The Secret Life of a Bestselling Author
In a stunning revelation that has captivated the literary world, the bestselling author behind the psychological thriller The Housemaid has finally unveiled her true identity. After more than a decade of maintaining strict anonymity, the writer known publicly as Freida McFadden has confirmed she is actually Sara Cohen, a physician specializing in brain disorders.
A Double Life Revealed
Since 2013, McFadden has published an impressive 32 novels under her pseudonym, with her breakthrough coming in 2022 with The Housemaid. The novel, described by The New York Times as a "monster hit," has sold more than two million copies and was recently adapted into a major film starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. The film adaptation, directed by Paul Feig of Bridesmaids fame, earned nearly $400 million at the box office against a $35 million budget.
In an exclusive interview with USA Today, Cohen explained her decision to finally come forward. "I'm at a point in my career when I'm tired of this being a secret," she revealed. "I'm tired of people debating if I'm a real person or if I'm three men. I am a real person, and I have a real identity, and I don't have anything to hide."
The Physician Behind the Pen Name
Cohen's medical career is as impressive as her literary achievements. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in applied mathematics from Harvard in 2001 before studying medicine at SUNY Stony Brook in New York City, graduating in 2005. She completed her residency at Stanford University and served as a fellow at the Boston VA Hospital until 2010.
For years, Cohen maintained her dual identity by wearing a wig and glasses in public appearances and avoiding book tours entirely. "I see all these authors doing these huge book tours, which I never do, and I feel so bad that I never do it," she previously told Jenna Bush Hager on her Open Book podcast. "But I'm so scared of all of this stuff. I get these lovely, lovely invitations, and I turn a lot of them down."
Protecting Professional Boundaries
The decision to keep her writing career secret was primarily driven by concerns about her medical profession. "My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was ready to step back from my doctor job, so it wouldn't be like everyone I work with suddenly knew and it compromised my ability to do my job," Cohen explained.
Despite her precautions, colleagues eventually discovered her secret identity. To her relief, they were "really nice about it" and kept the information confidential. Many were shocked to learn they had been working alongside their favorite author, with several being passionate readers of her novels.
A Literary Legacy Continues
Cohen's revelation comes at a significant moment in her career. Last year, she had three of the top 20 bestselling books of 2025 and has sold more than 20 million copies of her books to date. Her other popular novels, including The Surrogate Mother, The Tenant, and The Teacher, are all slated for big-screen adaptations.
A sequel based on The Housemaid's Secret is currently in development and scheduled for release late next year. Despite stopping full-time medical work in 2023 due to being "completely overwhelmed from trying to do both," Cohen continues to work part-time in a hospital while focusing on her writing career.
Historical Context of Anonymous Authors
Cohen joins a long tradition of authors who have concealed their identities:
- The Brontë Sisters used male pseudonyms (Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell) in the 1840s to avoid sexist stereotypes
- Jane Austen published her early novels as being written "By A Lady," with her name only revealed after her death in 1817
- Mary Shelley published Frankenstein anonymously in 1818
- Louisa May Alcott wrote sensational novels under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard early in her career
- Stephen King published as Richard Bachman to avoid market oversaturation
- Elena Ferrante has maintained anonymity since 1992, believing books "have no need of their authors"
Looking Forward
Despite her unmasking, Cohen expressed relief that her secret is finally out in the open. She humorously noted that the revelation was "more boring than anything that happens in my books." The author has asked fans to continue knowing her as "Freida," stating, "Even though I haven't told my real name until now, I feel like I have shared the real me all along and everything I've told them has been the truth."
She emphasized her commitment to authenticity with readers: "Even though the name will be a surprise, nothing else will. I've always been genuine with my readers." As she balances her part-time medical work with her flourishing writing career, Cohen's story serves as a remarkable example of dual professional excellence in the modern era.
