"The Inmate" by Freida McFadden is a thrilling and suspenseful novel that grabs your attention from the outset. Much like McFadden's other works, the story kicks off with a captivating introduction, setting the stage for a tale filled with unexpected twists and turns. The protagonist, Brooke, a nurse practitioner, takes a job at Raker Penitentiary, a maximum-security prison where her ex-boyfriend, Shane, serves a life sentence for murder. As Brooke navigates the challenges of concealing her past and balancing personal and professional responsibilities, the narrative takes unexpected turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The reviewer rightly points out McFadden's talent in crafting diverse characters, adding depth to the plot and making "The Inmate" a suspenseful thriller with rich explorations of human complexities. Overall, McFadden's storytelling prowess shines through in this gripping novel that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

When Brooke gets a job as a nurse practitioner at a men’s maximum-security prison, she thinks the prison is too big to run into anyone she knows. I mean, what are the odds she will have to treat the same person she put away for murder a decade ago? Well, they are greater than she thinks. Shane, Brooke’s high school sweetheart, is spending life in prison for committing some murders. And, it was Brooke’s testimony about that night that put him there. At least, that’s what she believes.

“The Inmate” by Freida McFadden is a physiological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Right when I started this book, I thought I was clever and knew what was going to happen, but truly, I was jaw dropped by how this book played out. This was a super fast read with a basic premise, which I normally appreciate as I don’t need a lot of descriptive paragraphs to get the idea.

The issue in this book for me was Brooke. Honestly, I don’t think I have disliked a main character more than her. Brooke is very naive, doesn’t really seem like the type of person to be a nurse practitioner, and puts herself into very stupid situations. It is like a bad horror movie, you know what’s going to happen, and you feel like you would be smarter at getting away. Also, this book had a lot of stereotypical thriller book problems like no cell service, storms, injuries that happen at the worst possible time, and creepy houses that something would of course happen in. I’m not saying I really dislike these things, but I feel like it is a cop out to a superb thriller novel.

I would recommend “The Inmate” to anyone who wants a quick read with a jaw-dropping twist. Other than Brooke being naive, I really liked it.

Thank you to the Poisoned Pen Press, Freida McFadden, and NetGallery for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisenes Press for a copy of the book. This is my 6th Frieda Mcfadden read.
The Inmate was a quick a enjoyable read. As always Frieda has a way of writing that makes you read faster. I don't consider myself a fast reader however I finished this in 6 hrs (over 3 days).
Plot:
11 yrs ago Brooke was witness and victim of a teenage slasher fest. 3 of her friends were murdered, one injured and she barely escaped alive from her murderous boyfriend's rampage. While Brooke has stayed away from her home town all these years raising her son who she conceieved that night, HE has been rotting in prison where he belongs. When Brooke moves back to her hometown after her parents pass away she gets a job as the nurse of the prison where HE is.
All of a sudden she starts to have doubts over what really happened that night 11 yrs ago and when other events unfold that are just too much to be coincidence will the truth finally be revealed and did she send the wrong person to jail?

A thrilling addictive read throughout. I was 100% a fan of the almost ending I really don't enjoy 'confessions' they always seem so juvenile to me and this one just seemed a bit ridiculous. A bit over the top in terms of motive I think. I did however enjoy the very very end. I love myself an epilogue!

Frieda McFadden is queen of twisty turning thrillers! This one didn’t disappoint. I read the entire book in one flight. It’s a little convoluted and far fetched. But kept me guessing throughout the entire book which I love!

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NeGalley for this ARC.

This was a fast paced thriller with so many twist and turns . I changed my mind a few times about who the killer was! I could not put this book down! Once again I read this book in one sitting! What can you expect from Freida! Just love her books!

I must say I did get frustrated with Brooke! How trusting can this woman be! Ignoring her gut so many times and never getting it ! Loved the sneaky little reveal at the end!

Solid 4 stars for me!

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book.

I so wanted to enjoy this book since I love everything else that I have read by Freida McFadden, but this one wasn't for me. It had it's ups and downs. I'd get into it and then would lose interest. I didn't like Shane or Brooke, I kept thinking "you need counseling" as I read this book. Sadly there were times that I wanted to give up but I have faith in this author's books. The ending didn't let me down, it made this book worth reading even though it was predictable. I just wonder if this one is one of her earlier works since the writing really didn't feel like her other books.

I mostly enjoyed this one. The author did a really good job convincing you that both men were bad and good at different times. I usually know exactly what is happening so for her to make me think Shane might be a innocent was great! Once the boy didn't like him though I knew! Lol some of the tie ups at the end felt a bit rushed and half done. I did really enjoy her book and I enjoy her as an author. Will definitely read more.

This book was a little more predictable than most of the author’s books, but still was a thrill! Once again, Freida McFadden pulled me immediately into the story and did NOT let go! I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

I DNF at 55%. I tried really hard to make it through but the writing was hard to read. I have read two Frieda McFaden books previously, it felt this one wasn’t written by the same person. Brooke as a character was very unlikeable. Her back and forth thoughts were very annoying as a reader. The ending seemed evident, despite not finishing.

This was such a good book!! I was throwing my kindle at the main character for being “stupid” when in the end I did not expect the plot twist. I throughly enjoyed reading this! It’s a 4/5 stars for me!!! I just felt like the end was a bit rushed.

Frieda McFadden just does not disappoint! Rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors, no one seems to do a twist as well as McFadden does! Without giving away spoilers - just when I thought things were at the conclusion I was floored once again!
The Inmate is a must read for McFadden fans! Thank you for the advance copy! Just downloaded The Teacher as well and can't put it down!

Thank you NetGalley for this title. I think I had higher expectations due to being a fan of Freida McFadden but this fell a little short. For me, it felt predictable and slightly underdeveloped but it could just not have been for me. Still recommend Freida McFadden as I’ve mostly had success with other books.

Freida McFadden is amazing. This is the second book I have read, and I can't wait to start another. I love the twists on top of twists in this story. Just when you think you figured it out, there is another twist. I highly recommend this read. It will not disappoint.

3.75 rounded up! This is my second book by Frida McFadden- and I felt pretty much the same way both times: She has the recipe for thrillers down to a science, keeping a steady plot with enough intrigue to keep you turning pages, and perfectly crafts that “can’t put this down” feeling, but her plot twists are a little toooooo out there to be believable for me. Whilst they’ve always technically made sense, they’re so wild and unpredictable that it leaves me feeling a little like ??????. I ate the epilogue of this one up though- amazing final ending.
Would I recommend? Yes. Will I read more by Frida? Yes. Are they exactly what I hope they’ll be? Not quite.

The Inmate is another entertaining novel by Freida McFadden. It's told in two timelines: eleven years ago, when three teenagers at a house party were brutally murdered, and today, when one of the teenagers who was at the party is in prison for the killings. But did he really commit them? Or was it another boy who seemed like a sweet kid? The main character is kind of in love with both young men today, and she's torn between them. It's a fun, twisty story, with about three different huge twists in the last sixty pages. All of the twists are well set up and believable in terms of character, which was a cool trick for the author to pull off.

Freida McFadden is a master of her craft. So well written and a fast read. She makes you think you have it all figured it! But guess what, you don’t. That epilogue had me shook. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

ARC Review: The Inmate by Freida McFadden
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My rating: 3.5🌟
Read if you like: Psycho thriller, small town, whodunnit
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Expected Publication: March 5, 2024
Note: The Inmate was initially a self-published novel last 2022.
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Mini Synopsis: Brooke is a new nurse practitioner at a penitentiary. As much as she needs this job, she also dreads it as she has an intimate connection with one of the prisoners. Will her past continue to haunt her?
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Freida McFadden is an instant read author for me. Her novels are creepy, mind boggling at the same time, reader friendly. If you want to get into the thriller genre, I always suggest picking up any of her books.

The Inmate was no different from her novels. It was an easy page turner. This February, it took me a week to get through at least 1 novel but this? I've gone through it in less than a day. If I were in Brooke's place, I wouldn't know who or what to believe in too. It's easy to become so blindsided about everything. Where does your trust take you? It's easier to put the risk when it's you alone who faces the consequences, but what if it's your son that's on the line?

My only wish is that there was more information on the character's motivation and history that would make his / her actions more compelling. I find myself saying, "wait, that's it? That's why?". It felt a little too stretched, per se.

However, I really did enjoy this book. I will definitely pick up any new releases from Freida McFadden.

Thank you, Poised Pen, NetGalley and Freida McFadden for the ARC. I leave my review voluntarily.

4.25 stars out of 5.

Another great read by Freida McFadden! I was immediately drawn into this book and didn't want to set it down. There were so many twists and turns in the book and just when I thought I knew how it was going to end, bam, something else was thrown in. Everything was tied up nicely by the ending and I am still shocked at what I read, especially the last chapter relating to Josh. I am amazed at the twists Freida McFadden can come up with! Highly recommend this book!

In The Inmate, we meet Brooke, who is a single mother that just moved back to her childhood home after her parents pass away. She ends up getting a job at a local prison as a nurse practitioner. It just so happens, someone tried to kill Brooke 10 years ago, and that someone is at the same prison she will be working at. His name is Shane Nelson. Years ago tragedy stuck at a house party at Shanes house. He was arrested and sent to prison. Now she comes face to face with her would be killer, or was it even really Shane that tried to kill her?

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good vaguely implausible murder mystery/whodunit as much as I love my coffee in the morning, but this one is not it. The main character reads like a people pleasing drip (even though she is supposedly fiercely protective of her 10 year old son), and the did he/didn't he dynamic gets silly and unbelievable. How many times can one person's testimony get someone else put in jail? Well, you're about to find out. This book is not good,

What started out very slow, and what I thought as the story began to intensify, was a predictable plot. This was the first book. I read from this author, and boy does she know how to write the twists. Brook Sullivan, a single independent mom, raising her ten year old son, Josh. She moved back home and must begin to adjust to the town and those she left behind. The only work she can get as a nurse practitioner in the area, is at the nearby prison. A prison where her childhood sweetheart, Shane Nelson, is incarcerated for life. As soon as you think Brook has got it all figured out, you get thrown another twist. Great story, very intense, a twisted plot, and an ending you will not see coming!!!