I’ve come to expect certain things from a Freida McFadden thriller: a fast pace, a protagonist with a troubled past, and twists that keep me flipping pages long after I should have gone to bed. The Intruder delivers all of that, but with just enough variation to keep me guessing.
Plot Summary
The story centres on Ella, a woman whose life has been shaped by trauma and secrets. She’s isolated, haunted by her past, and desperate to hold on to the semblance of a “perfect family” she believes she deserves. When an unexpected figure from her childhood reappears, the fragile balance of her world begins to unravel. Told across multiple timelines and perspectives, the narrative slowly reveals the truth about Ella’s past and the people around her. For much of the book, I thought I had the plot figured out—only to be thrown off course again and again. The final act packs in twist after twist, and while some felt a little rushed, the epilogue ties everything together in a way that left me both satisfied and unsettled.
Themes
ThemesMcFadden leans into familiar territory: childhood trauma, the longing for acceptance, and the dangers of obsession. There are heavy themes here, including child abuse, so I’d caution sensitive readers. At the same time, the book explores identity and the lengths people will go to protect the life they think they deserve. Ella’s fixation on being the daughter of a doctor, and her obsessive attachment to the family she ends up with, is strangely compelling and adds depth to her character.
What Worked
The pacing is tight once the story gets going. I’ll admit the opening felt a little slow, but once the tension built, I couldn’t put it down. The dual timelines and perspectives added richness, and I particularly enjoyed the early relationship Ella forms with a boy she meets as a child—it felt authentic and grounded. McFadden’s trademark tropes are all here: the locked-room scene, the sudden competence boost in the climax, and the repeated clues that sometimes felt overemphasised. Still, the main twist landed well, and the morally ambiguous ending was classic Freida.
Who Will Enjoy This Book
Who Will Enjoy This BookIf you’re already a fan of McFadden’s work, you’ll find The Intruder comfortably familiar yet fresh enough to surprise you. Readers who enjoy quick, compulsively readable thrillers with multiple twists will be hooked. It’s perfect for those who don’t mind a bit of chaos and are happy to suspend disbelief for the sake of entertainment. If you like domestic thrillers with dark family secrets and morally grey characters, this one’s for you.
A final word…
The Intruder is entertaining, fast-paced, and deeply readable. While uneven at times and occasionally repetitive, it still kept me on edge and delivered a finale that was both dramatic and satisfying. McFadden has a knack for pulling me in, even when I think I’ve spotted her patterns. This book may not be flawless, but it’s compulsively engaging and one of her stronger recent releases. I finished it in two days, and that says it all.
With thanks to Penguin Random House SA
Also read:
Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
