In brief
Freida McFadden, whose novels have captivated millions, has disclosed her true identity as Sara Cohen, a doctor. Known for her thrillers, she opened up about her journey, motivations for using a pseudonym, and the duality of her life as a best-selling author and a medical professional.
One of the biggest mysteries in publishing has been solved with the revelation that the best-selling author known to millions as Freida McFadden is actually Sara Cohen. The author of popular thrillers, including 'The Housemaid', has spent years with her pseudonym while also practicing medicine. In a recent interview with USA Today, Cohen expressed her desire to share her true identity, stating, I'm at a point in my career when I'm tired of this being a secret. I'm a real person and I have a real identity and I don't have anything to hide. Cohen’s books have been immensely successful; she ranked as the second best-selling author in the UK in 2025, selling an impressive 2.6 million books. Her breakout hit, 'The Housemaid', originally published in 2022, was adapted into a film featuring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. The pseudonym ‘Freida’ stems from a playful nod to a medical database used in her training, reflecting her dual roles in life. For years, she balanced her career as a doctor specializing in brain disorders with her ascendant writing career, often keeping her identities separate to maintain professionalism. At work, I want to be a doctor, she commented, fearing patients might feel uncomfortable with a best-selling writer as their physician.In recent years, she reduced her medical practice, allowing her to reveal her identity without compromising her professional responsibilities. Despite the revelation, Cohen assures her fans that while they now know her true name, they have always known her genuine self through her work.
