Freida McFadden’s most popular thriller series moves fast, but figuring out The Housemaid series in order can get a little confusing because one of the titles is a short story that was published after the third novel.
There are three full-length Housemaid novels, plus The Housemaid’s Wedding, a short bridge story that fits between Book 2 and Book 3. So while publication order is useful, the best reading order is slightly different.
Jump to:
- The Housemaid Series in Order
- The Housemaid Books in Publication Order
- Do You Have to Read The Housemaid Books in Order?
- The Housemaid Movie
The Housemaid Series in Order
This is the best order to read The Housemaid series:
- The Housemaid (2022)
- The Housemaid’s Secret (2023)
- The Housemaid’s Wedding (2024) (Short Story)
- The Housemaid Is Watching (2024)
This order follows Millie Calloway’s story in the most natural way. The first two books build the main series arc, The Housemaid’s Wedding fills in a small but useful gap, and The Housemaid Is Watching jumps ahead to Millie and Enzo’s later life.
Here’s the spoiler-free version of what each title is:
- The Housemaid: The first novel introduces Millie, a woman with a complicated past who takes a live-in housekeeping job with the wealthy Winchester family.
- The Housemaid’s Secret: The second novel sends Millie into another dangerous household, this time working for Douglas Garrick while his wife remains hidden behind a closed door.
- The Housemaid’s Wedding: A short story about Millie and Enzo’s wedding day. It’s not a full novel, but it helps bridge the timeline between Books 2 and 3.
- The Housemaid Is Watching: The third full-length novel follows Millie and Enzo after they’re married, have children, and move into a new neighborhood that turns out to be anything but peaceful.
Where Does The Housemaid’s Wedding Fit?
The Housemaid’s Wedding fits after The Housemaid’s Secret and before The Housemaid Is Watching. It’s sometimes treated like Book 2.5 because it takes place between the second and third novels.
This is the title that causes the most confusion because it was published after The Housemaid Is Watching. However, it’s not Book 4. It’s a short story centered on Millie and Enzo’s wedding day.
You can skip it if you only want the full novels, but it’s short enough that most readers should just read it in the timeline where it belongs.
The Housemaid Books in Publication Order
Publication order is slightly different from the best reading order because the short story came out last.
- The Housemaid (2022)
- The Housemaid’s Secret (2023)
- The Housemaid Is Watching (2024)
- The Housemaid’s Wedding (2024) (Short Story)
There’s nothing wrong with publication order, especially if you’re rereading. But for a first read, I’d move The Housemaid’s Wedding before The Housemaid Is Watching.
Do You Have to Read The Housemaid Books in Order?
Yes, you should read The Housemaid books in order. Each novel has its own central thriller plot, but the series follows Millie across different stages of her life, and later books build on earlier relationships and reveals.
The one flexible title is The Housemaid’s Wedding. It’s helpful, but it’s not required in the same way the three novels are. Read it between Books 2 and 3 if you want the smoothest timeline, or save it for later if you only want the main novels first.
The Housemaid Movie
The movie adaptation of The Housemaid is based on the first book in the series. So if you watched the movie and want to continue the story, the next book is The Housemaid’s Secret.
Still, I’d read The Housemaid before jumping ahead. Adaptations can change details, and the first book gives you the cleanest foundation for Millie’s story.
Looking for More Books in Order?
If you want more thriller authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Thriller Books in Order index.