The Housemaid Series in Order: My Honest Guide to Reading Freida McFadden’s Wildest Thriller Ride

I have to confess something before I walk you through the housemaid series in order: I did not plan to binge these books. I picked up the first one during a weekend when I thought I’d actually clean my closet. 

Instead, I ended up ignoring the laundry, ordering unhealthy takeout, and reading through the night like someone possessed. 

These books grabbed me by the collar, whispered chaos in my ear, and refused to let go. If you’ve ever finished a thriller and immediately googled “Okay, what’s next?”, you’re in the right place.

Now I read and reread this series with the enthusiasm of someone who believes Millie is a real human who needs me to stay invested in her life. So today, I’m walking you through the order, the experience, and the must-know details—friend to friend.

Why Should You Read The Housemaid Series in Order?

I always tell people that psychological thrillers work best when you follow the emotional breadcrumbs. The Housemaid universe builds tension like a rubber band stretching tighter with every book, and reading the housemaid series in order lets you enjoy every snap of that suspense.

When you start with The Housemaid, you meet Millie at her lowest moment, which makes every choice she makes feel unpredictable, desperate, and sometimes shockingly smart.

By the time you hit The Housemaid’s Secret, you’ll feel like you’re reading alongside her—side-eyeing suspicious husbands, listening for cries behind locked doors, and wondering if she’s about to run or burn the place down.

And then, right when you think you know her, The Housemaid Is Watching pulls you into suburban suspense where every neighbor feels like a potential villain. Reading the books in order keeps that escalation sharp, messy, and deliciously stressful.

What Happens in Each Book When You Follow The Housemaid Series in Order?

When people ask me what these books are “about,” I laugh because “chaotic domestic danger” feels too vague, but also extremely accurate. Here’s how the experience flows:

The Housemaid (2022)

Millie starts as a down-on-her-luck young woman who lands a live-in maid job with the Winchesters. From the moment she steps into that perfect house, she senses that something feels wrong. The wife behaves strangely. 

The windows lock from the outside. The closet door holds a secret no maid should discover. When I first read it, I kept saying “Oh no, Millie, don’t do that,” and then turning the page anyway.

The Housemaid’s Secret (2023)

Book two places Millie with the Garricks in their high-rise penthouse. Blood on nightgowns, locked rooms, and tense whispers around the apartment build a juicy mystery that I still think about. 

I read this one with my shoulders high and tight like the book had personally offended me. It didn’t—but it tried.

The Housemaid’s Wedding (2024, Short Story)

This one is a little treat that fits after book two and before book three. It bridges the emotional and logistical gap, giving readers a peek into Millie’s personal life. 

You can read it between the books or at the end like a bonus snack. I liked it between—they felt like the missing puzzle piece I didn’t know I needed.

The Housemaid Is Watching (2024)

Millie’s suburban life looks perfect… until strange neighbors move in. This book made me side-eye every person watering their lawn while acting suspiciously normal. 

Nothing stays calm for long, and the twists here feel like a fireworks show you didn’t expect during dinner.

Where Does the Novella Fit When Reading The Housemaid Series in Order?

This is the question I get the most, and I totally get why. The novella feels like that bonus episode of a show that fills a gap you didn’t realize your heart stored. 

I read the housemaid series in order with the novella placed exactly where it belongs—between Books 2 and 3.

It flows perfectly because it gives you emotional continuity. But if you want to binge the main trilogy first, you can absolutely save the novella for dessert. It doesn’t spoil anything major, but it adds flavor to Millie’s arc that I personally think enriches the entire series.

How Should You Actually Read The Housemaid Series in Order? (My Step-by-Step Mini Guide)

Here’s how I always recommend approaching it, especially if you’re new to thrillers or new to Freida McFadden:

1. Start with The Housemaid when you want a full-body adrenaline surge.
   The characters will get under your skin in the best, most alarming way.
2. Move to The Housemaid’s Secret for maximum tension and pacing.
   I swear this book is engineered to make you forget your real responsibilities.
3. Read The Housemaid’s Wedding next.
   It’s short, sharp, and bridges the emotional storyline.
4. Finish with The Housemaid Is Watching.
   The suburban chaos deserves your undivided attention.

Here’s a simple table to visualize the reading flow:

Think of it as a guided tour through Millie’s escalating life choices.

FAQs About Reading The Housemaid Series in Order

Do I need to read the novella or can I skip it?

You can skip it, but I wouldn’t. The short story fills an emotional gap that makes Millie feel more real. When I read it after the first two books, it felt like I finally understood where she stood before walking into book three. It won’t confuse you if you skip it, but it absolutely enriches the experience.

Is the series scary or just twisty?

It leans heavily into domestic suspense rather than horror. You won’t find supernatural stuff or jump scares, but you will find tense confrontations, locked doors, questionable marriages, and secrets hidden in expensive houses. If thrillers are roller coasters, this series feels like the ride that tilts sideways unexpectedly.

Is the Housemaid movie really happening?

Yes! A film adaptation is in the works, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. I screamed (quietly) when I saw the announcement because the casting feels perfect. I can already see the tense kitchen scenes in my head.

Can teens read the series?

Older teens who enjoy dark thrillers probably can, but there are mature themes and psychological intensity. If someone is sensitive to manipulation or domestic violence themes, they may want to wait.

And Now, My Sassiest Conclusion: So, Should You Join Millie’s Chaotic Universe?

Absolutely. When you read the housemaid series in order, you get the full messy, thrilling, twist-stacked journey the author intended. I always say you should prepare snacks, cancel plans, and silence notifications, because these books drag you in like a drama-loving friend with juicy gossip.

My final tip? Read it when you want a bold, addictive escape that feels a little dangerous and a lot entertaining. And message me when you finish, because I always need someone new to scream about plot twists with.