If you love psychological thrillers, these are the two author names you'll see most often on BookTok: Freida McFadden and Alice Feeney. One is known for unreliable narrators and plot twists that will blow your mind. The other is called the Queen of Twists—and for good reason.
Both authors have announced new books. And both promise exactly what their fans expect from them: stories where you're never sure what's really going on.
The Witch by Freida McFadden — October 6, 2026
Who is Freida McFadden?
Freida McFadden is a #1 New York Times, #1 Sunday Times, and international bestselling author and physician. She is the winner of the International Thriller Writer Award for Best Paperback Original, the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Thriller, and was included in TIME 100's most influential people in the world for 2026. Her novels have been translated into more than 45 languages.
You know her from The Housemaid, The Inmate, The Coworker, and Brain Damage — books that all dominated the bestseller lists and kept the BookTok thriller community buzzing for months.
What is The Witch about?
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden comes The Witch, a chilling, plot-twist-filled thriller about secrets—the ones we inherit, the ones we bury, and the ones people will burn to keep silent.
Some secrets don't die—they wait. When Julia Barlow loses her job and her apartment, she has nowhere to go but Pemberton, the sprawling seventeenth-century family estate in rural Massachusetts. Officially, she's there to visit her elderly grandmother. Unofficially, she hopes the old house will give her a place to disappear. Instead, Pemberton begins to unravel her. Every night, the grandfather clock stops precisely at 3:41 AM. The lights flicker without warning. And a disembodied voice calls for help outside Julia's bedroom door.
As Julia delves into the house's dark history, she uncovers the story of a woman executed for witchcraft in 1692—and realizes that the past may not be done with Pemberton yet.
Why is The Witch special?
The Witch is different from McFadden's previous work. It is her first book to be published in hardcover in the United Kingdom with a Waterstones exclusive run. This indicates a step up in her publishing expectations—even after all her previous successes.
Moreover, this book combines two elements that McFadden has never combined before: her signature psychological suspense and a gothic, almost-supernatural setting inspired by the Salem witch trials of 1692.
Release date: October 6, 2026—perfectly timed for spooky season.
Twist by Alice Feeney — March 9, 2027
Who is Alice Feeney?
Alice Feeney is called the Queen of Twists—a nickname she has fully earned. She is the multi-million-copy selling author of My Husband's Wife, Beautiful Ugly, Good Bad Girl, Daisy Darker, Rock Paper Scissors, His & Hers, I Know Who You Are, and Sometimes I Lie. Her novels have been translated into more than forty languages and have been optioned for major film adaptations.
His & Hers was an instant Global #1 Netflix series in 2026, starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, and the most watched TV show in the world in January 2026.
What is Twist about?
Flight attendant Ariella has perfected the art of leading a double life. In a picture-perfect village, she plays the charming wife of the kind Noah and the loving mother of their daughter. But in London, she is the glamorous new bride of Luka, living in a luxurious penthouse high above the city. Ariella believes you can have more than one soulmate—and you might as well do it well.
Twist was optioned almost a year before publication and is already in development for television. That's an extraordinary achievement—even for Feeney.
And then there's this: Freida McFadden herself wrote about Twist: "Twist had more twists and turns than a roller coaster! If you want a book that will drop your jaw, this is it! I loved it!"
Release date: March 9, 2027
What these two authors have in common
Freida McFadden and Alice Feeney are often mentioned in the same breath on BookTok—and that's no coincidence. Both write:
- Psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators
- Plot twists you genuinely don't see coming
- Short, fast-paced books you can read in one sitting
- Female protagonists in complex, dangerous situations
- Dark domestic settings—houses, marriages, and families that aren't what they seem
If you like one, you'll like the other. And if you haven't started yet: begin with The Housemaid (McFadden) or His & Hers (Feeney) and you'll understand within one book why BookTok adores them both.
Catch up before the releases?
McFadden reading list for The Witch:
Start with The Housemaid, then read The Inmate, The Coworker, and Brain Damage (August 18, 2026). This way you'll be fully caught up when The Witch is released on October 6.
Feeney reading list for Twist:
Start with His & Hers (now on Netflix), then read Rock Paper Scissors, Daisy Darker, and Beautiful Ugly. And if you want to read everything: My Husband's Wife was released earlier in 2026.
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Happy reading—and keep the tissues and coffee handy! 🖤📚
Frequently Asked Questions
When will The Witch by Freida McFadden be released?
The Witch by Freida McFadden will be released on October 6, 2026.
What is The Witch by Freida McFadden about?
The Witch follows Julia Barlow as she returns to the family estate Pemberton and confronts strange phenomena while unraveling the dark history of the house—including the story of a woman executed for witchcraft in 1692.
When will Twist by Alice Feeney be released?
Twist by Alice Feeney will be released on March 9, 2027.
What is Twist by Alice Feeney about?
Twist follows flight attendant Ariella, who leads a double life—married to two men in two different cities—until her perfect system begins to crumble.
Will Twist by Alice Feeney be adapted for film?
Yes, Twist was optioned almost a year before publication and is already in development for television.
Which Freida McFadden book should I read first?
Start with The Housemaid—the most widely read McFadden book and the perfect entry point. Then read The Inmate, The Coworker, and Brain Damage to be fully caught up before The Witch.
Which Alice Feeney book should I read first?
His & Hers is now available on Netflix and is the perfect entry point. Rock Paper Scissors and Daisy Darker are the most recommended next steps.