The author behind one of the world’s biggest thriller franchises has stepped out of the shadows and revealed her true identity for the first time after more than two decades of carefully protecting it.
Freida McFadden, the pseudonym behind the maid and a series of national thrillers, has told USA today who is actually Sara Cohen, a doctor who specializes in treating brain disorders.
The revelation, published on Wednesday, April 8, ends years of speculation about whether the author even existed as a real person.
“I’m at a point in my career where I’m tired of this being a secret. I’m tired of people debating whether I’m a real person or whether I’m three men,” she told the outlet.
“I’m a real person and I have a real identity and I have nothing to hide.”
For more than two decades, McFadden concealed his identity by wearing a wig and glasses in public appearances.
The glasses, he clarified, are something he actually uses in daily life, the wig was simply because he “has no idea” how to style his hair.
Many of her patients turned out to be fans of her novels without even realizing that she was the author behind them, and her colleagues, she said, have been “very kind” in keeping the secret.
The decision to present himself now is due to a change in his professional life.
“My goal was to keep it a secret until I was ready to leave my job as a doctor, so that it wouldn’t be like everyone I work with suddenly knew and it compromised my ability to do my job,” she explained.
“But I’ve gotten away from my job. I only work once or twice a month.”
The pressure of maintaining both lives had also taken its toll. “I realized I was completely overwhelmed trying to do both,” she said.
The timing also coincides with a significant moment for the franchise.
last year the maid The film, starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, brought his work to a huge new audience, with a second film currently in production.
Even though she is now known as Sara Cohen, McFadden said she would still like to be called by her pen name in the literary world.
And he made it clear that while the name may be new information, everything else about his public persona has been authentic.
“Although I haven’t said my real name until now, I feel like I have shared my true self all along and everything I have told you has been the truth. Although the name will be a surprise, nothing else will be. I have always been genuine with my readers.”
