After a car accident killed her parents Brooke Sullivan moves back into her chilhood home, in her hometown of Raker, upstate New York.
But no matter where she tries to find work, she gets a rejection or no answer at all.

So she ends up as the new nurse-practitioner at the maximum-secuirty prison called Raker's Penitentiary.

There's just one not so tiny problem, one of the inmates is serving time because of her, and it's just a matter of time for him to turn up in her exam room.

What did really happen that Night eleven years ago? Will Brooke be able to start a new life?

It was the second Book by this Author, that I read so far and it had quite the twisted story.
Okay, scratch that, it had so many twists, which I honestly enjoyed.

She also threw a few big, red herrings at me but I dodged them this time… mostly. Except that last one, I was only able to figure out parts of it! Kudos to the Author!!

There are two timelines in the book. "P R E S E N T D A Y" and "E L E V E N Y E A R S E A R L I E R"
We go through them alternatingly, and with each chapter we get to see more how Brooke ended up the way she did.
A single mom who still reels with a traumatic tragedy, that happened over a Decade ago.

To be honest, I couldn't stand Brooke. She was so gullible and clearly not wanting to see what was in front of her.
Girl, you so dense? - Even at "P R E S E N T D A Y" as an almost 30 yo grown woman?

On the other hand, I liked almost all of the other characters in their own ways.
For example Tim, Margie, Marcus Hunt and even Shane.

Another bit I really liked here was the amount of characters. Barely a handful but almost all of them had a reason to be part of the story.

This felt a bit like an 80's teen movie at times to me, which was okay… and the Epilogue? Ooh boy, short but oh so sweet!

I give this Book a 4.6 🌟 Rating. Which I will of course round up to a full 5!

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒐𝒚 𝒂 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅-𝒇*𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒚.

I love Freda McFadden so much ever since I read the handmaiden but this book was not it for me. It started of good but there was a lot of inconsistency which the characters 3/5 stars for me

Another amazing, addictive, entertaining, and hard to put down book by Freida McFadden! I found this book to be gripping from the very beginning!

Single mother Brooke has accepted a job as a nurse practitioner at a men’s maximum-security prison. No one knows that Shane Nelson, one of the prisoners, was her high school boyfriend and that it was Brooke's testimony that sent him to prison!

I don't know about you, but I would not want to work where a person was serving time based on my testimony and why I had to testify against them. But Brooke needs the money so....

This book is told through two timelines. The past while Brooke is in high school and the present. I enjoyed the twist, turns, and reveals that kept coming! Just when I thought I knew everything there was to know, McFadden shocked me yet again.

I enjoyed the tension, the drama, and the unraveling of the story. Brooke is a smart woman who doesn't always make the best decisions. If everyone and their brother is warning you about someone, maybe hear them out, just sayin’. Plus, I wanted to scream "communicate" to a few characters.

I can see this book being made into a movie. It reminded me of several teenage slasher flicks that I love. This book was pure enjoyment for me. I found it to be entertaining, dramatic, and tense. Sure, some things are a little OTT, but I am always happy to overlook them in McFadden's books. I enjoyed how well thought out this book was.

Addictive well thought out, tense and dramatic!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating 3.5 Stars

The Inmate follows the story of Brooke, who has recently returned to her hometown after being gone for the past 10 years since murder, trauma and young love caused her to flee. What I love about Freida McFadden books is the gripping suspense leading to the unexpected plot twist at the end; I will admit, this book lacked a lot of that “wow, what just happened” feeling as the ending unravelled. Brooke experienced a lot of back and forth, and there were a lot of obvious answers. Don’t get me wrong, it was an OK read - I am just basing my comparison to my feeling during and after reading some of her other books.
Was it still a solid, quick read? Yes.
Was it Freida’s best? No
Will I continue to read her work? Yes!

This was essentially a one day read (all right; I did start it the night before but only read a little bit). It was an engaging and quick read, just as The Housemaid was and sometimes that is exactly what you need. Like with many books and movies of this genre (suspense), you need to suspend disbelief and there are times that you just want to shake the protagonist because they are unspeakably naive. However, I did enjoy this more that The Housemaid because I felt like there were more twists and turns and there was a little more depth to it. Is it a tad formulaic? Of course...probably a bit more than a tad. But there are moments when I need to read something that does not require too much of my brain and yesterday was such a day. The character was engaging as was her situation and it kept me guessing right up until the end, which, at the end of the day, is really what you want from a suspense novel. Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me the opportunity to read this novel.

This story kept me swiping the pages so fast I just needed to know what was going to happen next.

Many twists and questions through to the very end. Some seemed obvious, others not at all.

Another fabulous read from Freida McFadden!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Freida McFadden, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.


Expected publication: 05/03/2024


Synopsis:


Brooke Sullivan is a nurse practitioner and her newest job is working in a men’s maximum-security prison. She is told to adhere to rules by seasoned nurse Dorothy: 


Do not share any personal information. Do not tell them where you live. Don’t tell them anything about your life. Don’t put up any photos.


Keep it professional she is told. Little to Dorothy’s knowledge that Brooke already knows an inmate in intimate detail. Her high school sweetheart, Shane Nelson, who is currently serving a life sentence for multiple murders and Brooke’s testimony is the one that put him there. 


Another intense thriller from Freida McFadden. The author does a brilliant job with the timeline flipping between the present day and the past with the reader gripped on the edge of the seat with twists and turns throughout keeping them hooked guessing who the true murderer could be. 


Overall, I would recommend if you wants to read a fast paced psychological thriller full of suspense.

This book was great; Frieda McFadden does no wrong in my book.

This is a book that sticks to Frieda's abilities which are twists, turns, and psychological confusion. Just when you think you got it and know whats going to happen next; Frieda gives you a rude awakening.

Very great book.

4/5 stars. I loved this but for some reason the twist just did not hit as hard as her other ones have. I LOVED the epilogue it was so interesting. As always, this book was a page turner!

Overall, this was a good thriller! It just wasn’t mind blowing, it was a story where I saw most of the plot coming step by step. However, I wasn’t mad that I read it, I enjoyed the story, but for thrillers I do need to be shocked to give the book 4 or 5 stars.

I will try out this author again, as this book showed a ton of potential!

Freida McFadden has certainly gained quite the cult following among my friends in recent months but unfortunately for me, this was my first book by her! I say unfortunate simply because I can't believe I waited so long to read something from the QUEEN of thrilling twists! I could actually not put this down and it took me mere hours to finish because it was such a RIDE. I didn't like any of the characters and that made it all the more compulsively readable. Not for a second did I root for either men and I found Brooke to be, well... stupid and far too trusting for a single mom.

That being said, the sheer amount of twists had me hooked, each one bigger than the last. Just when I thought I'd made it to the BIG MOMENT, something else altogether INSANE happened! I can't wait to pick up more books by McFadden - she has a huge future in front of her if all her books are written like this.

Another fast paced, thrilling read with an ending that’ll leave you speechless. McFadden has mastered what it takes to write a thriller that’s worthy of binge reading.

Brooke Sullivan is literally thrown to the wolves as a fresh nurse practitioner at a max security prison. Three easy rules: Treat prisoners with respect, never reveal personal information, and don’t get too friendly with the prisoners.

However, Shane Nelson still remembers Brooke’s testimony that put him in prison over those murders. As one of their most dangerous and notorious inmates, even I would be unnerved to catch that man’s eye— period.

McFadden writes an amazing narrative packed full of suspense and tension. Her writing draws you in and keeps you in its hold as we untangle Brooke’s past, uncover secrets and figure out characters true agendas.

This was a phenomenal read and I can’t wait to see what she produces next.


Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Frieda McFadden for the eARC!

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 4 stars ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

"I would do anything for my mom."

WHOA. the ending left me speechless. what was that epilogue?? because it was a crazy one for sure. anyways, this was my first freida mcfadden book and i really enjoyed it! no wonder people call her the thriller queen. there were so many twists in this book and i kept changing my theories on who the actual killer was (brooke has influenced me, believe me 😖). i could not put this book down because of how gripping and intriguing it was, and because of how well the writing flowed. i really enjoyed how the story was dual timeline because you were able to progressively learn what happened during the night of the murders, and what happened during the present. my only complaint is that brooke, the fmc, was very dumb at times. like why did you keep having to change your mind?? it's also surprising how the police didn't get mad at her for filing false police reports all the time 🤦

˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to NetGalley and Freida McFadden for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

Really fast paced and edge of your seat read!

This is the second Frieda McFadden book I’ve read and I’ve really enjoyed it again! She seems to produce really fast paced reads with super short chapters so it’s easily digestible! I think it took me 2 days to finish this book so deffo a quick read!

I really liked the premise especially the idea of her working in the prison knowing who’s behind a prison cell there! It’s quite a unique story and while elements of it were similar to other thriller books I’ve read and enjoyed, I think the fact she was working in the same prison as him really added a lot to this book.

Some of the plot points seemed quite predictable but the further along I got, the more I was surprised and impressed by the twists!

Definitely worth a read!

A thrilling read full of twists and turns that follows two timelines, the night of a horrific massacre and the present as Brooke tries to assimilate to life back in her hometown, in her parents house, working at the prison where the man who tried to kill her is housed. A great read that follows Brooke as she second guesses everything that happened that night, that one foggy moment she can't seem to recall, that seems so crucial, if she could only remember. Face to face with Shane, she begins to remember how she felt once upon a time, and that seems a dangerous thought. Protecting her child seems more important than anything and throw in her former best friend since they were toddlers, and you have a recipe for some unresolved feelings. You are definitely in for a roller coaster with this one!

A Riveting Thriller That Keeps You on the Edge of Your Seat!
As a new nurse practitioner at a maximum-security prison, Brooke Sullivan is thrust into a world where danger lurks around every corner. Freida McFadden masterfully weaves a gripping tale of suspense, secrets, and forbidden connections.
The three rules Brooke must follow seem simple enough: treat all prisoners with respect, never reveal personal information, and never become too friendly with the inmates. But when she discovers her intimate connection to Shane Nelson—one of the penitentiary’s most notorious and dangerous inmates—everything changes. Shane, once her high school sweetheart and star quarterback, is now serving a life sentence for grisly murders. Brooke’s testimony put him behind bars, but he knows her secret, and revenge simmers in his eyes.
McFadden’s writing is taut and evocative, drawing readers into the prison’s dark corridors and the tangled web of Brooke’s past. The suspense builds relentlessly, leaving you breathless as secrets unravel and loyalties are tested. The characters are vividly drawn, each with their own hidden agendas and vulnerabilities.
“The Inmate” is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with twists that will leave you gasping. McFadden’s skillful pacing and intricate plot make this psychological thriller a must-read. Prepare to lose sleep—you won’t be able to put it down!
Highly recommended for fans of suspense, mystery, and psychological thrillers. Grab your copy and buckle up for an adrenaline-fueled journey through the prison gates.
Pub date 3/5/2024
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Freida never disappoints!
I found the plot a little bit far fetched but I couldn't put it down. It was so entertaining and intriguing I HAD to keep reading.
It doesn't get 5 stars because of the plot twist .. but that epilogue! 100% recommend

(Contains spoilers) I clearly read a lot of romance because I was rooting for Shane to be the good guy the entire time 🤣 I was convinced he did nothing wrong. The first twist was incredibly cliche, but I didn’t put it together until it was developing. I definitley fell for the red herring with Tim. However, I just didn’t like the twist. Vengeful mistress is so boring to me. I guess I’ve never been a mistress to get the feeling that they must have, but ruining a bunch of people’s lives over a man who couldn’t step up and be a MAN seems pointless to me - I just don’t get it. Like how is it the daughter’s fault that her dad was a cheater? Anyways. The second twist of her son being exactly like his dad? I didn’t expect that at all. It also felt cliche to me, but it was a surprise at the end.

Overall, I felt like it wasn’t surprising enough for me. I just wasn’t wowed. I didn’t dislike it, it was a quick and easy read. It kept me entertained. I enjoyed the story telling. If you’re a fan of thrillers and of this author I definitley would recommend.

The Inmate" is a novel by Frieda McFadden. It follows the story of Rachel Snyder, a journalist who becomes deeply involved in the case of a woman named Maria Purvis, who is serving a life sentence for murdering her husband and children. As Rachel delves deeper into Maria's past and the circumstances surrounding the murders, she uncovers shocking revelations that challenge her beliefs and raise questions about Maria's guilt. With its gripping plot and complex characters, "The Inmate" is a compelling psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

I'll start by saying that I like all Freida Mcfadden books. I usually guess the ending, but I do that with crime movies too.
This book is about Brooke who is a nurse at a maximum security prison. The staff are never allowed to fraternize with the prisoners, but Brooke has already broken that rule as she knows Shane. They were high school sweethearts, but now Shane is notorious, not for his prowess on the football field but for the murders. But he has a secret - he knows a secret that Brooke hopes will never get out.
For Mcfadden fans, this is a must!