"Ward D" by Freida McFadden Will Have You Guessing Until the Very End

When was the last time a book you've read had your jaw on the floor? 

When it comes to reading, my preferred genres are speculative fiction like science fiction and fantasy, suspense and thriller. Of course, I don't mind wandering into other genres if the plot is appealing enough for me. 

I just finished a psychological thriller -  Ward D (2023) by Freida McFadden.

I bought it as a treat for myself on Black Friday on Amazon and have been reading it in my free time. 

Intrigued first by the cover, I read the blurb and it drew me in instantly.

Right from the first page, there was a feeling that something wasn't right. But what?

We are introduced to the protagonist of "Ward D", Amy Brenner, who is a medical student. The main conflict of the first few chapters is that Amy does not want to take an overnight rotation on the hospital's locked psych ward that is given the name "ward D" for unknown reasons. 

But why? Did she experience something awful that she'd rather not relive again or is it no more than her overactive imagination making her think of the worst possible thing that could happen during her shift on the psych ward? 

This psychological thriller was a page turning suspense that made it a quick read even for a slow reader like me. It alternates between timelines of Amy Brenner's life as a struggling and indecisive teenager to an equally indecisive yet hopeful medical student. 

The novel takes a thrilling yet respectful look into mental illness and what it means to be normal. The various patients of the psych are brought to life as the author gives them personality and above all a sense of humanity. 

You Won't Know Who to Trust

For the first few chapters, I was confident in which characters I could and could not trust. 

Soon after meeting our protagonist, we are introduced to our antagonist, Jade Carpenter, Amy Brenner's former best friend who was transferred to ward D years ago and who Amy hasn't spoken to for years. Not long after meeting Jade, I had an uneasy feeling about her. As the story progressed, it became apparent that Jade was a persuasive and compulsive liar with no regard whatsoever to morality. 

I learned quick not to trust Jade but the further I got into the book, my trust was tested and shattered and I didn't know who to believe anymore.

Not long after we step onto the psych ward with Amy, we discover that something sinister is unfolding. Patients are mysteriously disappearing with no explanation and worse, there is no way for Amy Brenner to escape the psych ward and save herself. 

Real or a Delusion? 

One of many conflicts of this novel, Amy has been keeping a secret for nearly her whole life. She sees things that are not there. Amy has seen some awful things on her overnight rotation of Ward D, but did she really see these things or were they only a figment of her mind? 

He was the Villain the Whole Time?

This had to be the biggest plot twist of the entire story. I won't say too much more about it because I don't want to ruin the ending. 

I will end with this: Sometimes the villain isn't always the most formidable looking. Looks can be deceiving. The villain might have been standing right in front of you all along. 

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If you like mystery, suspense, or a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page, I recommend reading "Ward D" by Freida McFadden.

I wish I'd read this book sooner and am very much looking forward to reading McFadden's other works.