Setting 

In Do Not Disturb, the Baxter Motel functions as a central element in the psychological suspense. This decrepit and isolated location becomes a significant character, confining protagonist Quinn Alexander both physically and mentally. The motel's history as a "murder hotel" influences current events, merging past and present dangers. Snowbound and desperate, Quinn finds herself caught in this environment where safety and danger blur.

The appearance of Nick's wife, Rosalie, adds to the suspense. Her presence in the ruins of a nearby house heightens the tension. The Baxter Motel's isolation reinforces the themes of uncertainty and entrapment, setting the stage for escalating tension. Quinn journeys through this confining and enigmatic space, confronting murky motives and hidden secrets. The setting intensifies her inner conflict, making each moment a high-stakes encounter with suspense and risk.

Themes 

In Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden, themes of deception, trust, and psychological trauma drive the narrative. Deception is a key element, influencing interactions and relationships and casting doubt throughout the story. The protagonist, Quinn Alexander, navigates a web of lies within her life and at the Baxter Motel.

Trust shapes the plot as Quinn seeks to evade consequences for a crime committed in self-defense. Her interactions with motel owner Nick Baxter and his spouse are filled with distrust, underscoring the novel's tense atmosphere. This prompts questions about true motives and intentions.

Psychological trauma is central, affecting behavior and decisions. Quinn grapples with the lingering effects of her past experiences while facing her present situation. This adds complexity to the story, underscoring human emotions and interactions.

These elements create tension and explore themes of trust and perception. McFadden crafts a thriller that examines darker aspects of emotion and interaction.

Quick facts

• Published in 2021, Do Not Disturb has over 25,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars.

• Freida McFadden is a bestselling author and a practicing physician specializing in brain injury.

• The novel intentionally echoes Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho with its own unique directional twist.

• The Baxter Motel, with its eerie atmosphere and dark past, is central to the story's setting and suspense.

• Quinn Alexander, the protagonist, commits a crime in self-defense against her abusive husband and is fleeing the law.

• Do Not Disturb features multiple narrators and alternating points of view, enhancing the suspense and mystery.

• There are three main plot twists plus a smaller mini reveal.

• The story includes a tense dynamic between Quinn and her estranged sister, Elizabeth, who reemerges with hidden motives.

• Character Rosalie's struggles with depression significantly influence the story's dynamics and character interactions.

• The story involves a mysterious figure, Nick Baxter's wife, observed watching from a window, adding mystery and tension.

• McFadden draws on her medical background to add psychological depth and realism to the novel.

• The audiobook is narrated by Holly Adams and Daniel Thomas May.

About the author

Freida McFadden is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She also works as a physician specializing in brain injury. Her works, including The Housemaid, The Housemaid’s Secret, Never Lie, and The Locked Door, have been translated into 40 languages. She has garnered critical acclaim for her intricate plots and is a winner of the Goodreads Choice Award and the International Thriller Writers Award.