Freida McFadden, one of the most renowned thriller authors of the 21st century, released “The Inmate” in 2022. This fast-paced novel will have readers questioning every character’s motives and even their own instincts.
McFadden is most commonly known for her books “The Housemaid” and “Never Lie.” While “The Inmate” might not be as well known, the terror of this novel stands in its own league.
McFadden is known for her twisting plots and last second reveals and “The Inmate” delivers on every front.
“The Inmate” asks the question of ‘what if the one arrested for murder is innocent?’ But what makes this book even more intriguing is figuring out if they are. The line between innocent and guilty blurs by the time you turn the last page.
The book follows Brooke Sullivan, who just accepted a nursing job at a men’s maximum security prison. Shane Nelson, her high school boyfriend and the murderer of her best friend, is an inmate there.
To make the water even murkier, Brooke’s testimony is what put him there. Brooke is worried for her safety, but all Shane wants is to prove his innocence to the world and she is the key to that.
The tensions that McFadden creates can be cut by a knife. Brooke is dealing with extreme emotional turbulence. She once loved Shane, but she must determine if that is enough to trust him again.
Brooke must figure out how to navigate trauma, guilt, memory and fear’s distortion of the truth.
Just like any good thriller book, Brooke is not a fully reliable narrator. She is complex and relatable, but she is constantly questioning herself and what she thought she knew. This aspect makes it difficult for readers to discern what the truth is.
McFadden’s short chapters, quick pacing, prose and end-of-chapter hooks make “The Inmate” a bingeable read. Realism is often put to the side for spectacle and suspense, but that makes this book even more interesting.
Brooke’s number one priority throughout the book is protecting her son, Josh. He is very loveable, so his character can cause uneasiness when his safety comes into question.
Nearing the book’s end, readers are left with more questions than answers — right when they think they have figured out the truth, everything comes crashing down. The final chapter completely flips the narrative that McFadden spent 300 pages building.
Throughout the book, McFadden takes readers back through the fateful night when Shane was arrested for murder. It is very satisfying when McFadden finally puts the last puzzle piece into place. But nothing makes sense for long.
While “The Inmate” does a great job creating suspense and tension, the plot can feel repetitive. Much of the early chapters are filled with scenes of Brooke doubting Shane, finding some sort of resolve and then cycling back to doubt.
Additionally, there are moments where the added emotional weight can feel forced. For example, when it seems that she has found love, it feels more like a plot device to create more tension rather than true emotional depth and anchoring.
Despite its flaws, “The Inmate” is a must read for lovers of thrillers and is a great starting point for those ready to jump into this genre.
While “The Inmate” is not McFadden’s most celebrated novel, it is one of her most entertaining.
Rate: 3.5/5
