Fast-paced and full of jaw-dropping moments, The Inmate was exactly the kind of psychological thriller I love. Freida McFadden masterfully blends suspense with emotional depth, and I found myself questioning everyone’s motives until the very end. The prison setting added such a chilling atmosphere. Gripping and addictive!

DNF at 36%

I want to start my review by saying that Freida McFadden is one of my favorite authors and Ward D is one of my favorite thriller of all times. But I have to say I was very dissapointed in this one. Even though my last one by her was a two star—One by One. I still liked that one so much more.

To be honest the book started out well, I even got goosebumps and was very excited to continue and find out more about the past and everything that happened but everything just shifted the moment she started treating Shane after a fight...

I don't like saying that I hate a character but I hated Brooke so much, she was just so dumb and unlikable in my opinion. The way she haven't told her ten year old son about the truth of his father and didn't told the father either, even in those circumstances are just so wrong. And the fact that the kid got bullied because he didn't have a father are just so unrealistic. I lost my father when I was eight years old.
And the way she treated Shane and how wrongfully she sent him to prison. Also that she didn't told Tim about her son's age is just infuriating honestly. I couldn't keep reading this without getting so angry at her. I put it down twice because I was so annoyed by the decisions she made. The second time I realized I don't want to keep reading it, I have way better titles on my TBR to just keep torturing myself with Brooke's character and naivety.

Loved Shane though, he's an amazing and misunderstood character, I rooted for him the entire time.

Also looked up the truth of what actually happened and it's literally the stupidest twist ever. It was so unbelievable I had to read multiple spoiler reviews to actually believe it.

If you loved this book, because I know so many people enjoyed it I'm very happy for you but this unfortunately wasn't for me.

A Riveting Thriller That Keeps You on the Edge of Your Seat!
As a new nurse practitioner at a maximum-security prison, Brooke Sullivan is thrust into a world where danger lurks around every corner. Freida McFadden masterfully weaves a gripping tale of suspense, secrets, and forbidden connections.
The three rules Brooke must follow seem simple enough: treat all prisoners with respect, never reveal personal information, and never become too friendly with the inmates. But when she discovers her intimate connection to Shane Nelson one of the penitentiary’s most notorious and dangerous inmates everything changes. Shane, once her high school sweetheart and star quarterback, is now serving a life sentence for grisly murders. Brooke’s testimony put him behind bars, but he knows her secret, and revenge simmers in his eyes.
McFadden’s writing is taut and evocative, drawing readers into the prison’s dark corridors and the tangled web of Brooke’s past. The suspense builds relentlessly, leaving you breathless as secrets unravel and loyalties are tested. The characters are vividly drawn, each with their own hidden agendas and vulnerabilities.
“The Inmate” is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with twists that will leave you gasping. McFadden’s skillful pacing and intricate plot make this psychological thriller a must-read. Prepare to lose sleep you won’t be able to put it down!
Highly recommended for fans of suspense, mystery, and psychological thrillers. Grab your copy and buckle up for an adrenaline-fueled journey through the prison gates.
Pub date 3/5/2024
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this one more than I thought I would. Freida is the queen of quick popcorn thrillers with unbelievable twists. Can't wait for her next book!

This book sounded interesting but ultimately it did not do it for me. I didn't really love the writing or any of the characters. It was entertaining enough, but I think there are better books out there. Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this one! The setting is what made me really interested in picking this one up. This is my first McFadden book and I am interested in reading more from her!

The Inmate by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller about a woman, her son, and two men from her past.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Poisoned Pen Press and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Eleven years ago, a party went badly wrong.  Brooke Sullivan's boyfriend,  Shane Nelson, ended up being accused of murder due to the testimony of Brooke and her best (and oldest) friend, Tim Reese.  In addition to other deaths, Shane had stabbed Tim, and tried to strangle Brooke.

But now, Brooke has returned to her childhood home when her estranged parents die in a car crash.  She needs a new home for her son Josh and herself, and she inherited the house.  So she hires a babysitter, and gets a nursing job at the maximum-security prison.  It was the only job she could find.

Unfortunately, Shane Nelson is behind those bars, and it isn't long before they encounter one another.  Shane is still insisting on his innocence.  Since Brooke didn't actually see who tried to strangle her, she starts to believe him.  But he is still blaming Tim.

Meanwhile, she has been re-united with her old friend Tim, and they are getting close.  She hasn't told him about seeing Shane.




My Opinions:
Brooke was an idiot.  She was like one of those girls from a horror film that you are yelling at not to go back into the house.  I understand, that for the story, she was allowed to work in the prison (although in reality I tend to doubt this would have been allowed).  My bigger problem is that she just wasn't equipped emotionally or mentally to work in a prison environment.  The very first day she let personal information slip to an inmate.  That didn't stop happening.  Then there were the lies and secrets she kept.  And overall, she was just too gullible. Everyone manipulated her.  Like I said, idiot. 

So the book looked at childhood friendships and teenage boyfriends  First loves.  It also looked at secrets, lies, murder, obsession and manipulation.  It looked at nurture vs nature, and what a mother would do for her son.  And vice versa.

The plot.  While the premise was good (if a little unbelievable), the direction the plot went was just very predictable.  Well, until close to the end.  The twist in the second last chapter was definitely a surprise.   The last chapter with Tim was almost scary.  And although The Epilogue with Josh was not a real surprise (even if not feasible),  it was really good.

Overall, as much as I didn't like the traits of the main character, and felt a few aspects were a little unbelievable the book did have some interesting twists.  Yes, I had to remember it was fiction, but the book also left me thinking about what was going to happen in Brooke's life as time goes on.  And I am still thinking about it....which just had me raise my star rating to a 4.

I remember finishing the book in a little over 1 day because I was sucked in and I needed to know the ending. It wasn't the twistiest book but it kept my attention throughout the entire book. I needed to know how it would end.

I couldn’t figure out what was going to happen next or the ending.

I’ve enjoyed all the books that I’ve read by Freida and this is no exception

elven years ago at seventeen, she and her best friend Tim Reese testified that Shane killed their three friends and attempted to strangle her although she never saw who it was. To this day, Shane insisted that he is innocent and to watch out for Tim.
griffin’s voice SHINES throughout this book. her retelling is honest, and thoughtful, and being able to sit with her words felt like a blessing, and a reminder that telling your truth is one of the most brave and beautiful things you can do. I figured out who the killer was before Brooke did.

I listened to this one completely on audio and it was really good.
In true Frieda fashion i was back and forward and back and forward as to what i thought was going to be the twist because this lady knows how to write a twist but i hadnt a clue .
Full of short snappy chapters, twists and turns to have your head reeling and lots of cliff hangers i really enjoyed this one.

4 stars

Another fast paced quick read. I found Brooke, the protagonist to be a little gullible and easily swayed. A decade after being the victim and witness to violent crimes, she must face the man she put behind bars who also happens to be the father of her young son. While believing in his guilt, she also wants to see the good in him that she remembers from her youth. She flip flops on his innocence and guilt and also that of her best friend from high school. It's a good read with some expected twists.

I loved this book! One of my favorite Freida McFadden books. I know with Freida you are being set up so I didn’t buy the story that was presented to us, but I still never saw the twist coming. This was an easy read but absolutely amazing story!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 STARS

The Inmate is a quick-paced thriller that grabs your attention from the start and keeps you hooked. However, the plot feels predictable, lacking the unexpected twists that could have elevated the experience. While entertaining, it doesn’t quite deliver the level of suspense one might hope for, earning it a solid 3.5 stars.

was not able to get into this genre of book and was not able to finish reading. i am grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this book early and have heard nothing but good things about this author.

As usual, Freida brings us a twisty book that you do not want to put down. Put this on your must read list. Already looking forward to the next release!

Give me anything by Freida and watch me stay up late into the night to read it. I love her writing style and having her take me on a twisted ride! Dark, twisted and filled with surprises this book had me hooked and I had to convince myself to stop reading and be productive! As always Freida has done it again!

Could not predict where this one was going, and thats what I love about a Freida McFadden book. Could not put it down and will definitely add to my list to purchase for my library.

Well I didn’t see that coming.

Freida McFadden is hit or miss with me and this one was closer to miss. It was a fun read though. Can’t deny that. Just not super thrilling…pun intended.

Frieda McFadden what else is there to say?! The inmate delivered! Suspenseful and twisty as hell! Just read it!

Brooke is working at a maximum-security prison as a nurse practitioner, eager to leave the past behind her. The only problem is - her past is in the prison. Her ex-boyfriend, Shane, whom she testified against so long ago has maintained his innocence and sometimes, Brooke wonders if she really saw what she thought she did. After all, it was dark, she was scared, and she was so young. Maybe Shane is actually telling the truth, but there’s only one way to find out.

The book had a fun twist, but overall, it’s pretty similar to most thrillers. If you like thrillers, it’s a good read. If not, well, this one won’t be the exception.

I’m super late to the party on this one, as it was published back in March 2024. I’ve seen it out everywhere, so it should be easy to grab a copy.

Thanks to the author, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.