Member Reviews

Definitely was not my favorite McFadden book, but I still liked it. I couldn’t stop reading it because when I thought I figured out what was happening, I was wrong. I needed to know who actually did everything. However the MC drove me a little crazy. She was not the brightest and believed stuff so fast it was making me mad. And then the final twist made me sad, when the kid said that sentence I was like NO!! Overall the book was good.

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I highly recommend "The Inmate" by Freida McFadden with a perfect rating of 10/10. This novel is an absolute gem that I urge everyone to read. McFadden's storytelling prowess shines brightly once again, delivering an exceptional reading experience that surpasses expectations.

The writing style is superb, intricately weaving together a captivating narrative while skillfully developing both the characters and the setting. Brooke, the protagonist, is a relatable and cunning character who breathes fresh life into the story. Witnessing her navigate through adversities and overcome obstacles, including encounters with psychopaths intent on her demise, was truly enthralling.

Furthermore, the revelation of the true identity of the killer left me utterly shocked and amazed. "The Inmate" is a must-read for anyone seeking an immersive and thrilling literary journey.

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As always, Freida McFadden is a wonderful author. Her books always capture my attention from the very first page. This one was no exception.

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4.25/5

this was my first freida mcfadden book and i was pleasantly surprised! overall, i really enjoyed myself. it was a quick read that i didn't really want to put down. the mystery and plot twists weren't particularly revolutionary. i had some ideas about what was going to happen, but there were still plenty of moments that had me questioning myself. but the part that shocked me most by far was the epilogue - completely obsessed!!

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Whoa…… twists and turns until the very end! Great book. I kept thinking I had it figured out, only to be wrong.

*A sincere thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing the advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.*

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I was interested from the very beginning. The only sort of gripe I have would be I felt like it at some points would drag along. Perhaps an over development of the story. But I loved the present day and past back and forth.

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I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this one based on the title. Let me tell you if you haven’t read it pick it up you won’t regret it. I started to suspect who it was but I kept doubting myself and boy did it keep getting better. It had me at the edge of my seat. Don’t even get me started for the ending. Freida always has your jaw dropping for her endings.

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It’s been a very long time since I finished a book in one sitting, finished this in 3 hours because it was well written, fast paced and oh so good.

Also, tell me why I was having butterflies in my stomach at every romantic interaction between Shane and Brooke?

This is exactly what I mean when I say less is more, the author drops just enough romance and intimacy and the rest is up to our imagination.

As for the plot, it was brilliant, a perfect package.

Just like with every other Mcfadden plot, we are made to believe one thing, while a dozen other possibilities were running on our minds but it ends in the most unexpected way?

I did not see that plot twist coming, and the ending was just perfect. *chefs kiss*

After The Housemaid, I’ve got the hang of Freida McFadden books and her thought process, so I go in knowing that it’s NOT going to be a regular thriller with a generic plot, and now I am more prepared for what is to come and I’m actually loving the experience.

With a Freida McFadden book, what you read and feel in the 50th page is not the same as what you would in the 250th, 300th and the very last page.

OVERALL RATING: 4.6/5

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Amazing read! Frieda does not disappoint with this one! Couldn’t put it down until I finished. It took me about a day to finish, would recommend for anything starting off with thrillers

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Always a fan of this author! I think I’ve read every book that she has put out, and I plan to read every one she releases in the future as well. I always refer to her books as thriller lite - they definitely get suspenseful, but I feel like I can read them before bed without having nightmares. I definitely had to suspend disbelief a few times in this book, but it also had some great twists and turns. Overall, a very enjoyable read!

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You can never go wrong with a Freida McFadden! She has become one of my favorite authors. While this particular book was not my favorite of hers, definitely still enjoyed it. She always has twists and turns at a good pace to keep you interested and entertained. Thanks to Freida, publishers, and NetGalley for the ARC!

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I LOVE this author. None of her books disappoint, including this one. I could not pick the ending and it kept me guessing right up to the end. 5 star read for sure.

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Even though some bits were a bit out there and hard to believe I loved this, the writing style just makes her books sooooo easy and quick to read and I love it

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When you finish The Inmate by Frieda McFadden your head will be spinning from all the twists in the book and I mean this as a compliment! Wow, this book is incredible. I thought I had it all figured out, but I was so wrong! Trust me when I say, you need to read this book! Brooke moves back to her hometown when both of her parents are killed in a car accident. Brooke's ten year old son, Josh, has been getting bullied at school in New York City and it's time for a change. They lived in a small apartment in the city and will now live in the house Brooke grew up in. Josh will have a yard and a chance to start over and be happy in school.

Brooke is a nurse practitioner and sends her resume' to all of the doctor's offices in town. She only hears back from the maximum security prison and they want to hire her right away. She really doesn't want to work at the prison because of what happened over 10 years ago. Shane Nelson is in the prison and he's there because of Brooke's testimony! Shane was Brooke's high school sweetheart until the night it all went wrong. What are the chances that Brooke will run into Shane? She's hoping slim to none, but things rarely work out like that. Shane seems so nice and genuinely happy to see Brooke. Is he really?

I don't want to say more about this book because it is so good, you need to experience it for yourself. Just when you think you have it all figured out, trust me when I say, you don't! This book will blow your mind as only the best thrillers can! I rate The Inmate 5 stars with my very highest recommendation! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of The Inmate in exchange for a fair review. The book is now available in paperback and should not be missed! #TheInmate

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The Inmate was yet another great thrill ride by Freida McFadden. Her books hook you from the beginning and have you in a death grip until you finish…literally can’t put them down. I always finish her books in record time and this was no different!

This is a dual timeline thriller switching back and forth between the past and present. 10 years earlier Brooke Sullivan was nearly murdered by her then boyfriend. She immediately leaves town and never returns…until now.

She is now back in her hometown and accepts a job as an NP at a maximum security prison. She does so knowing that the man that tried to murder her is an inmate there. Brooke is simply living on a hope and a prayer that she won’t run into him…but she does so much sooner than expected and begins to question absolutely everything about that night.

Is her memory accurate? Was he really the one that tried to kill her or did she put an innocent man behind bars? Buckle up because you’ll be getting whiplash trying to figure this one out. I was suspicious of literally everyone while reading this!

The ending was a bit far fetched for me but I still really enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who enjoys fast-paced thrillers that keep you guessing.

4/5⭐️

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In the Inmate by Freida McFadden, Brooke Sullivan, a recent addition to the nursing team in a high-security prison, is instructed on how to interact with the prisoners safely. However, unbeknownst to everyone, Brooke has already violated this advice. Concealed from her colleagues is her deeply personal tie to Shane Nelson, one of the facility's most infamous and dangerous convicts.
What remains a secret is that Shane was Brooke's high school sweetheart—an esteemed quarterback turned convicted murderer serving a life sentence due to Brooke's damning testimony. Yet, Shane holds this knowledge alone, more intimately acquainted with Brooke's past than anyone else, harboring it with unwavering memory and resolve.

The Inmate" is a gripping psychological thriller where trust is a scarce commodity, leaving readers guessing until the final pages. The novel unfolds at a rapid pace, drawing readers into its intriguing premise from start to finish. Despite its quick tempo, however, I found myself somewhat frustrated with the protagonist, Brooke. Her actions often felt implausible, as she seemed to overlook glaring warning signs until it was too late, detracting from the believability of her character.

Moreover, the tone of the narrative occasionally veered towards a young adult style, especially in Brooke's behavior in certain situations. Many plot points felt disjointed, and the resolution only came together in the closing chapters, leaving little room for anticipation or coherence. The final reveal itself proved to be confusing and failed to tie up loose ends effectively.

In spite of these shortcomings, I did find "The Inmate" to be an engaging and swift read, prompting me to consider exploring more of Freida's work. However, I believe that more robust character development and a more meticulously crafted revelation would have significantly enhanced my overall impression of the novel.

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I simply could not get into this novel so did not finish. I found the writing uninspiring and the premise very cliché. I will not be leaving any public reviews for Frieda McFadden's 'The Inmate.' I had thought I'd read a book I enjoyed by this author, which is why I requested this one. But, now, upon searching for the books she's written, I cannot find one I've read before, so I must be mistaken. I am just not the audience for these types of not very well written psychological thrillers that are shallow and clichéd.

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Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for my advance reader’s copy. I am a huge fan of Freida’s popcorn thrillers so I was over the moon to receive this ARC. I was not disappointed! This was another well-executed psychological thriller that turned into a twisty who-dunnit murder mystery… Pacing was excellent and each new "clue" along the way left me guessing from start to finish.

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I thought this book was good. It was fast paced and I didn’t know where the story would go.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

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This book had me in a chokehold from the very beginning! I was back and forth so much as to who I thought did what and where I thought the story was going, only for McFadden to get me in the end anyway!

I loved this book so much, and I may or may not have stayed up until 4am trying to finish it. It definitely took me less than 24 hours to read this and it’s definitely a five star read for me.

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