Book Review 📚

The Inmate by @fmcfaddenauthor 🔐🔪🩸💉

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and now I want to them all! I was sucked in from the beginning, I love the switch from past to present trying to put all the pieces together. Just when I thought I knew who was the bad guy I didn’t! I was totally shocked and on the edge the entire time! I truly questioned who was trustworthy, it made my head spin. This was a thrilling read for me, highly recommend if you need to get out of a reading slump!

Available NOW!

Thank you @fmcfaddenauthor @netgalley @poisonedpenpress for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 🤍

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an eARC of this republished book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars | This is my first time reading a book from Freida McFadden and it didn't disappoint. In fact, I'm a fan already! I love the writing style and the progression of the story was great imo. The book sets from the past and present wherein we'll follow the characters on their younger days and on their present lives (some are already dead though). The shift is not confusing, which I liked because I was able to understand the entire course of event. And all the questions I've formulated were answered.

The characters were vividly portrayed, and as the story progressed, I was really really confident that I had the plot figured out, until it didn't! Shane is indeed, a manipulative. The story unfolds with unexpected twists and turns which kept me engaged, and I love it! In addition, I didn't expect the epilogue with Josh's POV! That's really mindblowing and didn't see that coming, which left me in awe. Great job, kiddo! I didn't like Brooke though. She's indecisive, naive, and trust people too easily considering the fact that she got almost killed by someone close to her. Girl, you're better than that! Nonetheless, it's such a great read. Very engaging, thought-provoking, and unputdownable! Looking forward to more of Freida McFadden's literary works.

"The Inmate" is a propulsive, mind-bending thriller about how we define guilt - and who has to pay for it. And with a clever narrative and well-crafted characters, this novel is a compelling read if you're into suspenseful plot and psychological thriller genre.

This novel was re-published on March 5, 2024.

Brooke Sullivan, a new nurse practitioner at a men's maximum-security prison, must adhere to three strict rules:

1) Treat all prisoners with respect.
2) Never reveal any personal information.
3) Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates.

Unbeknownst to the prison staff, Brooke has already violated these rules due to her intimate connection with Shane Nelson, one of the penitentiary's most notorious inmates.

I found myself frustrated with Brooke's inconsistent behavior throughout the story; her certainty on one page often gave way to abrupt changes on the next. Despite being portrayed as a strong character, her actions fell short, making it challenging for me to fully engage with the narrative.

Surprisingly, the ending caught me off guard, though I remain unsure whether that's a positive or negative aspect, as it felt somewhat unexpected and not seamlessly integrated into the plot. I appreciate stories where readers can decipher clues, but this conclusion seemed random and not particularly well-executed.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to explore this book.

This was my first book by this author. It was a mild ride. A little guess worthy and lacked character depth. I really wanted to like this book. I had heard so many good things about this author and her other books. So it was a bit of a disappointment. I have a few other books of hers that I am going to try.

All I can say is wow. I loved the plot twists. I highly recommend this book. Freida McFadden has done it again.

I now get the hype!

This was my first encounter with this author's work and it sure won't be my last.

So get your popcorn ready -I like mine salty, sometimes cheesy- and get comfy because once you start this gripping thriller, you will NOT and I mean YOU WILL NOT want to put it down till that jaw-dropping epilogue.

A quick tip, in order to fully enjoy this fast-paced thriller, you should not think too much. Actually, the less brain power you use, the better. It's just that kind of book and, at times, we all need an entertaining read to devour in one-sitting with a delicious bowl popcorn.

I would definitely recommend.

4 stars!
This book was so good! The twists! Unbelievable! I was kept guessing constantly. The main character, Brooke, can get a little annoying at times but overall it kept me engaged, guessing, and at the edge of my seat the entire time! Would definitely recommend to a friend! The chapter from Brookes son perspective!!! Oh my goodnesss!!!!! Loved it!
Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebook for gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

What can I say a gripping read I was hooked Lord it all lots of twist and turns a great written book it hooks you into the plot and what a plot it is a little slow in places but it build up for the hit

This was my first book by the author and I have seen people on about her books for a while. I did enjoy this one and it was a very quick read and had some unexpected twists but thought some of it was also predictable at times but I would definitely check out another one of her books to compare. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc. I would give this 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4.

This is the first time I'm reading a book by this author, and I loved the experience! The progression of the story was amazing and gradual. There is a constant shift between the past and the present to make the readers understand the course of event. At one point I thought the story had become quite obvious, but guess what, I was wrong! Hahaha!
Characters wise, I found Brooke to be naive. She chose to ignore all the red alerts. Josh was such a sweet heart. The side characters were very mysterious, but you can expect their true personality to shine with time.
The ending was, of course, very unexpected. The last pov (of a character that I don't want to give spoilers of) was such a game changer!
This was a quick to read psychological thriller that can push you out of a reading slump. This was my first thriller of the year, and I'm glad I picked this up!

Freida McFadden is the queen of plot twists. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, you realize you are completely out wrong. I really enjoyed The Inmate, it gave me some prison break vibes! Thank you #netgalley

The book had many unexpected plot twists, some were predictable, but others were surprising. Although it started well, the story gradually went downhill. Some of the events in the book were unbelievable and the character Brooke appeared to be foolish.

My first Frieda McFadden book and it will not be my last!

I loved The Inmate. At first, Brooke isn’t the best main character, but as we learn more of her back story, she does improve somewhat. However, I loved the plot and never saw the ending coming. Definitely not. A great whodunnit that’s entertaining to read.

Book provided by NetGalley & Poinsined Pen Press. All opinions are my own.

Wowza! Another McFadden book that kept me on the edge of my seat. This one had all the makings of a great thriller: a sympathetic female MC, a creepy farm house during a storm, teenagers in love, plenty of twists and there's nobody who you can trust.

Brooke Sullivan survived a massacre when she was a teenager. Her boyfriend Shane killed her 3 friends and tried to kill her, leaving only herself and her friend Tim alive. Brooke survived not only with her life but also pregnant with Shane's baby. She moves away to start fresh but 10 years later she returns and is offered a job at the prison. The same prison Shane is in.

Is Shane really the person she thought he was? Was someone else involved? Could her testimony all those years ago be wrong? As her mind races, crazy occurances start happening and she needs to figure out what really happened all those years ago...or risk her and her son's lives.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Great read. I love thriller/suspense books and this one definitely had some good twists in it!! I was on the edge of my seat for so much of this book! At some parts, especially before bed, I had to watch something funny so I could sleep haha! Literally got kinda scary at some parts, like I was in the room with these characters.

At first I thought I had it all figured out, then Frieda totally shocked me a few times!!! This book definitely keeps you interested! There’s romance, suspense, manipulation, horror, drama, and so much more!!

Definitely a must read!!

What an absolutely fanatstic thriller! There are so many twists and turns even seasoned thriller reads will be left surprised by the ending!

All lovers of thrillers should read this book and I cannopt wait to read the rest of Fredia McFadden's catalogue!

Another great read from Freida McFadden! Every book I’ve read from her is a fun and fast paced ride. She’s now become an auto-buy author for me.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for the advanced digital copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free Kindle copy of the inmate by Freida McFadden in exchange for an honest review.

Brooke is a nurse and single mom who has returned to her hometown after an absence of 11 years following a terrible crime that traumatized her and sent her boyfriend to the prison where she now works. While her testimony landed him there, is he really guilty? Did she make a terrible mistake? Or is this just one more manipulation by a devious criminal?

While not my favorite of this author’s, this mystery with a dual timeline kept me engaged, and I appreciated the twist at the end. Four stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy of this book.

This story had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, and I couldn’t put it down.

Brooke has just been hired as a nurse practitioner at a men’s maximum security penitentiary in her home town. We are dropped into the story on Brooke’s first day. She clearly does not want to be there, for more than the obvious reason. She knows an inmate, very well. After all, she’s the reason he’s there. She knows she must stay away for her own safety, but how could she when she’s the only one to treat her new patients? When he is escorted into her office, shackled and with some new injuries, she knows she can’t reveal too much, as she’s hiding a secret. But can she keep it from him?

There were so many little twists and turns that Freida does so well. This was a great book, probably my favourite from her. I would recommend to anyone looking for a fast-paced, quick and easy read.

Freida McFadden is the queen of fast-paced, addicting thriller reads. This one was no exception. The twists, the turns, the action. You never are able to see things coming and I am so here for it.