The Intruder by Frieda McFadden
Poisoned Pen Press/October 7, 2025
Freida McFadden’s The Intruder will not disappoint fans of her signature, twisty novels that are more fun to consume than a bag of Skittles.
In The Intruder, former teacher Casey chose to stay in a dilapidated cabin off the grid in the aftermath of her mysterious exit from teaching. Months into this isolated existence, she prepares for an upcoming storm as best she can. She has candles and plenty of food, but that won’t save her if the ceiling caves in on her head or if the nearby tree she’s been eyeing decides to topple over.
As the night closes in, Casey sees someone lurking outside her kitchen window. Venturing outside to investigate, Casey finds a girl hiding in her toolshed. She’s underfed, distrustful, silent . . . and covered in blood. She clutches a backpack that may have clues to who she is or how she’s wound up here, but she won’t let it out of her sight. Casey cajoles her into joining her inside, where she convinces her to eat and stay the night.
The story then flips to Ella, a girl whose age and description matches the one who has appeared on Casey’s property in the dead of night. This girl is a victim of a selfish hoarder of a mother who keeps her daughter locked in the closet when she goes on dates and uses cigarette burns as a form of punishment. Ella’s story is threaded through the taut action of Casey’s night with her unexpected guest, an origin story that establishes just what this Ella has been through to arrive at this cabin.
Once the girl is inside, Casey realizes she may have made a terrible mistake. There’s something seriously wrong with this child. She may mean Casey harm, which becomes evident when the two take turns telling bedtime stories. The girl’s would spook even Stephen King. Soon it becomes clear that this girl may have not been running from someone, but something she’s done. And not only that, but her ending up in Casey’s toolshed might not be a random coincidence. She may have come for Casey. But why?
Freida McFadden has such a gift. Her stories are never as they seem, with twists and turns that always manage to give readers whiplash at least twice without feeling angry. She doesn’t cheat; she tricks. The Intruder isn’t as strong as some of her others, but it’s a solid addition to a bibliography full of addictive page-turners. You can’t go wrong with a cabin in the woods, especially if you’re Freida McFadden and a master of pacing and chapter endings.
Sarah Reida only reviews books she overall recommends. A writer of dark comedy thrillers, she is in the process of revising her sophomore novel. Her debut, Neighborhood Watch, received a Kirkus Star and was honored as an Amazon editorial pick as one of the Best Books of the Year So Far 2024. Join Sarah’s elite group of Instagram followers here.
