Wilhelmina ‘Millie’ Calloway is out of prison on parole and living out of her car. She desperately needs a job. But her dark past poses a hurdle in getting a respectable employment till she meets the stinking rich Nina Winchester, wife of the billionaire, Andrew Winchester.
Nina seems friendly. Her house oozes wealth. Andrew, her husband, is gorgeously handsome. Cecelia, their daughter, is a spoiled brat. But Millie is okay with everything as long as she gets an attractive paycheck and a bed to stretch her legs which have become used to being in a cramped posture in the backseat of her Nissan.
Millie is a good cook. She manages the house well and keeps it neat and tidy. She runs errands for Nina, picks up the groceries and waits on Cecilia as and when required. As days pass she realises there’s more to the Winchester household than just simple housekeeping. Nina is mentally messed up and on regular psychiatric treatment. It’s rumoured that once in her delusional state she had even tried to drown her own daughter. Spoilt is a very mild word for Cecelia who is hell bent on giving Millie a tough time. Andrew is devastatingly charming and kind – the only ‘normal’ person around.
But why is Enzo, the hired landscaper, trying to warn Millie, from day one, of imminent danger, in his broken English ? That’s maybe because he does not know what she is capable of.
The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden is an international bestseller. The favourable reviews on the net spiked my interest and I picked it up as a light read – a detour from my self professed TBR of 2026. A racy, gripping psychological thriller, had it been a few decades back, I would have found it unputdownable. But I was surprised how my choice of reading has undergone a sharp change in recent years.
Taking breaks in between the only thought that hounded me was “why am I reading this book?”
How love can devolve into extreme cruelty, hatred and violence, how the urge for survival can make a person blindingly selfish, how high society can be so callous and contemptuous of those who do not fit into the narrow confines of their world and how the desperation to get rehabilitated into the mainstream can goad a young girl on parole to get trapped in a life threatening existence are some of the striking reveals that hit me hard while reading this book.
Personally, I won’t recommend this book. I suppose I have moved ahead of this genre. But given its bestseller status, it’s obvious that there is a huge readership for such books. Anyone looking for a fast paced page turner with a mind bending twisty end can take it up for an edge of the seat reading experience. It won’t be a disappointment though I think the closure is too convenient for such a snaky plot.
I’m scared to read this kind of book.🤭 I think the scenes feel disturbing, but considering the status, many enjoy it.
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Yes, you are absolutely correct. Even I have the same feelings now.
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They might not enjoy, but they are just curious.
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Book reviews are always welcome! So many books, so little time … but that won’t stop me trying to read as many as I can, and I appreciate the opinions of others. I often read books recommended by others and am sorely disappointed. But it’s always worth trying.
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Yes, one must always rely on one’s taste in so far as books and many other things are concerned. Thank you Fairweather for being on the post.
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It is equivalent to a movie recommendation made by a fellow blogger- the movie might have been good, but the language in it was too much ( vulgar) for me for saw about 35 minutes of it and abandoned it. We all have different tastes and what everyone likes may not be what we like.
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The book has been made into a movie and streaming on Netflix.But I have not watched it because nowadays I am very cautious about what I watch and read. After reading the book I am quite sure I will not be watching it for sure.
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Same here.
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I have heard of it. After reading your review I know it’s not for me. I am not a fan of “psychological thriller”.
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Yes, I can understand Rupali
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Fascinating how our tastes change
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True Derrick . Thank you very much 🙏
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I appreciate reviewers who offer honest reviews. You gave your opinion without knocking the author’s work. Well-done, Geeta.
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Thank you so much Mary. Your appreciation means a lot to me.
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Beautifully balanced review, Geeta ji. I appreciate how you looked beyond the twists and explored the deeper themes of survival, cruelty, and redemption. Your honest perspective made this review more engaging than the book itself. 📚✨
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Thank you very much Maha. I am glad I was able to capture the essence and communicate.
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If this has been made into a movie, I will runnit and do my housework and have a time pass! 🙂
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Oh sure! You can do that. It’s streaming on Netflix.
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Just checked it out. On a channel I don’t pay money!
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Ooo! 😲.
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Enjoyed reading it… My fav genre 😎
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Inam glad you liked it. But I have moved ahead of that genre.
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Your review captures so well how this story leans into the messier side of human behavior — survival instincts, social hierarchies, and the emotional cost of trying to rebuild a life. I liked how you traced the different forms of cruelty and self-preservation running through the Winchester household. Even when the plot feels exaggerated, those underlying dynamics stay very real.
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Thank you very much. I found the book cruel.
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