I absolutely loved this book. Frieda is one of the best authors I have read and her books always keep you in suspense. You always think you have it figured out and then she throws a twist at the end.

Frieda McFadden’s books are like popcorn - addictive and devoured quickly - even if a little light on character development. And there are always twist you won’t see coming.

This book is a solid addition to the authors catalog. I wasn’t a huge fan of the final twist, but I can see how it works in the story.

This was definitely a page turner. I did figure the end may have panned out like it did, but there were other events I didn't see coming. Freida is FANTASTIC as usual. I love her books!

The thing I love about Freida McFadden books is how utterly bingeable they are. This one was no exception. A quick and twisty read!

This was unlikeable for having an idiot main character. The story and the twist were okay, a bit predictable at some parts but still I can’t get over the main character. Brooke had relationships will all the male characters here. Every man wants her for some reason. If I was the police I wouldn’t even help her out. She keeps changing her story. Its unrealistic and stupid. I’ve read 2 Mcfadden books and did not like either.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy.

Hear me out, I think this is my favourite work so far of McFadden, which is saying something because they are all fabulous. I think the layers of plot, while slightly predictable, were very well done and her final twist left me dumbstruck and questioning nature vs nurture.

Another best seller for Freida. This book was suspenseful and kept the reader guessing til the end for the twist and what a twist it was.

Another twisty thriller from the queen of popcorn thrillers. I have read several books by Freida and while I enjoy them when reading, I often find that I forget them almost immediately after completion. I read this one about a week ago and can vaguely recall the details. It was an interesting premise with a surprising twist but it didn't "stick". If you're looking for a fast paced read or something to break a reading slump, this will fit the bill.

This is actually my first Frieda McFadden book and it's not that bad. The mystery hooks you but I found trouble connecting with the main character because of the naive decisions she made along the way.

Some of Freida McFadden’s books are hits, and some just don’t land for me and unfortunately, this one fell flat.

I’m not a fan of female characters who are weak, clueless, or constantly relying on a man to validate them—and that’s exactly how Brooke felt. The plot itself was pretty far-fetched. She testified that her boyfriend, Shane, murdered her friends and tried to kill her... while pregnant with his child. Then, ten years later, she moves back to town and takes a job at the prison where he’s locked up? Seriously?

Brooke reconnects with an old friend, Tim, and they start dating—while Shane insists Tim is the real killer. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot at Brooke’s choices. I know McFadden is known for big twists, but this one wasn't worth the read. Only read this book if you are a Freida McFadden die hard fan.

What the flying heck?! I knew this book was going to be trippy but the twists and turns?! And MORE TWISTS?! I’m gonna need a week or two to recover from this one for sure.

I love Freida McFadden's books! I have yet to find one that I have gave less than 4 stars! Her writing is so fun and just easy to read! the perfect popcorn thriller that also make great pallet cleansers if you have read a rather heavy book prior.
I didn't exactly care for the ending of this one, but I had a lot of fun during!

My favorite Freida so far. It had some parts that were a bit predictable but overall a solid 4.5 stars.

Brooke Sullivan lands her dream-ish nursing gig at a max-security prison… but surprise! She’s tied to Shane, her ex-high-school-jock-turned-serial-killer. Talk about awkward coffee conversations. The tension? Electric. Every scene is soaked in dread—hovering cell blocks, shady inmate whispers, Brooke’s moral compass spinning like a broken record. When Shane gets involved, the plot kicks into paranoia overdrive.

But let’s dive into the messy bits: pacing’s a wildcard. One chapter had me racing through, heart pounding; the next I was eyeballing dust on the ceiling, waiting for things to pop off. Brooke’s “naive but strong nurse” arc teetered between rebel and rabbit-in-headlights—sometimes I wanted her to step up, other times I wanted to shake her. And a few characters vanish like ghosts mid-shift—come back, I forgot who you were!

**Verdict:** A tense, tangled psychological thriller built for binge sessions—perfect for those who love claustrophobic atmospheres, brain-bending twists, and messy guilt trips. Just be cool with tempo stops, some disappearances, and a heroine whose spine flexes in weird places. Still, I was hooked—had to know if Brooke could dance with her demons or got locked in with them.

As usual, a gripping thriller by Freida McFadden. I always enjoy the plot twists and trying to guess the ending.

This was the 1st Frieda McFadden book ive read and will definitely not be my last! Just when you think you have an idea of the outcome, there are 25 more pages of twists and turns left. My jaw is still on the floor. Will definitely be recommending this book to anyone who will listen

This book has so many mixed reviews so I was glad to read it and find out for myself how it was. First off, its Frieda and she has millions of followers and even people who dont follow her, attempt her books because of how much she is loved. Anything by her is fast paced and exciting, which i love and I honestly thoroughly enjoyed The Inmate. I read for enjoyment and to take my mind off of the world. I dont read looking for plot holes and contradictions or any other negative thing to rip an author apart. If you read this one without thinking too much into it, it truly is an interestong story with alot of twists! I had whiplash many times thinking I had it all figured out, and even the very ending was completely unexpected! As a mom of a teenage boy, the last sentence really hit home for me and made it all worth it! I will keep reading more by Frieda and love her personality and connection with her readers, she is like no other author!

Thank you netgalley for this book. This is my favorite Freida McFadden so far.
I liked the plot of the book. I can’t believe I was doubting myself at every turn. After every page I was suspecting a new person and then convincing myself it’s not them 😂😂
This book took a little turn and I was here for the ride. I liked the writing style and the story kept me hooked.

Thanks Netgalley for an ARC.
Loved this thriller. Freida McFadden has proven once again.
Its fast paced and on the grip till the very end

I was really disappointed by The Inmate. The premise had potential, but the execution just didn’t deliver. The ending was incredibly predictable—I guessed the antagonist almost right away, which made the “twist” fall flat. The main character’s decisions were frustrating throughout; she constantly risked her job and personal safety in ways that didn’t feel realistic or justified. Instead of rooting for her, I found myself questioning her logic at every turn. This book just didn’t work for me. Authors need to prioritize making the main character likeable, unless there's a deeper reason to the contrary (like in the fourth Hunger Games book) but that wasn't the case here.