Freida McFadden’s latest psychological thriller is fiendishly clever and gripping in its narrative, revolving around Debbie Mullen and her family. Debbie is an advice columnist for the local newspaper, where she regularly offers advice for stressed wives and mothers. She may need some advice on her domestic situation, as her home is filled with secrets kept between her and her husband that could threaten their marriage. McFadden’s propensity for penning a smoldering mystery novel is on full display with "Dear Debbie."

Debbie Mullen’s day started with promise as her prized garden was set to be the subject of a photo shoot for a magazine. The positivity she felt for this exposure allowed her to remain unfazed as the rest of her house was unsettled. Debbie remains in a cold war-like standoff with her eldest daughter, Lexi; her other daughter, Isabel, was recently booted from her soccer team, and her husband Cooper is set to demand a raise from his stingy boss. By the end of the day, Debbie’s unflappability began to diminish as a rival neighbor stole her magazine profile, and Cooper’s appeal for a raise ended in his resignation from the company.

Debbie Mullen maintains an air of tranquility around her family, yet when the equilibrium around her and her loved ones is upset, Debbie possesses a vindictive mindset. When Debbie learns that she has been let go from the newspaper due to one of her columns being controversial, she doesn’t hesitate to avenge the sacking by sabotaging the paper’s website while humiliating her boss. However, when it comes to those who harm or threaten her family, Debbie’s vengeance can be severe, if not downright sinister. McFadden portrays Debbie’s turn from loving wife and mother to avenging angel in a perfectly seamless way.

Neighbors and friends have their own preconceived notions about Debbie Mullen. The fellow members of her book club are haughty and believe that Debbie is not sophisticated enough to understand the literature. Harley believes that Debbie, while a kind and goodhearted person, is also a frigid and absentee wife, which is why Harley has no qualms about having an affair with Cooper. None of these people sees the anger slowly burning inside Debbie, a brilliant woman who has been pushed to the brink. As the story proceeds, those who underestimate Debbie Mullen and her motivations do so to their everlasting regret.

Debbie Mullen is a quintessential study in how appearances can be deceiving, as her life becomes consumed in a campaign of retribution against those who’ve wronged her or her family. McFadden’s gift for narrative allows for Debbie’s motivations to be revealed at a time when, despite previous plot twists, the revelation is jarring and impactful. While the story shifts between the perspectives of various characters, Debbie emerges as the alpha character with a compelling storyline.

Freida McFadden knows how to keep readers on their toes with engrossing thriller novels ("The Housemaid"), and this streak continues with "Dear Debbie." McFadden has created a complex and clever antihero who possesses a fierce charisma and the reader will find themselves hooked by Debbie’s story from beginning to startling conclusion. Readers who enjoyed her previous work and books from authors such as Gillian Flynn and Alice Feeney will love this book.