I finally read one of the biggest-selling books of the decade, and it lives up to the hype

One of the most gripping novels I've ever read

There is one book that everyone has been raving about for years now, but I failed to pay any attention to it until this month. I realised I made a huge mistake when I didn’t listen to the hype surrounding The Housemaid because it is one of the best thrillers of the last decade.

It’s a New York Times Bestseller, so I knew it was going to be an incredible read, but I was not expecting to be as blown away as I was. Many books are overhyped, especially now in the era of BookTok, but The Housemaid is one that I cannot stop thinking about. The psychological thriller is not only impeccably gripping, but it also contains one of the most shocking twists I’ve ever read in a novel.

The Housemaid follows ex-convict Millie as she starts working for the wealthy Winchester family after spending time behind bars. Millie can’t quite believe her luck when she lands the job, but all is not what it seems. 

20 million copies have been sold since the novel was released in 2023, and you can buy it here for just €3.45. Buy a copy here.

The storyline is one that will keep you on edge, but one you also won’t be able to look away from. This book became my constant companion from the moment I picked it up. I read it on the bus, during my break at work, at bus stops, on planes, when I was waiting for my coffee in my favourite cafe, and when I was completely exhausted but forcing my eyes open to get one more chapter in.

It’s a book that takes hold of you from the very first page and leaves a haunting, lasting impression on you. It is dark and is a far cry from the Beth O’Leary and Emily Henry novels I typically read, but it is one book I’ll never forget.

If you’ve not yet heard about The Housemaid, then make sure to add it to your reading list before November because a film based on the bestselling novel is on the way. Starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Michele Morrone, and Brandon Sklenar, the film is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year.

The Housemaid film will be released in cinemas in December 2025. 

What is The Housemaid about?

Every day, I clean the Winchesters' beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband, Andrew, seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew's handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it's hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina's life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.

I only tried on one of Nina's pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it's like. But she soon finds out... and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it's far too late.

But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don't know who I really am. They don't know what I'm capable of...

Buy The Housemaid here.