Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The literary world was shocked by the revelation of the true identity of the author of the bestselling thriller novel The Housemaid, previously known by the pen name Freida McFadden.
After years of secrecy, the author finally decided to reveal herself to the public.
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The true identity of the author of "The Housemaid" was revealed on April 8, 2026, in an exclusive interview with USA Today.
The person behind the name Freida McFadden turned out to be Sara Cohen, a physician specializing in brain disorders.
This revelation surprised many, given that Cohen had successfully maintained a dual identity between her medical career and her writing career.
She is now ready to face the public spotlight as the true author of "The Housemaid."
The Real Identity of Freida McFadden
Sara Cohen, a medical professional with a background in brain disorders, is the real name of the woman who has been hiding behind the pen name Freida McFadden.
Cohen made this revelation directly in an interview with USA Today.
She clearly explained her reasons for finally introducing herself to the public.
This momentous announcement, made on April 8, 2026, drew major attention among fans of "the housemaid" novels and the thriller genre.
Cohen stated that she felt it was time to be honest about who she was.
Previously, there had been much speculation about who Freida McFadden really was.
Why Is Her Identity Now Revealed?
Sara Cohen's decision to reveal her true identity because she was "tired of keeping it a secret".
“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,” she said. “I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don't have anything to hide.”
Cohen feels it's time for the world to know the true identity behind "The Housemaid."
Since 2023, Cohen has also reduced her medical work, now only working as a doctor about once or twice a month.
Despite the revelation of her true identity, Sara Cohen plans to continue writing under the pen name Freida McFadden.
The Reason Behind the Pen Name and Disguise
Sara Cohen's use of the pen name Freida McFadden to avoid potential conflict between her thriving writing career and her medical profession.
To further enhance her anonymity, Cohen often appeared in public wearing a wig and glasses as part of her disguise.
This disguise successfully fooled many people, keeping her true identity hidden from the public eye.
In interviews, Cohen confirmed that the glasses she often wore were real, but that the wig, which became her trademark, was part of her disguise.
This strategy worked effectively for years, allowing her to focus on writing "The Housemaid" and other works without distraction.