Number 1 in the New York Times, Sunday Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and internationally best-selling author Freida McFadden is back at it again, writing another heart-shattering, compelling, unputdownable psychological thriller.
Set locally, just 40 minutes away from campus in the town of Hingham, comes the story of Debra (Debbie) Mullen, a suburban wife and mother who has a reputation for being the voice behind “Dear Debbie”, an advice column in her local newspaper. Debbie gives New England wives and mothers advice on how to deal with their relationship issues or parenting.
To everybody outside of Debbie’s personal life, she seems successful, empathetic, and knowledgeable. Beneath the surface, Debbie is really burdened with insecurities and a lot of unspoken frustration.
“After nearly half a century of life, I’ve realized that the only person who is truly looking out for my best interests is myself.”
Throughout the course of the story, Debbie’s life gets really heavy, really quickly. She has 2 teenage daughters, one who is dating a guy who isn’t the best for her, and the other who got kicked off her sports team. Her husband is keeping secrets, and so is she. Over time, she starts to lose control of the things going on within her life.
McFadden structures the story with multiple perspectives, allowing insight into Debbie’s and her husband, Cooper’s, thoughts as they navigate the escalating conflict around them. This deepens the tension and keeps the narrative moving, making the story a page turner. Shorter chapters and strategic twists are what make McFadden’s readers continue to read and reread her novels.
The strongest part of this story is definitely its protagonist, Debbie. She’s portrayed with such nuance and contradiction. Sometimes she’s a very vulnerable character, sometimes she shows her intelligence, and sometimes that intelligence makes her a little scary. You never quite know what Debbie is thinking, which is simply the art of this novel.
I do feel that some elements of the plot are heightened and made more dramatic than they would be for most people. A few transitions in Debbie’s transformation occur quickly, which can make having an emotional connection to her slightly difficult.
Overall, Dear Debbie is a really good thriller that examines suppressed anger and unmet expectations. With its pace and complex protagonist, the novel is a page turner and is just one of Freida McFadden’s biggest hits.
–March 2, 2026–
