The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Literature›The Housemaid
Entertainment • Literature

The Housemaid

The Housemaid is a 2022 psychological thriller novel by Freida McFadden.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Housemaid is a 2022 psychological thriller novel by Freida McFadden. It follows Millie Calloway, a woman who becomes a live-in maid for the wealthy Winchester family on Long Island and becomes entangled in their secrets and conflicts.

Plot

The novel follows Millie Calloway, a woman with a difficult past who takes a live-in maid position with the wealthy Winchester family. As she works in their home, she discovers disturbing tensions and hidden truths.

Publication and reception

The Housemaid was published in 2022 by Bookouture and became a commercial success. By January 2026, it had spent 141 weeks on The New York Times trade paperback best-seller list and 112 weeks on its Combined Print and E-Book Fiction list.

Series and adaptations

The novel launched The Housemaid series, which includes The Housemaid's Secret and The Housemaid Is Watching. A film adaptation premiered in 2025 and was reported as a box-office success.

Themes

The book is commonly described as a domestic or psychological thriller. It explores class differences, power imbalance, manipulation, and family secrets.

Key facts

  • The novel was published in 2022 by Bookouture.
  • It is a psychological thriller centered on Millie Calloway and the Winchester family.
  • The story is set on Long Island and focuses on a wealthy household with dark secrets.
  • The book became a major commercial success and helped raise Freida McFadden's profile.
  • It was followed by The Housemaid's Secret in 2023 and The Housemaid Is Watching in 2024.
🍁
Canadian context

Freida McFadden's books, including The Housemaid, have been widely read by Canadian thriller readers and stocked by Canadian booksellers, contributing to her international popularity.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote The Housemaid?
The Housemaid was written by Freida McFadden.
When was The Housemaid published?
It was published in 2022.
What is The Housemaid about?
It follows Millie Calloway, who works as a live-in maid for the Winchester family and becomes involved in their disturbing secrets.
Is The Housemaid part of a series?
Yes. It is the first book in The Housemaid series.
Has The Housemaid been adapted for film?
Yes. A film adaptation was theatrically released in 2025.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Housemaid_(novel)
    Supports: Publication year, author, setting, plot overview, series information, bestseller performance, and film adaptation.
  2. Google Books — https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Housemaid.html?id=bwq5zwEACAAJ
    Supports: Book metadata including title, author, publisher, and page count.
  3. Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/series/353739-the-housemaid
    Supports: Series membership and related titles in The Housemaid series.
  4. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/the-housemaid/plot-analysis/
    Supports: Plot summary and thematic interpretation.
  5. Freida McFadden — https://www.freidamcfadden.com/books/the-housemaid-series/
    Supports: Official series listing and related titles.