Freida McFadden
#43,272 Most Popular
About
Novelist and physician known for writing psychological thrillers including The Housemaid, The Housemaid's Secret, Never Lie, The Teacher, The Boyfriend, and Ward D. She is also known for being a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than 45 languages.
Before fame
She studied mathematics at Harvard University before attending medical school and becoming a physician specializing in brain injuries. She had been writing stories since childhood and initially wrote a blog about her experiences training as a doctor. She self-published her first novel The Devil Wears Scrubs in 2013.
Trivia
Her 2022 psychological thriller The Housemaid became her international breakout and inspired a 2025 film adaptation. Her sequel book The Housemaid's Secret won the 2023 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Mystery & Thriller. She was named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026.
Family life
She married an engineer and they have two children together. She revealed in April 2026 that her real name is Sarah Cohen and Freida McFadden is a pen name.
Associated with
She served as an executive producer on the 2025 film adaptation of The Housemaid starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.
