The Coworker by Freida McFadden receives mixed reviews. Readers appreciate the engaging plot and suspenseful writing, keeping them hooked until the end. However, some feel the character development is lacking, and the twists can be predictable. Ideal for thriller enthusiasts seeking a quick, entertaining read despite its occasional clichés.

Readers who relish psychological thrillers with unexpected twists will enjoy The Coworker by Freida McFadden. Fans of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins’s The Girl on the Train will appreciate the tension and suspense. This book is perfect for those who love diving into complex characters and intricate plots.

The Coworker by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller about the mysterious disappearance of Dawn Schiff, an accountant at a nutritional supplement company, reported missing by her coworker Natalie Farrell. As the investigation intensifies and reveals disturbing office dynamics, suspicion shifts onto Natalie, blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator. The book contains descriptions of self-harm and death by suicide.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Unnerving / Dark / Gritty

**Natalie Farrell**  
A 30-year-old salesperson at the nutritional supplement company, Vixed, known for her social connections and physical attractiveness. She is one of the novel's two protagonists and the main narrator.

**Dawn Schiff**  
A coworker and narrative foil to Natalie, known for her short hair and comfortable clothing, who is socially awkward and exhibits idiosyncratic behaviors. She is the novel's other protagonist and narrator.

**Mia (Amelia) Hodge**  
A deceased character from the past who had cerebral palsy and was targeted for bullying in high school. She is the inspiration, in part, for Natalie's charity work and the recipient of Dawn's emails.

**Caleb McCullough**  
A new employee at Vixed and initially introduced as Natalie’s romantic interest, who later plays a significant role in revealing underlying connections between characters.

**Seth Hoffman**  
The branch manager at Vixed who shares a complex relationship with Natalie, marked by favoritism resulting from their extramarital affair.

**Detective Santoro**  
The police officer leading the investigation into Dawn’s disappearance, noted for being impervious to Natalie's charm, with his past experiences influencing his perceptions.

**Kim Healey**  
A coworker of Natalie, ostensibly her best friend, whose actions and shifting alliances reflect the competitive nature of their workplace dynamic.

**Melinda Hoffman**  
Seth's wife, portrayed as an emotional, suspicious character who reacts strongly to Seth's affair with Natalie.

**Rhonda Schiff**  
Dawn's mother, depicted through Dawn’s recollections as a critical figure from her past, who struggled with Dawn's differences from the norm.

Freida McFadden

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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The Coworker Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Coworker Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 7

The Coworker Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 8-22

The Coworker Part 1, Chapters 8-22 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 23-44

The Coworker Part 1, Chapters 23-44 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapter 45-Epilogue

The Coworker Part 2, Chapter 45-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Coworker Character Analysis

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The Coworker

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