Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - The Inmate

Brooke was told not to get close to the inmates at her new job as nurse practitioner at a prison but what her new boss doesn’t know is one of the prisoners are there because of her.

This book was so amazing! Just when I thought I knew who the bad guy was a huge twist would happen and it’s change! So crazy! I didn’t know what story to believe or what was the true story! And I loved every second of it!

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aleen_elizabeth's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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_sarahleb_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

3.0

**SPOILER ALERT**

Listen, I really wanted to love this book. I really did! But I just finished reading it and I’m actually feeling a little aggravated. This book is my actual worst nightmare.

The main character was extremely frustrating, it was almost liked she was cursed to always make the worst choice possible. I get that other people were often manipulating the situation but it was almost disheartening how often everything kept being the worst outcome possible.

I feel so incredibly bad for Tim! Like oh my god, someone named Tim must have done Freida dirty because DAMN the man could not catch a break???

This poor man has been absolutely in love with this woman his entire life, he witnesses one of the most traumatic experiences that someone could ever possibly survive. He watched the person he loves get choked half to death by HER BOYFRIEND (❤️‍🩹) and, despite being stabbed in the stomach, manages to save her life! And how does she thank him?! NEVER SPEAK TO HIM AGAIN!!!

But wait! If that couldn’t be ANY WORSE, she shows back up one day, FINALLY gives him a chance, gives him a glimpse of the life he could ever dream of and then BOOM. He’s INCARCERATED because of said woman?!?!

I’ll be the first to admit that Tim was not perfect, there were definitely a few questionable choices that he made but my lord. #justiceforTim

And then just when you thought things couldn’t get worse 🙃 it does. Of course it does! That’s the scariest part!! EVERYTHING WILL ALWAYS GO WRONG

Anyway, other than all of that, the writing was great! It was an easy read and I’ll definitely read some more of her books, this one just did not do it for me.

I’d like to thank Poisoned Pen Press inc and Freida McFadden for the chance to read an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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filipa_maia's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was my first Freida McFadden book. Her books are so hyped now that I wanted to see for myself what was all the fuss about.

I really enjoyed the story. Fast, compelling, mysterious and dark - just my type of book. Although, at some points, I felt like the story was going nowhere, I think that overall, and by the end, everything went that way it was supposed to. And that ending? My God, I was not expecting that! Nice!

I will definitely read her other books now.

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yvo_about_books's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

4.0

Finished reading: February 22nd 2024

"Sometimes people do exactly what you think they’re going to do, and they still manage to disappoint you."

*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***

I'm aware that Freida McFadden is a very popular psychological thriller author, but somehow I had never actually picked up one of her books before. It seemed like a sign that just when I promised to myself to change this in 2024, an ARC of previously published The Inmate popped up on Netgalley. Of course I couldn't resist this opportunity, and especially since I always love a good thriller with a prison angle... And I definitely understand why so many people seem to enjoy her books now!

The Inmate uses a dual timeline structure, where we switch between the present and eleven years earlier when the murders happened. As often with dual timeline structures, I did prefer one over the other, as the flashbacks just had a bit too much teenage drama for me. That said, once Brooke and the rest are at the farmhouse, things get intense enough to keep your attention. The present timeline is mainly your typical psychological thriller with a main character with unreliable narrator vibes... The last especially once she starts questioning her own memories. It was this present timeline that kept me on my toes, as I was fully invested in discovering the whole truth about both past and present events.

This story is definitely more character driven, and the main characters are all flawed. I had mixed feelings about Brooke, who could behave in an incredibly stupid way in parts... But I can't deny that the manipulation, gaslighting and building up of doubt and confusion are really well done. This is one of those stories that makes you think you have everything figured out, only to drop a plot twist bomb on you that makes you question everything... Not every twist is completely credible, but it does make for a very engaging story. And that ending! I definitely didn't see that last chapter coming, and it was a great way to end things on a high note.

I'm keeping this review short to avoid possible spoilers, because The Inmate will have so much more impact if you go in blind. While this story is mainly a character driven psychological thriller, there are also plenty of moments of tension and things can get pretty graphic especially in the flashbacks. I enjoyed the prison scenes, and I loved how this book made me doubt everything I thought was a given fact. Recommended if you enjoy the genre! I will definitely be diving into Freida McFadden's backlist ASAP.

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dilani's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Entertaining but not my fave from this author.

Brooke was too childish at times. Not to mention she kept flipping on who might have tried to kill her eleven years ago. Instead of thinking on things she jumped straight to conclusions. I also don’t think the twists hit me hard as they were meant to, especially the final reveal. It was a bit too outlandish/convenient for me.

Not the worst thriller, but not the best.

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kassidypf13's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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