How does she do it? Really? Freida McFadden back with another thriller following the Housemaid series, and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better (read scarier!), here comes Ward D which is sure to leave you stunned. A sizzling read which for me is McFadden at her best!
One of the best things that work for Ward D is it’s brilliant plot. As you lean into the first few pages of the book, you already find yourself enthralled with a solid, gripping premise. This is such an intriguing idea that instantly has you wanting to know what happens next. And leaves you expecting all sorts of dreadful situations to follow.
Amy Bernner, a medical student, is on call for the night at the psychiatric ward, so fittingly called Ward D. Her fear is accentuated by her constant nightmarish thoughts of not being able to exit the ward and being locked up with dangerous, unstable patients. The only entry & exit point has a lock that only unlocks with a unique code for the day. Virtually no mobile signal and no contact with the outside world.
This scintillating setting builds up an eerie atmosphere quite ingeniously. It is funny how Amy keeps imagining things & keeps getting scared all the time. Add to it the peculiar patients with such weird traits & habits – McFadden adds an element of humor to this otherwise tense situation. Well, not to be taken as a slight towards mental issues and those suffering from them, but looking at it from purely a fictional perspective, Spidey-Dan with his “Go Web” trying to create webs out of his palms, Mary with her Click-Click-Click or Clint Eastwood look alike with his saltines – quite well imagined characters they are!
While Ward D has quite a well guarded suspense element, somewhere mid-story you do get a feeling that someone – probably Jade or Ramona – are gaslighting Amy. There is such a convincing clash of thoughts where Amy cannot decide who to believe – Will or Jade – both with their sides of the story. It leaves the reader equally doubtful as to who is lying and who is telling the truth.
There are some extremely tense situations in this book that have you on the edge of your seats. The point where Amy is up against the other three has you all worked up as to how she will escape! And guess who turns hero!!! Hahah!! That I think was the best part of the climax.
The book review of Ward D would be incomplete without a mention of the emotional upsurge that the whole Cameron bit creates. It is such a heart wrenching episode and leaves you feeling so greatly sorry for both him and Amy. A perfect amalgamation of fear, excitement, suspense, humor & emotion.
The end of the book is satisfying as well – as they say, all is well that ends well. You feel happy for Amy that she is able to move on and find happiness.
Conclusion
Freida McFadden has got it all right once again. There’s not much wrong about this book that you could point out – if at all anything. If you enjoy thrillers with some high adrenaline situations, this book cannot be missed. It is a perfect summer read full on the entertainment quotient. With small chapters & easy readability, this makes for a quick, effortless read. Available here -> Ward D
Other books from Freida McFadden -> The Housemaid , The Housemaid’s Secret