Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review.

In this story we are following a woman named Brooke who has just moved back to her home town with her son following the death of her parents. She begins working at a local prison where the father of her son/ ex boyfriend is currently serving a life sentence for going on a killing spree while they were teenagers. We get to see what really happened the night that the murders took place in flashback chapters and as things develop in the current timeline. I really wanted to love this story but it just became too unhinged for me. There was twist after twist and I found myself spinning in circles but not in a good way unfortunately. I found the main character to be such an unlikeable character and just found so many of the choices she made while working at the prison unrealistic and just plain dumb. It was an easy read which was nice but overall it wasn't something that I loved.

There are three rules Brooke Sullivan must follow as a new nurse practitioner at a men's maximum-security 1) Treat all prisoners with respect. 2) Never reveal any personal information. 3) Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates. But none of the staff at the prison knows Brooke has already broken the rules.

Full disclosure, I like most of Freida's books. With that being said, this one had so much potential, but there just wasn't enough gas to get up the hill. The MC was very naïve. Clearly, she is intelligent considering her profession as an NP, however she just has no common sense. Her naiveté amped up the "cringe factor." On the plus side, it was a quick read with the usual twist. The ending twist didn't do much, could have done without it.

3 stars

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for sending an ARC of this reprint in exchange for an honest review.

Brooke Sullivan has returned to her hometown and has accepted a job as a nurse practitioner at a maximum-security prison. What she doesn’t disclose to anyone is that she knows one of the inmates, Shane Nelson…not only does she know him, she dated him in high school and she’s also the one that put him behind bars.

While some people may not remember what happened all those years ago, Brooke hasn’t forgotten and neither has Shane.

There were times in the story when I kept thinking to myself, “how can Brooke be so stupid”, but in the end karma finds a way to ensure that all is right with the world. I really enjoyed this novel and did not see some of the twists that happened right near the end. Great book and will be recommending it to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #TheInmate

I have always loved reading Freida’s book but this one wasn’t it for me. I loved the beginning of it, loved her working at the prison but then it just fell flat for me.

Thank you for a copy of this thriller by an author I always enjoy! This tells the story of Brooke who works in a prison after returning home after a long while away. A huge tragedy/horror filled night drove her from town, and her ex boyfriend is now in the prison for the murder of several of her friends. He is also the father of her child. Of course all these things will collide as the story is slowly revealed. Lots of fun twists to this one, some a bit far fetched but overall this was a good, can't put down thriller. Very Frieda!

The Inmate by Frieda McFadden: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶 None
Tropes: Slow-burn Romance, Murder-Mystery, Thriller, Small Town Feels(-ish)

I absolutely love Frieda McFadden’s work, so I JUMPED at the chance to read an ARC by her. However, this book fell short for me. I thought the concept of this book was so interesting and immediately pulled me in for the first half of the book. Brooke is a nurse practitioner at a men’s maximum-security prison. Her testimony from ten years ago put one of the inmates, who was her high school sweetheart and baby-daddy, there for life.

Now let me preface this review by saying, I did not hate this book, but it is not one that I will pick up again and I unfortunately focus more on the bad than the good. It was waaayy too much information within such a short book that stuff should have been cut out so other things could have received more detail, or just lengthen the book to elaborate more on everything.

I won’t recap the silly details like the nanny and the necklace since other reviews do a good job of it, but those and Brookes's lack of brain cells are really what turned me away. Anything that Tim does just reminds Brooke about the night of the murders, and anything Shane does makes her think he is this wonderful and innocent guy. There is zero thought about him being upset that she accused him of murder and gave a testimony to put him in prison for ten years AND that she had his son without HIM KNOWING ABOUT IT?? But yeah, he is cool with it, it is fine now that he is out.

I wish there would have been a larger presence in the prison setting since it is emphasized. Although the whole reason why she was working in the prison is dumb. She did not get a single call back from any medical offices in the area because of one disgruntled patient that could have been lying? Sure, because references do not exist.

Like other reviews, I agree that the twist in the book was good (so glad Tim was truly a good guy) but was not exciting enough for me to feel anything because the build-up was not there at all compared to McFadden’s other books. The ending was so ridiculous, I wish the concept would have been thought through more or just different. The reasons for the murders are so damn petty it was laughable in the worst way possible. Also, the epilogue was so unnecessary and cringe-worthy, unless she plans to write another book about the son.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and Hollywood Upstairs Press for the Arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This Author is known for the many many twists, turns, and flips… this book was no exception. It pulled me in immediately from the start and I knew as soon as we got a small piece of Brooke’s story things were going to go wayyyy sideways and boy did they. I can’t give too much away, but after one bomb exploded I questioned everything I thought I knew and the messiness (in the most entertaining) way possible just kept coming. I did start to suspect SOME of the ending but not everything that came out. My jaw hit the floor!
It is definitely a quick read. I read this in one afternoon.
3.5

Wooow woow another shocking and addictive thriller by Freida McFadden. She is just amazing at writing a fast-paced, wild ride thriller with a lot of twist and turns. That ending though, wooow you didn't see coming at all. I love all of her books that I have read by now. Nobody can write a thriller like her. You need to grab this book rightaway. All the stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

FM strikes again. Blowing my mind per usual with her writing style. Honestly, I never want to read a thriller that isn’t written by her. 5 stars. Will recommend to everyone.

An absolutely amazing read! Freida McFadden never disappoints. This book has so many twists it will have your head spinning. An absolute must read that you won't be able to put down.

I had a difficult time getting into this as I had no sympathy for Brooke. I decided to stick it out and was glad that I did. The story was a bit far fetched, yet entertaining. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I find that I’m looking forward to the next one.

One of my favorite Freida reads to date!
She was has a way of making you think you have it figured out, then at the end she proves you wrong!
As someone who enjoys anything crime, loved the setting of this book.
If you are contemplating on if you should give it a read, or try Freida's books... THIS IS YOUR SIGN!

Oh Lord, I wanted to like this so bad.

It started out okay. I had high hopes. It was good until Brooke started using her brain all the time. This book would 100% be better if she doesn't think too much so she doesn't confuse everyone. Even she manages to confuse herself, if you can believe it.

All the maybe he isn’t—, maybe I should be—, maybe I should just—, I can't. Brooke why are you doing this to yourself.

I honestly feel for Brooke. Being treated the way that she did in the aftermath of the murders, it was really hard for her. Standing up to her parents after being shunned by them and raising a child on her own, that takes courage. Being woken up by the same strangled-by-your-own-necklace nightmare, that takes a toll on your mental health. Losing your friends and witnessing their deaths, that kind of trauma carries through. The triggers, they linger. Even more so, the memories, they stay with you.

However ...

Explain it to me, if Brooke was still so traumatized by the events from 10 years ago, how was she not repulsed by the sight of Shane in her patient room? She believed Shane strangled her yet she was practically restless and swooning upon seeing him. Oh my shirt was hanging a little low and my cleavage was showing! Nah, it's fine, he prolly don't see much boobs in here. — Are you kidding me?!

tIn "The Inmate," Frida McFadden spins a riveting tale of love, loss, and redemption within the confines of a prison. The story follows a nurse practitioner who, unable to secure employment in her hometown, reluctantly takes a job at the very prison where her ex-boyfriend and the father of her child are incarcerated.

McFadden's narrative unfolds with tantalizing twists and turns that kept me eagerly turning the pages. From the moment the protagonist steps foot inside the prison walls, the tension is palpable, and the mysteries surrounding her past slowly unravel, keeping readers on their toes until the very end.

While the novel is undeniably a gripping thriller, McFadden's skillful storytelling also shines through in her richly drawn characters and nuanced exploration of human nature. Each character, from the enigmatic inmates to the resilient protagonist herself, feels authentic and multi-dimensional, adding depth to the narrative.

In "The Inmate," McFadden proves once again why she's a master of the genre. With its compelling plot, gripping twists, and well-drawn characters, this novel is a must-read for fans of thrillers and mystery alike. You can never go wrong with McFadden, and "The Inmate" is no exception.

I have previously read ward D by Freida McFadden. I figured it was not my type of book writing wise. But due to the huge amount of fans she has, I was willing to give her books another change. So I was happy to receive a copy of The Inmate. The book is engaging enough, but it's nothing more than a quick pallete cleanser inbetween more serious books. I tend to read a lot of dark books, or books with heavy world building. So if you want something quick and easy that is still engaging to a degree with a kind of plot... then Freida is your gal!

A very quick read like all of Frieda’s books… Pretty silly but equally entertaining. Frieda’s books are all like a bad horror movie. They have no substance and always make me chuckle but at the end of the day, I’ll always love them. 3/5 stars!

As I approached the final chapters of "The Inmate," I couldn't shake the feeling that it might end up as a run-of-the-mill read, perhaps deserving of just a 3-star rating. Sure, there were plenty of twists and turns along the way, but as someone who's devoured their fair share of thrillers, I found myself piecing together the mystery a bit too easily. It felt like I'd seen this plot before, and I was worried that the book wouldn't leave a lasting impression.

However, all that changed with the epilogue. It was like a bolt from the blue, completely unexpected and utterly mind-blowing. Instead of a neat and tidy conclusion, the epilogue left me pondering long after I turned the final page. Suddenly, my rating soared to a solid 4 stars, and I found myself reassessing the entire journey I'd just taken with the characters.

This was my first foray into Freida McFadden's writing, and I must say, it won't be my last. Her style is refreshingly straightforward and easy to follow, even amidst the tangled web of mystery she weaves. The characters felt like real people, with dialogue that rang true and internal monologues that offered intriguing glimpses into their minds. While I didn't always agree with Brooke's decisions, seeing the world through her eyes added depth to the story and helped me understand her motivations.

"The Inmate" has opened up a whole new world of suspense and thriller novels for me. I'm eager to dive into more books in this genre, eager to unravel the mysteries alongside the characters and get lost in the suspense once again.

I'm grateful to Netgalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this captivating work in exchange for an honest review.

Always a thrill ride when you read a Freida McFadden novel. In this tale, the MC Brooke has spent the majority of her adult life living estranged from her parents and in hiding from the people in her hometown. Because she was responsible for putting the star quarterback in prison, the very prison where she will now serve as a nurse. Being in close contact with the man who tried to kill her brings old wounds to the surface and makes her question herself. As with all McFadden books you won't find out who is responsible until the bitter end.

Freida McFadden has done it again - another thrilling must-read! I feel like I am gobbling up one of her books every week - they are just so damn addictive! I can't help myself! The twists and turns, the shocking reveals, and the stories themselves - riveting!!

This time round in The Inmate I was definitely thrown for a loop. I thought I had figured out whodunit, but nope, I was wrong and then some. Whoa! And, I loved it!

So, what's the book about? (summary from Goodreads)

A gripping, twisty thriller from Freida McFadden, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Housemaid and The Housemaid's Secret ! There are three rules Brooke Sullivan must follow as a new nurse practitioner at a men's maximum-security 1) Treat all prisoners with respect. 2) Never reveal any personal information. 3) Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates. But none of the staff at the prison knows Brooke has already broken the rules. Nobody knows about her intimate connection to Shane Nelson, one of the penitentiary's most notorious and dangerous inmates. And they certainly don't know that Shane was Brooke's high school sweetheart―the star quarterback who is now spending the rest of his life in prison for a series of grisly murders. Or that Brooke's testimony was what put him there. But Shane knows. And he will never forget.

How awesome does that sound? Like, the kind of awesome where you have to get your hands on a copy ASAP and devote your evening to reading it all in one sitting, right? That's how it sounds to me. And that is what I did and let me just say it was the right decision. The Inmate by Freida McFadden was fan-freaking-tastic! Definitely one of my favorites so far. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone, especially fans of Freida McFadden - you are going to LOVE this book! Make sure to check it out!


Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Such a good fast paced read. Finished it in a day. Could not put it down. Would definitely recommend this one to others!