“People aren’t always what they seem.” — The Coworker, Freida McFadden

Have you ever wondered what secrets your coworkers might be hiding? The Coworker by Freida McFadden takes a typical office environment and turns it into a stage for mystery, suspicion, and shocking revelations.

It starts when Dawn, a quiet, quirky coworker, goes missing. At first, it doesn’t seem like a big deal. But then her colleague Natalie finds something odd at Dawn’s desk—evidence that something isn’t right.

The more Natalie digs, the stranger things become. Dawn’s life isn’t what anyone thought. Soon, Natalie finds herself in the middle of a mystery she never asked for, and it’s not just her curiosity at stake. The danger feels real.

In this blog, I’ll discuss the plot, characters, and chilling twists that make The Coworker an unforgettable thriller. Keep reading to find out its secrets.

Plot Summary

“You never really know who someone is until you start digging into their life.” — The Coworker, Freida McFadden

Characters and Character Arc

• Natalie: The protagonist, a determined employee who feels stuck in her career. As the story unfolds, she becomes a reluctant detective, uncovering layers of mystery and danger.
• Dawn: Natalie’s eccentric coworker. Quiet, strange, and often overlooked, Dawn’s sudden disappearance sets the entire plot into motion.
• Lydia: The boss whose stern, demanding demeanor hides her own secrets.
• Ethan: A coworker who seems helpful at first but may know more than he lets on.

Storyline

The Disappearance

Natalie’s workdays at the office are monotonous—until one day, Dawn doesn’t show up. This is odd, considering Dawn’s usual punctual, routine behavior. The team notices, but no one seems overly concerned. Natalie, however, can’t stop wondering what happened.

Strange Discoveries

While going through Dawn’s desk to find contact information, Natalie stumbles upon peculiar items: notes, receipts, and a list of names. The more she looks, the more Natalie senses something is off. She discovers that Dawn might have been involved in something dangerous outside of work.

Secrets Unveiled

Natalie’s curiosity takes her beyond the office, leading her to uncover connections to suspicious individuals and events. She learns that Dawn’s quiet exterior masked a complicated life—and that her disappearance might not have been voluntary.

A Dangerous Path

The closer Natalie gets to the truth, the more perilous her own position becomes. She starts receiving anonymous threats and realizes that someone is trying to keep her from uncovering the full story. But Natalie’s determination only grows stronger as she pieces together what happened to Dawn and why.

A Final Confrontation

In a tense climax, Natalie faces the person behind the threats. The truth about Dawn’s disappearance is revealed, turning Natalie’s understanding of her coworker—and her own safety—upside down. The resolution brings closure, but not without lasting consequences for everyone involved.

Themes and Plotline

1. Office Life and Perception: The novel highlights how coworkers can seem ordinary on the surface, but everyone has a story—some darker than others. It delves into office dynamics, showing how people can hide secrets even in the most mundane settings.

2. Curiosity and Courage: Natalie’s journey is about stepping out of her comfort zone and finding the strength to seek the truth. It’s a story of persistence, even when the answers might be dangerous.

3. Identity and Deception: The book explores how appearances can be deceiving. Dawn, once dismissed as quirky and unassuming, turns out to have a much deeper, more complex life than anyone realized.

4. Trust and Betrayal: As Natalie uncovers the truth, she must navigate who she can trust and who might be working against her. The story examines how far people will go to protect their secrets—and how dangerous it can be to dig too deep.

What Genre Is The Coworker?

The Coworker is a psychological thriller that combines elements of mystery, suspense, and emotional depth. If you enjoy stories about hidden lives and unraveling secrets, this book will keep you engaged.

What to Expect

• A slow build-up of tension
• Complex characters hiding dark secrets
• Twists and turns that keep you guessing
• A balance of emotional depth and psychological suspense

Ratings and Reviews

“Everyone hides something, but not everyone is good at keeping it hidden.”— The Coworker, Freida McFadden

Goodreads Rating and Reviews

4.1/5 (Rated by thousands of readers)

• “A chilling workplace thriller that had me hooked.”
• “Dawn’s story was heartbreaking and full of surprises.”
• “The ending left me reeling. Such a well-crafted mystery!”

Amazon Reviews

• “Freida McFadden does it again. Suspenseful and emotional.”
• “I loved how the story slowly revealed Dawn’s life. It felt so real and so tragic.”
• “Not what I expected, but in the best way. A must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.”

Unlike many thrillers that focus on major crimes or high-stakes action, The Coworker takes a quieter approach. It delves into the hidden lives of everyday people, showing how even the most unassuming person can have a world of secrets.

The novel balances psychological depth with the slow unraveling of a compelling mystery, making it more than just a page-turner.

Who Should Read The Coworker?

This book contains themes of isolation, emotional trauma, and hidden truths. While it doesn’t include graphic violence, it is best suited for mature readers who enjoy subtle psychological suspense.

People Who Liked These Books Will Enjoy The Coworker

• The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
• The Girl Before by JP Delaney
• An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
• The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda
• Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

Book Recommendations If You Liked The Coworker

• The Assistant by S. K. Tremayne: A psychological thriller about a seemingly helpful coworker who might not be what she seems.

• The Secretary by Renee Knight: A gripping story of loyalty and betrayal in a professional setting.

• Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris: A tense and dark psychological thriller about what really goes on behind perfect facades.

• The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle: A twisted tale of envy, lies, and hidden identities.

• The Lying Game by Ruth Ware: A chilling story about friends, lies, and the truths that come back to haunt them.

Conclusion

The Coworker by Freida McFadden takes the familiar setting of the workplace and turns it into a stage for mystery, suspense, and emotional drama.

With its well-developed characters, intriguing twists, and a poignant look at isolation and trust, this novel is more than just a thriller—it’s a story about how much we can ever truly know about the people around us.

Natalie’s journey from curiosity to courage is as gripping as the mystery itself. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that’s both thought-provoking and intensely readable, The Coworker is a great choice. It’s a book that will keep you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page.

More from This Author

About Freida McFadden

Freida McFadden is a bestselling author known for her gripping psychological thrillers that delve into complex characters and surprising twists. A practicing physician as well as a writer, McFadden brings a unique perspective to her novels, often focusing on the hidden lives of ordinary people and the secrets they keep.

Other Books by Freida McFadden

1. The Housemaid: A psychological thriller about a live-in housekeeper who becomes entangled in her employer’s secrets. It’s fast-paced, full of twists, and keeps you guessing until the end.

2. The Locked Door: A chilling story about a surgeon whose past catches up with her when old family secrets come to light. This novel blends medical suspense with dark family drama.

3. Do Not Disturb: A tense thriller that takes place at a secluded motel, where a guest becomes part of a deadly game. The isolated setting and unexpected twists make it hard to put down.

4. The Surrogate Mother: A gripping tale about trust, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to achieve their dreams—no matter the cost.

5. One by One: A page-turning thriller that explores the dynamic of a close-knit group unraveling as secrets come to the surface.