WARD D, Freida McFadden’s latest psychological thriller, takes readers behind the doors of a locked psych ward. As with all of her other books, this one is hard to predict and full of unexpected twists.

Amy Brenner is a medical student who needs to put in the hours at the mental health unit of a hospital in order to graduate. But she has no idea what her first (and possibly last) night within the walls of Ward D will provide. All she knows is that she must keep all patient information confidential and report to Dr. Beck, who will manage her during the overnight shift.

Some parts of the book take place eight years earlier and concerns Amy’s secret malady. Once you learn what she’s hiding about herself, you’ll probably think that she should be the one locked up in Ward D.

"Even the most astute readers of psychological thrillers will be unable to predict all of the nice plot twists that Freida McFadden has in store for them."

In one of the early chapters set in the past, we see Amy with her best friend, Jade. We also observe Amy’s interaction with a blond-haired girl who, for some reason, Jade cannot see. What follows in the present for Amy is a series of unfortunate twists. It turns out that her student partner for her shift will not be the person she expected, but rather her ex-boyfriend, Cameron. Perhaps the bigger shock comes when Amy notices that one of the patients is none other than Jade.

Dr. Beck warns both Amy and Cameron that under no circumstances are they to disturb Damon Sawyer, who is in one of the seclusion rooms. He was placed there after threatening to kill every single person in Ward D and was just crazy and frightening enough to be believed. Amy is already pretty creeped out by this. But her worries heighten when a Hispanic patient claims he was told by his father, God, that Damon was going to kill everyone, and he needed to get out.

It is no surprise that Jade has ended up where she is as the trips down memory lane show her to be a highly troubled young woman with serious bouts of delinquency and law-breaking, which eventually drove a heavy wedge between her and the upstanding Amy. However, when Amy tries to play off her delusions as being hormonal, Jade berates her and suggests that she wake up to the reality of her own situation before she casts any stones at her best friend.

Part of Amy’s duties involve selecting one patient to shadow during her shift, so she selects a seemingly mild-mannered young man. She bonds with Will, especially over their mutual love of John Irving novels, and his presence will be important for her before the night is over. Of course, it is inevitable that Amy and Jade will have a long-overdue reunion, which lends itself to some of the best written scenes in the entire book. Jade does not forgive or forget any perceived slights that Amy made against her and may be out for revenge.

WARD D reads quickly as you are immediately pulled into a story that will entertain and amaze you. Even the most astute readers of psychological thrillers will be unable to predict all of the nice plot twists that Freida McFadden has in store for them. That is what keeps them --- and myself --- coming back for more.