If you love thriller that make your heart race and brain scream "WAIT—WHAT?", then The Intruder by Freida McFadden is exactly your kind of book! It's creepy, fast and full of twists that keep you flipping pages way past bedtime.

The story follows Casey, a woman living alone in a remote cabin far away from people and problems—or so she thinks. One stormy night, a wounded, silent teenage girl shows up at her door. This girl won't explain who she is or what happened to her, and from that moment on, nothing felt safe anymore. As the storm traps them together, secrets starts to surface and it becomes clear that both of them are hiding more than they admit.

One of the classic things about The Intruder is how it constantly makes you question whom to trust. At first, the girl seems like a victim but her strange behaviour slowly make you uneasy. At the same time, Casey isn't exactly reliable either. She is paranoid, guarded and clearly haunted by her past. The book plays with the idea that sometimes real danger isn't obvious—and that fear can twist people's actions.

The theme of trauma is very strong in the novel. Both main characters have been through horrible things and those experiences shape how they react to danger. The book shows how trauma doesn't disappear; it sticks with you and can affect your choice in unhealthy ways. While some moments feel intense and dark, they also add emotional depth to the story.

Another theme is isolated. The cabin setting is perfect for a thriller—its quiet, cut off from help and feel almost like a cage. The storm outside mirrors the chaos building inside. McFadden uses this setting really gracefully to make everything feel tensed and claustrophobic.

The writing style is simple yet easy to read. Chapters are short, dramatic and often end on cliffhangers which makes the book more addictive. The isn't a book that focuses on fancy langauge—it focuses on keeping you hooked. Some readers might find the writing a bit repetitive but for a fast thriller, it works.

The twists are where opinions split. If you're new to thrillers, the reveals may shock you. As someone who has read a lot of thrillers, some twists didn't really catch my attention. It's just that if you have read enough thriller, sometime you may guess the plot. Still, the story is catchy and ending definately sparks conversation.

For teen readers—and especially teen writers—this book is a great example of how strong pacing and mystery can carry a story and keep readers hooked until the very last page.

Rating: 4.1/5