Revenge is a Dish Best Served… With Turtles?
Holy moly, folks. If you thought your office drama was intense, wait till you get a load of “The Coworker” by Freida McFadden. This psychological thriller will make you side-eye Karen from accounting for weeks. Trust me, after reading this, you’ll never look at your coworkers the same way again. Or turtles, for that matter. Yeah, you heard me right. Turtles. But we’ll get to that in a bit.
The Lowdown on the Plot
So, here’s the deal. We’ve got two main players in this twisted game: Dawn Schiff, the office weirdo with an obsession for turtles (I told you we’d circle back to that), and Natalie Farrell, the gorgeous sales superstar who everyone wants to be… or be with.
Dawn’s the kind of coworker who shows up at exactly 8:45 AM every day, probably has her pencils arranged by length, and makes everyone uncomfortable with her intense stare. Natalie, on the other hand, is the office golden girl—top salesperson, perfect hair, and a smile that could sell ice to an Eskimo.
But one day, Dawn doesn’t show up to work. And that’s when things go from weird to downright crazy. Natalie gets an anonymous phone call that sends her spiraling into a web of lies, deceit, and… you guessed it, more turtles.
A Game of Cat and Mouse… or Turtle?
McFadden takes us on a wild ride as we try to figure out what the heck happened to Dawn. Is she dead? Is she alive? Or is she off communing with turtles in some secret turtle sanctuary? (Okay, that last one’s probably not it, but with Dawn, you never know.)
The story unfolds through alternating perspectives, giving us a peek into both Natalie and Dawn’s minds. And let me tell you, it’s a trip. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, McFadden throws another curveball that’ll have you questioning everything you thought you knew.
Characters You’ll Love to Hate… or Hate to Love
Let’s break down our main players, shall we?
Dawn Schiff: The Turtle Whisperer
Dawn is… well, Dawn is a lot. She’s awkward, intense, and has more turtles in her life than most zoos. But as we dive deeper into her backstory, we start to see that there’s more to Dawn than meets the eye. Her obsession with turtles isn’t just a quirky trait – it’s a coping mechanism for a past trauma that’s shaped her entire life.
Natalie Farrell: The Office Femme Fatale
Natalie seems to have it all – looks, charm, and a sales record that would make Jordan Belfort jealous. But underneath that perfect exterior, Natalie’s got secrets of her own. As the story progresses, we see that her shiny veneer is starting to crack, revealing a woman who’s not above a little manipulation to get what she wants.
The Supporting Cast
McFadden populates her office setting with a colorful cast of characters that’ll remind you of your own workplace. There’s Seth, the boss with boundary issues, Caleb, the IT guy with a hidden agenda, and Kim, the frenemy coworker we all love to hate. Each character adds another layer to the intricate web of lies and deceit that McFadden weaves.
Themes That’ll Make You Think
The Coworker by Freida McFadden isn’t just a thrilling page-turner – it’s got some meaty themes that’ll stick with you long after you’ve finished the last page.
The Masks We Wear
One of the central themes of the book is the idea that we all wear masks, especially in the workplace. Dawn’s awkwardness is a mask for her trauma, Natalie’s charm is a mask for her insecurities, and even the minor characters have facades that slowly crumble as the story progresses.
The Price of Revenge
Without giving too much away, revenge plays a big role in this story. McFadden explores the lengths people will go to right perceived wrongs, and the toll that pursuit takes on their lives and the lives of those around them.
The Nature of Truth
In a world of unreliable narrators and shifting perspectives, Freida McFadden’s “The Coworker” constantly keeps us guessing about what’s real and what’s not. It’s a stark reminder that truth is often subjective, especially when filtered through the lens of trauma and revenge.
McFadden’s Writing Style: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
Okay, let’s talk about McFadden’s writing for a sec. This woman knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat. Her pacing is spot-on, doling out revelations and plot twists at just the right moments to keep you frantically turning pages well past your bedtime. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you when you show up to work looking like a zombie tomorrow.)
Her character development is excellent. Even the characters you start off hating (I’m looking at you, Dawn) somehow worm their way into your heart by the end. Or at least make you understand why they are the way they are.
And can we talk about the dialogue? McFadden has a knack for writing conversations that feel real and raw, capturing the awkwardness of office small talk and the intensity of confrontations with equal skill.
The Verdict: To Read or Not to Read?
Look, if you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that’ll keep you guessing until the very end, “The Coworker” is a no-brainer. It’s got all the elements of a great page-turner—unreliable narrators, shocking twists, and enough suspense to give you heart palpitations.
But fair warning: this book might make you a little paranoid about your own coworkers. You might find yourself wondering if Karen from accounting has a secret turtle collection, or if Tom from sales is plotting your downfall. (He’s probably not, but maybe keep an eye on him just in case.)
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of psychological thrillers
- Anyone who’s ever had a weird coworker (so… everyone)
- People who appreciate a good plot twist
- Turtle enthusiasts (you’ll either love it or be slightly disturbed)
Who Should Maybe Skip It?
- Those who get easily paranoid about office politics
- People who are squeamish about mild violence
- Anyone who’s currently planning revenge on a coworker (maybe cool it for a bit, yeah?)
The Bottom Line
“The Coworker” by Freida McFadden is a twisted, thrilling ride that’ll have you side-eyeing your coworkers and maybe developing a slight turtle phobia. I’m now terrified of the quiet guy in accounting and I can’t look at turtles the same way anymore.
If you enjoyed Freida McFadden’s style in “The Coworker,” you might want to check out her other psychological thrillers like “The Housemaid” or “The Locked Door.” And if you’re in the mood for more workplace thrillers, “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides or “The Escape Room” by Megan Goldin might be right up your alley.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go make sure none of my coworkers have any suspicious turtle figurines on their desks. You can never be too careful after reading “The Coworker.”