I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When you open up a book by Freida McFadden, you know its going to a fast, thrilling and twisty read. This book was no exception. Who tried to kill them 20 years ago? Who should Brooke trust? What is the truth?

McFadden is known as a powerhouse when it comes to writing thrillers and this one is not as exception, even given my lower rating. As far as story went I really enjoyed this and loved how much I went back and forth trying to figure out who the real bad guy was. My main reason for a lower rating is I absolutely HATED Brooke. When a main character is constantly doing things that make you want to shake them it’s so hard to find yourself truly into the book. Somehow she’s shocked people recognize her in her hometown? Why are we so focused on her being an unwed mother? Overall a solid idea that fell flat for me.

This was a good old Freida McFadden thriller! Many times, I questioned my theories about who the killer was and was thrown off until a little bit before the reveal. Although this would probably be classified as cheap thrills, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in reading more from Freida. I think if you've enjoyed stuff from her in the past, definitely give this one a try!
* I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *

Freida McFadden gets me every time!
I was rolling my eyes a quarter of the way through the story thinking I had it all figured out only for the author to plant a seed of doubt and then continue to blindside me.
I had no idea who to trust and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
My only complaint is that the main character's internal dialogue was a bit repetitive and I found myself thinking "we get it, you're conflicted!"
I have read 4 of this author's books and one novella so far and they have all been great! I can't wait to pick up my next one!

Thank you so much to Netgalley for approving me for this book before the paperback comes out!

Brooke moves back to her hometown after her parents pass away. She get a job at the local prisoner, and runs into an inmate that she has known for years...her ex boyfriend that she put there. She immediately gets thrown for a loop when they run into each other, and falls back into a routine of being open with him, even though one of her rules is to never become friendly with the inmates. She starts to slowly think maybe she made a mistake? Did Shane really commit the murders that happened all those years ago? Did she put the wrong person behind bars? For me,

I have been on a Freida McFadden kick for the past few days and have been binging her books within a few hours. This one was no different. It started out a litte slower than the other books I have read by her. Brooke isn't my favorite main character out of all her books. Her inconsistency in her story pissed me off because all the wrong people were hurt in the end. Her simping over her ex boyfriend that almost trie to murder her was ridiculous, but overall it was okay. The book is told in two different time periods. One during present day and one of what happened that night 11 years ago. It makes you want to keep reading because you're invested in certain parts of the story, and one you're invested, it takes you to a different time period that you just want to read fast through that one to get to the one you're invested in. I really did think I had it all figured out by the time things started to pick up in the book. Freida McFadden has this thing where she has the story going one way but takes crazy twists and turns until the very end. You think the book is finished, but those last few pages reveal these insane details, that in your head, you're like "wtf?". This ending had me like that. I didn't see anything coming of how this book finished.

Overall, this was an excellent thriller and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Freida McFadden.

As always with Freidas books, I could not out this down!
Shocking, twisty and gripping. Cannot wait for the next one!

This was my first Freida McFadden book, and it definitely won't be my last. This was a wild ride, and I truly still don't know if I have processed all of the twists and turns... THAT ENDING?! I am mind blown in the best way!

Brooke and her son leave their life in Brooklyn behind because he’s being bullied so they need a fresh start. They move back to her childhood home after the death of her parents, who she wasn’t very close to because they didn’t support her when she chose to keep the baby when she got pregnant. She gets a job as a nurse at the penitentiary where her ex-boyfriend, who by the way, is incarcerated for trying to kill her, and doesn’t think that’s going to be a problem either. She runs into her estranged longtime best friend Tim, who is now the assistant principal as her sons new school, and they start up a relationship super quickly, despite the red flags her gut is giving her. Next thing you know, she discovers a body in Tim’s basement and she’s getting Shane out of jail and letting him move in with her! What the heck? No way would this happen. Brooke makes so many dumb choices it’s hard to root for her. There’s so many plot holes and it is just overall not the authors best work. That being said, I’ve enjoyed her other books, so I’m sure I’ll be picking up her next one.
Thanks to Hollywood Upstairs Press and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

*SPOILER-FREE*

"The Inmate" is a thriller with an intriguing premise. Brooke Sullivan is brought back to her hometown in upstate New York following the death of her parents. The only job she is able to get is at a maximum security prison where Shane Nelson, the man who tried to kill her over a decade prior, is currently detained.

The premise itself is what carried me through to the end of the book and was certainly the book's greatest strength. From a character standpoint, it didn't seem reasonable for Brooke to want to be in close proximity with Shane. I'd figure that PTSD would prevent her from wanting to be close. Sometimes Brooke's core motivation disappears, leaving her to respond to a situation based on how she's being influenced by the person closest to her. Other characters tend to have stronger motivations and goals and consistently pursue them, which makes Brooke feel like the kind of character who is very much reacting to situations rather than trying to be proactive.

The book's action scenes are mostly reasonable, given that this is a thriller. A few elements are on the fantastical side or don't make a lot of logistic sense, but that's excusable given that it's a thriller. The plot itself starts to sag in the middle but the end of the book picks up, and there's sufficient twists that come at a solid pace that gives you power to push to the end of the novel. The ending gives a feeling that it makes sense in the moment, but I'm not sure it's a book you'd want to reread to see if you can spot clues.

3.75
This book took me on a roller coaster of emotions. First it was thrilling, annoyance then thrilling,annoyance, relief and finally shock😂
I was really enjoying it but some parts annoyed me because of a certain characters stupidity.
If ignored that would've been 4/4.25.
But omg this is the first book after awhile that I finished in one settingg. So definitely recommend it! Very thrilling and page turning.

R E V I E W 🫶🏼

📚 The Inmate
📝 Freida McFadden

𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4)
𝙶𝙴𝙽𝚁𝙴: Psychological Thriller
𝚂𝙿𝙸𝙲𝙴: N/A

✨ This was an ARC gifted to me by Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. The following review is my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions. ✨

𝙼𝚈 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂 💭
McFadden is an expert at writing endings that I can never, ever guess. The first book I read by her was Never Lie, which gave me quite the shock – but this one even more so. The writing style was typical Freida, blunt, to the point and easy to read. While I realize her style may be polarizing, I quite enjoy it for psychological thrillers. This book was a solid, typical 3-3.5 stars for me through the entire first 80%, however the ending and its complete lack of predictability knocked it up to 4 stars. It’s not often that I can’t somewhat predict a thriller’s ending anymore! Here’s a breakdown of what I loved and what held it back from being a 5-star read for me:
❤️ 𝙸 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙳:
- Unpredictable ending
- Easy to read writing style
- Fast paced read
- Unique plot

💔 𝙸 𝙳𝙸𝙳𝙽’𝚃 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 :
- Lack of romantic chemistry
- Pretty unrealistic
- MC lacks depth

𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳 𝙸𝙵 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 ⤵️
shocking endings, spine-tingling epilogues, dual-timelines, who do I trust?, fast-paced thrillers, minimal gore
Huge thanks to the publisher for my free copy of this book!

This was ok. I enjoyed the first part of it more then the 2nd half. I liked the flashbacks more than the main storyline. I think the problem for me was the main character seem absolutely oblivious to what was going on around her. She just refused to listen to anything anyone was telling her, and because of that ended up in the situation she was in. Like I said I was intrigued at first then just disappointed. Both twists were predictable and the ending wasn't all that exciting or intense. The big climax was over and done with in a page or two. The inmate was a fast read but not all that exciting.

I LOVE Freida McFadden's books!!!!!

"The Inmate" by Freida McFadden is a thriller that dives deep into the complexities of guilt, relationships, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. Set within the confines of a maximum-security prison, the novel introduces us to Brooke Sullivan, a nurse practitioner tasked with adhering to strict rules as she navigates her new environment.

McFadden's narrative immediately captivates readers as we learn of Brooke's connection to Shane Nelson, one of the prison's most notorious inmates. The tension escalates as we discover that Shane is not just any inmate; he is Brooke's high school sweetheart, convicted of heinous crimes that have left an indelible mark on both their lives. The author skillfully unveils Brooke's internal struggle, torn between her professional duties and her lingering emotions for Shane.

The strength of "The Inmate" lies in its well-crafted characters and the intricate dynamics between them. Brooke is a compelling protagonist, flawed yet relatable, as she grapples with the consequences of her past decisions. Shane, on the other hand, is a chilling figure, shrouded in mystery and unpredictable in his actions. McFadden masterfully navigates their complex relationship, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as secrets unravel and loyalties are tested.

Furthermore, McFadden's prose is sharp and atmospheric, immersing readers in the bleak and claustrophobic world of the prison. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter unveiling new twists and revelations that propel the narrative forward. As the tension mounts, the author raises thought-provoking questions about guilt and justice, challenging readers to reconsider their perceptions of morality and redemption.

While "The Inmate" is undeniably a thrilling read, it also offers depth and nuance that elevate it above typical genre fare. McFadden's exploration of themes such as forgiveness and the nature of evil adds layers of complexity to the story, leaving a lasting impact on the reader long after the final page is turned.

Well, that last pov was unexpected, my jaw dropped for a whole minute! Freida McFadden never disappointed me!😭🤍

The story follows "Brooke" who got a job as a nurse in a maximum security prison and we know in the first chapter that her ex-boyfriend is an inmate there because he tried to kill her!
It was gripping and intense read that navigates some harsh realities of prison life and the emotional depth of the story is truly compelling. I was dispersed and couldn't determine who was innocent and who's not. That's why it was a thought-provoking and powerful read that will stay in my mind forever.🤍🤍🤍

Freida McFadden, the mastermind behind gripping thrillers like "The Housemaid" and "The Coworker," delivers another heart-pounding tale in "The Inmate." This twisty thriller follows nurse practitioner Brooke Sullivan as she navigates the treacherous world of a maximum-security prison, where the lines between guilt and innocence blur.

Tasked with treating prisoners while adhering to strict rules, Brooke harbors a dangerous secret: her intimate connection to Shane Nelson, a notorious inmate serving a life sentence for gruesome murders. As Brooke grapples with her past and the repercussions of her testimony that put Shane behind bars, she finds herself entangled in a web of deceit and danger.

"The Inmate" is a propulsive and mind-bending thriller that challenges readers to redefine guilt and confront the consequences of their actions. With McFadden's signature twists and turns, this novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Prepare to be gripped by this thrilling exploration of justice, loyalty, and the price of secrets.

Wow this was crazy.
I am not gonna lie, at the start I wasn't very hooked but damn, when I got to the middle I couldn't stop
I loved this! The end left me a little bit stunned tho lol
You will think it's one and almost at the end of the book you will think it's another one and then it is a whole different thing
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Freida McFadden and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me an ARC of this amazing book. All opinions are my own

Brooke is a nurse practitioner at a men's maximum security prison. She has just moved back to her hometown after her parents death, a place she hasn't stepped foot in, in 10 years. Told in past and present POVs, Brooke shares her story of the night that changed her life ten years ago, when her friends were murdered at her high school sweetheart's farmhouse. Brooke's testimony put her then boyfriend, Shane Nelson, in prison for the rest of his life and now she is working at the prison where he is being kept. Being back in her hometown, having to treat the man who killed her friends and tried to kill her; brings up some memories from that night, but did Brooke get the killer wrong?

Review:
Freida is the queen of bingeworthy quick popcorn thrillers and this was just that! From the very first page, I was sucked in and did not want to put the book down. My mind was racing the entire time and during the duration of the book, I probably had 10 different suspects. BUT somehow, they were all wrong. And that epilogue!!!! WOW! Did not expect that at all.
Congratulations to Freida on the publication of The Inmate with Poisoned Pen Press!! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are just starting to get into the Thriller/ Mystery genre, The Inmate is the perfect place to start. It has a small cast, was easy to read, and was fairly fast-paced. However, I think such a focused story made it easy for the reader to see where this was going. The motive was the only missing piece I was missing, but even after the reveal I still had a lot of questions that were left unanswered, or perhaps the answers provided were just unfulfilling? I definitely liked the final chapter, I think that added a nice twist to the end of the story and gave it A LOT of extra points compared it if it was not there, but it was still a pretty average read. Enjoyable, but unfortunately forgettable.

I love a good thriller and this book certainly had all the bits that make a good one. There was a wonderful twist I didn't foresee that had me gasping out loud. There were moments that felt like watching a bad horror movie and you know the character is doing something stupid that is the worst decision. Overall, it's a great diverting beach read!

I’ve gotta give one thing to Freida McFadden: you’ll never be able to guess her plottwists.
However that also leaves you with the problem of her opening plots, twisting them and never closing the original ones properly. Why was Brooke warned that Tim isn’t as nice as he looks? Why would Tim think it’s a good idea to regift Brooke the necklace?
And above all, the final plottwist?? Unless youre about to make Josh into Shane 2.0 and go down the it’s in his genes route, why would a ten year old go this far?

The Inmate is one of these novels that you have to go into expecting the wildest turns to happen while in no way wanting to be able to solve the mystery yourself,