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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
I had so many theories about the ending to this book and my gut was right.
A typical Freida book full of twists and turns although I don’t get the turtle obsession?
A typical Freida book full of twists and turns although I don’t get the turtle obsession?
It was great at part two. Part one really didn’t seem a lot. The storyline was mid but I enjoyed the twist, although the way the twist were presented was similar to never lie which I read before this so it was quite predictable.
Freida, you're wrong for that ending! I need MORE, MORE, MORE! The villain got off too easy!
A solid thriller read- plot twists, surprises, and plenty of questions to leave you wanting to know more about what happened. Personally, I love dual POV with leading women for thriller, and this one did not disappoint!
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Book Review: The Coworker by Freida McFadden
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Brief Synopsis (Spoiler-Free):
In The Coworker, bestselling author Freida McFadden returns with another tense psychological thriller set in the sterile world of office life. Natalie Farrell is a confident, high-performing saleswoman who barely notices her peculiar and socially awkward coworker, Dawn Schiff—until Dawn doesn’t show up for work. When it’s revealed that Dawn is missing and presumed dead, Natalie becomes entangled in a series of shocking revelations about her colleague’s past, and about her own. As the investigation unfolds, nothing is as it seems, and the line between victim and perpetrator grows increasingly unclear.
Spoiler Warning: Major plot details discussed below
I found The Coworker to be an exceptionally engaging thriller, one that is equal parts addictive and unsettling. While I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience, I did encounter a few predictable elements that slightly diminished the impact of the final twists.
From relatively early on, it became clear that Dawn was alive and orchestrating a revenge plot to frame Natalie. The recurring detail about the turtles felt too intentional to overlook, subtly indicating that Dawn’s supposed death was not what it seemed. While this level of foreshadowing is typical of McFadden’s style, I found it made the reveal more predictable than impactful.
As the narrative progressed, I shifted suspicion from Seth—whose intense emotions felt too obvious—to Caleb, whose unnaturally kind demeanor seemed suspect. McFadden often uses over-the-top niceness to signal hidden intentions, and in this case, it was a telling sign. Despite the predictability, the unraveling of the mystery remained compelling.
One of the highlights of the novel was the characterization of Natalie. Unlike some of McFadden’s other female protagonists who tend to make frustratingly illogical decisions, Natalie was refreshingly sharp and self-aware. Though she wasn’t flawless, she felt believable, and her morally complex past—as a high school bully whose cruelty drove a classmate to suicide—added depth and justified the plot’s trajectory. This dark history served as the story’s emotional foundation and was woven effectively throughout.
The pacing of the novel was excellent; the narrative flowed smoothly, and I found myself eager to uncover what would happen next. McFadden’s ability to maintain suspense and build tension was particularly strong in this novel. However, I was disappointed by the ending, which felt too convenient. Despite the elaborate deception, betrayal, and even murder, the fact that no one faced legal consequences was difficult to reconcile. Dawn’s murder of Tara, an innocent woman and Natalie’s friend, felt particularly unjustified and disturbingly glossed over.
The final twist—Natalie’s complicity in keeping Dawn’s secret—offers a clever tie-in to the book’s back-cover tagline about two coworkers sharing one secret. Still, the lack of meaningful accountability left the resolution feeling too neat for such a morally murky story.
Conclusion:
Despite a somewhat predictable mystery and a too-clean ending, The Coworker stands out for its gripping plot, well-drawn protagonist, and the emotional weight behind its premise. McFadden effectively explores themes of revenge, guilt, and identity within a sharply written corporate thriller. While not perfect, the novel kept me thoroughly intrigued, and I appreciated that the main character was written with more intelligence and nuance than is often found in the genre. This is a strong addition to McFadden’s body of work—twisted, engaging, and thought-provoking until the very last page.
Final Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Darkly entertaining with a smart lead and a chilling premise, though the final chapter leaves justice somewhat unresolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was originally going to rate this lower when I started the book and was unsure about it. However, as I kept reading, it got better and better. The crazy plot twists and information that kept coming in the merging timelines made it great.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced