Best-selling The Housemaid author Freida McFadden reveals true identity

Freida McFadden Unveils Real Name Behind Bestseller Success

After years of speculation, the enigma surrounding the prolific thriller writer Freida McFadden has been resolved. The American author, whose novels have captivated millions, has confirmed she is Sara Cohen, a medical professional who used a pseudonym to maintain anonymity in her dual career.

Pen Name and Literary Triumph

Cohen’s literary career took off with the 2022 release of The Housemaid, which became a major hit and was adapted into a film starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. Her pen name, Freida, has brought her significant success, with 2.6 million books sold in the UK in 2025 and six million print copies in the US. Only Julia Donaldson surpassed her in that year’s sales.

Medical Roots and Pseudonym Origin

McFadden’s decision to adopt the pen name stemmed from a playful nod to the medical field. The name, she revealed, is linked to the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database, a medical registry. Initially, she self-published her first novel, The Devil Wears Scrubs, in 2013, under the guise of a fictionalized account of her life as a resident doctor.

Dual Identity and Professional Concerns

While balancing her medical practice in Boston, specializing in brain disorders, Cohen continued writing. Her psychological thrillers gained traction, yet she maintained a strict separation between the two identities. “I wanted to be a doctor at work,” she told the New York Times in 2024, fearing patients might feel awkward about their care from a bestselling author.

Spotlight and Social Anxiety

Her anonymity was partly driven by a desire to avoid the spotlight. “I don’t like being the center of attention,” Cohen said to the Washington Post. “It’s not just about privacy; it’s also about managing social anxiety. I worried readers might question if my characters were based on me, which felt unprofessional.”

Stepping Back from Medicine

Cohen has since scaled back her medical duties, reducing her workload to once or twice a month. This shift made it easier to disclose her real name, which she did through an interview with USA Today. “I was overwhelmed trying to do both,” she explained. “Keeping the secret until now allowed me to avoid any complications at work.”

“I’m at a point in my career when I’m tired of this being a secret,” she explained. “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.”

The Moment the Secret Was Out

The revelation came after a colleague recognized her in a Freida-related photo, sharing the news with others. Though the secret was out, Cohen noted that her colleagues have been respectful, refraining from social media exposure. In response, she hosted a book signing at her workplace, blending her two worlds.

“One of my colleagues at the hospital recently recognized me in a Freida photo, and told everyone, so the cat is out of the bag,” she said. “But they’ve been really respectful about not posting anything about me on social media, and I tried to repay them with a book signing at work.”

Cohen remains committed to her pen name, acknowledging that it has become an integral part of her identity for fans. “Even though I’ve kept my real name hidden, I’ve always been honest with readers,” she said. “The name change won’t affect the authenticity of my work or the connection I’ve built with my audience.”