Freida McFadden’s Dear Debbie is the literary equivalent of a double espresso and a gossip session—it’s addictive, slightly toxic, and exactly what you want when the house is finally quiet, but it’s a hard pass for the kids. This is a revenge fantasy built for adults who understand the specific frustrations of domestic life, wrapped in the kind of "just one more chapter" pacing that McFadden has mastered.
Dear Debbie is a high-octane domestic thriller about an advice columnist that parents are currently inhaling, but its unhinged themes of revenge and psychological manipulation make it inappropriate for kids. If your teen is hunting for a mystery, swap this for A Good Girl's Guide to Murder or One of Us Is Lying instead.
If you’ve read any of McFadden’s other hits like The Housemaid, you know the drill: a seemingly normal setup that quickly spirals into a psychological fever dream. In this one, we follow an advice columnist whose life is significantly messier than the lives of the people she’s "helping." It plays on the "Dear Abby" trope but injects it with a heavy dose of domestic noir and revenge. It’s fast, it’s twisty, and it’s designed to be read in two sittings.
There is a specific kind of catharsis in reading about domestic life gone completely off the rails. McFadden writes for the "me time" window—that hour after the kids are asleep when you want something that moves fast and doesn't require a literary degree to enjoy.
The "revenge fantasy" aspect hits a nerve because it explores the "what if" scenarios of life’s daily slights and betrayals. It’s pure brain candy. It isn't trying to be profound; it’s trying to keep you awake until 1:00 AM, and it succeeds.
While the covers of McFadden’s books often look like standard thrillers you’d find at an airport, the content inside is firmly adult. We aren't just talking about a "who-dunit" mystery.
- Psychological Messiness: The themes involve deep domestic resentment, infidelity, and complex psychological manipulation. These aren't concepts that land for kids, and for younger teens, they can be unnecessarily cynical.
- The "Unhinged" Factor: McFadden characters often do things that are objectively terrifying or morally bankrupt. For an adult, it’s a fun "unreliable narrator" trope; for a kid, it’s just a guide to being a sociopath.
- Adult Situations: Expect the usual thriller staples—strong language, domestic violence (often psychological), and sexual situations that aren't graphic but are definitely mature.
If you’re looking for that same "I can't put this down" energy but want something that actually fits the person you're buying for, here’s how to pivot.
For the Teen Mystery Fan
If your teen is eyeing your copy of Dear Debbie, point them toward these. They have the hooks and the twists without the "my husband is gaslighting me" baggage.
- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder: This is the gold standard for teen thrillers right now. It’s smart, the stakes feel real, and the protagonist is actually likable.
- One of Us Is Lying: Often described as The Breakfast Club with a body count. It hits that "addictive" note perfectly.
- The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: Think Criminal Minds but for teens. It’s a series, so if they like the first one, you’ve bought yourself some peace for the next month.
For Your Own Next Read
If you finished Dear Debbie and need another hit of domestic chaos:
- None of This is True by Lisa Jewell: A podcast-centric thriller that is genuinely unsettling and incredibly well-paced.
- The Family Upstairs: Another Lisa Jewell pick that leans into the "weird family secrets" trope.
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley: A classic "locked room" mystery set at a wedding on a remote island.
The biggest friction point with McFadden’s books isn't usually the gore—it’s the cynicism. Her books often end with a twist that suggests no one is truly good and everyone has a hidden, dark agenda. For an intentional parent, the conversation isn't "don't read this because it has bad words," it's "this book presents a very warped view of relationships for entertainment." If a mature teen does pick it up, that’s the talk to have: it’s a funhouse mirror version of reality, not a documentary.
Q: Is Dear Debbie appropriate for a 13-year-old? No, it’s really not. The themes of domestic revenge and psychological abuse are aimed at an adult audience and won't resonate with—or be particularly healthy for—a middle schooler. Stick to our best books for kids list for better options.
Q: Are there any "triggers" in Freida McFadden's books? Usually, yes. McFadden frequently deals with themes of domestic abuse, gaslighting, murder, and infidelity. If you’re sensitive to those topics, you might want to skip her catalog entirely.
Q: What is the age rating for Dear Debbie? There is no official "rating" for books like there is for movies, but it is categorized as Adult Fiction. In Screenwise terms, we’d say it’s for 18+ due to the mature psychological themes.
Dear Debbie is fantastic "me time" fuel. It’s the kind of book you read in the bathtub with a glass of wine while ignoring the fact that someone just dropped a LEGO in the hallway. Enjoy it for what it is—a wild, unhinged ride—but keep it on the high shelf away from the kids.
- Check out our best books for kids list for age-appropriate mysteries.
- See our digital guide for high schoolers if you're looking for more mature media that actually lands.
- Ask our chatbot for a thriller recommendation
