Dear DebbieDear Debbie
What it's about
For years, Debbie Mullen has written "Dear Debbie," an advice column where the wives of New England turn for sympathy, and she has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled or abused by their husbands. But lately, Debbie's own life is spiraling: she's lost her job, something strange is going on with her teenage daughters, and her husband is keeping secrets.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026. Freida McFadden is one of today's most-read thriller writers, and this is a dark, twisty story with a wicked sense of humor.
You'll love it if you liked
Good to know
It's fast and built around twists, so avoid spoilers. It deals with domestic abuse.
By the numbers
- Readers17 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller55 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz31 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #388 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #375 of the 481 new books we rank
- #2170 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Thought-provoking
More by Freida McFadden
The Housemaid
The Housemaid's Secret
The Boyfriend
The Housemaid Is WatchingIf you like this, read next
The Tainted Cup
A Drop of Corruption
The Will of the Many
Framed in Death
The Martian
Gideon the NinthExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Dear Debbie worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026. It ranks #2,170 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 62.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Dear Debbie about?
For years, Debbie Mullen has written "Dear Debbie," an advice column where the wives of New England turn for sympathy, and she has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled or abused by their husbands. But lately, Debbie's own life is spiraling: she's lost her job, something strange is going on with her teenage daughters, and her husband is keeping secrets.
How long does it take to read Dear Debbie?
About 8 hours (338 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Dear Debbie?
If you liked it, try The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or Verity by Colleen Hoover.