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The Inmate
Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 15:01:35
25 copies available
U.S. only
There are three rules Brooke Sullivan must follow as a new nurse practitioner at a men’s maximum-security prison:
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.
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.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2022
About the author
Freida McFadden
30 books53.9k followersNew York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She lives with her family and black cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 22,674 reviews
June 22, 2022
4.0 stars— Everytime I research top thrillers on Kindle Unlimited there are numerous books with thousands of great ratings for Freida McFadden. So, I decided to read her newest book, “The Inmate”, and I have to admit it wasn’t half bad. The book begins with Brooke Sullivan starting her new job as a nurse practitioner in a maximum security prison. It happens to be the same prison where the person who was convicted of attempting to kill her and who is also the father of her 10 year old son resides. The author does a great job of interweaving the new interactions with baby daddy, Shane, with the events that led to his conviction and incarceration. As the author introduces new characters, it becomes obvious very quickly the path the book is taking for final resolution. In fact, about 1/4 of the way in I felt confident I could guess the ending. However, to the author’s credit, I was wrong and enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns the author used to finish the story. Were there numerous obvious red herrings? Yes. Did the author use many of the obvious cliches in thriller books such as storms, no cell service, impassable roads etc? Yes again. However, much like some of the summer blockbuster movies I enjoyed over the years, if you don’t over analyze and just go where the author leads you, the book was entertaining. I know many of you might disagree and call this book fluff, but I believe some books (and movies) are fast paced and entertaining enough to be worth reading. I definitely will be back for more of Ms. McFadden’s intriguing books.
July 6, 2022
**3.5 Stars**
Interesting read. The twists at the end just didn't have that impact it needed.
Interesting read. The twists at the end just didn't have that impact it needed.
September 30, 2022
Ughh! It was entertaining but...
Brooke Sullivan is a nurse practitioner at a maximum security prison where Shane Nelson, her ex-boyfriend and the baby daddy to her ten-year-old son, Josh is incarcerated for life. Eleven years ago at seventeen, she and her best friend Tim Reese testified that Shane killed their three friends and attempted to strangle her although she never saw who it was. To this day, Shane insisted that he is innocent and to watch out for Tim.
Brooke is now dating Tim! Can she trust Tim? She knew him since they were kids but did he lie? Maybe Shane is telling the truth. Did she help put her son's father in prison? Ughh!!🙄
I admit I switch back and forth a few times about the killer, but I figured out who the killer was before Brooke did. I got pretty frustrated with Brooke to put it mildly. The last chapter was unexpected and kinda cool, I liked it so it's a solid 3 stars.
Brooke Sullivan is a nurse practitioner at a maximum security prison where Shane Nelson, her ex-boyfriend and the baby daddy to her ten-year-old son, Josh is incarcerated for life. Eleven years ago at seventeen, she and her best friend Tim Reese testified that Shane killed their three friends and attempted to strangle her although she never saw who it was. To this day, Shane insisted that he is innocent and to watch out for Tim.
Brooke is now dating Tim! Can she trust Tim? She knew him since they were kids but did he lie? Maybe Shane is telling the truth. Did she help put her son's father in prison? Ughh!!🙄
I admit I switch back and forth a few times about the killer, but I figured out who the killer was before Brooke did. I got pretty frustrated with Brooke to put it mildly. The last chapter was unexpected and kinda cool, I liked it so it's a solid 3 stars.
August 30, 2022
★ 1 star
The plot? Weak.
The protagonist? Dumb.
The writing? Reads like a YA.
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?!
Explain to me, how, if Shane was murdering upstairs, you smelled sandalwood on your strangler? Or that the strangler felt heavy and bulky on you? Is this a case of an 'unreliable memory' after a traumatic event? Or is this a case of dumb teenager in the wild?
Explain to me how Tim never recognized the baby sitter as the one who sold him the necklace? Or how, given Tim's love for Brooke, would he gift her a broken necklace on her birthday no less?! A broken necklace?! On her birthday?! Are you kidding me?!
There has been far too many issues to dismiss. The reason for the murder is so bad. Are we really going to buy that a life-sentence can be overturned that easily? Or that a correctional facility would hire someone associated with a prisoner even if they were that desperate?
Brooke was written too dumb for this to be remotely enjoyable. Another idiot-driven plot. Actually, I'm beginning to think McFadden writes the dumbest protagonists — women who are helpless and can hardly think for themselves.
I had picked this up because my feed is just swamped with McFadden recommendations. Every McFadden read of mine is not good so far, so I'm now on a hunt for a McFadden thriller that's actually thrilling to disabuse me of this notion that she writes thrillers for bored teens.
Plot: ★
Writing: ★
The plot? Weak.
The protagonist? Dumb.
The writing? Reads like a YA.
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?!
Explain to me, how, if Shane was murdering upstairs, you smelled sandalwood on your strangler? Or that the strangler felt heavy and bulky on you? Is this a case of an 'unreliable memory' after a traumatic event? Or is this a case of dumb teenager in the wild?
Explain to me how Tim never recognized the baby sitter as the one who sold him the necklace? Or how, given Tim's love for Brooke, would he gift her a broken necklace on her birthday no less?! A broken necklace?! On her birthday?! Are you kidding me?!
There has been far too many issues to dismiss. The reason for the murder is so bad. Are we really going to buy that a life-sentence can be overturned that easily? Or that a correctional facility would hire someone associated with a prisoner even if they were that desperate?
Brooke was written too dumb for this to be remotely enjoyable. Another idiot-driven plot. Actually, I'm beginning to think McFadden writes the dumbest protagonists — women who are helpless and can hardly think for themselves.
I had picked this up because my feed is just swamped with McFadden recommendations. Every McFadden read of mine is not good so far, so I'm now on a hunt for a McFadden thriller that's actually thrilling to disabuse me of this notion that she writes thrillers for bored teens.
Plot: ★
Writing: ★
April 14, 2023
I read some reviews before I started on the book, so I was prepared for not being impressed by the main character. Like some wrote, she just didn’t seem very intelligent, an observation I found apt. The naïve actions were sometimes cringeworthy, I just wish she would have reflected a bit more about who she trusted and how fast she changed direction. The twist was interesting although not totally convincing. The book didn’t need the last twist, in my opinion.
August 1, 2022
Oh good grief. This was just silly. It started off pretty good but quickly became outlandish. The MC was TSTL, even while being a NP. The twist was just ridiculous and too farfetched. I would have to believe way too many coincidences happened to put this foolery into motion. I'll admit, I did not see it coming.
March 23, 2023
Was the plot totally far fetched? Yes.
Was the FMC a complete idiot? Yes.
Was I thoroughly entertained? Yes.
3.5 stars
Was the FMC a complete idiot? Yes.
Was I thoroughly entertained? Yes.
3.5 stars
April 13, 2023
4.25 ⭐️ i’m… wow 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
that epilogue has me fucked up!
might not sleep.
stay tuned.
that epilogue has me fucked up!
might not sleep.
stay tuned.
June 30, 2022
I wanted to like this book - and it had me, in the first half. That's the only reason it gets a star instead of me just deleting it from my memory entirely.
But damn, did it get unreasonable quick. First of all, the idea that so many people can be accused of this one crime before someone starts questioning Brooke's sanity is laughable. Not to mention, this author clearly was not taking into account the length of time it takes for quite literally anything to move in the criminal justice system. There's no WAY Brooke simply recanting her testimony gets this man out of prison TEN YEARS after conviction??
Also, some of the plot points were just insane. Margie/Pamela helps her kid murder all of these people over the span of ELEVEN years and then just casually gives it all up just because her son died? When the grandson is still alive???
And why even bother murdering Hunt? Just to open the door to make Brooke realize Shane is an issue? With the way this book went, it almost would've been better for her not to suspect anything at all and get ambused.
The POV change in the epilogue made it even worse for me - first of all, the kid sounded much younger than 10 by the way it was written, in my opinion. But then he casually confesses to killing someone? HUH???
I wanted to like this. The premise of it was promising. But it went downhill so fast I got whiplash.
But damn, did it get unreasonable quick. First of all, the idea that so many people can be accused of this one crime before someone starts questioning Brooke's sanity is laughable. Not to mention, this author clearly was not taking into account the length of time it takes for quite literally anything to move in the criminal justice system. There's no WAY Brooke simply recanting her testimony gets this man out of prison TEN YEARS after conviction??
Also, some of the plot points were just insane. Margie/Pamela helps her kid murder all of these people over the span of ELEVEN years and then just casually gives it all up just because her son died? When the grandson is still alive???
And why even bother murdering Hunt? Just to open the door to make Brooke realize Shane is an issue? With the way this book went, it almost would've been better for her not to suspect anything at all and get ambused.
The POV change in the epilogue made it even worse for me - first of all, the kid sounded much younger than 10 by the way it was written, in my opinion. But then he casually confesses to killing someone? HUH???
I wanted to like this. The premise of it was promising. But it went downhill so fast I got whiplash.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2022
Sit To Bum, DOWN! 😳😯🤯😯🤯🤯
Son of a hot biscuit! Fluffin' fluck cakes! For the love of fresh made cinnamon rolls! Oh lord this was salacious, delicious, juicy as ripe fruit! Flip sakes I sped through this like it was the NASCAR Daytona 300! (Whatever that is 😂) Freida is always a top 10 auto author for me and yet again she sets it in stone. This was an incredible plot and premise and supremely unique! I indulged & savoured this novel like my dog with peanut butter!
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Brooke is a single mom and a nurse practitioner. She just moved back to her hometown with her ten year old son. The only job she could get was being a nurse at a men's maximum security prison. And now she's about to see & face an inmate she knows - Shane; her high school sweetheart. How did he end up in prison? Because she's the one who put him in there.
This had it all - mystery, suspense, crime, thrill and dark, twisted secrets that give you chills! Spine-tingling, heart-racing, endless suspense. I need a darn cup of calming chamomile tea after this one! Be prepared to put your entire life on hold because you'll be too engaged with the novel to quit. How do I know? Because I blatantly told my dog Tink she was on her own for her own lunch. No shame or regret here!
*side note* my dog did not suffer from hunger or was neglected while both reading this book & writing my review. 😉
A major, deeply heartfelt thank you to Freida herself for asking me & sending me her ARC! 💜
Release Date: June 13, 2022
𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 5 / 5 Lilies!! 🪷
Son of a hot biscuit! Fluffin' fluck cakes! For the love of fresh made cinnamon rolls! Oh lord this was salacious, delicious, juicy as ripe fruit! Flip sakes I sped through this like it was the NASCAR Daytona 300! (Whatever that is 😂) Freida is always a top 10 auto author for me and yet again she sets it in stone. This was an incredible plot and premise and supremely unique! I indulged & savoured this novel like my dog with peanut butter!
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Brooke is a single mom and a nurse practitioner. She just moved back to her hometown with her ten year old son. The only job she could get was being a nurse at a men's maximum security prison. And now she's about to see & face an inmate she knows - Shane; her high school sweetheart. How did he end up in prison? Because she's the one who put him in there.
This had it all - mystery, suspense, crime, thrill and dark, twisted secrets that give you chills! Spine-tingling, heart-racing, endless suspense. I need a darn cup of calming chamomile tea after this one! Be prepared to put your entire life on hold because you'll be too engaged with the novel to quit. How do I know? Because I blatantly told my dog Tink she was on her own for her own lunch. No shame or regret here!
*side note* my dog did not suffer from hunger or was neglected while both reading this book & writing my review. 😉
A major, deeply heartfelt thank you to Freida herself for asking me & sending me her ARC! 💜
Release Date: June 13, 2022
𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 5 / 5 Lilies!! 🪷
October 11, 2022
Brooke is a fairly new Nurse Practitioner. And she finally landed a new position. Not a job she particularly wanted. But hey, it’s the only one she could find. So for now it will have to do.
Did I mention it’s at the local penitentiary? Pretty tough in itself, but there’s more. It’s also where her first boyfriend Shane is currently serving his sentence. And it just keeps getting better…he was convicted of murdering her friends and trying to kill her! Talk about an unpleasant work environment!
Shane has always claimed he was innocent and is now concerned the real killer will come after Brooke once again.
This was an intriguing thriller that I truly thought I had figured out from the beginning! Nope! Not even close!
I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a great job! This was my first 🎧 by Freida McFadden and I am already searching for more of her works!
Thank you to my local library via Hoopla.🎧
Did I mention it’s at the local penitentiary? Pretty tough in itself, but there’s more. It’s also where her first boyfriend Shane is currently serving his sentence. And it just keeps getting better…he was convicted of murdering her friends and trying to kill her! Talk about an unpleasant work environment!
Shane has always claimed he was innocent and is now concerned the real killer will come after Brooke once again.
This was an intriguing thriller that I truly thought I had figured out from the beginning! Nope! Not even close!
I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a great job! This was my first 🎧 by Freida McFadden and I am already searching for more of her works!
Thank you to my local library via Hoopla.🎧
December 10, 2022
The end fizzled again!
Too many unbelievable coincidences and uninvestigated happenings!
I had the ebook from KU and the audio from Hoopla.
It started off well and I liked the protag, Brooke and the prison setting. I could almost hear the prison doors slamming at Raker Maximum Penitentiary where Brooke is a new nurse practioner. She has a connection to an inmate that she is hiding, but it won't take long to come out.
The narration made it good enough to finish, but I wouldn't recommend.
Narrated by Leslie Howard/ 8 hours 5 min
Too many unbelievable coincidences and uninvestigated happenings!
I had the ebook from KU and the audio from Hoopla.
It started off well and I liked the protag, Brooke and the prison setting. I could almost hear the prison doors slamming at Raker Maximum Penitentiary where Brooke is a new nurse practioner. She has a connection to an inmate that she is hiding, but it won't take long to come out.
The narration made it good enough to finish, but I wouldn't recommend.
Narrated by Leslie Howard/ 8 hours 5 min
April 17, 2023
WHAT THE FAWK
November 26, 2022
This was just weak…
A very loose plot, too many coincidences, a dumb protagonist, this whole book would have not existed if Brooke just used two of her brain cells
How come she comes back to the very place she left ten years ago and not expect to meet people she knows, how did she know she’ll be working in the prison facility where her ex was and not prepare herself, and just “ blurt out” stuff the second he looks at her?!
How do the police work in that town, do they just keep relying on whatever Brooke tells them, they haven’t thought of investigationg any of the murders further?!
The motive is also quite weak for such a killing frenzy, and the fact that no one recognised you know who is too far fetched, I can swallow an unrealistic occurrence or two, but not when every plot twist is based on ridiculous omissions and coincidences.
A very loose plot, too many coincidences, a dumb protagonist, this whole book would have not existed if Brooke just used two of her brain cells
How come she comes back to the very place she left ten years ago and not expect to meet people she knows, how did she know she’ll be working in the prison facility where her ex was and not prepare herself, and just “ blurt out” stuff the second he looks at her?!
How do the police work in that town, do they just keep relying on whatever Brooke tells them, they haven’t thought of investigationg any of the murders further?!
The motive is also quite weak for such a killing frenzy, and the fact that no one recognised you know who is too far fetched, I can swallow an unrealistic occurrence or two, but not when every plot twist is based on ridiculous omissions and coincidences.
July 21, 2022
i never thought it was possible for a thriller book to be corny until this. everyone is so fucking dumb and brooke cannot think for herself! first of all, if she really is traumatized and reacts badly from even the small details, why doesnt seeing shane scare tf out of her and even being in the town where it all happened ? shes so stupid and she gives me that pick me girl vibes. also how tf is josh, a 10 year old who showed no comprehension of anything and acts and is being treated like a 5 year old, able to kill a grown man? that’s so farfetched it’s corny. i was going to give this book a higher rating when brooke thought tim was on it and i liked that idea. then she was wrong like brooke u only had one job ! and wtf is i lope you?
October 6, 2022
Wow, this book was awful. I honestly didn’t finish it, just skipped to the end because I couldn’t stand listening to Brooke whine. It was the most convoluted nonsense from start to finish. The first red flag was kids in Queens bullying her son because she was an unwed mother except this isn’t set in 1742. Literally no one cares about that and the constant whining about it got very old quickly. Also, red flag two, what kind of moron returns to her home town in her childhood home after a very public trial but thinks no one will recognize her??? Third final red flag, maybe tell your kid the truth about his parentage or at least a better one than “I’m not going to tell you about your father because I’m stupid.” Jeez, this book was awful.
June 14, 2022
Naaaah this author isn’t for me. I was really looking forward to this story because of the prison aspect, but it was just naive Brooke and her stupidness and almost no prison time. I really struggled to finish this book unfortunatly. 2* because Freida is very talented, but her books don’t appeal to me.
November 22, 2022
This was the very definition of a popcorn thriller. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It was a fun distraction and as long as I turned off my brain, I enjoyed going along for the ride on this one. And trust me, turning off your brain is a must. Not just to accept some fairly implausible things, but because our protagonist Brooke also seems to not possess a brain. In order for the book to happen, Brooke needs to make the dumbest decision possible at every turn, and she certainly does not disappoint. I will say that Brooke is *consistently* stupid, which might sound like a complaint but actually I appreciated the fact that it seemed like a true character trait. In so many of these books we have characters who are portrayed as otherwise clever or competent, but who make dumb decisions simply to help the plot along.
There was also quite a bit of telling instead of showing. Readers are not as dumb as poor Brooke, we don’t need to be told many times, by multiple characters, that Shane is manipulative. Trust your reader enough to wonder for themselves if he’s putting on an act or not.
Despite that, I listened to this in a day. I needed to know what happened in that farm house. I’ve seen a lot of reviews for this one that say this is one of the weaker entries in McFadden’s catalogue, so I will likely be picking up another one and hoping for the best the next time I’m in the mood for popcorn.
Major spoilers/discussion on the extreme similarly to another work to follow:
It’s nearly impossible to write anything *truly* original, but any impact the ending should have had for me was ruined by just how nearly identical it was to the movie franchise mentioned in my spoiler portion. The epilogue was also veeeeery reminiscent of a thriller that had a ton of buzz surrounding its epilogue last year. (It involved planes… if you know, you know)
There was also quite a bit of telling instead of showing. Readers are not as dumb as poor Brooke, we don’t need to be told many times, by multiple characters, that Shane is manipulative. Trust your reader enough to wonder for themselves if he’s putting on an act or not.
Despite that, I listened to this in a day. I needed to know what happened in that farm house. I’ve seen a lot of reviews for this one that say this is one of the weaker entries in McFadden’s catalogue, so I will likely be picking up another one and hoping for the best the next time I’m in the mood for popcorn.
Major spoilers/discussion on the extreme similarly to another work to follow:
It’s nearly impossible to write anything *truly* original, but any impact the ending should have had for me was ruined by just how nearly identical it was to the movie franchise mentioned in my spoiler portion. The epilogue was also veeeeery reminiscent of a thriller that had a ton of buzz surrounding its epilogue last year. (It involved planes… if you know, you know)
September 17, 2023
Please Lord, give me the strength to never listen to this type of book again. Just plain embarrassingly AWFUL!
Here’s an example of why I feel this way: as our heroine is down in the basement of the man she has been warned numerous times is dangerous and could be a killer, she finds the two high heeled shoed feet sticking out of a rolled tarp (at this point we know that this man’s ex girlfriend has gone missing). So what does our brilliant heroine say to herself?
“Has Tim rolled up a mannequin?” 🤦♀️
Here’s an example of why I feel this way: as our heroine is down in the basement of the man she has been warned numerous times is dangerous and could be a killer, she finds the two high heeled shoed feet sticking out of a rolled tarp (at this point we know that this man’s ex girlfriend has gone missing). So what does our brilliant heroine say to herself?
“Has Tim rolled up a mannequin?” 🤦♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2022
I would have got away with it if it wasn’t for those meddling kids….
July 22, 2022
After seeing so many positive reviews for Frieda McFadden’s books and with a bit of spare time on my hands I thought I would see what all the fuss was about.
Overall, this was a pretty exciting story. Told in both the past (11 years ago) and the present by our narrator, Brooke Sullivan. She was 17 years old when she was invited to a party at her boyfriend, Shane Nelson’s house. His mother was going to be away and three couples were going to be there. It was to be Brooke’s “first time”. Well that did happen but the rest of the night was a nightmare! Three of the young people were stabbed to death and the Brooke was being strangled from behind with her own necklace. At the time she was convinced it was her boyfriend Shane who tried to kill her. Shane and Brooke’s childhood friend Tim Reese, both survived with injuries. It was Brooke’s testimony that sent Shane to prison.
Now, 11 years later she has a 10 year old son, Josh, and is returning to her home town of Raker following the death of her parents in a car accident. She is a nurse practitioner but the only job she could find was at the prison where Shane is serving his sentence. Awkward. Of course he needed her services pretty quickly after being beaten up again. She tries to remain professional but Shame pleads his innocence most convincingly.
Meanwhile Brooke soon runs into Tim again and they restart their friendship and it slowly turns to romance. Then the unthinkable happens and suddenly Brooke is not sure any more about who attacked her that night. She didn’t actually see them but the attacker was wearing Shane’s signature aftershave.
This is where it gets really interesting. When you think it’s going to zig, the plot zags! I really felt for Brooke. She was such a sweet person, trying to be the best mother to her son and do the right thing generally. I don’t think she made dumb decisions but she was seriously manipulated. There was quite some suspense in the story, my only quibble is about the very end and, of course, I can’t describe why. Overall - a very good story though.
Overall, this was a pretty exciting story. Told in both the past (11 years ago) and the present by our narrator, Brooke Sullivan. She was 17 years old when she was invited to a party at her boyfriend, Shane Nelson’s house. His mother was going to be away and three couples were going to be there. It was to be Brooke’s “first time”. Well that did happen but the rest of the night was a nightmare! Three of the young people were stabbed to death and the Brooke was being strangled from behind with her own necklace. At the time she was convinced it was her boyfriend Shane who tried to kill her. Shane and Brooke’s childhood friend Tim Reese, both survived with injuries. It was Brooke’s testimony that sent Shane to prison.
Now, 11 years later she has a 10 year old son, Josh, and is returning to her home town of Raker following the death of her parents in a car accident. She is a nurse practitioner but the only job she could find was at the prison where Shane is serving his sentence. Awkward. Of course he needed her services pretty quickly after being beaten up again. She tries to remain professional but Shame pleads his innocence most convincingly.
Meanwhile Brooke soon runs into Tim again and they restart their friendship and it slowly turns to romance. Then the unthinkable happens and suddenly Brooke is not sure any more about who attacked her that night. She didn’t actually see them but the attacker was wearing Shane’s signature aftershave.
This is where it gets really interesting. When you think it’s going to zig, the plot zags! I really felt for Brooke. She was such a sweet person, trying to be the best mother to her son and do the right thing generally. I don’t think she made dumb decisions but she was seriously manipulated. There was quite some suspense in the story, my only quibble is about the very end and, of course, I can’t describe why. Overall - a very good story though.
June 24, 2022
Oh my goodness. The amount of times I wanted to smack Brooke for how dumb she was acting, is way more than I can count. She was “certain” about so many things then changed her mind on the next page! She just wasn’t a very strong character but we were supposed to believe she was… it was hard for me to finish because of her.
However, I didn’t see the ending coming. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not because it kind of came out of left field. I enjoy when the reader has a chance to try and understand who the killer or criminal is with clues, but this was so random and not super well written.
However, I didn’t see the ending coming. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not because it kind of came out of left field. I enjoy when the reader has a chance to try and understand who the killer or criminal is with clues, but this was so random and not super well written.
June 13, 2023
The ending genuinely made this book 4 stars holy shat. This was such an easy and fast paced book. I couldn’t put it down, the storyline was so gripping and every page had you guessing what would happen. I guessed 12 possible outcomes and the ending sure tied this entire story together. Freida is the thriller queen 🙌!!! Def recommend if you are in a slump because this will for sure get you out of it!
October 7, 2023
This is my first read from this author, from the cover and description I thought it was more about the prison..it tells Brooke story from the past and present day.This book when I was reading it felt abit unbelievable and unrealistic but I couldnt put this book down as wanted to know what was going to happen next..Brooke works in a mens prison as a practitioner nurse she knew she would see her ex boyfriend in there and the story of the past comes to light..was he guilty or innocent...a different read which I did enjoy and still to read a couple of her books on my kindle..
June 19, 2022
Why do I keep reading books like this?
…and wondering why I’m mad for wasting my own time when I finish them??? Oh well, have another queued up already.
…and wondering why I’m mad for wasting my own time when I finish them??? Oh well, have another queued up already.
January 9, 2024
It’s easy to see why Freida McFadden is a popular author. Her books are fast-paced, they keep the reader intrigued and the twists are so well done that they leave the reader speechless. What more could a reader need in a thriller novel?
This book had all the things I have mentioned. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Was it my favourite book by this author no, but I still really enjoyed it. Yes, some readers will say it was overdone in parts and I would agree, but it didn’t matter I continued to turn the pages racing to the end waiting for the twists and to see how it would be wrapped up and I can honestly say I was not disappointed at all. Highly recommended.
This book had all the things I have mentioned. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Was it my favourite book by this author no, but I still really enjoyed it. Yes, some readers will say it was overdone in parts and I would agree, but it didn’t matter I continued to turn the pages racing to the end waiting for the twists and to see how it would be wrapped up and I can honestly say I was not disappointed at all. Highly recommended.
November 6, 2022
Rating: 2.5 🌟🌟💫
Freida McFadden is one of my favorite thriller writers. Her books are fun, fast paced, twisty, sometimes over the top but for me just always a good read.
Unfortunately, “The Inmate” was very disappointing. One of my very biggest book pet peeves is the writer making the main character a complete idiot. Not sweetly naive or a bit slow on the uptake but the plot will ONLY work if this person is the single dumbest person ever to take a breath. Meet Brooke Sullivan… the single dumbest person to ever take a breath. She reminded of the characters in that commercial who run into the dark shed and hide behind the chainsaws instead of escaping in the car.
So, despite this book not being a fave I’m still all in on reading more by McFadden, this one just didn’t do it for me. But, you should read it if only so you can come find me and we can talk about how dumb Brooke is. 😅
Freida McFadden is one of my favorite thriller writers. Her books are fun, fast paced, twisty, sometimes over the top but for me just always a good read.
Unfortunately, “The Inmate” was very disappointing. One of my very biggest book pet peeves is the writer making the main character a complete idiot. Not sweetly naive or a bit slow on the uptake but the plot will ONLY work if this person is the single dumbest person ever to take a breath. Meet Brooke Sullivan… the single dumbest person to ever take a breath. She reminded of the characters in that commercial who run into the dark shed and hide behind the chainsaws instead of escaping in the car.
So, despite this book not being a fave I’m still all in on reading more by McFadden, this one just didn’t do it for me. But, you should read it if only so you can come find me and we can talk about how dumb Brooke is. 😅
November 22, 2022
THE INMATE is a psychological thriller by bestselling author Freida McFadden. This is the eleventh book I have read from this author, and having loved her novels, I was eager to start reading it. As an avid reader of psychological thrillers, I can only say, treat yourself and read all of her books! Her books are so good!
Her Standalone Books Include:
Baby City (2015)
The Surrogate Mother (2018) (Read)
The Ex (2019) (Read)
The Perfect Son (2019) (Read)
The Wife Upstairs (2020) (Read)
One By One (2020) (Read)
Want to Know a Secret? (2021) (Read)
The Locked Door (2021) (Read)
Do Not Disturb (2021) (Read)
Do You Remember? (2022) (Read)
The Housemaid (2022) (Read)
The Inmate (2022) (Read)
Never Lie (2022)
This is my review of The Inmate.
Brooke Sullivan is a nurse practitioner, has moved to a new town, Raker, to start her first day on the job at the men’s maximum-security prison. This wouldn’t have been her first choice of jobs…but it was all that was available. Brooke is a single mum with a ten-year-old son, Josh.
Dorothy, the head nurse in charge, and in charge of dispensing medications, explains the three rules to follow at the men’s maximum-security prison. They include:
1) Treat all prisoners with respect.
2) Never reveal any personal information.
3) Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates.
But Nobody knows that Brooke has a secret…her past connection to Shane Nelson, one of the penitentiary’s most dangerous inmates. Shane was Brooke’s high school sweetheart, who is now spending the rest of his life in prison for a series of horrific murders. and it was Brooke’s testimony that sent him to jail.
How would Brooke guard her secret, and work in this environment?
This was a well-written gripping thriller with an ending I didn’t see coming.
Her Standalone Books Include:
Baby City (2015)
The Surrogate Mother (2018) (Read)
The Ex (2019) (Read)
The Perfect Son (2019) (Read)
The Wife Upstairs (2020) (Read)
One By One (2020) (Read)
Want to Know a Secret? (2021) (Read)
The Locked Door (2021) (Read)
Do Not Disturb (2021) (Read)
Do You Remember? (2022) (Read)
The Housemaid (2022) (Read)
The Inmate (2022) (Read)
Never Lie (2022)
This is my review of The Inmate.
Brooke Sullivan is a nurse practitioner, has moved to a new town, Raker, to start her first day on the job at the men’s maximum-security prison. This wouldn’t have been her first choice of jobs…but it was all that was available. Brooke is a single mum with a ten-year-old son, Josh.
Dorothy, the head nurse in charge, and in charge of dispensing medications, explains the three rules to follow at the men’s maximum-security prison. They include:
1) Treat all prisoners with respect.
2) Never reveal any personal information.
3) Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates.
But Nobody knows that Brooke has a secret…her past connection to Shane Nelson, one of the penitentiary’s most dangerous inmates. Shane was Brooke’s high school sweetheart, who is now spending the rest of his life in prison for a series of horrific murders. and it was Brooke’s testimony that sent him to jail.
How would Brooke guard her secret, and work in this environment?
This was a well-written gripping thriller with an ending I didn’t see coming.
July 7, 2022
“Brooke, listen to me. Tim squeezes my hand as he looks at me right in the eyes. I haven’t seen you in ten years. In that time, I’ve dated a fair number of girls. But it never worked out—it couldn’t. And it was all because I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Anyone else I dated, it wouldn’t be fair to them. His Adams apple bobs. I’ll never feel about anyone else the way I feel about you”.
“I could cry. It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Tim is so sweet and sexy and he’s great to my kid. I should be throwing myself into his arms, and just thank my lucky stars”.
“But for some reason, I can’t turn off Shane Nelson‘s voice inside my head”.
“Stay away from Tim Reese. He’s dangerous”.
“Please, Brooke”.
“When I testified against Shane, I felt so certain he was the one tightening that necklace chain around my neck, trying to kill me. But the more I think about it, the less certain I feel. There was something that happened that night I am missing. One little detail that has escaped me”.
“I’m sure of it”.
Who takes a job at a place where one of the inmates is a man who tried to murder you?
Brooke does.
“NOT HALF BAD”
….I now ‘fully’ understand when readers say that
“this was a very fast pace read”….
YEP…. it’s speedy alright — I actually guessed one aspect of the story early on — but not the full extent of it…
Great literary literature? Of course not.
Pulls you in and for whatever reason is engaging —(some context silliness with a questionable content?) Yes!
But all in good escape fun!!
This thriller was a great pallet cleanser—
I’d do this author again — purely for the twisty-turning - brain break .
As my friend Joey said …. “It wasn’t half bad”.
“I could cry. It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Tim is so sweet and sexy and he’s great to my kid. I should be throwing myself into his arms, and just thank my lucky stars”.
“But for some reason, I can’t turn off Shane Nelson‘s voice inside my head”.
“Stay away from Tim Reese. He’s dangerous”.
“Please, Brooke”.
“When I testified against Shane, I felt so certain he was the one tightening that necklace chain around my neck, trying to kill me. But the more I think about it, the less certain I feel. There was something that happened that night I am missing. One little detail that has escaped me”.
“I’m sure of it”.
Who takes a job at a place where one of the inmates is a man who tried to murder you?
Brooke does.
“NOT HALF BAD”
….I now ‘fully’ understand when readers say that
“this was a very fast pace read”….
YEP…. it’s speedy alright — I actually guessed one aspect of the story early on — but not the full extent of it…
Great literary literature? Of course not.
Pulls you in and for whatever reason is engaging —(some context silliness with a questionable content?) Yes!
But all in good escape fun!!
This thriller was a great pallet cleanser—
I’d do this author again — purely for the twisty-turning - brain break .
As my friend Joey said …. “It wasn’t half bad”.
April 11, 2023
The last chapter and the epilogue of this book, produced a true jaw-dropping gob-smacked exclamation of “WOW” from my lips. I’m not kidding.
The story goes back and forth from 10 yrs past to the present, and repeats that cycle throughout the book as details and conversations emerge. Six teenagers got together at Brooke’s boyfriend Brandon’s house, to spend the night (3 boys - 3 girls) on this particular night. It was dark and stormy, terrible rain, no electricity, no phone service, and then…there were 3 murders with an attempt on Brooke’s life that someone tried strangling her with her necklace, but she got away from the attacker. The other 2 victims of this party were injured too, one clobbered in the head with a baseball bat, the other stabbed with a knife in the stomach.
Fast forward 10 yrs. On that night, Brooke conceived a child, a son named Josh from Brandon. Brandon happens to be the boy she put in prison by aid of her testimony. She believed Brandon committed this horrendous crime of 10 yrs ago and was the one who tried to kill her too. She has never told Josh who his father was.
So now, the 3 lives of the “survivors” intersect in the present. Brooke is a nurse practitioner who is desperate for work and can only find a job in a all men’s penitentiary, the exact same one where Brandon is. Tim who was present also on that fatal night, and who was her childhood best friend, her first practice kiss, and now her son’s school principal, renews his friendship with Brooke and the more than casual interest that he had in her…( he claims he has always loved her).
Fingers are pointing galore! The two men hate each other and each tells her to be weary of the other. Along the lines, Brooke really gets confused. She begins to wonder if her testimony put the right man in jail. She’s sure of it, and then she’s not. She never did saw the actual face of the one who tried to kill her all those years ago! She never saw the murderer that night at all, the one who killed her friends. Was she right about Brandon? Wrong about Tim? Things are really confusing about both their present behaviors and the details of their personalities and present actions.
I so thought I had this figured out. (I’m usually not wrong very often), but I was so wrong - hence refer to my first sentence.
Kudo’s to the author for writing a brilliant story WITHOUT foul-language. 👍👍 I found some of the story a little repetitive through parts, but the story itself was overall fascinating and engaging and I needed to see this confusion resolved.
First time reading this author, but won’t be the last.
This gets 5 shiny STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story goes back and forth from 10 yrs past to the present, and repeats that cycle throughout the book as details and conversations emerge. Six teenagers got together at Brooke’s boyfriend Brandon’s house, to spend the night (3 boys - 3 girls) on this particular night. It was dark and stormy, terrible rain, no electricity, no phone service, and then…there were 3 murders with an attempt on Brooke’s life that someone tried strangling her with her necklace, but she got away from the attacker. The other 2 victims of this party were injured too, one clobbered in the head with a baseball bat, the other stabbed with a knife in the stomach.
Fast forward 10 yrs. On that night, Brooke conceived a child, a son named Josh from Brandon. Brandon happens to be the boy she put in prison by aid of her testimony. She believed Brandon committed this horrendous crime of 10 yrs ago and was the one who tried to kill her too. She has never told Josh who his father was.
So now, the 3 lives of the “survivors” intersect in the present. Brooke is a nurse practitioner who is desperate for work and can only find a job in a all men’s penitentiary, the exact same one where Brandon is. Tim who was present also on that fatal night, and who was her childhood best friend, her first practice kiss, and now her son’s school principal, renews his friendship with Brooke and the more than casual interest that he had in her…( he claims he has always loved her).
Fingers are pointing galore! The two men hate each other and each tells her to be weary of the other. Along the lines, Brooke really gets confused. She begins to wonder if her testimony put the right man in jail. She’s sure of it, and then she’s not. She never did saw the actual face of the one who tried to kill her all those years ago! She never saw the murderer that night at all, the one who killed her friends. Was she right about Brandon? Wrong about Tim? Things are really confusing about both their present behaviors and the details of their personalities and present actions.
I so thought I had this figured out. (I’m usually not wrong very often), but I was so wrong - hence refer to my first sentence.
Kudo’s to the author for writing a brilliant story WITHOUT foul-language. 👍👍 I found some of the story a little repetitive through parts, but the story itself was overall fascinating and engaging and I needed to see this confusion resolved.
First time reading this author, but won’t be the last.
This gets 5 shiny STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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