Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden
Opening Premise
Protagonist Quinn Alexander has no other option but to murder her abusive husband, Derek, in self-defense. Afraid that the legal system would never accept her story, Quinn leaves her house, losing her job and ties with relatives. Her destination: the Canadian border and oblivion. But others have other plans—a blizzard forces her to take a side road and into the nefarious Baxter Motel, a sleazy motel with an infamous past.
The Baxter Motel: A False Refuge
The motel belongs to Nick Baxter, a seemingly pleasant guy who has his wife, Rosalie, locked up in a house down the street due to multiple sclerosis. Rosalie is constantly peeping out the window at Quinn, maintaining the tension present very high. Quinn takes room 203, but soon finds that room 201 is off-limits permanently since a murder occurred there. Greta, a fortune teller who has been around the block a few times and is living in room 202, warns Quinn of danger and asks her to leave.
As Quinn tries to keep a low profile, she discovers that the motel's history is tainted with secrets. Nick's courteousness is questioned, and Rosalie's implied stalking instills paranoia in layers. Quinn's anxiety is at its peak when she sees the news reports verifying Derek's death and she is now a fugitive.
A Sudden Attack
Before Quinn can leave, she gets stabbed by an unknown assailant. The scene shifts to Quinn's older sister, Claudia, who is determined to find her. Claudia is also staying at the same motel and discovers Quinn's wedding band in her room. She learns from Greta that Rosalie's Diner might be able to give some clues.
Rosalie's Backstory
Rosalie's past is revealed through flashbacks. She used to be a vibrant woman with dreams of owning a restaurant, but her life took a nasty turn with a miscarriage and with the diagnosis. Her marriage to Nick strained, especially after accusing him of cheating with Christina, a young attractive woman, who passed away in room 201. Rosalie feels that Nick may have killed Christina and that their marriage became cold and tense.
Twists and Revelations
Claudia's motive is revealed—she was having an affair with Derek and resents Quinn for her seemingly perfect life. Claudia is the one who attacked Quinn and now plans to kill Rosalie, believing she saw her ambush her. But Rosalie comes to her defense, knocking Claudia out.
Rob (Claudia's husband) and Scott (a cop and Quinn's ex-boyfriend) discover Claudia's affair with Derek, unwinding the knotty web of lies.
Resolution and Epilogue
Two and a half years later, Quinn has recovered and successfully defended herself in court. Claudia remains in prison, refusing to see Quinn. Rosalie, who is now pregnant, has picked up her life and returned to her diner with modifications to accommodate her new state. Nick and Rosalie have reunited, and Quinn is finally at peace after the turmoil.
Key Takeaways
- Quinn's journey is an engaging odyssey of trauma, survival, and the price of violence.
- The Baxter Motel is symbolic for secrets and the threat inherent in appearances.
- Rosalie's journey is a hopeful story of strength and regaining control.
- Claudia's betrayal adds emotional complexity and richness, illustrating how unresolved anger can escalate to violence.
Psychological Depth
Freida McFadden uses skillfully shifting perspectives to build tension and reveal character motivation. The novel explores:
- The psycho-emotional toll of abuse
- The frailty of trust
- The impact of chronic illness on relationship
- The blending of victim and perpetrator
Reviewed by JONY STARHILL
on
July 17, 2025
Rating:
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