The Tenant
4.2 | 154,640 ratings
Price: 23.88
Last update: 11-30-2025
Top reviews from the United States
- Jennie_readerFreida did it again !!!!The Tenant – On the surface, Blake seems to have it made: he’s rolling in success, recently climbed the corporate ladder with a big promotion, and is engaged to Krista. The two are dreaming big, all set to build a picture-perfect life in their charming Brownstone. But just when things seem to be going his way, life throws him a curveball. Blake’s career hits a rough patch, and before they know it, he and Krista are strapped for cash. With bills piling up and no other choice, they put out feelers for a tenant to help cover the mortgage. To ease their financial burden, Krista suggests they rent out one of their spare rooms. After sitting through a string of nightmare applicants, the perfect tenant finally walks through the door—Whitney, a striking young woman in need of a place to crash. At first, everything seems to fall into place… until things start to go off the rails. Blake can’t shake the feeling that something’s seriously off. The question is—can he get to the bottom of it all before things spiral completely out of control?
One thing I absolutely love about Freida’s writing is the fast-paced nature of her books and the punchy, shorter chapters—this one delivered exactly that. I also really enjoyed the male POV; it was refreshing and added a unique layer to the story as his unraveling played out. It was thoroughly entertaining, and I was hooked by the concept of Blake questioning his own sanity. The story does a brilliant job of highlighting how people’s actions—and the ripple effects of those choices—can influence our own behavior, even in those who seem the most grounded and put-together.
When it comes to a Freida McFadden book, you know we have to talk about the twist—and this one did not disappoint! It was sharp, unexpected, and had that classic Freida flair. I had a hunch about how things might end, but I definitely didn’t expect it to go that far. I love how Freida consistently delivers those wild, off-the-wall endings that somehow manage to work perfectly—they're bizarre, bold, and so much fun. This was a solid 5/5 ⭐️ read for me! I’d highly recommend it to all mystery lovers—you’ll want to binge this in one sitting. And if you’re not typically into mysteries, give this one a shot anyway. It might just be the book that reignites your love for the genre! - Darlyne WDark Secrets and Twisted TenantsFreida McFadden delivers a taut psychological thriller in The Tenant that kept me alternately intrigued and unnerved from start to finish. The premise—a psychologically complex new tenant moving into a long-ago crime scene—feels fresh, and McFadden builds the tension expertly, weaving red herrings and unreliable narration into a narrative tapestry that’s impossible to put down.
What I loved:
• Atmosphere & Pace: Every creak of the old house and every hint of dark history is vividly realized, pulling you deeper into the unfolding mystery.
• Complex Characters: Both the tenant and the homeowners are multi-layered and unpredictable—just when you think you know who’s trustworthy, the rug gets pulled out from under you.
• Twists & Turns: The plot keeps you guessing, and while one or two developments are a bit familiar, the final reveal packs enough punch to feel satisfying.
Where it could improve:
• The sheer number of twists, while thrilling, occasionally teetered toward overcomplication. A slight trim might have sharpened the impact.
• Some secondary characters could use more depth—they serve the plot but don’t quite stay in your head after you close the book.
Final thoughts:
The Tenant is an absorbing, suspenseful read that will appeal to fans of psychological dramas and secret‑filled thrillers. It nails the eerie, atmospheric tension and delivers a finale that justifies the ride. If you’re looking for a twisty, page‑turner you can devour in a weekend, this is a solid choice—and a 4‑star one at that. - CARRIEwasn't my favorite. Spoilers toward the end...This is the first 3 star I have ever given Frieda McFadden. I didn't think I would ever give her less than 4 stars. I guess I just couldn't really get in to this one. This is the first book of hers that I didn't start and finish within 24 hours. many I have finished in 1/2 day or less!
To begin with I didn't like the characters.
Krista was not convincing at all at being loyal and that should have been a red flag to Blake right away.
Blake was annoying with his internal dialogue about every time he saw Amanda(fake Whitney in skimpy clothes or no bra) Amanda was annoying with the parading around in the house with barely and clothes on and treating the rest of the house like it was hers considering it was very early on and she didn't really know the couple she was renting from and the fact that she was just renting a room.
I was so incredibly irritated at Blake. How could be so gullible? I am sure that I'm not the only one who has read McFadden's books that has noticed that there is this annoying gullibility that usually causes most of the problems when it comes to the characters. There is just too much that gets let go in the first place. Too many red flags go up for me. I know this is a book but some things need to be a little more realistic. I feel that sometimes McFadden's books rely a little TOO much on these gullible characters and it just gets to the point that we (I) need smarter characters. I guess since I have read almost all of her books I tend to see the patterns. I see when someone is being naïve and I know that more than likely they are pretending to be naïve or they are being played.
spoilers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I knew there was more to Amanda/fake Whitney's story. I figured that was what was going to come in at the end.
I knew that Blake would end up going back and taking over his father's business in the end.
I knew that there was definitely something fishy about how Blake was fired and that either Krista/Whitney or Amanda/Whitney had something to do with it.
I was a bit disappointed and felt like McFadden really missed a great opportunity to link the co-worker that Blake spoke of in the beginning and how he ended his life. I felt like that was just a distraction and really a waste of pages.
I mean...yeah it did possibly turn your head in a different direction and make you go down a different rabbit hole...but that rabbit hole wasn't deep. She could have linked that story in and it would have made it more interesting.
As I said in the beginning....I have always finished books within a 24 hour period from the time I started the book, only putting it down for work or if life got in the way. Many times I would forgo weekly television shows just to finish up a book...only to start another one that would have me reading late into the evening. This one just wasn't it. I found myself putting it down ever few chapters. - AmyMust read for McFadden fans!!!This book kept me hooked from the start! Love this author and her thriller books! Definitely a twist as always! Loved this one!