The Intruder

I’ve really turned a corner on Freida McFadden. Initially, I judged the writing. But the twistiness of her plots more than makes up for the more straightforward and sometimes simple writing style. Her books are always fast, fun, propulsive reads that you can’t put down. I’m at a point where I order anything she’s written, sight unseen. This one delivered. I stayed up late reading it and didn’t see one of the big twists coming! Casey is a young woman living alone in a cabin in the woods. She’s preparing for a long night when she discovers a young girl lurking outside her kitchen window. The girl is alone, covered in blood, and holding a knife. Casey invites her in and attempts to figure out what’s happened, making a disturbing discovery in the middle of the night. Things take a turn for the worse. The girl has a secret and she will kill to keep it. Casey alternates between wanting to protect the girl and protect herself. In between chapters, we get to know Ella, a victim of child abuse. She is the school outcast with a hoarder mother. We empathize with her as she does everything she can just to survive and get by when the whole world seems to be against her. I’ll say no more, but highly recommend this!