Best-selling The Housemaid author Freida McFadden reveals true identity
Best-selling The Housemaid author Freida McFadden reveals true identity
A long-standing publishing enigma has finally been resolved as renowned American author Freida McFadden unveiled her real name to the public. Known for her gripping thrillers, including the critically acclaimed *The Housemaid*, McFadden has maintained a dual life for years, balancing her literary career with her work as a doctor. Her revelation came via an interview with USA Today, where she confirmed her identity as Sara Cohen.
From Pseudonym to Reality
Cohen adopted the pen name Freida McFadden to conceal her identity when she self-published her debut novel, *The Devil Wears Scrubs*, in 2013. The name was a nod to a medical reference—the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database. While working as a specialist in brain disorders in Boston, she continued writing, eventually launching a string of psychological thrillers that gained massive popularity.
“I’m at a point in my career when I’m tired of this being a secret,” Cohen said. “I’m tired of people debating if I’m a real person or if I’m three men. I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don’t have anything to hide.”
Under the name McFadden, she became the second highest-selling author in the UK for 2025, with 2.6 million books sold. Her home country saw even greater success, with six million print copies sold. These numbers were driven by the 2022 release of *The Housemaid*, which later inspired a film starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.
Despite her anonymity, Cohen’s literary output has been prolific, with 29 novels published to date. This year alone, she topped the best-seller charts with three titles: *The Housemaid*, *Want to Know a Secret?*, and *Dear Debbie*. However, her success has led to a shift in her professional life. In 2023, she transitioned to part-time work as a doctor, and now she dedicates less time to her medical career, making it easier to share her real name.
“My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was ready to step back from my doctor job,” she explained. “So it wouldn’t be like everyone I work with suddenly knew and it compromised my ability to do my job.”
Cohen initially kept her identity hidden to avoid distractions, as she feared her patients might feel uneasy about being treated by a bestselling thriller writer. “At work, I want to be a doctor,” she said. “A lot of my books have medical stuff in them, and I don’t want people saying, ‘Is this based on me?’ It feels unprofessional.”
Her dual identity also sparked social anxiety, as she mentioned to the Washington Post. “I don’t like to be the centre of attention,” she said. “I love that people are reading my books, but the spotlight on me specifically is hard.”
Recently, a hospital colleague recognized her in a Freida McFadden photo, inadvertently exposing her secret. “The cat is out of the bag,” she told the Times. Yet, she remains grateful for the support of her medical peers, who have kept the revelation private. To maintain her disguise during public appearances, she wears a wig—though she admits it’s only because she lacks confidence in styling her own hair.
Cohen emphasized that her fans, whether they call her McFans or Freida Readahs, will still know her by the pen name. “Even though I haven’t told my real name until now, I feel like I have shared the real me all along,” she said. “Everything I’ve told them has been the truth. Nothing else will change.”
