Horror Book Spotlight: The Divorce by Freida McFadden

 

Relationships are hard, but as we have seen in Freida McFadden’s oeuvre, they can be volatile too. And secretive. Also, people can be living together and scheming against each other. 

The Divorce is Freida McFadden’s new novel, which was released in May 2026 and was published by Poisoned Pen Press. The novel is already at the top of the charts of the bestseller’s list in the Psychological Thriller category. 

While the novel received positive reviews, some readers felt the characters were unrealistic and underdeveloped. And the twist was inserted for the sake of adding a twist. 

Is this not one of Freida McFadden’s finest thrillers? 

Let’s find out. 

THE DIVORCE by Freida McFadden Plot 

Naomi had the perfect love story with Jeremy that culminated in marriage. They buy their dream house, start a family, and then one day, he kicks her out of the house. 

Not only does Jeremy want a divorce, but he is also seeing a younger woman. Naomi is left to pick up the pieces of her life, but finds herself fixated with her husband’s girlfriend. It soon turns into an obsession and then something far darker. 

As Naomi uncovers secrets, she finds her own life is in danger. 

THE DIVORCE First Impressions

The book opens with a prologue. We never find out whose point of view we are introduced to. All we know is that in true Freida McFadden fashion, something terrible has happened. There are dead bodies in the house, and the police will be arriving soon.

We do, however, get this unnamed character to confess that whatever they did, they did it for him. 

Who is this him? Is this Naomi? 

Then again, as you read further, Jeremy isn’t the only male character in this book. 

Part One, Chapter One, is told through Naomi’s perspective. Again, the author doesn’t waste time getting to the point. We are in Naomi’s car, who is with her five-year-old son Teddy. Naomi is unable to get her “intelligent” garage door to open, and, astoundingly, her keys to the front door do not work either. 

Jeremy eventually opens the door and sends Jeremy to his room, and tells Naomi they need to talk. Anticipating the worst, she is relieved when Jeremy tells her he has planned a surprise renovation and has packed her bags so that she can prepare Jeremy’s other apartment, which he had given to his now deceased parents to live in. 

Naomi isn’t too happy to be sent away, and especially not to give Teddy a proper goodbye. But Jeremy is convincing, and she knows she can clean and organize the apartment, as well as make it habitable. 

But the clues make her curious. For one, literally all her belongings have been packed away. Secondly, why would Jeremy change the locks before the renovation for the workers, instead of after?

But Naomi doesn’t argue and follows his instructions. She cleans up the apartment, ready for Teddy and Jeremy to join her soon. Naomi thinks about how she gave up her job after she got married. She used to be a doctor. 

Is this relevant information for us? Is Naomi going to put her medical skills to use?

The next day, she picks up Teddy, and the other mothers are in the mood for gossip. We learn that Jeremy is good-looking, and it makes Naomi nervous that people are attracted to him. She takes Teddy with her and asks if Jeremy explained the renovation and their temporary stay. Turns out Jeremy has done none of these things. 

This raises an alarm within Naomi, and this time, when Jeremy shows up and tells her they need to talk, we all know where they are headed. 

Jeremy tells her he wants a divorce and hasn’t been happy in a long time. Naomi doesn’t understand why. There is a pre-nup. Jeremy owns this apartment as well as the house. He insists there isn’t another woman, but Naomi isn’t so sure he’s telling the truth. 

Based on the plot, there is a woman, and Jeremy is up to something. 

READ OR SKIP?

Freida McFadden writes delightful psychological thrillers. No one is truly who they appear to be, and if you are an avid fan, you already know the pattern. The innocent one is rarely actually innocent. 

So while we may be compelled to sympathize with Naomi, is she truly the victim here? Is Jeremy the bad guy? 

All we can say for sure is that Teddy is definitely not the malicious one. 

This is a READ for sure. The pattern may be predictable, but the story is a page-turner and is designed to throw in a few pleasant twists. 

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