Best-selling The Housemaid author Freida McFadden reveals true identity
Best-selling The Housemaid author Freida McFadden reveals true identity
A publishing mystery finally resolved
A long-standing publishing mystery has finally been unraveled, as the acclaimed US author known to millions under the name Freida McFadden unveiled her real identity. The revelation came through USA Today, where she disclosed that she is actually Sara Cohen. “I’m at a point in my career when I’m tired of this being a secret,” she said, addressing concerns about her dual life as a writer and a physician. “I’m tired of people debating whether I’m a real person or three men. I’m genuine and have nothing to hide.”
From resident doctor to bestselling author
Cohen first adopted the pseudonym Freida McFadden when she self-published her debut novel, *The Devil Wears Scrubs*, in 2013. The book was inspired by her experiences as a resident doctor, and she chose the name as a nod to the medical system’s training registry, the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database. While continuing her work in Boston specializing in brain disorders, she transitioned into writing psychological thrillers, eventually becoming a top-selling author in the UK in 2025.
Breakthrough with The Housemaid
Her career took off with the 2022 release of *The Housemaid*, which gained global attention and was adapted into a film last year featuring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. The novel contributed to her status as the second-highest-selling author in the UK that year, with 2.6 million books sold. In the US, she has sold six million print copies. Her 29 novels have also made her a chart-topping presence in 2025, with *The Housemaid*, *Want to Know a Secret?*, and *Dear Debbie* leading the bestseller lists.
Maintaining two lives
Cohen initially kept her identities separate to avoid patients feeling uneasy about her dual roles. “At work, I want to be a doctor,” she told the *New York Times* in 2024. “A lot of my books have medical elements, and I don’t want people wondering if they’re based on me.” She also expressed discomfort with the spotlight, saying, “I love that people are reading my books, but the attention on me specifically is hard.” The author cited social anxiety as a factor, noting her success had heightened fears of not meeting expectations.
Transitioning to full-time writing
The decision to reveal her identity came after stepping away from her medical career in 2023. “My goal was to keep the secret until I could reduce my doctor work,” she explained. “But now I’ve left that role entirely, working only once or twice a month.” She admitted the pressure of maintaining both personas had become overwhelming. “It’s not just about privacy—it’s also about managing social anxiety,” she said, adding that a colleague’s recognition of her in a Freida photo had “spilled the beans.”
Keeping the pen name alive
Despite revealing her true name, Cohen hopes her fans will continue to associate her with Freida McFadden. “Even though I haven’t shared my real name yet, I’ve always been honest with my readers,” she stated. “The name will be a surprise, but nothing else will.” To maintain her dual identity, she still uses a wig during public appearances, joking that it’s “because I have no idea how to style my hair.”
