‘Death Row’ by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller that grips readers tightly from start to finish. The story delves deep into the mind of Talia Kemper, a woman on death row for the murder of her husband. With her execution looming and her appeals exhausted, the narrative takes an unsettling turn when Talia spots a man who looks eerily like her supposedly deceased husband. This discovery throws her world into chaos, blurring the lines between reality and delusion. Is she losing her sanity, or has the justice system made a fatal mistake?
Freida McFadden skilfully crafts the tension through Talia’s chilling first-person perspective, making the reader feel the suffocating weight of her prison cell, the relentless ticking of her final days, and the gnawing uncertainty surrounding her memories. The story is as much about Talia’s pursuit of truth as it is about the reader’s descent into doubt. The twists are brilliantly timed, keeping the suspense taut and the reader guessing until the very end. When you think you have pieced it all together, McFadden delivers a twist that turns the entire narrative on its head.
While the final twist is undeniably jaw-dropping, the epilogue introduces a tonal shift that feels slightly out of place. Rather than offering a satisfying conclusion, it leaves an unsettling ambiguity, not necessarily in the profound sense, but more in an “I’m not sure what just happened” way. Despite this minor flaw, the overall impact of the story remains compelling.
‘Death Row’ is an unforgettable, mind-bending thriller that will leave you questioning everything you think you know. If you love thrillers that mess with your head and keep you guessing until the very end, this one’s a must-read.

This was my first time reading something from Frieda McFadden! This short story is part of the short story collection, The Allibis! The story started out strong, but then became confusing and not fully flushed out. I’m still not exactly sure what was truly happening at the end. I definitely found the story suspenseful. I just wish it had made a bit more sense at the end. It also felt very similar to Grotesquerie and I’m not sure how I feel about that.

I thought the narration was great and would recommend the audiobook if you decide to pick this one up.

If the ending wasn’t so quick and rushed i probably would have rated it higher. Now I did sit with it after I read and was like what was real and what was “imagined” i think overall it wasn’t bad because it was a short story.

Freida McFadden has done it again! "Death Row" is a masterclass in short-form suspense, packing more twists and turns into its pages than novels twice its length. From the moment we meet Talia Kemper, a condemned woman on death row for the murder of her husband, the tension is palpable. McFadden expertly crafts a sense of desperate urgency as Talia's appeals dwindle and the clock ticks relentlessly towards her execution.
What makes this story truly shine is the ingenious premise. Talia has always maintained her innocence, despite a lack of motive and a seemingly solid alibi. But when a chance encounter in the visiting room reveals a shocking possibility – the man she was convicted of killing might still be alive – the narrative explodes with a desperate hope and an almost unbearable sense of injustice.
McFadden's writing is sharp, precise, and utterly gripping. She manages to convey Talia's despair, her fleeting hope, and the monumental task of convincing a system that has already condemned her. The race against time feels incredibly real, and you'll find yourself frantically turning pages, desperate for Talia to be believed before it's too late.
"Death Row" is a brilliant, concise thriller that will leave you breathless. It's a testament to McFadden's storytelling prowess that she can create such a compelling and emotionally charged experience in a short story format. If you're a fan of psychological suspense and a relentless pace, do yourself a favor and pick up "Death Row." It's a five-star triumph that will haunt you long after you've finished reading.

Thanks Brilliance Audio for the gifted audiobook!

A short review for a super short audiobook- just under two hours, so the perfect slump buster or palette cleanser!

Honestly, for a novella, this one packed some serious punch! I would love to read this as an add-on to a bookclub pick because the ending NEEDS to be discussed !

Go in blind and enjoy the ride- you won't be bored!

Freida McFadden has done it again. Death Row had me questioning everything—and I loved every second of it. The story follows Talia, a woman sitting on death row for the murder of her husband, but something about her situation feels… off. From the start, you’re thrown into a disorienting, claustrophobic world, and as more strange details surface, the tension builds in a way that only McFadden can pull off.

The pacing is brilliant, and just when you think you’ve figured it out—boom, another twist hits. I especially loved how the story balances psychological suspense with the creeping dread that something isn’t quite what it seems. And when the final twist is revealed? My jaw actually dropped. It’s one of those endings that makes you want to go back and re-listen to catch all the subtle clues you missed.

The audiobook narration was excellent—engaging, well-paced, and it captured the eerie, unsettling tone perfectly. It made the experience even more immersive.

If you’re a fan of twisty psychological thrillers that keep you guessing (and second-guessing) until the very last line, Death Row is a must-listen. Definitely a 5-star listen for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this audiobook ☺️

A Gripping, Fast-Paced Thriller That Feels Like a Full Novel in Just One Sitting

As a longtime Freida McFadden fan, I was thrilled to stumble upon Death Row—and true to form, I devoured it in one sitting. Despite its brevity, this novella packs the same psychological punch and mind-bending twists that McFadden fans have come to expect. Told through alternating timelines, the story masterfully builds suspense, constantly blurring the line between reality and illusion. You’re never quite sure what’s true until the very end—and when that moment comes, it’s less of a shocking twist and more of a gut-wrenching revelation that lingers. The pacing, emotional highs and lows, and tight storytelling make this novella feel like a full-length novel compressed into an hour. Death Row is a testament to McFadden’s talent for keeping readers on edge, even in the shortest formats.

Death Row by Freida McFadden starts off strong with an intriguing premise—a woman on death row sees the man she supposedly murdered. Cue the suspense, the confusion, and the ticking clock. I was hooked, wondering how this twisty setup would unfold in McFadden’s signature style.

But by the end? Déjà vu.

If you’ve ever read An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce, then you’ve basically read Death Row—just updated and placed in a more modern setting. While the story was short and gripping enough to hold my attention, I couldn't shake the feeling that I’d been here before. I went in expecting something more original, more Freida, and was disappointed when the twist didn’t feel fresh.

Still, it’s worth a quick read if you haven’t come across this type of ending before. Just don’t expect the kind of jaw-dropping, mind-bending finale McFadden usually delivers.

Great short story. Freida McFadden has done it again! I would highly recommend this quick story on a death row inmate.

Where is the eye roll emoji? Sigh. This author is a hit or miss for me and this was a miss. Boring. Maybe if it was fleshed out to a full length.

Talia Kemper is on death row for murdering her husband, except she didn’t do it. She has an alibi. No one believes her. But then she sees a man in the visiting room who looks exactly like her supposedly dead husband...
The setup of this short story was very intriguing. But the execution was a letdown.
With only 73 pages, this novella is a whirlwind of confusion, weird character choices (Pat the Rat?), and a plot that races ahead without giving us time to breathe. Talia’s insecurity is loud, the pacing is frantic, and the ending a total mess. The epilogue left me staring at the wall.

It’s not unreadable. Freida’s signature style is easy and quick, but it felt rushed and forgettable.

Thank you for this digital review copy. I was excited to dive into another Freida McFadden release! This was a fast-paced and engaging short story with a satisfying twist that left me wanting more. I’d love to see this expanded into a full-length novel with multiple perspectives.

Very short story to binge in a few hours. The ending had me a little confused and it wasn’t my favorite way to end this story, but ohh well! I’m still gonna eat up anything Freida writes.