Book: The Inmate by Freida McFadden

For fans of: Psychological Thrillers, High-Tension Suspense, “Unreliable Narrator” Stories, and Books with Jaw-Dropping Twists.

Now it’s time for something light and fun in fiction… If you are looking for a psychological thriller that will chain you to your reading spot until the very last page, look no further than Freida McFadden’s The Inmate.

This book excels at building a suffocating atmosphere and an irresistible sense of dread. The story centres on Brooke Sullivan, who takes a job as a nurse practitioner at a maximum-security prison—a decision that is already unnerving, but is made terrifying by one fact: the most notorious inmate, Shane Nelson, is her high school sweetheart, the man she testified against for a series of murders.

McFadden masterfully plays with your perception of the truth. As Brooke re-enters Shane’s orbit, the past begins to unravel, forcing both the protagonist and the reader to question everything they thought they knew about that fateful night years ago. The rules Brooke is given for working at the prison—” Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates”—are the rules she is forced to shatter, dragging you along for the terrifying ride.

This is a textbook example of a binge-worthy thriller. The pace is relentless, the chapters are fast, and the author is the reigning queen of the unpredictable twist. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, The Inmate pivots, leaving you scrambling to piece together the shattered puzzle.

Recommendation: Highly recommended for anyone who loves a tightly plotted, high-stakes thriller that delivers on its promise of suspense and will keep you guessing until the shocking final reveal. Don’t start this one late at night—you won’t be able to put it down! Thank you for reading. Until next time…