No one does a thriller with a surprise twist quite like Freida McFadden, just when you think you have the book figured out another twist comes. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and eager to find out how it ends. This was a one sitting read for me.

This is a really hard review to write because I loved 80% of this book. I mean I devoured it. Yes, there were ridiculous parts, and yes, Brooke made some very questionable choices, but I loved it. I could look past all that, but the ending was just so silly. It made me question why I was reading the book. There were also some weird holes/questions I was left with. I still gave this book 3 stars because it grabbed my attention and I did enjoy most of it.

As usual, Freida’s book The Inmate doesn’t disappoint! It’s a quick paced read where we follow our protagonist into her new job as a correctional facility nurse where she learns that man she dated years ago, that she testified of him attempting to kill her, serves his sentence. Theres twists and turns within the story as we’re learning the facts about the night it happened and when she has interactions with him at the jail. Theres moments I didn’t even trust my own judgement on who the guilty party was in this book. So good!

𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 :
Years after a horrible tragedy changed the trajectory of Brooke Sullivan's life, she finds herself back in the town she never thought she would come back to. What's worse, she's assigned to the same prison where someone she knows very well, is held captive. And now she must learn to ✨ survive.

𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 :
📖 The circumstances leading upto the whole situation seemed a little forced. Working at the same jail, going to the same school, etc, it feels a bit too convenient when it happens multiple times.
📖 Not enough attention was paid to the sandalwood scent being discovered on Tim. And Brooke immediately making out with him after that was rather odd at best. In general, I did not like Brooke's characterization much, there seemed to be a plethora of oddities in the way her opinions swayed at every chance.
📖 Shane seemed to be released too soon. The judicial nuances throughout the book seemed a bit off, with tremendously circumstantial evidences being deemed conclusive for convicting/arresting the men as and when her confession changed.
📖 The plot twist with Margie tied the story together. It got better from that point, and coupled with the ending note from the child, the book managed to leave an impactful effect even through the minor hiccups.
📖 It's an easy-to-read thriller that you can bring with you on travels, perfect to get you out of reading slumps.

This book has me on the edge on my seat. Freida is always a must read for me. All her books are amazing. It’s a fast paced book. I finished it in one sitting. Filled with plot twists til the very end!! Highly recommend it!!

This was my first Freida McFadden book and I had a great time with it. Can't wait to read more. The premise was intriguing and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this.

3.5 Stars

we follow brooke, who becomes an NP at a prison. the same prison where her high school sweetheart is serving out his sentence, and brooke was the one who put him there. she recently moved back to her old town and is reconnecting with people from her past. soon she is doubting how things played out all those years ago.

the ending had a lot of twists that it took me a bit to process. it was a bit much? but brooke… wow I just found her insufferable. the whole book I was just not vibing with her and felt the writing was just not good. this one was hyped up to me by a coworker but just fell totally flat

thanks to netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review

I always love the thrill & twist & turns of McFadden books. I was 2nd guessing everything too - who do you trust?
As usual, I have questions.
SPOILER:

How did Tim not realize what was in his basement???? That part sort of was like COME ON.
But I usually have one or two COME ON moments with McFadden books - still enjoy them though

I love Freida McFadden and her writing especially with the twists that I never see coming. This book was no exception, throughout the whole book I was trying to figure things out and self doubting thinking I was wrong and at the end I was 😂 I didn’t expect the ending what so ever and the epilogue!! Oh my god

I mean perfection on a page, need I say more. Every word was just perfection, the twists were incredible and once again left me reeling. I loved it

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC of ‘The Inmate’ by Freida McFadden.

I mean Freida McFadden wrote this. That’s all I need to say that should convince you to read it. Had me hooked from the first page. Just read it!

Brooke Sullivan returns to her hometown 10-years after surviving a murder attempt. Working in the local penitentiary, she encounters her high school sweetheart, Shane Nelson, the man her testimony convicted. Did she get the wrong man? What really happened that night? How will Brooke be able to move forward?

The Inmate was my first Freida McFadden novel but I see why she’s so popular. This thriller is a fast-paced, effortless read. Highly recommend to fans of whodunnits with twisty-turvey endings.

This sucks you in like all Frieda Mcfadden books do. I read it in one sitting! I love that you can’t guess the ending, although I’d say it was a bit of a cop out. But overall I really liked it and I couldn’t put it down

Freida McFadden writing is entertaining and thoughtful and she nails this genre so well. There were points in the book that I was frustrated with Brooke's character but if anything I give Freida the credit for writing characters in a way that can do this to you. The plot was interesting with the setting - a fun one. I recommend reading this in a dimly lit room to add to the element of suspense this book brings.

I am so glad to have found Frieda's books. I always enjoy reading them and recommend them to friends especially if you want something that you can get sucked into.

BIG thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC. Appreciate it! ♥‿♥

This was twisty to the very end. This author always delivers an entertaining thriller. This book had dual timelines.

Freida McFadden gives us another good thriller! You know what it’s about and you think you know what will happen, but don’t stop reading!
Thank you to Freida McFadden, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC. My review is all my own.

McFadden has done it again with a fun, popcorn thriller The Inmate! I loved that it kept me guessing until the satisfying ending. I truly could not see some of the twists and loved how the mystery unfolded. The author does a fabulous job weaving and connecting the past to the present and keeps the reader wanting more by leaving little tidbits at the end of each chapter. It was a quick read with short chapters, a well plotted storyline, that showed complex and dysfunctional relationships with well developed, complicated and troubled characters.

My rating 5 out of 5

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this eARC that will be released March 5 20254.

This gripping thriller pulled me in from the very first line and had me thinking, would I take a job at a maximum-security men’s prison if it was the only job I could find?!

The story is told by Brooke, our female lead, and jumps between present day, where Brooke has moved back to her hometown and 11 years ago, at a party that changed Brooke’s life forever. While there were some twists that you may have guessed or “seen coming” the book is still fast-paced enough to be very entertaining.

This is a perfect binge worthy read that packs a punch right till the very end.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley & Freida McFadden for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Miss Freida NEVER dissapoints. You think you know what your walking into but u dont. Miss Freida has my jaw on the grow and my theories in the trash, every. single. book. I do have to say tho. Never liked Tim. Man was annoying as hell. I did make my mission this year to finish all of her books. She got me into the thriller genre and im forever gratefull.

Gosh, this was so good. It was my first book of McFadden’s and I fully understand the hype around her now. This book had me in a chokehold (no pun intended). I read it in one sitting because I had to know what happened and it did NOT disappoint.