The Tenant by Freida McFadden

Freida McFadden's "The Tenant" is a masterclass in psychological suspense, plunging readers into the claustrophobic world of Blake Porter, a once-successful Manhattan marketing executive whose life unravels after he rents a room in his brownstone to the enigmatic Whitney Cross.

- 

What begins as a desperate attempt to salvage his finances quickly devolves into a nightmare, as Blake's reality is distorted by manipulation, gaslighting, and a mounting sense of paranoia. The brownstone setting, with its creaking floors and oppressive atmosphere, becomes a character in its own right—an inescapable trap that tightens with every chapter. Author McFadden’s narrative prowess shines as she weaves together themes of identity, deception, and revenge. The story's brilliance lies in its ability to make the familiar—home, relationships, trust—utterly sinister.