Freida McFadden Books in Order
One of my favorite things is reading a new book, falling in love with the author’s writing style, and realizing they have a stacked back-catalog for me to dive into.
Freida McFadden is definitely one of those authors for me. After reading The Housemaid a few years ago, I immediately signed up for a Kindle Unlimited membership (if you haven’t yet, check out my post on why it’s worth it) and gained access to McFadden’s 25+ other books (and counting - she adds a few every year).
If you’re like me and like to read an author’s books in chronological order, this post is for you. Below, I share all of Freida McFadden’s books in order, making special note of series, short stories, and the one not available with Kindle Unlimited.
More of a greatest hits reader? Check out my other post, Best Freida McFadden Books Ranked.
freida mcfadden books in order (2026 guide: all books by publication date and series order)
Below is the complete chronological list, based on original release dates (no duplicate reprints included). As far as reprints go, here’s the backstory: most of McFadden’s books have been self-released, and a few were later re-released under traditional publishing. This list goes off of her original publishing dates because the books themselves did not change, with one exception that is noted.
freida mcfadden books in order (publication order)
2013
2014
Dead Med - this is the original publication date of Suicide Med, which was later re-worked, re-titled to Dead Med, and re-published in 2024. I’ve read both versions, and barely noticed (or remembered) much change. I’m placing it in 2014 as its original publication date, but you can move it to 2024 if you prefer.
2015
Baby City (co-written with Kelley Stoddard)
2016
2017
2020
The Wife Upstairs - not a part of Kindle Unlimited but under $5 to buy
2021
2022
The Gift: A Short Story - not a full-length novel
2023
2024
The Dinner Party: A Pick Your Poison Adventure - short story, not a full-length novel
The Housemaid’s Wedding - short story, not a full-length novel
2025
Death Row - short story, not a full-length novel
2026
The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie: A Satirical Novella - short story, not a full-length novel
freida mcfadden series in order
While most of her books are standalone psychological thrillers, she has written a few series.
the housemaid series
The Housemaid (2022)
The Housemaid’s Secret (2023)
The Housemaid is Watching (2024)
The Housemaid’s Wedding (2024) - short story, not a full-length novel
Featuring her most addictive, viral book, you won’t want to miss this series.
dr. jane mcgill series
The Devil Wears Scrubs (2013)
The Devil You Know (2017)
This duology begins with the first book McFadden ever wrote. That said, keep in mind that this is not the psychological thriller you may be expecting. Rather, I’d consider these to be medical dramas with dark humor. Not what she does best, but worth checking out if you enjoy comedic books.
prescription: murder series
Dead Med (2014)
Brain Damage (2016)
Twisty, this duology has gained popularity over the last few years, especially once McFadden re-worked part of the first book a few years ago.
novellas
Not technically a series, but if you want to read all of her short stories in chronological order, follow this:
The Gift: A Short Story (2022)
The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie: A Satirical Novella (2024)
Death Row (2025)
what is the best order to read freida mcfadden books?
It depends on how you like to read. Here are a few options:
option 1: publication order (best overall)
Typically, I would recommend reading an author’s books in publication order. You get to see their style evolve, and with McFadden, some of her earlier works are her most popular, so it’s not like you have to “pay your dues” reading rough cuts to get to the bestsellers.
This is what I recommend for binge readers who plan on reading every single McFadden release, regardless of average rating or other people’s reviews.
option 2: start with the most popular books
If you want instant payoff and aren’t sure if you’re going to commit to reading McFadden’s entire catalogue, I highly recommend starting with her most popular books. I’ve found that McFadden’s plots are hit or miss; you love them or hate them. There are a few of her books I couldn’t get enough of, and others were too predictable to enjoy. Her writing can polarize audiences, so if you want the best of the best, start with:
Then go back to the full list, or check out my Best Freida McFadden Books post for every book of hers ranked from best to worst (no spoilers, promise).
option 3: read by series
If you love a good series, you’ll get to not only enjoy a trilogy, but experience some of McFadden’s best writing. Ideal if you like connected stories, these books are still fast-paced and easy to read. Start with The Housemaid series if you want a true thriller:
The Housemaid (2022)
The Housemaid’s Secret (2023)
The Housemaid is Watching (2024)
The Housemaid’s Wedding (2024) - short story, not a full-length novel
Dr. Jane McGill series (more satirical than creepy, also her earliest work):
The Devil Wears Scrubs (2013)
The Devil You Know (2017)
You can then explore her Prescription Med series, which includes Dead Med (2014) and Brain Damage (2016).
From there, you’ll be ready to explore her standalone novels.
option 4: start with novellas
Not a traditional route, but if you are new to reading or want to get back into it, starting with novellas helps you build momentum and get a sense of completion sooner, since they’re short reads typically under 100 pages. You still get McFadden’s signature writing style, but novellas don’t require as much of a time commitment. Perfect for an afternoon at home, this is a nice way for those with busy schedules to still get reading time in without feeling like you’ve been picking up the same book for. 6 weeks.
The Gift: A Short Story (2022)
The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie: A Satirical Novella (2024)
Death Row (2025)
what to read first (quick picks)
If you’re overwhelmed, here’s my cheat-sheet for you:
For something addictive and fast-paced - The Housemaid
For a standalone, twisty thriller you can finish in a weekend - Never Lie
For a darker thriller - The Inmate
For something polarizing you can discuss at book club - The Teacher
For a thriller with a hint of satire and dark humor - Dear Debbie
freida mcfadden books FAQ
do you need to read freida mcfadden books in order?
No; most of McFadden’s books are standalone and can be read in your own order. Typically I’d recommend reading an author’s books in order to get a feel for their writing and see their style evolve, but McFadden’s books are hit or miss. Read them in order if you want to read them all; if not, stick to those with higher ratings.
are freida mcfadden books standalone?
Most are. The only exception is The Housemaid series. I’ve seen some say that the Prescription Med duology also has a set order, but these had a common theme, not a continuing storyline.
what is freida mcfadden’s most popular book?
The Housemaid is her most well-known and widely recommended thriller.
how many freida mcfadden books are there?
As of 2026, there are 25+ books, including standalones, series, and short stories.
is the housemaid a series?
Yes; you can read just the Housemaid, but I recommend reading the entire trilogy in order for the best experience.
are there any upcoming freida mcfadden books?
Yes! Freida McFadden consistently releases a few books every single year. The newest releases of 2026 include Dear Debbie and The Divorce, with (at least) one more planned fall.
