Do Not Disturb is a locked-room psychological thriller that has similar vibes to Hitchcock’s masterpiece film “Psycho” with its isolated location, creepy motel owners, and a lurking figure in the window.

The story begins with Quinn Alexander, who, after killing her abusive husband in self-defense, dashes toward the Canadian border. A sudden snowstorm forces her to seek refuge at the eerie and rundown Baxter Motel. Across from her window, Nick Baxter’s ailing wife—Rosalie—silently watches from her house, while the only other guest in the motel, a mysterious elderly woman named Greta, adds to Quinn’s unease.

The story unfolds via the first-person perspectives of Quinn, her sister Claudia, Rosalie, and Rob (Claudia’s husband)—each offering differing, sometimes contradictory accounts of events, making readers question everything they’re reading. Be prepared because just when you think you’ve gotten to know one character, the next POV shift suddenly sends everything into a tailspin, obscuring truths and delivering plot twists readers aren’t ready for! The chapters are short and punchy, each delivery high on suspense and drama, and many ending with engrossing cliffhangers that will keep readers turning the pages—in true Freida fashion! The book also includes some classic thriller tropes, including “woman on the run,” an isolated storm-trapped setting, and “everyone hiding secrets.”

The eerie Baxter Motel, coupled with the raging snowstorm, is the perfect backdrop for this locked-in psychological thriller—and it creates a sense of dread and claustrophobia for readers the entire way through! Rosalie watching Quinn from her window evokes serious Psycho and Rear Window vibes—and readers will wonder if she’s a threat or a misdirection from a much larger threat lurking in the shadows!

Quinn is an emotional and impulsive protagonist. Her escape is plagued by poor decision-making and bad luck, almost making her journey satirical. Similar to other female leads in McFadden’s books, her inner monologues are dramatic and exaggerated, often focusing on worst-case scenarios and weighing over ridiculous options for her next moves—there may not be much literary depth here, but it’s all deliciously entertaining to read. Claudia is a much bolder, self-assured character who makes quick decisions and isn’t afraid to take risks—or worry about the consequences! Her POV feels like a breath of fresh air after all the claustrophobic psychological tension that Quinn imposes upon readers. Nick and Rosalie are both interesting characters with a relationship that has an unhealthy, obsessive vibe to it. All of the main characters are unreliable narrators and harbor secrets, and readers will be constantly questioning what’s true. The secondary characters, including Greta, Claudia’s husband, and the police officers, aren’t well developed and mainly serve as plot devices but are still entertaining.

What’s fresh and different about this book in comparison to McFadden’s other works is that the main POV switches midway through the book, adding depth and layers to the story and making it more unpredictable! True to Freida’s style, the story has relentless pacing, straightforward, gripping writing, and a relatively small cast of characters that makes the book highly readable and binge-worthy. Some of the plot twists are very predictable, especially for seasoned thriller readers—but just when you think the story has offered all its reveals, Freida pulls the rug right from under you at the very end!

Overall, Do Not Disturb is a popcorn thriller that delivers exactly what many thriller readers crave: fast pacing, relentless psychological tension, jaw-dropping twists! If you set your expectations right and are prepared to suspend your disbelief when necessary, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this wild ride!