Book Review: Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden

I often find myself drawn to stories that reflect the complexity of human emotion, especially those tucked neatly behind a smiling suburban façade. Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden isn’t just another domestic thriller; it’s a psychological rollercoaster veiled in cupcake frosting and PTA banners.

At first glance, April Masterson’s world appears deceptively perfect: a charming house, an internet-famous baking channel, and a seemingly content family life. But beneath the pastel perfection lies a tension that most women, especially mothers, can quietly relate to. The expectations. The isolation. The secrets. And when those secrets begin to unravel, McFadden does what she does best: she spins an everyday setting into a chilling narrative, riddled with suspense and drenched in paranoia.

I found April’s relationship with her son Bobby especially telling. While the book isn’t centred on neurodivergence, there’s an unspoken emotional undercurrent in their interactions that echoes what many mothers feel: guilt, exhaustion, and the desperate effort to remain composed while spinning too many plates. Bobby’s curiosity and subtle absence of voice in key scenes felt eerily familiar to me as a parent; silence was loud, and perhaps intentionally so.

Therapeutically, I appreciated how McFadden cleverly explores the psychological unravelling of a woman trying to keep her inner and outer lives from colliding. Her portrayal of hyper-vigilance, anxiety, and the erosion of trust mirrors real-life cases of burnout and emotional dysregulation that I encounter in sessions with parents, especially those raising children while navigating their own unresolved wounds.

I couldn’t help but interpret April’s baking as a metaphor. Each gooey brownie, each meticulously styled video, is her way of exerting control in a world that’s rapidly spiralling. The kitchen becomes her canvas, her stage, and her shield.

Yes, the plot begins at a slower simmer than McFadden’s other works. Still, once the tension rises, it bubbles over deliciously. The dual perspectives of April and the unnamed antagonist add to the intrigue, and the eventual twist? Let’s just say it rewired my expectations completely. As a fan of psychological storytelling, I adore an unreliable narrator who forces me to question my assumptions. McFadden delivers that, yet again.

Of course, no book is without its cracks. For readers like me, who often lean away from gossipy neighbourhood drama and clique-based conflict, the Desperate Housewives-style setting might initially feel a tad overdone. But even then, McFadden subverts the stereotype by turning it into a minefield of suspicion and social pressure.

I often reflect on how adult stories can inform our understanding of childhood. The subtle presence of Bobby and what happens to him remind us that children are usually silent casualties in adult chaos. It’s a gentle nudge to pay closer attention.

Final thoughts:

Want to Know a Secret? is a gripping, twist-filled psychological thriller that seduces you with sugar and gut-punches you with secrets. Freida McFadden once again proves her mastery in crafting thrillers that are both entertaining and emotionally textured. While it may not be her most layered work, it is undeniably a satisfying and unpredictable read.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Especially to parents, therapists, or readers who enjoy dissecting human behaviour behind polished veneers. And if you love unreliable narrators, buckle up.