The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Hello everyone. I hope your holiday season has been joyous.

This is the week between Christmas and New Year's.  We don't do anything at New Year's but still the time seems awkward, like everyone is holding their breath waiting for something.  Most are waiting for a new year, a fresh start.  We are waiting for something to change in this house.  It's a mess.  Between both of us being sick, the dishwasher being broken, and tons of boxes from ordered stuff instead of in person shopping...there is junk and dirt everywhere.  What we really need is a maid.  Most of my friends from high school have a "cleaning lady", although lots of people have luxurious things on Facebook.  Seriously, I don't know if I could handle a maid.  Someone else doing your laundry.  To speak like the southern lady I am (who is snickering?  I see you in the back.  It's not that funny.  Okay it is but keep your laughter to yourself.) Anyway, unmentionables are unmentionable for a reason and to have someone else washing.... things...folding and putting away...seems way too personal for me.  I might have to clean up our pigsty myself and rethink the maid thing.

I recently read The Housemaid by Freida McFadden.  This is the story of Millie, who is a young woman recently released from prison who has had a difficult time adjusting to society or perhaps society has a problem with her.  Her difficulties seem to be ending when she is offered a job cleaning house, cooking, and looking after their daughter, for wealthy Nina and Andrew Winchester. The position offers room, board, and a generous salary, far better than Millie currently has living in her car.  What starts out as ideal ends up rapidly changing.  Nina messes up the house on purpose, emptying the fridge onto the floor including cartons of milk.  She gives one instruction then later denies it completely.  Millie is left to wonder what she has gotten herself into and how mentally stable her new employer truly is.  Then there is Andrew.  He realizes his wife has problems and tries to smooth things over with Millie. But Millie develops a serious crush on the handsome husband, who is obviously off-limits.  

This fast-moving domestic thriller is completely addictive with several major twists.  Now if you are a big thriller reader, you may well guess the twists but the whole story is so entertaining and tense, you won't mind a bit.  Engrossing and fun, what more could you want.  I'll tell you....a follow-up book.  We are in luck, a sequel will be released on February 23, The Housemaid's Secret.  I'll be quick to "sweep" it up.