What do you think?
The Witch
A brand-new, haunting thriller from Freida McFadden, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Housemaid!
Some secrets don't die―they wait.
When Julia Barlow loses her job and her apartment, she has nowhere left to go but Pemberton, her family's sprawling seventeenth-century estate in rural Massachusetts. Officially, she's there to check in on her aging grandmother. Unofficially, she's hoping the old house will give her a place to disappear.
Instead, Pemberton begins to unravel her.
Every night, the grandfather clock stops at exactly 3:41 a.m. The lights flicker without warning. And a disembodied voice cries for help outside Julia's bedroom door.
As Julia digs into the house's dark history, she uncovers the story of a woman executed for witchcraft in 1692―and realizes the past may not be finished with Pemberton yet. When decades of family lies begin to surface, Julia must confront a terrifying Pemberton may be haunted by women whose voices refuse to stay silent.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden comes The Witch, a chilling, twist-filled thriller about secrets―those we inherit, those we bury, and those people will burn to keep silent.
Some secrets don't die―they wait.
When Julia Barlow loses her job and her apartment, she has nowhere left to go but Pemberton, her family's sprawling seventeenth-century estate in rural Massachusetts. Officially, she's there to check in on her aging grandmother. Unofficially, she's hoping the old house will give her a place to disappear.
Instead, Pemberton begins to unravel her.
Every night, the grandfather clock stops at exactly 3:41 a.m. The lights flicker without warning. And a disembodied voice cries for help outside Julia's bedroom door.
As Julia digs into the house's dark history, she uncovers the story of a woman executed for witchcraft in 1692―and realizes the past may not be finished with Pemberton yet. When decades of family lies begin to surface, Julia must confront a terrifying Pemberton may be haunted by women whose voices refuse to stay silent.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden comes The Witch, a chilling, twist-filled thriller about secrets―those we inherit, those we bury, and those people will burn to keep silent.
Audible Audio
First published October 6, 2026
About the author
Freida McFadden
108 books299k followers#1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She lives with her family and possessed cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,579 reviews
June 5, 2026
Oh wow okay
Rtc
Rtc
Want to Read
March 6, 2026At this point I’m not worried about Freida using AI… I’m starting to wonder if Freida IS the AI 🤖📖 - said whilst adding to TBR 📚
Want to Read
March 7, 2026Freida, blink twice if you need help.
April 19, 2026
I FEAR THIS WAS A ME PROBLEM AND NOT THE BOOK
WELP… well this is a first, where I have actually not completed a Freida book in one sitting. No matter how ridiculous or outlandish I have found her books, she had that just ‘one more chapter’ poison sprinkled that I couldn’t help but continue committing to the madness.
The Witch for the first half gave me NOTHING… not a little tickle or a thrill. So, I put it down. But when I picked it back up it did start to get somewhat a little more interesting. The book is told in two timelines. One in 1962 and the other in present day. I must say I did enjoy the former more.
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔BUT˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
I know I am being very picky but the language in the past chapters was so cringy. It read way to simplistic and the dialogue was not delivering how Freida probably intended it too.
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔THE CHARACTERS˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
I enjoyed reading about Caroline and Julia’s character… everyone else for me just read one dimensional and ‘there’ for story purposes.
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔SUPERNATURAL˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
The whole supernatural elements also landed flat for me. Listen this is not a bad book by any means I think I just wasn’t the right audience for it.
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔THE TWISTS˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
Cute. Not Jaw dropping or life altering but it was good. I didn’t guess it but I wasn’t also screaming in shock when it was revealed.
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔FINAL VERDICT˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
Even though not a favourite for me. I must say Freida’s writing is getting so much better. The was no repetition or an inanimate object constantly being thrown in our face! The Witch was an ok read but nothing memorable personally.
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˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔pre read˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
ME: FREIDA... WHAT ABOUT WRITERS BLOCK!?
FREIDA: I DONT KNOW HER!
Here we go again!.. 🥹🥹🥹
WELP… well this is a first, where I have actually not completed a Freida book in one sitting. No matter how ridiculous or outlandish I have found her books, she had that just ‘one more chapter’ poison sprinkled that I couldn’t help but continue committing to the madness.
The Witch for the first half gave me NOTHING… not a little tickle or a thrill. So, I put it down. But when I picked it back up it did start to get somewhat a little more interesting. The book is told in two timelines. One in 1962 and the other in present day. I must say I did enjoy the former more.
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔BUT˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
I know I am being very picky but the language in the past chapters was so cringy. It read way to simplistic and the dialogue was not delivering how Freida probably intended it too.
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔THE CHARACTERS˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
I enjoyed reading about Caroline and Julia’s character… everyone else for me just read one dimensional and ‘there’ for story purposes.
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔SUPERNATURAL˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
The whole supernatural elements also landed flat for me. Listen this is not a bad book by any means I think I just wasn’t the right audience for it.
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔THE TWISTS˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
Cute. Not Jaw dropping or life altering but it was good. I didn’t guess it but I wasn’t also screaming in shock when it was revealed.
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔FINAL VERDICT˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
Even though not a favourite for me. I must say Freida’s writing is getting so much better. The was no repetition or an inanimate object constantly being thrown in our face! The Witch was an ok read but nothing memorable personally.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔pre read˙⋆✮⋆˚࿔
ME: FREIDA... WHAT ABOUT WRITERS BLOCK!?
FREIDA: I DONT KNOW HER!
Here we go again!.. 🥹🥹🥹
Currently Reading
October 6, 2026So excited to start this one. Seems really fun and perfect for spooky season 🤭
October 7, 2026
3.5⭐️ The Witch is a supernatural mystery thriller with witchcraft, family secrets and two timelines, following Julia in the present day and Caroline in 1692.
Julia arrives at the house to help look after her grandmother, who has dementia, and her aunt. Within about five minutes, she nearly gives the groundskeeper a heart attack with her scream and then gets mistaken for her 80-year-old great-aunt.
Julia is only 27, by the way.
A fairly eventful first five minutes. Great start, I suppose.
The house was one of my favourite parts. It’s old, neglected and musty, and I could practically smell it through the pages. The creepy stairs, the smelly attic, crying in the hallway at night, the swinging chandelier and the clock stopping at the same time every night all gave the house that feeling that something wasn’t quite right.
But scary? No.
Eerie, definitely. Frightening, not so much. I wouldn’t class this as horror at all. It’s much more of a supernatural mystery thriller with witchcraft and plenty of things to make you wonder what is actually going on.
I also preferred Caroline’s 1692 chapters. Her story grabbed me much more than Julia’s present-day one, especially once the witchcraft accusations started to unfold. Caroline’s chapters just had more about them for me, and I was much more interested in what was happening to her.
Freida McFadden’s writing is easy to get into, straightforward and quick to read. The short chapters certainly keep things moving, although I did find a few that felt completely unnecessary.
There was one in particular where a guard comes in to give her some food, there’s a bit of banter, and then he walks out again.
And that was the chapter.
I’m all for short chapters, but sometimes you need a little more to happen. Two short pages of nothingness just isn’t it.
I’m not going to say much more about the actual plot because I know a lot of people will be reading this one, and I think some things are better discovered for yourself.
Overall, I enjoyed the creepy old house, the witchcraft and the 1692 storyline much more than the present-day one. It wasn’t scary, but it did have an eerie atmosphere that worked well for this time of year. A few chapters could have been left out, but I still found myself wanting to know what was really going on.
Julia arrives at the house to help look after her grandmother, who has dementia, and her aunt. Within about five minutes, she nearly gives the groundskeeper a heart attack with her scream and then gets mistaken for her 80-year-old great-aunt.
Julia is only 27, by the way.
A fairly eventful first five minutes. Great start, I suppose.
The house was one of my favourite parts. It’s old, neglected and musty, and I could practically smell it through the pages. The creepy stairs, the smelly attic, crying in the hallway at night, the swinging chandelier and the clock stopping at the same time every night all gave the house that feeling that something wasn’t quite right.
But scary? No.
Eerie, definitely. Frightening, not so much. I wouldn’t class this as horror at all. It’s much more of a supernatural mystery thriller with witchcraft and plenty of things to make you wonder what is actually going on.
I also preferred Caroline’s 1692 chapters. Her story grabbed me much more than Julia’s present-day one, especially once the witchcraft accusations started to unfold. Caroline’s chapters just had more about them for me, and I was much more interested in what was happening to her.
Freida McFadden’s writing is easy to get into, straightforward and quick to read. The short chapters certainly keep things moving, although I did find a few that felt completely unnecessary.
There was one in particular where a guard comes in to give her some food, there’s a bit of banter, and then he walks out again.
And that was the chapter.
I’m all for short chapters, but sometimes you need a little more to happen. Two short pages of nothingness just isn’t it.
I’m not going to say much more about the actual plot because I know a lot of people will be reading this one, and I think some things are better discovered for yourself.
Overall, I enjoyed the creepy old house, the witchcraft and the 1692 storyline much more than the present-day one. It wasn’t scary, but it did have an eerie atmosphere that worked well for this time of year. A few chapters could have been left out, but I still found myself wanting to know what was really going on.
Want to Read
March 8, 2026At this point Frieda McFadden publishes faster than I read 😅
October 7, 2026
As someone who has read EVERY Freida McFadden book, this felt so different from anything she’s done before and I absolutely flew through it.
LOVED the dual timelines, especially the chapters set in the 1600s as they were so different for the author and for my normal style. There was this constant feeling of unease and while her twists in this one weren’t AS shocking as her other books I absolutely loved the direction it took
Such a fun, slightly supernatural thriller and PERFECT for October 🌙🧙🏻♀️🕯️
LOVED the dual timelines, especially the chapters set in the 1600s as they were so different for the author and for my normal style. There was this constant feeling of unease and while her twists in this one weren’t AS shocking as her other books I absolutely loved the direction it took
Such a fun, slightly supernatural thriller and PERFECT for October 🌙🧙🏻♀️🕯️
October 8, 2026
4⭐️
It’s been a minute since my last Freida McFadden book, and this one seemed like the perfect choice to get back into her books. I definitely felt that it was a little different from her usual work, which was a nice change of pace. I genuinely had fun reading it, and it kept me entertained throughout.
The ending let me down a little, TBH. I was hoping for something that would leave a bigger impression, but overall, I’d say this is definitely among her better books. I don’t usually enjoy her FMCs, but this one was an exception. All in all, a solid, entertaining read and a good reminder of why I keep coming back to Freida! ❤️
It’s been a minute since my last Freida McFadden book, and this one seemed like the perfect choice to get back into her books. I definitely felt that it was a little different from her usual work, which was a nice change of pace. I genuinely had fun reading it, and it kept me entertained throughout.
The ending let me down a little, TBH. I was hoping for something that would leave a bigger impression, but overall, I’d say this is definitely among her better books. I don’t usually enjoy her FMCs, but this one was an exception. All in all, a solid, entertaining read and a good reminder of why I keep coming back to Freida! ❤️
Currently Reading
July 29, 2026pre-read: since it's here...I might as well.
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how does she come up with all these book ideas?!?! anyways, I guess I know what I'm doing on October 6th.
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how does she come up with all these book ideas?!?! anyways, I guess I know what I'm doing on October 6th.
August 19, 2026
Wow. That was mind-blowing. I’ve never been a fan of Freida, but this new book kept me up all night—for all the right reasons.
This is very different from the usual domestic thrillers she’s been putting out for years. Her classic “fast-paced chapters” are still very much effective, as I breezed through the pages, barely noticing that I was almost finished after only starting this morning. That’s how engaging it was.
The characters were all well-developed. I personally liked Caroline’s POV. She was a kind soul, a good-natured girl who was betrayed by almost everyone around her. The dual timelines also worked for me as a reader. As we go along the history of Pemberton and its masters, uncover the secrets buried in the backyard, and encounter the ghosts within its walls, we realize that human beings are far more dangerous and deceiving than ghosts.
Also, one or two characters will make your blood boil, your nostrils flare, and your teeth grit because of how cruel and malicious they are. But don’t worry—everyone will get what they deserve in the end.
To Freida: I am becoming a fan. Hopefully, my next read from you will be another win, since you seem to publish a new book every week. No rest for the wicked, indeed.
This is very different from the usual domestic thrillers she’s been putting out for years. Her classic “fast-paced chapters” are still very much effective, as I breezed through the pages, barely noticing that I was almost finished after only starting this morning. That’s how engaging it was.
The characters were all well-developed. I personally liked Caroline’s POV. She was a kind soul, a good-natured girl who was betrayed by almost everyone around her. The dual timelines also worked for me as a reader. As we go along the history of Pemberton and its masters, uncover the secrets buried in the backyard, and encounter the ghosts within its walls, we realize that human beings are far more dangerous and deceiving than ghosts.
Also, one or two characters will make your blood boil, your nostrils flare, and your teeth grit because of how cruel and malicious they are. But don’t worry—everyone will get what they deserve in the end.
To Freida: I am becoming a fan. Hopefully, my next read from you will be another win, since you seem to publish a new book every week. No rest for the wicked, indeed.
Want to Read
March 7, 2026freida won’t stop and i will never learn.
hoping this is fun?
hoping this is fun?
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
PERFECT FOR SPOOKY SEASON!
With a very different feel from Freida’s normal fare but also still fast-paced and full of her typical twists and turns, The Witch was yet another home run from the queen of addictive, binge-able novels. You see, this time around it wasn’t just any old popcorn-eating ride of domestic thrills. While there was still a bit of that within these pages, I was delighted to find a book perfect for spooky season in it as well. A historical-slash-supernatural thriller, the two century-hopping timelines had me utterly glued to my chair. Plopping us down into the middle of the Salem witch trials era as well as a hair-raising present firmly linked to the past, the historical element added a fresh feel that I wasn’t expecting. Don’t get me wrong, the chapters were still short and snappy, the plot was still packed with twists, and the evil characters still got what they deserved.
One of the stronger parts of this one-sitting read, though, were the creepy haunted-house vibes. Atmospheric, unsettling, and eerie, the supernatural ambiguity of the present only strengthened the witch-trial plot line as the long-buried family secrets were slowly revealed. Woven into an intricate web, the mysteries made this into a haunting tale of deception. Cleverly constructed with onion-like layers, the curveballs were just as plentiful as the well-developed characters. That was yet another difference from Freida’s standard thriller. Full of complex, morally complicated personas, I easily became invested in each of their stories as the plot raced along. After all, despite the slow-burning start, this book was ultimately a gasp-inducing twist fest that I couldn’t put down thanks to this author’s amazing sleight of hand. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Salem witch trial history
- Fast-paced plots
- Short, snappy chapters
- Dual timelines and POVs
- Binge-able reads
- Supernatural elements
- Family secrets
- Haunted-house vibes
- Character depth
- Thought-provoking themes
- Atmospheric settings
- Hate-worthy individuals
SYNOPSIS:
When Julia Barlow loses her job and her apartment, she has nowhere left to go but Pemberton, her family's sprawling seventeenth-century estate in rural Massachusetts. Officially, she's there to check in on her aging grandmother. Unofficially, she's hoping the old house will give her a place to disappear.
Instead, Pemberton begins to unravel her.
Every night, the grandfather clock stops at exactly 3:41 a.m. The lights flicker without warning. And a disembodied voice cries for help outside Julia's bedroom door.
As Julia digs into the house's dark history, she uncovers the story of a woman executed for witchcraft in 1692―and realizes the past may not be finished with Pemberton yet. When decades of family lies begin to surface, Julia must confront a terrifying truth: Pemberton may be haunted by women whose voices refuse to stay silent.
Thank you Freida McFadden and Poisoned Pen Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 6, 2026
Content warning: dementia, infertility, sexual assault, gaslighting, toxic relationship, murder, misogyny, sexual harassment, fire, childbirth complications, violence
With a very different feel from Freida’s normal fare but also still fast-paced and full of her typical twists and turns, The Witch was yet another home run from the queen of addictive, binge-able novels. You see, this time around it wasn’t just any old popcorn-eating ride of domestic thrills. While there was still a bit of that within these pages, I was delighted to find a book perfect for spooky season in it as well. A historical-slash-supernatural thriller, the two century-hopping timelines had me utterly glued to my chair. Plopping us down into the middle of the Salem witch trials era as well as a hair-raising present firmly linked to the past, the historical element added a fresh feel that I wasn’t expecting. Don’t get me wrong, the chapters were still short and snappy, the plot was still packed with twists, and the evil characters still got what they deserved.
One of the stronger parts of this one-sitting read, though, were the creepy haunted-house vibes. Atmospheric, unsettling, and eerie, the supernatural ambiguity of the present only strengthened the witch-trial plot line as the long-buried family secrets were slowly revealed. Woven into an intricate web, the mysteries made this into a haunting tale of deception. Cleverly constructed with onion-like layers, the curveballs were just as plentiful as the well-developed characters. That was yet another difference from Freida’s standard thriller. Full of complex, morally complicated personas, I easily became invested in each of their stories as the plot raced along. After all, despite the slow-burning start, this book was ultimately a gasp-inducing twist fest that I couldn’t put down thanks to this author’s amazing sleight of hand. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Salem witch trial history
- Fast-paced plots
- Short, snappy chapters
- Dual timelines and POVs
- Binge-able reads
- Supernatural elements
- Family secrets
- Haunted-house vibes
- Character depth
- Thought-provoking themes
- Atmospheric settings
- Hate-worthy individuals
SYNOPSIS:
When Julia Barlow loses her job and her apartment, she has nowhere left to go but Pemberton, her family's sprawling seventeenth-century estate in rural Massachusetts. Officially, she's there to check in on her aging grandmother. Unofficially, she's hoping the old house will give her a place to disappear.
Instead, Pemberton begins to unravel her.
Every night, the grandfather clock stops at exactly 3:41 a.m. The lights flicker without warning. And a disembodied voice cries for help outside Julia's bedroom door.
As Julia digs into the house's dark history, she uncovers the story of a woman executed for witchcraft in 1692―and realizes the past may not be finished with Pemberton yet. When decades of family lies begin to surface, Julia must confront a terrifying truth: Pemberton may be haunted by women whose voices refuse to stay silent.
Thank you Freida McFadden and Poisoned Pen Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 6, 2026
Content warning: dementia, infertility, sexual assault, gaslighting, toxic relationship, murder, misogyny, sexual harassment, fire, childbirth complications, violence
October 8, 2026
The witch and I had more chemistry than this book had sense.
Want to Read
March 11, 2026freida mcfadden needs a holiday
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Witch by Freida McFadden ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this book. I really enjoy Freida McFadden’s books, but I’m usually left wanting just a little more depth. The Witch gave me that. It still had the suspense and twists I expect from her, but the historical fiction side added so much more to the story.
This is told in dual timelines, and I was invested in both of them. I liked the characters in both time periods, and I especially loved that the suspense kept building in both timelines instead of one feeling like filler while I waited to get back to the other.
It does start slower than most of Freida’s books, but I actually think that helped this one. There was more character development and more time to build the story, which made everything feel more meaningful when the pieces started coming together.
The historical storyline was probably my favorite part. It felt different from what she normally writes, but still very much like Freida. I loved the mix of historical fiction, family secrets, mystery, and suspense.
I really hope she keeps experimenting with this style because I would absolutely read more books like this from her.
PUBLISH DATE: October 6, 2026
BOOK TITLE: The Witch
AUTHOR: Freida McFadden
PUBLISHER: Poisoned Press
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 352
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I absolutely loved this book. I really enjoy Freida McFadden’s books, but I’m usually left wanting just a little more depth. The Witch gave me that. It still had the suspense and twists I expect from her, but the historical fiction side added so much more to the story.
This is told in dual timelines, and I was invested in both of them. I liked the characters in both time periods, and I especially loved that the suspense kept building in both timelines instead of one feeling like filler while I waited to get back to the other.
It does start slower than most of Freida’s books, but I actually think that helped this one. There was more character development and more time to build the story, which made everything feel more meaningful when the pieces started coming together.
The historical storyline was probably my favorite part. It felt different from what she normally writes, but still very much like Freida. I loved the mix of historical fiction, family secrets, mystery, and suspense.
I really hope she keeps experimenting with this style because I would absolutely read more books like this from her.
PUBLISH DATE: October 6, 2026
BOOK TITLE: The Witch
AUTHOR: Freida McFadden
PUBLISHER: Poisoned Press
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 352
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 7, 2026
I loved the flick between past and present. The eerie ghostliness definitely gave me that creepy feeling, but the horror was still a bit too light for me. I had secretly hoped there would be more witchy factors in it, the title had gotten my hopes up for some magic and spell work! This was definitely different from what we usually get from Freida, and I liked it. And Freida’s true twist nature did not disappoint.
Currently Reading
March 14, 2026Can’t wait!! Freida takes no breaks! 🖤
October 8, 2026
“𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥.”
a bit predictable but i still really enjoyed it. the eerie witchy vibes + the dual timelines had me intrigued the whole time
a bit predictable but i still really enjoyed it. the eerie witchy vibes + the dual timelines had me intrigued the whole time
Want to Read
March 6, 2026Atp I am tempted to kidnap fmf and send her off on a vacation myself 😭😭
Want to Read
June 6, 2026Freida hunny, you write faster than I blink. I think you might need a little precedex...
Currently Reading
September 18, 2026⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ✉︎ ꒱ ˎˊ˗Title: The Witch
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ✉︎ ꒱ ˎˊ˗Author: Freida McFadden
⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔
⌯⌲🗓️⋆｡˚ October 7...
⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔
╰┈➤pre-read:
yet another buddy read with my lovely mimi 💞💐🎀
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ✉︎ ꒱ ˎˊ˗Title: The Witch
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ✉︎ ꒱ ˎˊ˗Author: Freida McFadden
⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔
⌯⌲🗓️⋆｡˚ October 7...
⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔
╰┈➤pre-read:
yet another buddy read with my lovely mimi 💞💐🎀
September 26, 2026
You know what Freida? Hell yeah, I liked this.
I’ve read 22 of her books now and I will admit, I started to think I’d be able to guess every twist etc by now, but this one felt so FRESH and different from her other books. I loved the use of dual timelines in this (of course both storylines ended up getting soooo good that I was racing through it to see each POV again) but the chapters set in the 1600’s were by far my favourite! The chapters are so short and all end with some sort of revelation so guaranteed to keep you hooked!
The amount of manipulation & gaslighting in this is to be expected from a Freida McFadden book, but what I didn’t see coming was the general unease I felt during some of the scenes. Everything is explained so well in the end and whilst the twists weren’t as jaw dropping as usual, I thought this was still a brilliant read!
So if you’re looking for a haunting, supernatural thriller that really leans into dark historical elements, definitely pick this up! It’s not scary, but is PERFECT for an october read.
I’ve read 22 of her books now and I will admit, I started to think I’d be able to guess every twist etc by now, but this one felt so FRESH and different from her other books. I loved the use of dual timelines in this (of course both storylines ended up getting soooo good that I was racing through it to see each POV again) but the chapters set in the 1600’s were by far my favourite! The chapters are so short and all end with some sort of revelation so guaranteed to keep you hooked!
The amount of manipulation & gaslighting in this is to be expected from a Freida McFadden book, but what I didn’t see coming was the general unease I felt during some of the scenes. Everything is explained so well in the end and whilst the twists weren’t as jaw dropping as usual, I thought this was still a brilliant read!
So if you’re looking for a haunting, supernatural thriller that really leans into dark historical elements, definitely pick this up! It’s not scary, but is PERFECT for an october read.
Currently Reading
June 11, 2026genuinely asking, freida DO YOU SLEEP??
October 6, 2026
𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝘆. 🧙♀️
This one took a little while to get going, but once it did, I absolutely wolfed down the second half. I loved seeing Freida branch into a darker, creepier, more supernatural story with the historical timeline and witch-trial atmosphere. The twists were genuinely surprising but still made sense, and the ending was really satisfying.
Definitely not her usual breakneck thriller, but a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This one took a little while to get going, but once it did, I absolutely wolfed down the second half. I loved seeing Freida branch into a darker, creepier, more supernatural story with the historical timeline and witch-trial atmosphere. The twists were genuinely surprising but still made sense, and the ending was really satisfying.
Definitely not her usual breakneck thriller, but a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had such a good time with this one. The Witch feels like Frieda McFadden is stepping a little outside her usual sandbox. Instead of her trademark domestic‑thriller chaos, this leans harder into horror.
There were some inconsistencies near the end; wrong names popping up, and the epilogue contradicting something said literally a few pages earlier, which pulled me out of the story for a moment. But even with those hiccups, I still really enjoyed it. And I have to say: it was refreshing to finally (sort of) break away from the twist‑on‑a‑twist formula she tends to rely on. This one still has surprises, but they land differently, and in a way that fits the horror vibe much better.
Overall, it’s eerie, fast‑paced, and just different enough from her usual work to feel exciting. A solid four stars from me. To me, it might even be one of her more memorable reads.
↪ 4 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
There were some inconsistencies near the end; wrong names popping up, and the epilogue contradicting something said literally a few pages earlier, which pulled me out of the story for a moment. But even with those hiccups, I still really enjoyed it. And I have to say: it was refreshing to finally (sort of) break away from the twist‑on‑a‑twist formula she tends to rely on. This one still has surprises, but they land differently, and in a way that fits the horror vibe much better.
Overall, it’s eerie, fast‑paced, and just different enough from her usual work to feel exciting. A solid four stars from me. To me, it might even be one of her more memorable reads.
↪ 4 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2026
This was a fantastic read for spooky season! It was so intriguing and suspenseful — I barely set it down. I LOVED the dual timelines and how nicely they ended up being woven together! This book had so much depth and I was never bored with either storyline! The build up to the conclusion was so compelling and the ending was extremely satisfying! Definitely one of my favorite Freida books!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much to Freida McFadden and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.
This was truly so different from any of her other books, and I feel like I’ve been saying that for so many. But I really mean it with this one! The dual timeline between present day and 1692 was so good. It was your typical quick-paced (short chapter) thriller that you can expect from Freida. I would love to see her continue to write stories in this manner. It was overall a fantastic read!!
This was truly so different from any of her other books, and I feel like I’ve been saying that for so many. But I really mean it with this one! The dual timeline between present day and 1692 was so good. It was your typical quick-paced (short chapter) thriller that you can expect from Freida. I would love to see her continue to write stories in this manner. It was overall a fantastic read!!
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October 6, 2026
The Witch by Freida McFadden
2.75/5 stars
6th October, 2026
done. at last. 🕯️
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Pemberton is a seventeenth-century estate with a rather unpleasant history: a woman was executed for witchcraft in 1692, and now Julia has returned to the family home to care for her grandmother — only to discover that the house may still be harbouring secrets of its own. A clock that stops at 3:41 a.m., flickering lights, a voice crying for help outside her bedroom… and a family with far more buried beneath the surface than Julia anticipated.
Unfortunately, this one was far too predictable for me. The opening was slow, and while the pacing eventually became easier to get through, I never really felt that gripping sense of suspense or intrigue I was hoping for. I kept waiting for that oh, what the hell? moment… and it never quite arrived.
I also couldn’t stop thinking about The Housemaid at times — Sir, perhaps it is time to retire.
That said, Caroline and Janson were easily my favourite part of the book. I loved Caroline’s intelligence, resilience and
Julia was fine, the grandmother was unintentionally hilarious, Ethel was… there, and Mick clearly needs a retirement package.
McFadden’s writing itself is still incredibly easy to fly through — the short chapters make this a speedy read, and there’s something satisfying about watching the page count disappear. But unfortunately, the story itself just didn’t live up to what I know McFadden can deliver. I’ve devoured and genuinely loved so many of her earlier books, so perhaps I’ve simply developed very high expectations for her.
If you’re looking for a quick, easy-to-read thriller with an old house, family secrets, historical witchcraft and a little supernatural unease, this might still be worth picking up. But for me? I very much prefer McFadden’s earlier work. 🕯️
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Pre-read [261006]: Frankly, I’m not sure what to expect.
I haven’t read the plot or synopsis. I usually avoid them because I don’t want to create any preconceived notions or predictions. I prefer to approach books blindfolded, knowing only the genre. However, I don’t think McFadden has written any supernatural books so this is going to be intriguing.
2.75/5 stars
6th October, 2026
done. at last. 🕯️
__
Pemberton is a seventeenth-century estate with a rather unpleasant history: a woman was executed for witchcraft in 1692, and now Julia has returned to the family home to care for her grandmother — only to discover that the house may still be harbouring secrets of its own. A clock that stops at 3:41 a.m., flickering lights, a voice crying for help outside her bedroom… and a family with far more buried beneath the surface than Julia anticipated.
Unfortunately, this one was far too predictable for me. The opening was slow, and while the pacing eventually became easier to get through, I never really felt that gripping sense of suspense or intrigue I was hoping for. I kept waiting for that oh, what the hell? moment… and it never quite arrived.
I also couldn’t stop thinking about The Housemaid at times — Sir, perhaps it is time to retire.
That said, Caroline and Janson were easily my favourite part of the book. I loved Caroline’s intelligence, resilience and
Julia was fine, the grandmother was unintentionally hilarious, Ethel was… there, and Mick clearly needs a retirement package.
McFadden’s writing itself is still incredibly easy to fly through — the short chapters make this a speedy read, and there’s something satisfying about watching the page count disappear. But unfortunately, the story itself just didn’t live up to what I know McFadden can deliver. I’ve devoured and genuinely loved so many of her earlier books, so perhaps I’ve simply developed very high expectations for her.
If you’re looking for a quick, easy-to-read thriller with an old house, family secrets, historical witchcraft and a little supernatural unease, this might still be worth picking up. But for me? I very much prefer McFadden’s earlier work. 🕯️
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Pre-read [261006]: Frankly, I’m not sure what to expect.
I haven’t read the plot or synopsis. I usually avoid them because I don’t want to create any preconceived notions or predictions. I prefer to approach books blindfolded, knowing only the genre. However, I don’t think McFadden has written any supernatural books so this is going to be intriguing.
Currently Reading
October 7, 2026
✨Pre-read:
As much as I wanted to stay away from her writing, I can't help but be intrigued by this premise cuz it sounds so different from her previous works. So I'm shamelessly running to do a tandem read of this🫣 Seriously tho, she can't mess up a thriller with the creepy haunted house vibes, right?!!👉🏻👈🏻
As much as I wanted to stay away from her writing, I can't help but be intrigued by this premise cuz it sounds so different from her previous works. So I'm shamelessly running to do a tandem read of this🫣 Seriously tho, she can't mess up a thriller with the creepy haunted house vibes, right?!!👉🏻👈🏻
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