Want To Know a Secret by Freida McFadden. If you are a huge Freida fan, add this one to your list or read and comment below. If you are a lover of psychological thrillers, this book is for you. This book has mind-bending plot twists that will have you guessing until the last page. Even the last page had a plot twist! Got to love those epilogue and last minute twists. Freida McFadden is a thriller author that is known for her plot twists and writing gripping thriller books. She has many books published to date so if you liked this one, check out her others. Additionally, at the end of this post are some thriller authors with similar writing style to McFadden.
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Summary:
The book takes place in a town that could be comparable to the Stepford wives meets the Real Housewives and every character carries secrets. This neighborhood is upscale and everyone appears perfect. The neighborhood is upscale and surrounded by wealthy people. It is a dream neighborhood, if it weren’t for some secrets… Yet, as the story unfolds, you will find everyone is far from perfect. A book based in a rich neighborhood is bound to have a juicy storyline and lots of secrets. Buckle up, this is going to be a fun and wild ride.
The main character, April, is a social media star, and has a baking show. She portrays a pitch perfect family where she has a son and a handsome husband. As an influencer, she is As the story progresses, it appears certain mothers in the neighborhood are not so fond about April. April is confused as to why? Maybe the other mothers and wives are jealous? Maybe it is all in April’s head. She tries her hardest to please everyone and be there for her family. She wants what most desire, to love and be loved in return, is that too much to ask?
Is April misunderstood? Is the hatred towards April justified? Jealousy among women is common so it is not shocking that she would have some haters. April is gorgeous, has a perfect husband, adorable son, there is a lot to be envious of in most women’s eyes.
Check out this book or read below for more on this mind-blowing thriller book.
The below content contains Spoilers:
What was your first impression of April in the first few chapters?
April is rich, successful, and beautiful. The recipe for a perfect life in many people’s eyes. April seems like a people pleaser. She cares way too much about what others’ opinions were. It seems that could be a reason that some of the mothers in the neighborhood not liking her. If someone appears eager or desperate, it’s a turn off in general. No one wants to be friends with someone that is essentially fake or always trying too hard. There is usually a reason behind this behavior but it can still be irritating. However, the second half of the book was surprising. Always have to love those unreliable narrators and multiple Points Of View (POV).
Even though April appears desperate she seems like a good person. A good person that feels remorse and tries to make people feel welcome to the neighborhood. She pays attention to her son and gives him everything he needs. Her POV narration made it seem as though she was simply a people pleaser that was misunderstood. Many women can be jealous of others, especially if the woman appears to have a perfect life and is gorgeous. The thoughts in April’s head always appear like she is trying to do the right thing. Every person has faults and makes mistakes, but it appears hers were minimal (at least from her POV). This is why psychological thrillers are the best. They mess with your head in the best way and then shock you with that twist.
Was Maria wrong to frame the babysitter for stealing?
At the end of the day, most people will look out for number one. In this instance it seemed that Maria was trying to do what would benefit her in the long run. This is a situation that is tough to say what one would do. Also, this is a book that would need to be read again knowing that April is the true villain. Maria was doing what she thought was best for herself at the time. Right or wrong, most people go into fight or flight mode.
How did you feel about the ending regarding April’s mother?
Wow. This was the most shocking twist of all. However, looking back, there had to be a reason why the mother was extremely standoffish towards April. While it was a harsh ending to have April’s own mother attempt to kill her, the reader does not know the full story behind April and her mother. It seems that April has her mother locked away since she knows who April really is. April has this facade that she is sweet and innocent, which we find later in the book to be untrue. It would be interesting to see more of the dynamic between April and her mother.
Do you think the book left it open for a sequel or prequel?
The book would be an amazing prequel! A sequel would be amazing as well. However, it would be awesome for the reader to get a sneak peak of April’s upbringing. Did April’s mother notice her daughter had potential psychopathic or sociopathic tendencies? When did the relationship between April and her mother unravel or was it always a strained relationship. It makes the reader wonder how or why April turned out the way she did. As much as the mother blames April, maybe April copied what she saw? On the other hand, April might not be as innocent as she looks. As the saying always goes, there are three sides to every story.
Additionally, it would be interesting for the reader to see the dynamic of everyone in the neighborhood that meets April. For example, what was their initial first impression of each other? The book club would be interesting too since it seems April went solely to gossip and hang out.
Book Adaptation
Do you think this book would be a great movie or limited series adaptation?
As much as I love this book, the way the perspectives shift, it might be difficult. The only way I think it would work is go through the entire perspective of April first, then go backwards. Sometimes those do make great movies or limited series. It would have to be extremely clear on what the dates are and switching from various characters’ perspectives could be tricky.
However, so many amazing books are made into adaptations. It would be interesting to see this psychological thriller book and the characters come to life. Fingers crossed for something in the future since as of the publishing of this post, there is The Housemaid by Freida McFadden adaptation. An adaptation is great when they could go through one POV first and then another characters POV. April is an unreliable narrator. Therefore, it would be interesting to see how she manipulates the audience as she did in the book.
Similar Authors
Love this book and looking for similar thriller authors? Some thriller authors with a similar writing style or gripping plots to Freida McFadden are Alice Feeney, John Marrs, B.A. Paris, Jeneva Rose, and Mary Kubica. These thriller authors know how to grab the readers attention and have jaw dropping moments throughout their books.
Some specific books that have a similar vibe to this thriller book are One Of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose and You Killed Me First by John Marrs. Those books give the Real Housewives and petty woman vibes. Who doesn’t love juicy gossip and drama when you are not the one involved?
Overall Rating
How would you rate the book?
Freida McFadden is an author known for psychological thrillers with twists throughout. The book delivered and had some surprising elements throughout. This was a fun book and the plot twist was jaw dropping. This psychological thriller is a 5 out of 5 stars. There is nothing that I would personally change. The characters POV fooled the reader and this is a thriller book that lives rent free in my mind. It is one that would make for a great re-read knowing the plot twists.
How would you rate the book? Drop your comments below.
Happy reading! xx