The Inmate by Sebastian Fitzer is a psychological thriller that I enjoyed very much. This novel was written in German and has been translated into English. I was a little nervous that some of the story might get lost in translation or there would be references I didn’t get, but there were not. The translation was seamless.

The story is about a grieving father named Till whose son Max has been missing for a year and presumed dead. The police suspect Guido Tramnitz who is a kidnapper/murderer in a psychiatric facility of also killing Max. He has confessed to the other crimes but has said nothing pertaining to Max. With help, Till decides to go ‘undercover’ as a patient into the psychiatric facility with the purpose of getting close to Tramnitz and finding out what happened to his son. What could possibly go wrong?

This book has so many twists and turns, I was on the edge of my seat for most of it. There was a lot to reconcile in this book and toward the end I was afraid that there would be some ‘loose ends’ but that wasn’t the case. Everything is explained plainly without any room for confusion. There was one small detail that for me was still a question but it wasn’t a major detail so I could just draw my own conclusion on that.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes mystery and thrillers. There are some mentions of child abuse so please be warned if that is a trigger for you. Thank you to NetGalley and Aria and Aries for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Most thrillers are unbelievable - the plot, the actions, the characters, the twists - this one has all of that but there is something else it has - authenticity. I don’t think you’ll be terribly disappointed.

Osted 05/12/2023

he Inmate - Sebastian Fitzek

Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for this "novel" eARC.

Sebastian Fitzek retirns, and once again, he blast formulative psychological thrillers out of the water with his latest amazing offering, h

The basic scenario of this story is captivating enough: A boy named Max was kidnapped, and the police are sure that Guido K., a pedophilic serial torturer and kier of children is responsible for the boy's disappearance. However, Guido, who was previously judged insane (because ""voices " told him to commit his vicious acts. As sometimes happens in these types of situations, one of Max's arents, his father, fees guilt about the abduction, as he let Max go outside when he wasn't being watched by either parent.
Max's parent's relationship raidy and irreparably disinigrated.

About a year after Max's abduction, Max's father tricks his way into the mental hospital where Guido is residing, in an effort to get Guido to confess.

"Oh what a tangled web we weave..."

If you think you have read books similar to this story, remember, Fritzek doesn't "DO" boring; he is the master of creator of original, thrilling, and cativating mysteries!

Trigger warning regarding severe child abuse: This novel contains detailed descriptions of child abuse.

Until next time...

Why do I do this to myself? Every time I see a Fitzek novel, I read it immediately, only to spend time in claustrophobic, creepy, horrific environments, surrounded by horrible people. Why? Well, because I love it. His books are impossible to put down, and full of twists that are surprising, but also make total sense. What’s for sure is that I never see it coming. The Inmate is about Till, a grieving father who lost his son and who gets himself committed into a mental institution to get close to the serial killer that is probably responsible. But that killer is not the only psycho there, so Till has to put up with another inmate who wants to kill the guy whose cover identity he took, as well as a doctor who wants him out of the way for reasons of his own. At first, it’s hard for him to act like a lunatic enough so that people don’t question what he’s doing there but it keeps getting easier, as he may be losing his mind. I don’t want to say more because it’s better not to know what’s going on. The plot is so propulsive that it’s hard to put down. As always, even the afterword is original and wonderful. So, readers who enjoy feel-good books should probably stay away but anyone looking to get sucked into a great story will enjoy the pain.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus!

A missing child. A desperate father. A monster with a terrible secret. That is the premise of The Inmate by Sebastian Fitzek. There is a case of a missing child, and the police believe that the serial killer in jail is guilty. The missing child's father infiltrates the prison to find out what happened to his son.

This psychological thriller had a fairly good pacing and good characters. It was a bit slow in parts, but overall, the author's writing style kept my interest, and the storyline was intriguing. A good first introduction to this author. A 3.75 out of 5 stars (rounded to 4).

#TheInmate #NetGalley @Aria_Fiction @AriesFiction

I found this to be quite slow to get into. I was quite confused at the beginning as it felt like there were multiple storylines starting with no link between them. However, once I got my head around it, I started to enjoy it. I honestly didn’t not expect that ending - it does make me think whether that’s real or not though!

The Inmate is a thriller/mystery by Sebastian Fitzek. This was my first read by this author which I picked up because of the intriguing plot. The Police are sure that convicted serial killer Guido kidnapped and murdered, Max but Guido has never admitted it. Max’s father goes undercover into a maximum security hospital to try and get a confession out of Guido to once and for all find out what happened to his son. Straight away we know this one is going to be intense and not what it seems. Why would the killer confess to other murders but not this one? This premise sets us up for a wild ride as we go along with Max’s father on his quest to find the truth. This one is full of wild twists and turns that will leave you guessing. I really enjoyed this fast-paced thriller and am sure to keep an eye out for what else this author puts out next.

I really enjoyed this book! It was so well-written and s very gripping story. There were so many twists and turns, which keeps you very intrigued! I did see it coming that there was going to be a plottwist at the end, but I didn't see this as the outcome, so good! Overall, definitely recommend this book!

This is my third book by this author, I did enjoy I but it wasn't y favourite. I found it a little slow, but had a good story line, good characters. It was very dark at times so won't be for everyone.

I'm new to Sebastian Fitzek but I found The Inmate to be a hugely enjoyable read. Nicely paced with some great twists I would definitely recommend.

I am the biggest fan of this author and I watch with baited breath for newly translated books. And pounce on them when I spot them. How I wish he can be published in Germany and UK at the same time. My schoolgirl German from my OLevel sat in 1986 is really not up to reading in the original language!
Anyway... in this book we meet Guido, who has confessed to the brutal murders of two children. He is also suspected of the kidnap and murder of another child - Max - but from his place in a high security psychiatric prison hospital, Guido is saying nothing about that.
The only way to break Guido is for someone to infiltrate the hospital and talk directly to Guido. Till is Max's father and just the man for the job...
If you have read any of Fitzek's books before (and if you haven't I really do suggest you check them out) you will know what you are getting. Something nasty, close to the knuckle, something that you have to suspend belief about until eventually you get what he is hiding, when the twists are delivered, and then you just go "WOW" when you eventually fully understand!
As always the translation is seamless. The story flows well off the page and gets on with itself very well indeed. It is extremely and tightly well plotted. Characterisation is good, and the main players are all easy to connect to in some way - good or bad - warts and all in some cases!
And the ending. I have already said WOW. I really do mean it. This is one author who gets me EVERY time. Without fail. Delivering the most brilliant, jaw dropping, endings time after time. This one being no exception.
In fact the only bad thing about finishing this book is the wait before I get to read the next one. Fingers crossed it's not too long... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley for this AMAZING psychological thriller!!

And then...OMG!!! What did I just read?!?
This book is sooo good! It blew my mind!
The final twist was so unexpected and so incredibly well executed my jaw fell to the floor!
The plot, characters, story development...everything is just perfect.
Sebastian Fitzek is an amazing storyteller, serving cliffanghers at the end of every chapter, you just can't stop reading.
Definitely not for emotionally unstable people, some parts are really hard to read, but 100% recommended to anyone who's into dark psychological thrillers.
It was my first Fitzek's read, but definitely not my last!

After reading this book I'm left wondering why I've waited so long to read anything by this author I loved it. A page turning psychological thriller with a suspenseful plot that kept its pace throughout.
Thanks to Netgalley and Aria and Aries for the ARC.

This is an incredible, challenging, confronting book which will grab your interest and hold it from the first page. The author takes you down a dark path and some of his descriptions are so well written that you will find yourself cringing and shuddering. It’s a fascinating premise and testimony to how far some people are prepared to go when grieving. I loved it.

Sebastian Fitzek has been one of my favourite authors since reading Therapy many years ago. That one book turned into purchasing all his books without bothering to read the descriptions, counting down the days til his new books are released and messaging him on social media to beg him to re-release his older books in English. Sorry, not sorry..!
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Fitzek for allowing me to read and review his latest book, The Inmate. Also, sorry to those in the grocery store who were startled when I squealed loudly after receiving the ARC email... My bad.

The Inmate is yet another five star book by this amazing author. Fitzek is a talented storyteller who manages to confuse you, engage you and send you spinning whenever you think you might have figured something out. His endings always pack a punch and The Inmate was no exception. The characters were strong and compelling and the POV dipped into minor characters and back to the main character with ease. I love the way Fitzek uses gore and crudeness in a way that adds to the story, rather than purely for shock value. His storytelling is masterful in building suspense and creating an obsessed reader who should really put the book down and go to sleep but knows they'll happily trade sleep for just one more chapter... At least.

If you want a compelling, strong thriller - look no further. Fitzek is an amazing author and The Inmate is definitely another fantastic five star book by him. Thank you again for allowing me to read your book and I can't wait for more!!

3.5

Guido Tramnitz is convicted of several murders including two children and is now in a high security psychiatric hospital. Till Berkhoff’s six year old son Max has been missing for a year, it’s as if he’s dropped off the face of the earth. Is Guido responsible for Max’s disappearance? The police team certainly think so and they abandon their search for Max. However, Tramnitz has not confessed and a grieving Till needs certainty. How far is Till prepared to go to achieve a confession?

First of all, the premise is a good one and has authenticity to it even if what ensues is somewhat far fetched! Till’s point of view is very intense and you feel the burning love for his son and understand the sacrifices he may make. It’s clearly not an easy read, anything featuring a child killer is always going to horrify and shock and it certainly does that. Guido is chilling and makes you shudder. The deadly cat and mouse game that unfolds is a suspenseful mind blowing wild ride with the short sharp chapters perfectly matching the narrative.

Whilst there are times when I’m on the edge of my seat the changing perspectives makes it feel disjointed. I do not object to some of the drama becoming somewhat unlikely, this is fiction after all but some sections seem to be implausible and I can’t entirely buy into what occurs. Some of the dialogue makes me wince but this is maybe due to translation issues and probably works better in the original German.

Overall though, it’s a good read with a constantly changing plot to keep the focus.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Aria and Aries for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Wow this was one heck of a thriller and took the suspense factor to another level!
Set mainly in a hospital for the clinical insane Till Berkhoff a father of a missing child had gone undercover to try and communicate with a prisoner Guido Tramnitz who he believes was the person who took his son and find out what happened and if his son is still alive but right from the start things don’t go to plan for Till and he finds himself in a very dangerous situation.
The book is very well written full of twists that took me by surprise and the feeling of menace throughout the read literally gave me shivers. The translation was very good and I really liked the authors style of writing, I was gripped from the start and would recommend to all thriller lovers as one not to miss.
My thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fitzek does it again! Strong psychological thriller. Dark and creepy that you will want to read in one night!

Thanks netgalley for allowing me to read this great book even if it was quite blood thirsty and
Truly horrific.The story is based in Germany in a mental
Asylum for the medically insane.
Till Berkhoff had lost his son by the hands of Guido Tramnitz who was locked up due to him killing at least three children maybe more and Till wanted to know where his son was buried so he could have closure.
The only way of finding the truth was to get into the mental asylum and get the truth out of Tramnitz, but Till did not know what he was getting into.
Another really exciting book by this author he never fails to scare you.

Till Berkhoff goes under cover at a psychiatric unit to get close to the child killer that killed his son.

Wow what a twist! I did not see that coming!
The book was slow in parts but this was a unique story. Something different.
I really enjoyed it. Thank you