PLOT: 4/5
WRITING: 4/5
ENTERTAINMENT: 4/5
GENRE & THEME: Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Revenge, Betrayal, Female Empowerment
“Debbie always says you can’t reason someone out of a mindset they didn’t reason themselves into.” – Freida McFadden, Dear Debbie
For those of you who have been following my reviews for a while, you know that I simply have to read any Freida McFadden novel that comes out. Call it my guilty pleasure, my palate cleanser, or whatever you like, but it has become something of a ritual now. So, when her latest book, Dear Debbie, was released in January 2026, and I spotted the audiobook on my Storytel catalogue, I immediately sat down, eager and curious, to dive right into it.
The story as it goes
Debbie Mullen is a seemingly ordinary suburban wife who writes an advice column for New England wives, helping them navigate their lives, doubts, and emotional upheavals. Over the years, she has helped countless women who have been ignored, belittled, or even hurt. She has done it all with a smile on her face, remaining polite, patient, and endlessly supportive of the people in her life — both her family and her readers.
But recently, life seems to be spiralling out of Debbie’s control. She is frustrated, and it’s not just one single thing. She has been abruptly fired from her job, her daughters have been behaving strangely, and her husband has been keeping secrets from her. The glaring proof of which stares her in the face, courtesy of the tracking app she had once installed on his phone.
So, Debbie has had enough. She is done playing nice, because that has taken her nowhere. And now, it is time for payback, a reckoning with all those who never deserved, or valued, her love and care.
My thoughts
Dear Debbie is one of those psychological thrillers where time simply flies. It’s racy, it’s twisty, and it’s deliciously dark. And the best part—you cannot guess the ending. I absolutely loved the central character. Debbie is just amazing!
On the surface, she is this very agreeable, supportive, and accommodating woman whose life seems to revolves around her small, simple world—her family and her modest job. But as the pages turn, you begin to realise what an extraordinary force she truly is. I won’t disclose more here, but I only wish I could do justice, with enough eloquence, to what a phenomenal character she turns out to be.
It is Debbie, and Debbie alone, who makes this book what it is, and it is Debbie who shines throughout its length. Her maniacal, unsettling side on one hand, and her calm, controlled, and perfectly tamed self on the other, create a fascinating contrast—you are never quite sure which version of her you are going to encounter next.
I also loved how unpredictable the ending was. Yes, it was a little complex, requiring me to go back to it once, and then even twice, just to fully grasp all that had unfolded—but woah, what an ending!
It was shocking, layered, and immensely satisfying. And it left me with that rare feeling of awe that only a truly well-executed psychological thriller can deliver.
Overall, this is an amazing read and certainly recommended to all psychological thriller fans out there. If you are already a Freida McFadden fan, don’t hold out; just go and grab it already. You will not regret it, and chances are, you will finish it far quicker than you expected.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of Dear Debbie right away!
