The Locked Door By Freida McFadden: book review

The locked door by Freida McFadden is a page-turning psychological thriller. I originally gave this book 5 stars. However, after letting it marinate for a week in my brain 🧠, I’m going to change it to 3.5-4 stars, and I’ll tell you why.

The Locked Door By Freida McFadden synopsis

It all started when eleven-year-old Nora’s father was arrested for murdering women in their home’s basement.

26 years later, Nora is now Dr. Davis. That’s right, she is a well-known surgeon. She is determined to hide the fact that she’s the daughter of the famous serial killer from all those years ago. She is definitely not her father’s daughter.

When two of her patients (female) are murdered in the same fashion as her father’s victims, Nora is afraid someone knows who she is. Who could this new serial killer be when her father has been locked up for the past few decades? And why are they out to ruin Nora’s life?

What I liked

I have to say this book did keep me on my toes. I was very interested in where the story was going and trying to solve the mystery. Every time I thought I had it, McFadden surprised me. This story does include flashbacks from Nora’s childhood that bring depth to the main character, Nora. Her father was basically trying to make her his little protégée, but that wasn’t her at all. She realized what her father was and had him shipped off to a high-security jail.

this book was also fairly easy to read. It’s fast paced and compelling!

What I Didn’t Like

Despite the locked door having a compelling storyline, it does have some plot holes 🕳️ and overall things that didn’t make sense.

First off, Nora’s sister. Where did she come from?
They said Nora’s mom killed herself when she found out her father was a serial killer when she was 5 months pregnant. So the baby just happened to survive? For the plot? This was mentioned at the beginning and then disregarded as not being a possibility.
When the police are investigating the murders, they don’t notice the serial killer that started this whole escapade is getting a visitor? I feel like that’s the first place they would look.

“Who knew? Who told you?” she blinks at me. “Our father.”

There’s also no mention of Harper, Nora’s sister, from the police. Wouldn’t they have a record of the most famous, brutal serial killer’s dead wife having a child? I guess not.

Harper’s reasoning for killing those women and trying to frame Nora was so pointless. So you wanted to get revenge because she wasn’t a cold-blooded murderer like you and your father?

The Locked Door By Freida Mcfadden Conclusion

overall I did enjoy the locked door by Freida McFadden. It’s was a very compelling story with interesting flashbacks. But there where some plot holes and things that didn’t make sense that made my change my rating.

Other Notes

This is the fourth book I’ve read by Freida McFadden, but it doesn’t live up to the first book I’ve read by her, which was “The Housemaid”. unlike the locked door the housemaid was spectacular! it got 5 stars from me. the book had a likeable main character. the plot was chefs kiss! I’m hopping to come across another book by McFadden that has the same intrigue as the housemaid and the following books in that series.

have you read this book did you like it? did it grab your attention or was it just not ” that book” for you?

more psychological thrillers & Freida McFadden reviews.