Dear Debbie is one of the latest thrillers by Freida McFadden. I had never read anything by this author before, but I was really curious: after all, her name keeps popping up whenever people talk about domestic thrillers (and not only that: recently she’s also been widely discussed because of the reveal about her true identity).

I had actually already seen and enjoyed the fun movie starring Sydney Sweeney, based on The Housemaid. From what I know, it’s a fairly faithful adaptation, so I can say right away that Dear Debbie follows a similar formula, while also delivering a novel that is both pure entertainment and an irreverent parody of Western suburban life.

Plot

Enough is enough…

Debbie Mullen is losing her mind. For years, she has collected her best advice in her “Dear Debbie” column, where countless New England wives turn for understanding and friendly guidance. Through her work, Debbie has listened to women who feel ignored, belittled, or even mistreated by their husbands—always trying to steer them in the right direction.

Or at least, she used to.

Lately, her life seems to be spiraling out of control: she’s just lost her job, her teenage daughters are acting increasingly strange, and her husband is hiding something from her… at least according to the tracking app she secretly installed on his phone. Debbie is no longer the calm, reasonable, pragmatic person she once was.

For the first time, she’s ready to follow her own advice.

Review of Dear Debbie

Debbie’s Mission

If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that’s engaging but relatively “soft” and family-friendly—never quite reaching truly disturbing levels of tension—Dear Debbie might be exactly what you’re looking for.

The story follows a multi-POV structure, an almost inevitable choice for a plot that openly plays with the idea of the unreliable narrator and constant shifts in perspective.

Harley and Connor are fairly forgettable characters, but the protagonist truly stands out. Debbie—a stay-at-home mom by vocation and advice columnist by hobby—is a sharp-edged antiheroine with an irresistible narrative voice, capable of drawing more than a few complicit smirks from the reader.

I absolutely loved how her character was constructed, as she challenges classic gender stereotypes. At first glance, Debbie embodies every cliché of the perfect American housewife, from school fundraisers to petty neighborhood rivalries. But beneath the surface lies a hidden side that is both unexpected and—at times—simply hilarious.

The Sleight of Hand

I recently came across the trope “suburban mom gone dark” and, honestly, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting description for this novel. Debbie’s clever moral ambiguity is definitely one of the story’s most successful and surprising elements.

The One Who Got Away With Murder by Trish Lundy is definitely one of those YA thrillers you should pick up if you loved A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson.

Partly because it shares the same small-town mystery vibes—a tight-knit community full of secrets and shocking twists—but also because, according to Deadline, the book may soon be adapted into a TV series, following in the footsteps of Jackson’s successful adaptation.

So here’s my review of The One Who Got Away With Murder: what works, what doesn’t quite land, and what we can expect from what could become one of Hulu’s most anticipated upcoming shows.

Plot Summary

Robbie and Trevor Cresmont have a long history of deaths behind them… the murderous kind.

Rich, privileged, and seemingly untouchable, the Cresmont brothers have enough money to stay above suspicion—even though everyone in Happy Valley believes they’re responsible for their ex-girlfriends’ deaths. First, there was Victoria Moreno, a soccer star and Robbie’s ex, who mysteriously drowned at the family lake house. Then, a year later, Trevor’s girlfriend died of a suspicious overdose.

But the Cresmonts aren’t the only ones hiding secrets.

Lauren O’Brien may be the new girl at school, but she’s far from a “good girl.” Haunted by a dark past, she’s desperate for a fresh start. However, when she begins a no-strings-attached relationship with Robbie, her chance at a new life is put at risk.

During what’s supposed to be their final weekend together, Lauren stumbles upon disturbing evidence that could incriminate him.

As danger closes in, she no longer knows who to trust. And when a third death rocks the town, Lauren must decide whether to walk away from Robbie… or risk becoming his next victim.

Review: The Perfect Summer YA Thriller

Adapting The One Who Got Away With Murder for the screen shouldn’t be too much of a challenge: this book already reads like a binge-worthy series. It’s a true page-turner, driven by the urgent need to uncover/confirm the killer’s identity.

The premise may be fairly classic, but it’s undeniably effective. The tense, slightly claustrophobic atmosphere keeps the suspense high throughout, while the constant twists and red herrings keep readers guessing.

And the pacing? Well, it is fast, thanks to the straightforward and accessible writing, and the story flows effortlessly from start to finish.

The Weak Point: Character Development

If Hulu moves forward with the adaptation, the real challenge will likely be deepening the characters and their relationships.

The opening scene sets expectations for stronger romantic development and familiar tropes that the story ultimately doesn’t fully deliver on.

But the most noticeable issue lies in the protagonist.

Lauren fits perfectly into the “new girl” archetype and, thanks to her rebellious streak, she often pushes the plot forward. However, she lacks the strength and charisma of some of the most iconic YA amateur detectives.

The comparison to characters like Pip Fitz-Amobi is inevitable… and, unfortunately, Lauren doesn’t quite measure up.