By: Freida McFadden
Narrator: Alyson Krawchuk
Dreamscape Media
ISBN: 978-1728296203
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Publication Date: 08/29/2023
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Housemaid!
"Don't start a Freida McFadden book late at night. You won't be able to put it down!" ― Natalie Barelli, bestselling author of Unforgivable
Two women. An office filled with secrets.
One terrible crime that can't be taken back.
Dawn Schiff is strange.
At least, everyone thinks so at Vixed, the nutritional supplement company where Dawn works as an accountant. She never says the right thing. She has no friends. And she is always at her desk at precisely 8:45 a.m.
So when Dawn doesn't show up to the office one morning, her coworker Natalie Farrell―beautiful, popular, top sales rep five years running―is surprised. Then she receives an unsettling, anonymous phone call that changes everything…
It turns out Dawn wasn't just an awkward outsider―she was being targeted by someone close. And now Natalie is irrevocably tied to Dawn as she finds herself caught in a twisted game of cat and mouse that leaves her wondering: who's the real victim?
But one thing is incredibly clear: somebody hated Dawn Schiff. Enough to kill.
The Coworker is a tense, unputdownable thriller from New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden that explores the dark ways the past can echo through the present―with deadly consequences.
About the Author
New York Times, #1 Amazon, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. Freida’s work has been selected as one of Amazon Editors’ best books of the year and she has been a Goodreads Choice and International Thriller Award nominee. Her novels have been translated into over 30 languages.
Freida lives with her family and black cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
Connect with Freida
THE COWORKER
WARD D
THE HOUSEMAID'S SECRET
THE HOUSEMAID
NEVER LIE
THE INMATE
DO YOU REMEMBER?
DO NOT DISTURB
THE LOCKED DOOR
THE GIFT (novella)
WANT TO KNOW A SECRET
ONE BY ONE
THE WIFE UPSTAIRS
THE PERFECT SON
THE EX
THE SURROGATE
BRAIN DAMAGE
SUICIDE MED
The Devil Wears Scrubs
The Devil You Know
Baby City
Q&A Interview with
New York Times bestselling
author Freida McFadden
"Behind the Book and the Author"
Exceptional Authors. Standout Books. Elevator Talk.
INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW
Welcome to the second August 2023 #AuthorElevatorSeries —where we go behind the scenes of the book and the author. We are super excited and honored to have with us for the first time, a favorite — the New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden with her twentieth novel (plus a novella), the highly anticipated —THE COWORKER. Another 5-star Winner. Coming August 29th.
From the New York Times and
USA Today bestselling author of The Housemaid!
Two women. An office filled with secrets. One terrible crime that can't be taken back.
The Coworker is a tense, unputdownable thriller from bestselling author Freida McFadden that explores the dark ways the past can echo through the present―with deadly consequences.
Join us as Freida shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes exclusives from the book and fun moments from this multi-talented author.
Welcome, Freida!
Behind the Book
Q. DESCRIBE your novel in three words or less.
FREIDA: Coworkers, bullying, turtles.
Q. TURTLES: A big part of the novel is Dawn’s love of turtles and her collection. You mention in your Acknowledgements the draft was called “the turtle book” and you have been working on it for many years. Freida, we loved them, and dying to know the inspiration behind the turtles. Do tell!
FREIDA: I used to have a good friend (a coworker, actually) whose wife was obsessed with turtles, and I guess it stuck in my head. At work, he would have often show me turtle-related charms or necklaces he had purchased for her. And every Friday, he would buy her flowers. He was a good husband.
Q. SETTING: Tell us more about the book office setting and why you selected it.
FREIDA: My husband came up with the idea for Natalie and Dawn to work at a company that sells nutritional supplements. I was brainstorming what sort of company it was, and then he said “nutritional supplement company” like it was the most obvious thing. Thanks, honey—I love you even though you don’t buy me flowers every Friday!
Q. RESEARCH: Any fascinating research for the novel, or anything you learned along the way?
FREIDA: I googled way too many facts about turtles, but honestly, that’s far from the worst thing in my browser history.
Q. WRITING: Freida, you are a practicing physician specializing in brain injury and a New York Times bestselling author with 21 books under your belt! How do you find time to write with your busy career?
FREIDA: It is genuinely challenging. I desperately want to keep both careers going, but there are days when it’s a struggle. Thankfully, I only work part time as a physician, so that leaves more time to write than I used to have when I was full time. The even funnier part is that not one person I work with knows that I’m an author.
Q. UPCOMING: Can you share what you are currently working on or what is next in ten words or less (or more)?
FRIEDA: I have another book called The Teacher, which takes place in a high school, and is coming in February of 2024!
Thank you, Freida.
Now for more up close and personal
with this exciting author, below.
Behind the Author
BIRTH STATE? or (Country)
New York
CURRENT STATE?
Massachusetts
FAVORITE COLOR?
Blue
FAVORITE MAKEUP/HAIR TIP
I love Frizz Ease mousse. When people were panic buying water and toilet paper, I was panic buying Frizz Ease.
DOG/CAT LOVER?
Cats! (Although I also love dogs.)
FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC?
Alternative rock
FAVORITE HOLIDAY OR SEASON?
Spring, because it’s the longest time until winter comes.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH READERS KNEW ABOUT YOU?
I’m not a brain surgeon.
IF YOUR LIFE WAS A BOOK, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE OF YOUR CURRENT CHAPTER?
Why Am I So Tired?
DESCRIBE ONE THING ON YOUR DESK, CURRENTLY?
A page of frequently used ICD-10 codes.
YOU WOULDN'T BE CAUGHT DEAD, WHERE?
On a bungee cord.
WHAT WOULD YOUR DAUGHTER (OR SON) SAY ABOUT YOU BEING AN AUTHOR, IF ASKED?
“I won’t read her books. I would rather DIE.”
INTROVERT OR EXTROVERT?
Talkative introvert.
IF YOU WERE TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?
I Can’t Believe This is My Life
YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A PARENT?
Cuddles. (Sadly, becoming less frequent now.)
FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR PARTNER?
Also, cuddles.
THE ONE THING YOU’VE LEARNED YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IN A QUARANTINE?
Toilet paper. Actually, I may have already known that.
WHAT ARE YOU LOVING RIGHT NOW?
King oyster mushrooms, weirdly.
GO TO A PARTY, OR A QUIET EVENING AT HOME?
I would never set foot outside my front door if that were an option.
THE BEST PART OF YOUR DAY?
Turning out the light and going to sleep.
Thank you, Freida, for spending time with us today!
Praise
Mystery and Suspense Magazine highly recommends the book calling it “a chilling, twisted psychological thriller.” Country Living and Culturess pulled The Coworker into their most anticipated lists.
"Don't start a Freida McFadden book late at night. You won't be able to put it down!" ― Natalie Barelli, bestselling author of Unforgivable
My Review
The queen of psychological thrillers, Freida McFadden, returns following Ward D and her popular Housemaid series with another knockout, THE COWORKER A twisty game of cat-and-mouse game involving co-workers (two women), office bullying, a past crime, and a love of turtles.
With unreliable narrators, this one will keep you laughing and guessing until the satisfying conclusion. Two women. An office of secrets. A terrible crime. Loads of dark humor, which I adore!
Natalie and Dawn work at a company, Vixed, that sells nutritional supplements. Meet the two women who are opposites. Their cubicles are next to one another.
Dawn Schiff is an accountant. Some think she is strange, a weirdo. Shy, thorough, and precise. She wears shapeless clothes and is nerd-like. She is always at her desk at 8:45 am sharp—never late and never misses an appointment.
She also LOVES (obsessed) with turtles. She has a collection at home and the office—lots of turtle figurines on her desk. Dawn's personality is like a turtle: shy, prefers to stay in their environment, and does not want to be played with. When faced with any threat, their first reaction isn't to attack but to retract into their shells and hide.
We also get email correspondence from Dawn to Mia (her friend) about what is happening at work. Is Natalie bullying Dawn or trying to harm her?
Natalie Farrell is a sales rep 30, pretty, Barbie-like, the golden girl, popular and top in sales. She wears stylish clothes, is blonde, and wears bright red heels— Louboutin's.
She also does podcast interviews and facilitates an annual race to raise money for a foundation doing research in cerebral palsy in Amelia's honor (past friend). Kim is her best friend at work.
The boss is Seth Hoffman. A slimy guy (reminds me of Vinny in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series). Natalie gets her way with her boss. He is not very nice to Dawn.
Dawn tries to befriend Natalie. There is also a guy at work, Caleb McCullough, who handles the website & website sales. A hard worker, whiz at computers, funny. He and Natalie have been dating for a few months.
Dawn has been trying to get a meeting to go over things of concern with her boss, Seth. Also, she wants a meeting with Natalie. She is getting push back.
One morning, Dawn does not come in at her usual time. Her phone is ringing, and Natalie picks up. Someone is saying, "Help me."
Natalie is concerned she does not show up for work and goes by her house. The door is unlocked, and she is shocked by what she sees. What happened to Dawn? Is Natalie capable of violence? From the POV of Natalie and Dawn, who do you believe?
Secrets, obsession, and vengeance converge in this multi-layered psychological suspense thriller turned deadly whodunit game of cat-and-mouse—with a jaw-dropping twist.
Highly entertaining! THE COWORKER is an unputdownable clever psychological thriller with loads of twists. Dawn is a hoot of a character and much brighter than the office staff knows. Turtles have never been so much FUN!
Freida always knows how to bring on the drama and hidden secrets. The characterization is excellent, and I enjoyed the games and dark humor where nothing or no one is as they appear.
For fans of authors of Karia Rouda and Jennifer Hillier.
INTERVIEW ELEVATOR RIDE: Stay tuned for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A Interview on pub day with Frieda, where we go behind the scenes of the book and this multi-talented popular author.
Special thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an e-ARC for an honest opinion.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Aug 29, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
Aug #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A Interview
