What if we told you that the mind behind one of the most addictive psychological thriller book series also happens to treat brain injuries? Well, that’s Freida McFadden for you – a practising physician who authors bestselling titles such as The Housemaid (2022) under her pseudonym. Yes, the same novel which was brought to the big screen by Paul Feig in 2025. But did you know that The Housemaid is a series comprising three books and a short story?
McFadden’s The Housemaid follows the story of Millie Calloway, a woman who takes a job as a housekeeper for the affluent Winchester family, only to realise that dark secrets await her there.
The psychological thriller book series is gripping, to say the least. Full of shocking twists and revelations, the novels are guaranteed to leave your jaw on the floor.
In 2024, The Washington Post reported that the book The Housemaid had sold around 1.6 million print copies since its release in 2022. In addition to its commercial success, the series has also gained a significant fanbase within the BookTok community.
If you want to dig deeper into the world of the film adaptation, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, we suggest you read all the novels in The Housemaid series, as they offer plenty more curveballs. While Feig’s film is based solely on McFadden’s 2022 novel, the remaining books in The Housemaid series expand on the plot, characters, events and dark secrets introduced in the first instalment.
So, without further ado, here is the correct chronological order in which you should read The Housemaid books.
Your guide to reading The Housemaid books in order
1. The Housemaid
Synopsis: To escape her troubled past, Millie Calloway, an ex-convict, decides to make a fresh start by getting employed as a housekeeper for the wealthy Winchester family. But soon after she moves into their mansion, she realises that she is not the only one with secrets. Soon, she finds herself embroiled in the messy lives of her employers, Nina and Andrew Winchester, their daughter Cecelia and the family groundskeeper, Enzo Accardi.
About the book: The Housemaid book series begins with this novel. It introduces its protagonist, Millie, and establishes the central premise for all the other novels in the series.
Year of publishing: 2022
Pages: 336
Price (approx.): RM 93 (Hardcover), RM 46 (Paperback)
Also read: Check out the filming locations of The Housemaid movie
2. The Housemaid’s Secret
Synopsis: Millie has taken up a new job and has exited the gates of the Winchester mansion, only to enter the penthouse of Douglas and Wendy Garrick. This time, she decides to keep her head down, work and not ask questions, but the Garricks are no better than the Winchesters. Millie has her suspicions about the erratic Douglas, but those doubts quickly turn into fear when she realises that he has a lot to hide.
Year of publishing: 2023
Pages: 320
Price (approx.): RM 57 (Paperback)
Buy The Housemaid's Secret on Amazon
3. The Housemaid’s Wedding
Synopsis: Millie and Enzo are deeply in love and are ready to formalise their relationship by getting married. The only problem? Someone is lurking in the shadows, determined to stop Millie from finding happiness.
About the book: This short story acts as the third instalment in this series by bridging the gap between The Housemaid’s Secret and The Housemaid Is Watching.
Year of publishing: 2024
Pages: 59
Price (approx.): RM 20 (Paperback)
Buy The Housemaid's Wedding on Amazon
Also read: How to read Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books in order
4. The Housemaid Is Watching
Synopsis: Millie, now married to Enzo, has embarked on a new career. The two of them, along with their children, Ada and Nico, move into a charming new house to begin an idyllic life together, but their new neighbours, Suzette and Jonathan Lowell, seem a little strange.
As Millie uncovers unsettling secrets about her new home and the people surrounding her new life, she realises that her family is being watched, and she must do everything she can to protect them.
About the book: The Housemaid Is Watching is the final book in The Housemaid series. It picks up about 10 years after The Housemaid’s Secret.
Year of publishing: 2024
Pages: 400
Price (approx.): RM 74.5 (Hardcover), RM 51 (Paperback)
Buy The Housemaid Is Watching on Amazon
Also read: Did you know Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs books are being adapted into a series?
(Hero and Featured image credit: Amazon)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
