I’m back in my thriller era, and Do Not Disturb was the perfect book to remind me why I love this genre so much. I thought it would be a quick, twisty read, and it was. Check for a creepy motel. Characters who can’t be trusted? Check. Things I didn’t see coming? Yes, of course.
Plot Summary
A desperate woman on the run checks into a secluded roadside motel. With its vacant parking lot, flickering lights, and an overly curious receptionist, the place immediately gives off an eerie vibe. From there, things begin to unravel. A cast of characters comes into play, each harbouring their own secrets and motives, as the narrative shifts between perspectives. What begins as a straightforward escape soon spirals into a web of deceit, manipulation, and violence. There are a lot of twists and turns, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out another one comes out of nowhere.
Themes
ThemesDo Not Disturb is about survival, trauma, and the masks people wear. There is a strong thread about domestic abuse and the mental toll it takes, and the chaos is handled with surprising care. It also talks about identity, lying, and how far someone will go to protect themselves or hurt others.
What really got to me was how McFadden plays with our assumptions by changing the way we see things. One character’s truth is another’s manipulation, and that kept me on my toes until the end.
What Worked For Me
- The setting: That motel was the ultimate setting for a thriller: claustrophobic, eerie, and the perfect backdrop for secrets to unravel.
- Different points of view: I liked how the story changed depending on who was telling it. It added depth and made the twists even better.
- The pacing is such that you want to read “just one more chapter.” It had me hooked!
- The twists: They really made me gasp. I thought the final reveal was very clever and made me want to go back and read some parts again.
What Didn’t Quite Work For Me
What Didn’t Quite Work For MeThere were moments when the main character’s decisions really annoyed me. Like, seriously? That’s your plan? But I suppose that’s what keeps things tense. Desperation doesn’t always lead to logical choices. Some of the twists felt a bit too predictable, especially with the addition of new perspectives, but the payoff made it all worthwhile.
Who Should Read This
This is the book for you if you like thrillers that are fast, twisty, and full of emotion. It’s great for a weekend binge or to get you out of a reading slump.
Final Thoughts
Do Not Disturb is a dark, addictive thriller. It doesn’t want to be smart; it just wants to shock, entertain, and keep you reading. And it does a great job of it. I love how Freida McFadden messes with your mind.
Thank you to Penguin Random House SA for the opportunity to read this book!
Other books by Freida McFadden
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
About the Author:
Author Freida McFadden | Psychological Thrillers
