A Turtle’s Pace, A Viper’s Venom
You know that coworker? The one who’s always a little… off? Maybe they collect weird figurines on their desk or talk to themselves or smell vaguely of tuna fish. We’ve all had one. But what if that odd duck turned out to be harbouring some seriously dark secrets?
Freida McFadden’s latest psychological thriller, The Coworker, dives headfirst into the murky waters of office politics, bullying, and revenge. It’s a story that’ll make you side-eye Susan from accounting next time she offers to grab you a coffee. Trust me, after reading this book, you’ll think twice about accepting any favors from your cubicle mates.
The Setup: Not Your Average 9-to-5
Dawn Schiff is that coworker. The one who’s always early, never takes sick days, and has an unhealthy obsession with turtles. (Like, seriously, her cubicle is a miniature reptile sanctuary.) When Dawn mysteriously vanishes one day, her beautiful, popular coworker Natalie Farrell finds herself caught in a web of suspicion.
McFadden expertly weaves together multiple perspectives, keeping us guessing about who’s really pulling the strings. Is Dawn the victim of a horrible crime? Or is there more to her disappearance than meets the eye?
The Good: Twists That’ll Give You Whiplash
Holy plot twists, Batman! Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, McFadden throws another curveball that’ll have you questioning everything. The pacing is relentless, with reveals coming fast and furious in the second half of the book. I literally gasped out loud at one point, earning some concerned looks from my cat.
The characters are deliciously complex. Natalie, our initial protagonist, isn’t the squeaky-clean heroine she first appears to be. And Dawn? Let’s just say there’s a lot more going on beneath that meek exterior. McFadden excels at creating morally gray characters that’ll have you constantly reassessing who to root for.
The Not-So-Good: A Few Speed Bumps
Okay, I’ll admit, the first third of the book moves at a bit of a turtle’s pace (pun absolutely intended). There’s a lot of setup and office minutiae that might have some readers checking their watches. But stick with it—once the dominoes start falling, it’s a non-stop thrill ride.
Some of the secondary characters feel a tad underdeveloped. I would’ve loved to dig deeper into the motivations of Caleb (Natalie’s boyfriend) and Seth (their boss). They play crucial roles in the plot, but sometimes come across as plot devices rather than fully fleshed-out individuals.
Themes: The Dark Side of the Water Cooler
Workplace Bullying: Not Just for High School Anymore
McFadden doesn’t shy away from the ugly reality of adult bullying. The subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways coworkers can make each other’s lives miserable are on full display here. It’s a stark reminder that just because we’re grown-ups doesn’t mean we’ve outgrown cruelty.
The Long Shadow of the Past
Without giving too much away, The Coworker by Freida McFadden delves into how the actions of our youth can have far-reaching consequences. A thoughtless prank or cruel joke in high school might seem like ancient history, but for some, those wounds never truly heal.
Appearances Can Be Deceiving
This book will make you question everything you think you know about the people around you. The popular girl might be hiding some serious skeletons in her closet, while the office weirdo could be playing a long game you never saw coming.
Writing Style: Sharp as a Tack (or a Turtle’s Beak)
McFadden’s prose is crisp and efficient, perfect for a thriller that relies on quick twists and turns. She has a knack for ending chapters on cliffhangers that’ll have you muttering “just one more” until suddenly it’s 3 AM and you have work in the morning. (Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything…)
The dialogue feels natural and snappy, particularly in the interactions between Natalie and her coworkers. McFadden captures that specific brand of forced chumminess that permeates so many offices.
Comparisons: If You Liked These, You’ll Love The Coworker
If you enjoyed the office setting and unreliable narrators of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, you’ll find a lot to love here. The slow-burn reveal of hidden motives reminded me a bit of Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects (though with less small-town gothic vibes and more fluorescent lighting).
Fans of Lisa Jewell’s psychological thrillers will appreciate McFadden’s ability to keep you guessing until the very end. And if you liked the exploration of toxic female friendships in Megan Miranda’s The Perfect Stranger, The Coworker treads similar territory.
The Verdict: A Page-Turner That’ll Make You Side-Eye Your Cubicle Mate
The Coworker by Freida McFadden not perfect – the pacing in the first third could use a little tightening, and I would’ve loved more depth to some of the secondary characters. But once it gets going, it’s an absolute rollercoaster of a read.
McFadden has crafted a twisty, turn-y thriller that’ll have you looking at your coworkers in a whole new light. You’ll find yourself second-guessing every seemingly innocuous interaction, wondering what dark secrets might be lurking beneath the surface.
Fair warning: this book might make you a little paranoid about office potlucks for a while. But hey, that’s a small price to pay for a thoroughly entertaining read that’ll keep you up way past your bedtime.
Who Should Read It?
- Thriller junkies looking for their next fix
- Anyone who’s ever had a weird coworker (so… everyone)
- Fans of unreliable narrators and shifting perspectives
- People who like their plot twists served with a side of office drama
- Anyone who’s ever wondered what really goes on in the mind of that quiet person from accounting
Who Should Skip It?
- Readers who need their protagonists to be purely likable
- Those triggered by themes of bullying or workplace harassment
- People looking for a cozy mystery (this gets pretty dark)
- Anyone who’s already paranoid about their coworkers (this won’t help)
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
If you liked The Coworker, you might want to check out:
- “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides
- “Behind Closed Doors” by B.A. Paris
- “The Wife Between Us” by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
- “Sometimes I Lie” by Alice Feeney
- “The Woman in the Window” by A.J. Finn
Final Thoughts: A Turtle-y Awesome Thriller
The Coworker is a solid addition to Freida McFadden’s growing catalogue of psychological thrillers. While it may not reach the heights of her breakout hit The Housemaid, it’s a thoroughly entertaining read that’ll keep you guessing until the very end.
So grab a copy, settle in, and prepare to look at your office mates with fresh (and slightly suspicious) eyes. Just maybe don’t read it on your lunch break – you might never be able to eat Karen’s famous potato salad again without wondering if she’s trying to poison you.
Oh, and one last piece of advice? If your coworker ever gives you a giant painting of an angry cat… run. Just run.
