HOLY CRAP. Did I just stay up until almost 2am reading a book that I started this afternoon? Why yes… yes I did, because I COULD. NOT. PUT. IT. DOWN. I thought I had it all figured out. It was all too simple really, of course I knew what happened. NOPE. I was so wrong and then wrong again later. This book will make you question what you *know* multiple times. This book gave me chills and made me jump at noises in my own house because I was so afraid of what I was reading. When was the last time a book made me feel that way?? I’m not sure but I absolutely LOVE it. Give me all the goosebumps and raise all the hairs on the back of my neck because that means it was one freaking amazing thriller. Freida McFadden hasn’t disappointed me with any of her books. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Oh boy.

When I requested this ARC, I had not read any of McFadden's other work. However, I had heard rave reviews (mostly on BookTok if I'm being honest) and decided to take the plunge. In the time between requesting the ARC and receiving it, I honestly forgot about it. Also during that time, I tackled two of McFadden's other books. I didn't care for the first, so I gave a second a shot...didn't care for it either. Had I remembered that I had this ARC request pending, to be honest, I would have cancelled it. But, here we are. So, here's my honest thoughts.

The book started out in an ok place. The setting of the prison and the dual timelines made it interesting, so I was hopeful. However, things quickly took a turn.

Brooke, as a character is an idiot. This seems to be a trend with McFadden's books. All of her female MCs, while learned women, are just objectively stupid. She is consistently making absolutely abhorrent choices, and even with suspension of disbelief I found myself rolling my eyes. There are also plot holes GALORE. Some big enough to drive a truck through. Add to that the fact that we're just supposed to go along with the fact that Brooke may have put the wrong man in prison for a literal decade and she has absolutely zero remorse about that? Yeah, no. Also, Brooke recants her story and Shane is immediately released? It...doesn't work like that. Anyone who has legal knowledge based on watching a crime procedural in the last 15 years knows that. THEN she lets her recently released former-beau just take her kid off into the woods? ALONE? Like I said, idiot.

The twist was a typical McFadden twist. It's supposed to be shocking but really it's just eye-roll inducing. And that epilogue? Of course.

Quite literally the only thing I enjoyed about this was the flip-flopping back and forth for the timeline. It let us learn more about Brooke as we went on, which is a nice strategy/tactic for a thriller, but given she was about as deep as a puddle...we didn't learn much.

I apologize for the negativity in this review, normally I'm far more upbeat even about books I don't enjoy, but this one just was so far from the mark for me that it is what it is.

I love this author.
I love the way this twists and turns and the ending.
The fact she knew an inmate before taking the job and that he manipulated her again.
I loved her son and the way he listened and knew what was right

This was my first Frieda McFadden book and I was not disappointed. I expected a popcorn thriller and that's what I got. I was very intrigued by the story and enjoyed the past and present timelines. The editing (or lack of) pulled me out of the story at times but I was quickly drawn back in. I liked the twist with Margie being Shane's mom and didn't *quite* see it coming. I was also manipulated by Shane and thought Tim was the killer the whole time. Even though at times I thought like Brooke, I was getting frustrated - even though I thought Shane was innocent I still would not have allowed him to stay in my house with my kid!! But I guess that's what makes for a fun popcorn thriller. I'll definitely be picking up another one by this author.

Oh man... I had some high hopes for this one after really hating The Coworker. I was really enjoying the beginning of the book and it was definitely a more relaxed book compared to some of her more fast-paced ones, but the ending of this one killed me. I didn't see one of the twists coming, but finding out who the killer was was extremely obvious from all the context clues. I was literally waiting for one of her insane twists, but I just didn't feel it in this book. I'm pretty sure the very last chapter from the other perspective was supposed to be that crazy twist, but I also saw that coming and it honestly made me roll my eyes. I'm beyond frustrated because I love The Housemaid series so much and all of her other books I've been reading are not living up to that hype. I'm going to keep trying, but I'm starting to lose hope.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Freida keeps churning them out! Another entertaining who dunnit with lots of candidates! A long ago murder by the father of her child, still in prison. Quick read!

This was a good read with plenty of twists. This was not my favorite by this author, but still very entertaining.

📚🌟 Book Review: "The Inmate" by Freida McFadden 🚓💔

"The Inmate" by Freida McFadden is a captivating tale set in the confines of a maximum-security prison. The story cerntres around Brooke, a nurse practitioner in the prison, and Shane, an inmate who happened to be her ex, and she is the reason he's behind bars. While the pacing is occasionally uneven, the narrative is emotionally resonant and thought-provoking. Overall, "The Inmate" is a compelling read and that epilogue 😱😱🫣

I give this read 4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to @netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest review!

Loved this book. I couldn’t put it down especially towards the end. So many twists and surprises. Kept me guessing until the very end!

When Brooke returns to her hometown the only nursing job she’s able to find is at a men’s maximum-security prison. One of the inmates is her former boyfriend and (unknown to him) the father of her ten-year-old son. Brooke’s testimony was instrumental in Shane’s conviction but is her memory accurate?

There is no doubt that Frieda McFadden is a talented writer. She certainly knows how to capture a reader’s attention. The Inmate is just one example. Even though I shook my head in disbelief several times (is she really that clueless?), I also couldn’t look away. This might not be Ms McFadden’s best novel but it still has its moments. The characters, no matter how naive and illogical they are, are still well-developed and the plot, no matter how some of it seems a bit far-fetched, is still imaginative and interesting.

Ms McFadden has become one of my go-to authors for books that keep me engaged. She writes top-notch thrillers and I always know it will be an enjoyable read. The Inmate is full of twists and surprises and an easy read that I enjoyed. It’s 3.5 stars bumped up to 4. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

This one was good! I enjoyed the plot and wasn’t expecting the plot twist towards the end. I seriously had a feeling I knew who did it, but then when I was only partially right, I wasn’t surprised! Freida has a way of making you think you know what’s going on and then completely whams you with a different outcome. Especially with the epilogue, it was perfection.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Press and author Freida McFadden for this gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Brooke Sullivan starting her new job as a nurse practitioner in a maximum security prison. It happens to be the same prison where the person who was convicted of attempting to kill her and who is also the father of her 10 year old son resides.

Actually I didn’t see that plot twist coming though I was deeply convinced that what I guessed throughout the book was right but oh Freida! You did it again😂. Isn’t it her specialty?! Well, even though I can’t say this is five star read for me, I enjoyed it nonetheless.

What did I just read??
My head is spinning. Frieda McFadden is a MUST READ for me!
She has an amazing way of making think everyone can be “the one”. Brooke was almost killed ten years ago and her accused is in jail. Coincidentally, she gets a job at the prison he is in. That’s when the fun starts. This was a roller coaster of a ride.
Many thanks to the author, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Quite enjoyed this one although the writing was quite simple. I think Freida is quite good at making you think you've figured something out then throwing a spanner in the works. Although I felt the twist and subsequent scene was too complicated for what it was. The epilogue was great though but not surprising.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the DRC!

Thought I had this one figured out, but in typical Freida McFadden fashion, the ending twists and turns and is wholly (for me, anyway) unexpected. A masterfully crafted thriller, I wasn't able to put this one down.

Brooke Sullivan is a nurse practitioner at a maximum security prison where Shane Nelson, her ex-boyfriend and the baby daddy to her ten-year-old son, Josh is incarcerated for life. Eleven 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.

Brooke is now dating Tim! Can she trust Tim? She knew him since they were kids but did he lie? Maybe Shane is telling the truth. Did she help put her son's father in prison? Ughh!!🙄

Not my favorite by this author but I will always read her books. This was plot wasn’t good, main character is stupid and overall I was bored with this one.

I must start by thanking NetGalley, as well as the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Predictable. Could anyone be this naive repeatably? To make the same wrong choice once must certainly set you up not to make the same mistake again?

Such an awesome thriller! There were so many twists and turns, and it kept my attention the whole time. Definitely pick this one up!

This was My first read by Freida McFadden, an author I see recommended constantly in my book groups, and it didn’t disappoint - it was as intriguing and full of twists as I expected from her books. Twists that I didn’t anticipate which is always great.