Freida McFadden’s The Tenant: A Humorous Commentary with Landlord Tips.
Imagine inviting a charming new tenant into your home, expecting a bit of extra cash to cover the bills, only to find your life unraveling faster than a cheap IKEA rug. That’s the wild ride Freida McFadden serves up in The Tenant, a 2025 psychological thriller that’s part suspense, part soap opera, and all chaos. With a landlord as the main character, this book is a rollercoaster of paranoia, plot twists, and “why didn’t you just call the cops?” moments. Let’s dive into a lighthearted commentary on this page-turner, keeping it neutral and fun, and wrap it up with practical insights for landlords who want to avoid their own thriller-worthy tenant drama.
Commentary: A Brownstone Turned Funhouse
In The Tenant, Blake Porter is living the New York dream: a swanky Upper West Side brownstone, a shiny VP marketing job, a fiancée named Krista, and a pet fish named Goldy who’s basically the only likable character. But when Blake gets fired for allegedly leaking company secrets (spoiler: he’s innocent, but also kind of a jerk), the mortgage payments start looming like a horror movie villain. Enter Whitney Cross, the tenant who seems like she stepped out of a rom-com—charming, kind, and totally normal. Or so Blake thinks, until his life turns into a psychological haunted house.
Picture this: Blake’s scrubbing the kitchen to banish a mysterious stench, only for it to smell like something died under the floorboards. Neighbors are side-eyeing him like he’s the local cryptid. Strange noises keep him up at night, and Whitney’s eating all his Frosted Flakes like it’s her job. It’s like Home Alone, but instead of Kevin’s uncle leaving pizza boxes everywhere, Whitney’s leaving a trail of creepy vibes. McFadden’s pacing is relentless—short chapters that make you say, “Just one more,” until you’re bleary-eyed at 2 a.m. The humor pops through in Blake’s increasingly unhinged narration, like when he’s obsessing over his missing shampoo or ranting about Goldy’s safety. It’s peak McFadden: you’re laughing, you’re stressed, and you’re questioning everyone’s sanity.
Then comes the twist—or rather, a wrecking ball of twists. Without spoiling too much, let’s just say Whitney isn’t who she seems, and neither is anyone else. The shift to Krista’s perspective in Part II flips the story like a pancake, revealing a revenge plot juicier than a tabloid scandal. By Part III, you’re not sure who to root for, but you’re hooked. Sure, some bits stretch believability (how does one tenant pull off that much chaos?), and Blake’s foul-mouthed whining can grate like a squeaky floorboard. But McFadden’s knack for gaslighting the reader—making you doubt what you thought you knew—keeps you glued to the page. It’s not her best work (some fans on X and Goodreads call it predictable compared to The Housemaid), but it’s a bingeable thrill ride that’s half comedy, half nightmare.
The brownstone itself is practically a character, creaking and groaning like it’s in on the plot. McFadden leans hard into the “danger at home” vibe, turning a cozy domestic setting into a pressure cooker of secrets and lies. It’s like inviting a guest over for dinner and realizing they’ve brought a flamethrower. If you love thrillers that make you second-guess your roommates—or your own judgment—this book’s a wild, popcorn-munching read.
Insights for Landlords: Avoiding Your Own Thriller Plot
The Tenant is fiction, but it’s a masterclass in what not to do as a landlord. Blake’s descent into chaos offers some real-world lessons for anyone renting out property, whether it’s a brownstone or a basement apartment. Here’s how to keep your rental game strong without starring in your own viral eviction saga:
Screen Tenants Thoroughly: Blake and Krista pick Whitney after a quick chat, dazzled by her charm. Big mistake. Run background checks, verify income, and check references. A tenant who seems “perfect” might just be a good actor. Use services like TransUnion or local tenant screening agencies to confirm their history.
Know Your Local Laws: Blake’s in over his head because he doesn’t know his rights or responsibilities. In Canada (or New York, where the book’s set), landlord-tenant laws are strict. In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act requires formal notices and Landlord and Tenant Board approval for evictions. Skipping steps can land you in legal hot water, like Blake’s real-life Brampton counterpart who went viral for a messy eviction.
Document Everything: Blake’s caught off guard when things go missing or get weird. Keep a paper trail—leases, payment records, emails, and photos of the property before move-in. If disputes arise, you’ll have proof to back you up, whether it’s about unpaid rent or a tenant’s secret cereal-hoarding habit.
Communicate Clearly: Whitney’s antics escalate because Blake doesn’t address issues early. Set expectations upfront with a detailed lease covering rules (e.g., no using all the shampoo!). Regular check-ins can catch problems before they turn into a thriller plot.
Trust Your Gut, But Verify: Blake ignores his bad vibes about Whitney, and it costs him. If something feels off, investigate—politely. Talk to neighbors, check the tenant’s social media (without stalking), or ask for clarification on anything suspicious. Just don’t go full detective like Blake and start snooping in their hometown.
Get Professional Help: Blake tries to handle everything himself, which is a recipe for chaos. Consider hiring a property manager or lawyer for complex situations, especially evictions. They know the rules and can keep things legal and calm.
Stay Professional, Not Personal: Blake’s emotions—anger, paranoia, even a crush—cloud his judgment. Keep interactions with tenants businesslike. Friendly is fine, but don’t let personal feelings (or their charm) sway your decisions.
Wrapping It Up
The Tenant by Freida McFadden is a twisty, laugh-out-loud thriller that turns a simple landlord-tenant setup into a psychological free-for-all. It’s like inviting a fox into your henhouse, then realizing the fox brought friends—and a vendetta. While the plot can feel far-fetched (rotting fruit as a weapon?), McFadden’s knack for suspense and dark humor makes it a fun, fast read that’ll have you side-eyeing your own roommates. For landlords, it’s a reminder to play smart: screen tenants, follow the law, and keep your cool, so your rental doesn’t become the next viral horror story.
