After years of speculation and mystery, bestselling author Freida McFadden has finally revealed her true identity—she is neurologist Dr. Sara Cohen. The revelation comes after McFadden stepped away from full-time medical practice last year, allowing her to share the secret she had carefully guarded throughout her dual career.
"It's not like I'm in witness protection!" McFadden told TODAY.com. "I just always wanted the focus to be on my books, not my identity. I write because I love doing it and I love sharing my work with my readers."
The author, best known for psychological thrillers like The Housemaid, went to extraordinary lengths to maintain her double life, including wearing wigs and glasses when appearing as her writer persona. She explained that keeping her medical and literary careers separate was crucial to protecting her professional relationships and patient confidentiality.
"Earlier this week it became clear to me that the mystery around my real name was taking on a lore of its own," McFadden explained, "and I decided it was time to share it."
Despite the revelation, readers shouldn't expect to see "Sara Cohen" on bookstore shelves anytime soon. McFadden emphasized she will continue publishing under her pen name, stating: "Now that the truth is out there, I want my readers to know that I will still be publishing books as Freida McFadden. It has always been my intention to entertain people and that is what I will continue doing as long as you keep reading."
The 45-year-old author, who published her debut novel The Devil Wears Scrubs in 2013, expressed astonishment at the public reaction to her identity reveal. "Given that so many authors publish under pen names, I'm astonished by the response to my real name," she said. "I've read so many comments saying, 'This is the plot twist I needed!' which have made me smile."
McFadden's medical colleagues had discovered her secret identity over the years but respected her privacy. Now that she has transitioned away from clinical practice, she felt ready to be open about her dual life.
"I'm tired of people debating if I'm a real person or if I'm three men," McFadden noted. "I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don't have anything to hide. Even though the name will be a surprise, nothing else will. I've always been genuine with my readers."
The author, who is preparing to release her next novel Divorce in May, plans to return to what she does best: "For now, I will go back to making myself scarce and writing more plot twists," she added, "the fictional kind!"