The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

 

This part of the series talks about the past life of Millie. Millie, the Housemaid. Her boyfriend from the previous series, Enzo, had gone back to Sicily to look after his ailing mother. Millie had moved on and was in a good relationship with Brock, a lawyer who wanted to settle down and have a stable life. But, Millie has never felt the deep urge to settle down as she would have felt with Enzo.

Millie has now found a housekeeping job at Wendy and Douglas Garrick's palatial home. She gets interviewed by Douglas and is informed that his wife has not been keeping too well. So she was largely guest-room bound. Rule was not to disturb her, just do the designated chores and leave the building. 

Despite being employed for over a month, Millie has not met Wendy. But every now and then she has heard odd noises - sobs, something crashing, something breaking. Millie's curiosity got the best of her and she was compelled find out what was wrong. Wendy refuses any help assuring that she was fine but Millie would be in big trouble if Douglas got to know and the abuse would then become unbearable. With time, Millie convinces Wendy that she would help her escape and drops her off to a motel and returns home.

Next day, Millie receives a call from a sobbing Wendy saying she has been brought back to the hell hole. 

Does Millie and Wendy plan again to escape an abusive marriage? Do they succeed? Is Millie doing the right thing by putting everything on hold to get involved in social work? Even her relationship? Does Douglas figure out who was helping his wife escape? 

There are many questions to ask. You'd have to read or listen to this series to get the answers. The book is divided into two different narratives and almost felt like a movie unfolding in my head.

I felt all those toxic feelings that I didn't even know exist! I wanted to slap Wendy for her horrendous mind and planning and behaviour. I wanted to shake up Millie by her collar for her stupidity and naivety! Gosh! This series will rage bait you for many reasons. Thankfully the ending is a fair one and I liked it. Phew! Onto the next!