Book review: The Tenant by Freida McFadden
Published on 05 June 2025
Genre: Psychological thriller
Reviewer: Dani
Why I chose this book:
I’ve come to Freida McFadden’s books a little late - but now I see what all the fuss is about! After noticing her titles were always checked out at the library and hearing multiple friends rave about her, I decided to dive in with The Tenant. I devoured it in just two days.
Freida, a physician who specialises in brain injury by day and writes psychological thrillers for fun, brings a sharp and unsettling edge to her storytelling.
Quick Summary:
The Tenant follows Blake Porter, who’s riding high on career success - until a bizarre series of events leads to him being abruptly fired. Struggling to make ends meet, he and his fiancée take in a roommate: the seemingly perfect Whitney. She’s calm, beautiful, and easy to live with… until strange little things start to unravel in Blake’s life. Slowly. Subtly. And then all at once.
Suddenly, the neighbors start acting strangely. A mysterious stench lingers in the house. Odd noises wake Blake in the middle of the night. Bit by bit, his carefully curated life begins to unravel - and someone out there knows more than they should.
What I thought:
With more twists than a rollercoaster, this thriller keeps you guessing right up until the final pages. I wouldn’t recommend starting it before bed - you won’t want to put it down. It’s the perfect book if you’re in a reading slump and need something to jolt you out of it.
Immediately after finishing, I jumped intoThe Coworker, another of Freida’s unputdownable reads. Her writing is compulsive, clever, and just a little unhinged - in the best way. I might take a short break now, but I’ll definitely be back for more.
Who should read this?
A must-read for fans of psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, and unreliable narrators.
Final thoughts:
Whether you’re new to Freida McFadden or already a fan, The Tenant is a must-read that will keep you hooked until the final page. You might want to double-check your locks afterwards.
Read-Alikes: