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A review by laaurenculpan
The Coworker by Freida McFadden
mysterious
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
3.0
this was a very easy read and kind of a perfect book to get stuck into and read within a few days (naturally i chose my busiest week at work to start). the writing it very easy, doesn’t make you think too much and gets you from plot a to plot b in no time at all.
i hated natalie. i actually despised everything she was and everything she stood for. there were no redeemable qualities about her at all. for instance, she fat shames her “friend” within the first 2 pages of the reader meeting her, she is cruel, self involved and just round a horrible character to read about. i was actually hopeful that she had murdered her coworker and had just forgot so she could go to jail because she deserved it. even at the end, without giving too much away, she feels as though she is owed something because something almost ruined her life?! awful awful character.
i didn’t mind dawn. i felt bad for her. she very clearly (or at least, this is how i interpreted it) was neurodivergent and so the fact that natalie targeted her was just plain awful. i enjoyed the emails between dawn and her friend mia and it was nice to see that narrative run alongside the present day one as we tried to understand what had happened to dawn.
i did guess a couple of the plot points however the twists at the end (in the epilogue not before) did shock me and i was pleased about that! i like to not know things in a murder mystery (only when it’s not anxiety inducing).
the writing and the plot did drag a little. sure the writing was very easy but it did start to get a bit repetitive and i found that some of the sentences were repeated within the same paragraph. but this was a good read and it was what i wanted after a few heavy books. i will likely pick up more by this author as i love a good mystery book and if it’s easy to get through, even better!
i hated natalie. i actually despised everything she was and everything she stood for. there were no redeemable qualities about her at all. for instance, she fat shames her “friend” within the first 2 pages of the reader meeting her, she is cruel, self involved and just round a horrible character to read about. i was actually hopeful that she had murdered her coworker and had just forgot so she could go to jail because she deserved it. even at the end, without giving too much away, she feels as though she is owed something because something almost ruined her life?! awful awful character.
i didn’t mind dawn. i felt bad for her. she very clearly (or at least, this is how i interpreted it) was neurodivergent and so the fact that natalie targeted her was just plain awful. i enjoyed the emails between dawn and her friend mia and it was nice to see that narrative run alongside the present day one as we tried to understand what had happened to dawn.
i did guess a couple of the plot points however the twists at the end (in the epilogue not before) did shock me and i was pleased about that! i like to not know things in a murder mystery (only when it’s not anxiety inducing).
the writing and the plot did drag a little. sure the writing was very easy but it did start to get a bit repetitive and i found that some of the sentences were repeated within the same paragraph. but this was a good read and it was what i wanted after a few heavy books. i will likely pick up more by this author as i love a good mystery book and if it’s easy to get through, even better!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm, Suicide, Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder
Minor: Death, Infidelity