Which is the best BookTok thriller?

July 4, 2024

If you’re a TikTok user, you’ve probably come across the wonderful world of BookTok; a corner of the internet where authors share their book recommendations, Dreamcasts, and more.

One author who dominates BookTok is Freida McFadden, a thriller writer who also works as a doctor and specializes in brain injuries. Readers who prefer gripping, compelling novels often turn to McFadden for their thriller fix, and it’s easy to see why. With an extensive catalog of books that contain plenty of shocking twists and horror stories that are too close to reality, McFadden has earned her title as BookTok Queen.

“(BookTok was) incredible,” she told shereads in a September 2023 interview. “I wish I could say I was instrumental in making it happen, but it was all luck – writing a book that resonated with the right people. As for me, I know roughly how to use TikTok. I know how to sign up.”

Books by Freida McFadden, ranking

Out of The maid To The inmateRead on to see our ranking of the best books by Freida McFadden.

Suicide Med

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

Suicide Med revolves around a medical school that is plagued by a dark “curse”: every year, a student takes his own life. However, the latest death is actually a murder-suicide, and the shiny new anatomy professor is the suspect.
The surrogate mother

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

Independently published in 2014, Suicide Med is one of McFadden’s lowest-rated books on Goodreads, with readers criticizing the “weird” plot. It’s also one of McFadden’s longest books, clocking in at over 500 pages.
The colleague

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

The colleague is a psychological thriller set in an office environment. The book follows Dawn, a reclusive worker who becomes the prime suspect after her popular colleague disappears.

Some readers notice that not much happens, which justifies the book’s length of almost 400 pages. In 2023 The colleague was nominated for the Goodreads Best Mystery & Thriller Award – which was won by another title from McFadden’s work.
Brain damage

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

Brain damage is the story of a woman whose life changes when she is shot in the head. During her journey through rehab, she begins to piece together the events of that fateful night. Although McFadden was able to use her expertise in the medical field for this book, there aren’t many shocking twists that will thrill.
The ex

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

The ex is the story of a new couple and a jealous ex-girlfriend. The timeline can be a little confusing, which can be frustrating when trying to fully understand the plot – you may need to re-read previous chapters. It received a rating of 3.95 out of 5 on Goodreads, which is on the low end of the scale for McFadden.
Do you remember?

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

In Do you remember?, The main character wakes up and has no memory of the last seven years. She has left her family, her friends and herself. But why? The plot is interesting, but some dialogues are too similar throughout the book, which makes the book less entertaining.
The teacher

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

The teacher is a story of secrets and revenge when a student-teacher affair rocks the local high school. Coming in February 2024, The teacher is one of McFadden’s latest novels. The characters are well developed and as the book progresses you will find yourself rooting for them or against them.
One after the other

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

One after the other is a survival story after Claire and her friends’ minivan breaks down in a remote location while driving to their vacation home. The book was first published in July 2020 and republished in April 2024 with altered content. There are some surprising moments, but the unbelievable plot disappointed some readers.
The perfect son

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

The perfect son follows Erika Cass, a suburban mom with the perfect family life. That is, until a high school student goes missing and Erika’s son is the last person she saw before she vanished. There are some shocking twists, but the ending left some readers unconvinced.
The woman upstairs

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

The woman upstairs revolves around Victoria Barnett, whose life changes dramatically after she is involved in a terrible accident. It is full of twists and turns, but the overall premise is pretty close to Truth by Colleen Hoover. The two are often compared, but it’s worth reading both to see the similarities and differences.
Do you want to know a secret?

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

Do you want to know a secret? follows April, a YouTube sensation known for her popular baking videos. Online, she lives the perfect life, but away from the cameras, she harbors many secrets. The plot of this book is similar to the 2018 film, A simple favorstarring Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick. Overall, it’s an atmospheric read about wealthy women.
The inmate

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

The inmate is the story of Brooke, a new employee at a maximum security prison. But she’s hiding a big secret – her close connection to the prison’s most dangerous criminal. A gripping read full of breathtaking twists and turns you wouldn’t expect. Some of the plot lines are a bit far-fetched, though, so take them with a grain of salt.
Do not disturb

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

Do not disturb is a unique novel that follows a convicted criminal on the run, but turning herself in may be the safest option when she stumbles upon the horrors of the motel she thought was her safe haven.
Never lie

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

Never lie sees a newlywed couple trapped in a remote mansion, and dark secrets are uncovered as they wait to be freed. While BookTok received mixed reviews from Never lie, The 2022 edition has an average rating of 4.10 out of 5 on Goodreads, making it one of McFadden’s most popular books.
District D

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

District D follows medical student Amy, who spends the night in a closed psychiatric ward. The story is told in a dual timeline, which is one of McFadden’s usual writing styles. The twists keep coming District Dso you will probably read the book in one go.
The locked door

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

The locked door is a fan favorite for good reason. The book is about Nora, whose father murdered women in the basement. Now Nora is a surgeon and her father is in prison. But who is behind it when Nora’s patients are murdered in the same way her father killed his victims decades earlier? With many exciting moments and a shocking ending. The locked door is the crème de la crème of psychological thrillers.
The maid series

Photo credit: Courtesy of Freida McFadden.

To emerge as a winner is The maid Series consisting of three books: The maidpublished in August 2022; The Secret of the Maidpublished in July 2023; and The maid watchespublished in June 2024.

The great thing about The maid The difference from the series is that the trilogy is linked to the same characters, but the novels can also be read individually and still make sense without causing spoilers.

In April 2023 Deadline announced that the upcoming film adaptation of the first book in the series, The maidwas written by two-time Emmy nominee Rebecca Sonnenshine. The film is produced by Todd Lieberman and Alex Young of Hidden Pictures.
The first book in the series is about a young woman, Millie, who seems to turn her life around when she works as a maid for a wealthy family. The second book continues Millie’s story, and the third book follows years later. A great introduction to McFadden’s work. The maid The series is a must for thriller fans.