Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

182 reviews

bobinsbooknook's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Finally jumped into the housemaid series and absolutely loved it! The nice short chapters made it very quick read and kept me hooked throughout. 

I love how the characters develop and shift throughout this book which really change up the dynamic of the plot - particularly with the dual POVs and parts. 

Nina’s behaviour in the first part of the book really set me on edge and the shift in POV really brought a whole new dimension to her character which made her a character I loved to hate - to one that I felt so sorry for.

I enjoy Friedas writing style a lot and the unraveling of the twists. I will say, whilst some of the plot points were a bit predictable in places, I enjoyed how they were written regardless and didn’t dampen my enjoyment in it.

I had predicted that Andrew would be twisted in some way though not to the extent that this book goes into - I mean the gaslighting sure and locking the women in the attic? Sure - but getting them to pull their own hair out and torture themselves … nope didn’t expect that!

I am loving the premise of this book and will be looking to dive into the next instalment soon! 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Torture, and Confinement

Minor: Child abuse

chels984's review

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

it was really interesting to read but i predicted part of the plot twist otherwise i would’ve put it higher but it was tbh a fun read

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Medical trauma, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, and Self harm

nikkilerae's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Death, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting

telepathyjmin's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

Heard a lot of good things about this book, so I finally decided to read it. It did not disappoint! McFadden's writing style is incredible. Just when you think you have an idea what's gonna happen, another plot twist gets thrown at you. 

The characters + their backstories are all so complex, and it's so interesting to things unfold throughout the book.

Can't wait to read more of her works!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Confinement, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Child abuse, Murder, and Death

Minor: Vomit, Sexual assault, Infertility, Death of parent, and Sexual content

lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A fun, twisty read that’s hard to put down! Freida McFadden’s writing style is very engaging and really focuses on the characters. I don’t read a lot of thrillers, but when I do I choose ones that take place in a household/family setting that focus on a marriage 

Like most thrillers, you will need to suspend your disbelief. But if you do, you’re in for a wild ride and will almost certainly enjoy your time 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Torture, Confinement, Gaslighting, Child abuse, and Infidelity

Moderate: Mental illness and Injury/Injury detail

mrsclb's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, and Domestic abuse

thelibraryofanolive's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Torture, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Medical content, Infidelity, Infertility, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, and Death

ilana_pop's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

2.0

The writing was okay, but the trauma porn... This was so unethical and wrong. Highly disturbing.
In terms of plot: if you've read 'Girl on the train' and/or 'Last Mrs Parrish' you've read this one. The wrap up of the story also felt... too smooth. Nope nope nope.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Torture, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Toxic relationship, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Confinement, and Gaslighting

dms3899's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Infertility, Murder, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Torture, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Death

emilylott's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Domestic abuse, and Death

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Confinement

Minor: Body shaming and Schizophrenia/Psychosis