Summary
Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller set in the remote Baxter Motel. The novel combines elements of a domestic thriller with the isolation of a snow-bound setting. It explores themes of trust and survival through the story of Quinn Alexander, who is fleeing a violent past. Her decisions have significant consequences as the plot unfolds through various twists and character interactions. The setting plays a crucial role, enhancing the story's tension and creating an atmosphere of suspense and unease. McFadden maintains a consistent focus on the thin line between danger and safety.
Plot
Do Not Disturb centers on Quinn Alexander, who finds herself in turmoil after killing her abusive husband, Derek, in self-defense. Fearing disbelief from authorities, she flees to Canada. Her journey halts when a snowstorm forces her to seek refuge at the Baxter Motel, run by Nick Baxter.
The Baxter Motel has a dark reputation, partially due to Rosalie, Nick's ailing wife, who often watches from a nearby house. The motel's sinister reputation as "The Murder Motel" is reinforced by its history and the mysterious Room 201, which always bears a "Do Not Disturb" sign. An elderly fortune teller named Greta issues warnings to Quinn, intensifying the tension.
Quinn confronts her emotions of guilt and paranoia within the isolation of the motel. Her estranged sister, Elizabeth, arrives unexpectedly, complicating matters with her own hidden motives related to Derek's death. As the story reaches its climax, tension mounts. The resolution delivers unexpected twists.
Characters
Quinn Alexander: The protagonist. After killing her abusive husband in self-defense, Quinn flees to the Baxter Motel. She grapples with paranoia and self-doubt and struggles to discern allies from enemies as she navigates the motel's dark environment.
Nick Baxter: Owner of the Baxter Motel, Nick initially appears as an inviting host. However, he conceals a shadowy past, challenging Quinn’s perception of safety within the motel.
Rosalie Baxter: Nick’s ailing wife, Rosalie observes the motel from her adjacent home. She creates an unease that adds to the novel’s tension while she silently influences events.
Claudia: Quinn’s sister, Claudia seems concerned but harbors ulterior motives. Her betrayal unravels family ties and highlights themes of deception and rivalry.
Greta: Greta, a psychic at the motel, who warns of danger. Her messages intensify suspense and hint at impending chaos.
Deputy Scott Dwyer: Scott investigates Quinn, complicating her escape. His pursuit threatens her freedom and raises the stakes on her journey.
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.
