Summary
Freida McFadden's The Boyfriend presents a psychological thriller involving obsession, manipulation, and danger. The narrative follows Sydney Shaw as she navigates the risks of modern dating. She meets Tom, a doctor, and the story unfolds with suspense as brutal murders occur. Sydney becomes involved in an investigation questioning Tom's true identity. The novel examines where love intersects with peril and explores romantic illusions against a backdrop of tension.
Plot
In Freida McFadden's The Boyfriend, the psychological thriller intertwines two storylines.
Sydney Shaw, a 34-year-old in Manhattan, navigates online dating through the app Cynch. Her first date with Kevin turns aggressive, but a stranger intervenes, linking the two plot lines.
The narrative shifts between Sydney's present and Tom Brewer's past as a high school student. Tom deals with an abusive father and is involved in a complex romance with Daisy. His interest in violence foreshadows darker themes.
In the present, Sydney's neighbor Bonnie is murdered, and evidence points to Sydney’s new acquaintance, Tom. Sydney suspects inconsistencies in Tom's identity and collects his fingerprints from a stolen water bottle.
Sydney finds that her friend Gretchen is actually Daisy from Tom's past, who is obsessed with Tom. This revelation leads to a confrontation where Daisy's true identity and motives are exposed. Tom ultimately decides to escape with Daisy, who comprehends his troubled mind.
The story concludes with Sydney receiving a mysterious package from Tom and Daisy while trying to reunite with her ex-boyfriend Jake. This suggests their story continues.
Characters
Sydney Shaw: A 34-year-old who becomes involved in a complex and perilous relationship. Sydney's personal struggles and relationship dynamics drive much of the narrative.
Tom Brewer / Dr. Tom Brown: A doctor with a charming exterior hiding a violent past. Tom plays a crucial role in the mysteries within the story.
Bonnie: As Sydney's close friend, Bonnie's sudden death marks a significant turning point in the narrative, intensifying the thriller aspects of the plot.
Randy (also known as Slug): Presented initially as Bonnie's partner, Randy's past loyalty to Tom adds complexity to the storyline.
Gretchen: A friend of Sydney who becomes a surprising antagonist. Her obsession with Tom and concealed motives add depth to the unfolding mystery.
Jake Sousa: A detective and Sydney’s ex-boyfriend involved in the murder investigations, he faces unresolved issues with Sydney.
Slug: A childhood friend of Tom who reveals insight into Tom's darker tendencies, adding critical context to the events of the novel.
Themes
Obsession and control
The Boyfriend centers on themes of obsession, influencing the narrative and character dynamics. Tom Brewer's fixation on violence indicates his desire for control in relationships. Randy (Slug) exhibits blind loyalty, illustrating the risks of unchecked desires. The novel portrays a power struggle that blurs the line between admiration and domination.
Trust and deception
Trust appears fragile, particularly in romantic settings. Sydney Shaw's experiences demonstrate how betrayal can damage relationships. The narrative suggests a world where deceit is pervasive, with hidden motives challenging the reliability of appearances.
Identity and self-perception
The story examines identity's fluid nature. Characters often disguise themselves. Tom adopts aliases, and Sydney grapples with self-image, showing how identity can become a tool for deception and self-delusion. The narrative warns of the risks associated with losing oneself in fabricated identities.
Dating in the digital age
The Boyfriend explores modern romance through the Cynch app. It addresses the attractions and challenges of digital dating. The story highlights concerns over authenticity and vulnerability in online interactions as Sydney deals with the intensified trust issues and dynamics technology introduces to dating.
Narrative structure techniques
Freida McFadden employs a dual-narrative style in The Boyfriend that balances suspense and character development. The novel alternates between Sydney's present-day experiences and Tom's past, creating psychological tension and mystery. This structure allows an exploration of Tom’s childhood while examining Sydney's romantic challenges.
Sydney becomes increasingly suspicious, while Tom’s past reveals obsession and secrets. This narrative interplay presents a detailed picture of Tom and questions assumptions about him. McFadden's use of dual narratives creates a layered mystery, providing clues and twists that drive the storyline.
Psychological thriller elements
Suspense and fear
Freida McFadden incorporates a constant sense of unease and trepidation in The Boyfriend. Every encounter contains a hint of danger. Tom Brown’s sinister fantasies contribute to the tension. For instance, he imagines strangling Daisy, increasing the suspense.
Complex plot twists
The Boyfriend presents unexpected twists and shifts. McFadden uses misdirection to lead readers through surprising events. For example, Randy's true identity is revealed as Slug, Tom's childhood friend who turns to murder. This challenges assumptions and maintains reader engagement.
Emotional manipulation
The narrative explores psychological manipulation. Characters like Tom weave a web of deceit. Tom's innocent façade hides a darker side. He manipulates Sydney and others, fueling tension and causing doubts about reality. This creates an atmosphere charged with emotional conflict.
Quick facts
The Boyfriend was selected as a Book of the Month pick.
Author Freida McFadden is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and practicing physician specializing in brain injury.
The book alternates between Sydney's present perspective and Tom's past, creating a suspenseful dual timeline.
The protagonist Sydney Shaw suspects her seemingly perfect boyfriend might be a killer.
The narrative features extensive use of red herrings and dramatic plot twists.
McFadden's writing style in The Boyfriend is often compared to Gillian Flynn and Ruth Ware.
Themes explored include obsession, trust, masked identities, and the psychological impact of trauma.
The story concludes with a dramatic twist revealing the true murderer, enhancing the book's appeal.
A dating app called Cynch plays a crucial role in the plot's murder investigation.
The novel includes graphic depictions of violence tied to the central murder plot.
The audiobook version is notably praised for enhancing suspense and dramatic tension.
The book is published by Poisoned Pen Press, available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats.
About the author
Freida McFadden is a novelist and practicing physician specializing in brain injuries. She incorporates medical expertise into her psychological thrillers, providing authenticity to her stories. Her works include The Housemaid, The Coworker, and Never Lie, translated into more than 40 languages. McFadden often explores themes of obsession and deception in her novels. Her writing includes unexpected twists and psychological depth, leading to accolades like the International Thriller Writers Award and the Goodreads Choice Award. She resides by the ocean with her family and finds inspiration in her surroundings for her settings.
