brief enough recap about book 2 around the halfway mark and that was plenty for me to get caught up and see why our MC is feeling the way that she was. This plot focuses on our MC moving into a new home in a neighborhood where not everything is as it seems.
This author has a knack for throwing a curveball in the epilogue — she didn’t let me down.

Is this exquisite writing? No. But there is a reason FM keeps getting book deals. Fun, fun!

This is the third book in the series and I LOVED IT!!!
The plot, the mystery, the hate, the sarcasm, the laughter, the surprise, the love, everything I felt was incredible!
You just did it again 🙌🏻🙌🏻

I don’t have the words to describe how incredible this book was, it is the best in the series and absolutely recommended!

This book has so many twists and turns. Trying to guess what was going to happen was near impossible. There were a few blind alleys, things I guessed would happen but didn’’t. There were also some really dark moments- the characters being some of the darkest I’ve read.
It’s a quick read, good for anyone who likes a psychological thriller.

Having read and enjoyed book 1 and 2 in this series, I was looking forward to reading the third instalment.

It certainly kept me turning the pages. Throughout, I had suspicions as to who the killer was, and with every new chapter, I found myself doubting my detective prowess... a good conclusion to this book tied it all up nicely.

I'm not sure whether my opinion on this one was colored by my current mood or what - but I don't think it's the case here. I suspect this whole genre - psychological domestic thriller - just isn't my thing anymore. So if you're a big fan of the author and/or the genre, feel free to take my thoughts here with a few grains of salt. I read The Housemaid a couple of years ago. I liked it a lot when I finished it, but over time I wondered if I'd like it as much if I'd read it more recently. I decided to give this a try anyway, and while I enjoyed it well enough, I just didn't find myself really invested in it - I had to remind myself to put the AirPods in and get back to it. And in a much-highlighted sentence in the book, there's this line that is all too apt in this instance: "The third in a series usually isn't that great, so it's not his fault."
I actually enjoyed the last quarter or so of it more than the previous chapters, the story was encapsulated from another's point of view without all of Millie's inner thoughts - maybe that was my issue, the psychological part of it. But despite all that - I like Millie & Enzo & their kids, and hope they can ride off into the Long Island sunset and live happily ever after with no more "domestic thriller" events in their lives, just the usual little soap opera events we all have from time to time.
I did listen to this, and the narration by Lauryn Allman is very good, she does an excellent job with Enzo's accent, the kids' voices, and other characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

Loved Book 1.Book 2 was good but this one .. just was not what I was hoping for. Really hoping she is not planning for a book 4. I'd read it but i highly doubt I'd like it

The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden
Narrated by Ina Marie Smith, Lauryn Allman

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

“You must be our new neighbors!” Mrs. Lowell gushes and waves across the picket fence. I clutch my daughter’s hand and smile back: but the second Mrs. Lowell sees my husband a strange expression crosses her face. In that moment I make a promise. We finally have a family home. My past is far, far behind us. And I’ll do anything to keep it that way…

I used to clean other people’s houses—now, I can’t believe this home is actually mine. The charming kitchen, the quiet cul-de-sac, the huge yard where my kids can play. My husband and I saved for years to give our children the life they deserve.

Even though I’m wary of our new neighbor Mrs. Lowell, when she invites us over for dinner it’s our chance to make friends. Her maid opens the door wearing a white apron, her hair in a tight bun. I know exactly what it’s like to be in her shoes.

My Opinion

I have been known to enjoy Freida McFadden's writing and I am loving this series so there was no doubt I was going to give this one a read. With a lot going on and quite a few plot twists I did struggle to work this one out. This is the third book in the series and I would highly recommend reading the books in order. Whilst the book gets off to a slow start - the second half of the book really makes up for it.

Rating 4/5

I was completely captivated by the Housemaid series, particularly the first novel. It was truly wonderful to experience Millie's journey through her various challenges, transformations, and new aspirations. Despite having her teenage years abruptly disrupted by a selfless act that she had paid for, she chose to continue helping others. Millie's resilience and determination were remarkable - she saw this adversity as a source of strength that drove her to aid those in need, even at great personal cost. Thankfully, she found a kindred spirit in Enzo, who stood by her side during good times and bad.

The latest addition to the series takes the narrative in a different direction, focusing on Millie as a mother who is determined to protect her children from making the same choices she did. Much like its predecessors, this book is filled with numerous unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. I was pleasantly surprised by the introduction of new characters and intricate details that added depth to the story. After finishing this novel, I eagerly anticipate the series's continuation.

I have listened to the first in this series which introduced me to Millie but for some reason, I missed number two. However, I really feel this, the third in the series, can easily be listened to/read as a standalone successfully - I think I did miss out on the development of Millie but it did not affect my enjoyment of this book.

Millie, her husband and two young children have recently moved their dream new house on a quiet street in a good area but soon things start to go awry and when their neighbour is found dead with stab wounds and his throat cut, Millie's husband is arrested but is he guilty or is there something much more disturbing going on?

This was a good listen; the narrators did a great job and kept me going back to listen to more. The first third of the book was a bit slow but it set the scene well; the last two thirds were fast paced and I made excuses to make a cake just so I could keep listening. The characters are a mixed bunch - some good, some bad and some very annoying - but a great mix and it was nice to see Millie's development. The plot was great and the mystery intriguing; I did see one of the twists but not the last one which took me by surprise in a nice way!

Overall, a great book to listen to and lose yourself for a few hours and I must thank the author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts on this great story.

really enjoy all of Freida's books and this one was no different. I was fully absorbed in this from the get-go and couldn't stop listening to it. The characters were really easy to keep straight because there were so few to keep track of and we also got to know all of them pretty well because of the limited number. I really liked following each of their journeys and couldn't believe how many twists there were towards the end. Just when you think everything is explained, another twist is thrown in that fully explains everything you were left wondering about. This was really well done. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

WoW! and breathe!!!

The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadde and narrated by Ina Marie Smith and Lauryn Allman was an absolutely gripping psychological thriller packed with twists and turns from start to finish. The Housemaid is watching is the third book of this fantastic The housemaid series and it was Brilliant, especially as it was slighly different for Freida's last two books!
I have loved these books and this one was another 5 star book/audiobook.

The narrators Ina Marie Smith and Lauryn Allman were excellent.

Big thank you to Netgalley and especially Bookouture Audio for my audiobook copy.

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is my favorite of all her stories that I've read. The second story in The Housemaid series, wasn't as good in my opinion, though I did still enjoy it. This one is definitely my second favorite of the series. In typical Frieda fashion, just when I think I have figured out what's happening, I'm proven wrong. I had a bunch of theories and was still constantly surprised throughout reading this story. I listened to this as an audiobook and I truly think that's the best way to take in this series. The audiobooks are supreme!

Narrated by Ina Marie Smith, Lauryn Allman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stroy by Freida McFadden ⭐️

I really struggled to get into this book. Nothing happens for a good 50% of the story and by the time it did start to pick up I was massively checked out.

Terrifically fun, Twisty and So so tense! A really fantastic By the pool listen for the summer! As a reader One ought to pray that this poor family can now stay out of trouble…but I doubt it!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook.
I was excited to get approved for the third installment of the house made. I don’t know what it is about Frida McFadden. But I just love her books. I enjoy the audiobook and the book itself.

One of the best parts of an FM book is the unpredictable ending. So many of her stories have sent my head spinning and the third instalment of the Housemaid series did not disappoint.

For anyone who hasn’t read this series, I highly recommend starting with book one, which will help familiarize you with Milly, the housemaid. Although this one could be read as a stand alone, the first two are as equally twisty and unpredictable as this one.

In The Housemaid is Watching, Milly has finally settled down with the love of her life Enzo. They have two children and have recently purchased a home that they got for a stellar deal in a neighbourhood they otherwise couldn’t afford. However, Enzo seems to be spending a lot of time at the next door neighbour’s house and their son has been acting strangely. Between keeping an eye on her husband and trying to put out fires from her son’s erratic behaviour, Milly has a lot on her hands. Until one day, someone ends up dead and Miley and Enzo become suspects.

The audio performance kept the plot moving at breakneck speed with a range of voices that were both entertaining and lively. This was a pretty quick and easy listen that was more popcorn than thriller. Frieda fans will definitely want to add this one to their tbr list.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #BookoutureAudio for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
#TheHousemaidIsWatching

I love this series.  It really is the author’s best work.  Don’t get me wrong, I like her books, but I absolutely adore this series.  This can be read as a stand alone, but you will be doing yourself a disservice.  It really does build to this.  I am assuming this is the end of a trilogy, but you never know.

I feel like I’ve been through a lot with Millie and had the right to yell at her over some of her choices in this one, but I guess there wouldn’t be a book without those choices.  It was nice to see her and Enzo and their family.  I loved their kids and that their personalities differed and really shone through.  They became integral to the story.

I think this one is a little longer than the other two and that extra time and nature of it allowed me time to figure out most of the twists.  I know we are always joking about figuring things out early in her books, but I actually did on just this one.  But that said, I still enjoyed the journey.

In addition to the length, I think this one distinguishes itself from the other two in the series because it is about Millie the Mom and wife.  The first two were really all about her and that can no longer be.  She grew into this role.

I spent a lot of the book a little disappointed in Enzo and some of his choices, but there was one that really pulled on my heartstrings and redeemed him.  So when you are reading this, know he does figure out all his priorities.


And that very last twist.  I did not see that coming but it makes a lot of sense in hindsight. 

I’m a huge audiobook listener due to convenience, but sometimes books really lend themselves to this format and I think this one does.  Ina Marie Smith and Lauryn Allman narrate this one and did a dynamic job with it.  That accent for Enzo and when he turns on the charm was perfectly narrated.  I was drawn in from the start and instantly entertained.

If you are late to jump on this bandwagon, I highly recommend binging this series as part of your summer reading.

New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street
Journal bestselling author, Freida McFadden, brings the next installment of the unbelievably twisty, tension-packed & globally bestselling #Housemaidseries. They can all be enjoyed as standalone reads. Reading in order, you do get to go through the events of Millie’s journey, leading to being a Mom in book 3. At the heart of #TheHousemaidisWatching is her family.

It took off right after the first pages. And I was swept up in another book by rockstar, #FreidaMcFadden.

#TheHousemaidseries has become wildly popular & for good reason! Each book is thrilling! This one had a little different theme than the first two & is just as exciting!
I’m so thankful I was given the chance to do this book tour with Bookouture of this highly anticipated third #Housemaid novel! I’m eagerly hoping there are more to come! I’m not tired of Millie yet!

I loved listening to Lauryn Allman, back as narrator; this time, joined by Ina Marie Smith.

Thank you, Freida McFadden, Bookouture, Bookouture Audio & Netgalley for my audiobook! All opinions are my own.