Best-selling The Housemaid author Freida McFadden reveals true identity
Best-selling The Housemaid author Freida McFadden reveals true identity
A publishing mystery resolved
A long-standing publishing mystery has finally been resolved as the bestselling author Freida McFadden unveiled her real name to the public. Known for her gripping thrillers, including the widely acclaimed *The Housemaid*, McFadden had kept her actual identity hidden for years. The revelation came through an interview with USA Today, where she confirmed she is Sara Cohen, a doctor who also writes under the pseudonym.
Success under a dual identity
McFadden’s work has consistently topped sales charts, particularly in the UK, where she ranked second in 2025 with 2.6 million books sold. In the United States, her output has reached six million printed copies. Her breakthrough came with *The Housemaid*, a novel first published in 2022 and adapted into a film last year starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. The book’s popularity marked a turning point in her career, though it also brought her into the spotlight.
Under the name Freida McFadden, she has authored 29 novels, including *The Housemaid*, *Want to Know a Secret?*, and *Dear Debbie*. These titles have cemented her reputation as a top-tier author, yet her true identity remained unknown until now.
Motives behind the pseudonym
“I’m at a point in my career where the secrecy no longer feels necessary,” she said. “I’ve grown tired of people questioning whether I’m a real person or if I’m three men. I am genuine, and I have nothing to hide.”
Cohen initially adopted the pen name to protect her identity while self-publishing her debut novel, *The Devil Wears Scrubs*, in 2013. The title was inspired by a medical inside joke, referencing the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database. She continued writing while practicing as a brain disorders specialist in Boston, Massachusetts, balancing her dual roles with careful distinction.
Her secret was maintained to avoid confusing patients, as she told the New York Times in 2024. “At work, I want to be a doctor,” she explained. “Many of my books include medical themes, and I don’t want readers to think, ‘Is this based on me?’ It feels unprofessional.”
“I love that people are reading my books,” she added. “But the spotlight on me specifically is hard… It’s not just about privacy but also about social anxiety. My success as an author has made me fear I might not be ‘that amazing person everyone expects you to be.'”
The decision to reveal her name was tied to her career shift. In 2023, she transitioned to part-time work as a doctor, and now she is further reducing her professional responsibilities. “My goal was to keep it a secret until I was ready to step back from my medical job,” she said. “Otherwise, everyone I worked with would suddenly know, and it might compromise my ability to focus on my role.”
Despite the transition, she remains committed to her pen name. “Even though I haven’t shared my real name yet, I believe I have already revealed the truth through my work,” she stated. “My fans, whether they call them McFans or Freida Readahs, will continue to know me as Freida McFadden.”
Living the double life
To maintain her anonymity, Cohen wears a wig during public appearances as Freida. “I don’t know how to style my hair,” she joked. “It’s a small inconvenience compared to the effort of keeping both identities separate.”
Her anonymity was recently challenged when a colleague recognized her in a Freida photo and shared the discovery. “The cat is out of the bag,” she said. “But they’ve been respectful about not posting anything about me on social media. I tried to repay them with a book signing at the hospital.”
