Reading Order
The Housemaid Series in Order
Quick answer
Read Freida McFadden's Housemaid books in publication order: The Housemaid (2022), The Housemaid's Secret (2023), The Housemaid's Wedding (2024, a short novella), then The Housemaid Is Watching (2024). That's it so far — no fifth book has been announced as of October 2026. The series is also a movie: The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig, released December 19, 2025, with Sydney Sweeney as Millie and Amanda Seyfried as Nina.
Unlike most of Freida McFadden's 25-plus thrillers, which are standalone, The Housemaid is her one true sequential series: each book leans on a twist set up by the one before it, so this is a series where reading order actually matters. Below is the full order, what to know about the movie, and where this fits with her other books.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Book titles below link to Amazon.
The Housemaid Books in Order
| # | Title | Year | Hook (no spoilers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Housemaid | 2022 | Millie takes a live-in housekeeping job with the wealthy Winchester family, and nothing in that house is what it looks like. |
| 2 | The Housemaid's Secret | 2023 | A new housekeeper, a new family, and a secret from the first book that refuses to stay buried. |
| 3 | The Housemaid's Wedding | 2024 | A novella set around a wedding that brings series characters back together — a bridge, not a full new case. |
| 4 | The Housemaid Is Watching | 2024 | The most recent full novel: a new neighborhood, a new set of secrets, and callbacks to everything before it. |
There's no separate chronological order to worry about here — publication order is the story order, and each book was written to be read after the one before it.
Where to Start
Start with The Housemaid (2022). It's the shortest commitment, it's the book the movie is based on, and the twist in it sets up callbacks that run through the rest of the series. Don't skip ahead to The Housemaid Is Watching even if the movie is what brought you here — it assumes you already know what happened in books 1 through 3.
If you finish all four and want more from McFadden, her essential standalones (The Teacher, Never Lie, The Locked Door) are covered on our full Freida McFadden reading order. If you want other twisty thrillers in this lane, see books like Gone Girl.
What's Next
Confirmed Four Housemaid titles exist as of October 2026: three novels and one novella. McFadden's own site lists no additional Housemaid book beyond The Housemaid Is Watching.
Not confirmed No fifth Housemaid book or film sequel has been announced as of October 2026.
The Housemaid Movie: Confirmed Cast and Release Date
Only confirmed facts here.
Confirmed The Housemaid (film) was released December 19, 2025, from Lionsgate Studios and Hidden Pictures, directed by Paul Feig with a screenplay by Rebecca Sonnenshine. The cast: Sydney Sweeney as Millie, Amanda Seyfried as Nina Winchester, Brandon Sklenar as Andrew Winchester, and Michele Morrone as Enzo.
Not confirmed No sequel film has been announced as of October 2026, and the studio hasn't said whether a follow-up would adapt The Housemaid's Secret.
Printable Checklist
The Housemaid Series FAQ
What order should I read The Housemaid books in?
The Housemaid (2022), The Housemaid's Secret (2023), The Housemaid's Wedding (2024, a short novella), then The Housemaid Is Watching (2024). Each book builds on twists from the one before it, so reading out of order spoils them.
How many Housemaid books are there?
Three full novels and one novella as of October 2026: The Housemaid, The Housemaid's Secret, The Housemaid's Wedding (novella) and The Housemaid Is Watching. No fifth book has been announced.
Is The Housemaid a movie?
Yes. The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig, was released December 19, 2025, starring Sydney Sweeney as Millie, Amanda Seyfried as Nina, Brandon Sklenar as Andrew and Michele Morrone as Enzo.
Do I need to read The Housemaid's Secret before The Housemaid Is Watching?
Yes. The Housemaid Is Watching continues directly from where The Housemaid's Secret leaves off, and both build on the original book's twist.
Will there be a sequel to The Housemaid movie?
No sequel has been announced as of October 2026.
Four books, one very watchful housemaid. Start with the original, and when you're done, browse all our reading-order guides.
Want a free set of printable bookmarks?
Made for cozy readers working through a long series in order. Print at home, cut, and slip one into whatever you're reading tonight. They're free. Then browse all our reading-order guides.
Get the free bookmarks →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.