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It turns out the biggest twist in Freida McFadden’s career isn’t in her books.
The bestselling author, known for keeping readers guessing, has revealed a surprise of her own: Her real name is Sara Cohen.
“I’m at a point in my career when I’m tired of this being a secret. I’m tired of people debating if I’m a real person or if I’m three men,” the author told USA Today.
“I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don’t have anything to hide.”
Known for psychological thriller novels like The Housemaid and Never Lie, Cohen, has always tried to protect her private life. In interviews, she sports a brown bob-like wig, wears glasses and has always written under a pseudonym.
And though she does need glasses, the reason for the wig is more simple than you might think.
The Housemaid is a psychological thriller that pits Sydney Sweeney in the title role against a bombastic Amanda Seyfried as the woman who hires her, based on the best-selling novel of the same name. But CBC film reviewer Jackson Weaver says the less you know about the plot, the better the bizarre twists in the second half will hit.
“I have no idea how to style my hair,” she told the outlet.
Outside of her writing career, she works as a doctor who treats brain disorders.
She says her goal was to keep her real name a secret until she was ready to step back from her medical work, “so it wouldn’t be like, everyone I work with suddenly knew and it compromised my ability to do my job.”
She told USA Today she stopped working full time in 2023, though her coworkers had learned the truth and were “really nice” about keeping her secret.
“I just realized I was completely overwhelmed from trying to do both,” she said.
Despite the reveal, Cohen says she’ll keep publishing under her pen name.
“Even though I haven’t told my real name until now, I feel like I have shared the real me all along and everything I’ve told them has been the truth,” she said.
“Even though the name will be a surprise, nothing else will. I’ve always been genuine with my readers.”
Cohen started publishing her books back in 2013. In 2022, her book The Housemaid became a massive success and was later adapted into a box office hit starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.
Since that breakout success, she has sold millions of copies of her books and has topped several bestseller lists.
Another adaptation, The Housemaid’s Secret, is set for release in 2027. Kirsten Dunst is reportedly set to star alongside Sweeney.
