The Inmate By Freida McFadden Book Summary & Review

Alright, let me warn you right up front—The Inmate by Freida McFadden is one of those books that will have you glued to the pages, and just when you think you’ve figured it out… BAM! Another twist. 

If you like your thrillers fast-paced, with characters who make you question everything (and everyone), then this is the book for you. I honestly loved this book from start to finish. 

McFadden’s writing style had me hooked, and the twists were just incredible. I was so captivated by the story, wondering where everything could possibly go. 

I mean, I literally could not put this book down. I tried to start reading it before bed… big mistake. I didn’t get any sleep that night! I’ll tell you all about it so you’ll understand why.

Ok then, let’s dive into The Inmate Summary & Review to understand why this book is so mind-bending.

The Inmate Plot Summary

Freida McFadden’s The Inmate grabs you from the first chapter like a bear trap—except instead of a bear, it’s a story that refuses to let you go. The way the twists were built throughout the plot kept me second-guessing every character, and that’s what made the book so engaging. 

The plot follows Brooke, a nurse who takes a job at a correctional facility to escape her painful past. Little does she know, working at a prison is going to make her past seem like the good old days. 

Brooke heads straight into the lion’s den. And guess who’s waiting for her? Shane, an inmate who was once the love of her life. Yeah, talk about awkwardness. The problem is, Shane isn’t just some ex-boyfriend who still sends you weird texts at 3 a.m. No, no—he’s a convicted killer.

As the story unfolds, strange events start to happen around Brooke, and she becomes unsure whether Shane is guilty of the crime he’s been convicted of or if there’s more to the story. 

I was on the edge of my seat wondering if he was really guilty or if someone else was pulling the strings. If you love a good twisty thriller, you’re going to eat this one up.

And I have to say, just when I thought I knew what was going on, McFadden kept throwing new surprises my way. I was absolutely sure of some characters’ innocence—until the twist hit. 

Character Overview in The Inmate Review

Let me just say, that Brooke is a character you’ll love and sometimes wonder, “Why are you doing this?!” But isn’t that the beauty of thrillers? When a character makes decisions that leave you questioning their every move. 

I personally found myself rooting for Brooke even when she was making some questionable choices. Her vulnerability and strength made her so relatable. Brooke is tough but also vulnerable, and you really feel for her. She’s stuck in this intense situation, and it’s hard to blame her when her past keeps showing up like an unwelcome guest at a party.

As for Shane, let’s just say I couldn’t figure him out. One minute, he seems like a victim of circumstances, and the next minute, he’s as creepy as a clown at a kid’s birthday party. I kept asking myself: Is Shane dangerous, or is he someone who’s been wronged by the system? 

McFadden really knows how to create characters that keep you guessing, and Shane is no exception. By the end, I found myself asking, “Is he dangerous? Or has he been wronged all along?” And honestly, I’m still not entirely sure.

Themes in The Inmate Review

Okay, let’s talk themes. Because, yes, while The Inmate is thrilling and full of suspense, it also dives deep into some heavier stuff. 

The twists were mind-blowing, but McFadden also made me really reflect on the nature of trust and love. 

One big theme in this book is trust. Brooke constantly has to question everyone around her—especially Shane. At one point, I was as unsure of who to trust as Brooke was. 

It’s like the more I read, the more I doubted everyone, including Brooke herself. There were moments when I felt like I needed a lie detector test to get through my day.

Another theme that struck me was love and regret. Brooke’s feelings for Shane are all over the place. She’s torn between the man she used to know and the man he’s become. 

There’s a lot of emotional baggage here, and McFadden handles it in a way that’s both realistic and heartbreaking. The tension between Brooke and Shane’s past made the story even more gripping for me, especially since I was constantly questioning their relationship’s complexity. 

Writing Style in The Inmate Review

Freida McFadden has a writing style that’s easy to read but packed with tension. The short chapters are the perfect length to keep you hooked, and every chapter ends on a mini cliffhanger that forces you to keep reading. 

Honestly, I was hooked from the first page. Her style makes it so easy to dive in and hard to stop reading. Her descriptions are vivid enough to make you feel like you’re walking down the prison halls with Brooke, but she doesn’t overwhelm you with unnecessary details. She gives you just enough to set the scene and build suspense. 

The pacing is fast, and the dialogue is realistic. I’ll be honest—I had some theories as I read, but McFadden knew exactly where to take me, making me feel like I was always one step behind her plot.

Ending Explained in The Inmate Review

Okay, let’s talk about that ending. I won’t give away any spoilers (promise), but wow. Just… wow. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to go that way, and I was left in complete shock. 

The twists McFadden pulls off in the final chapters are mind-blowing. When I reached the last page, I sat there in stunned silence for a good five minutes, thinking, “Did that just happen?” And it did. The ending wraps everything up in a way that feels satisfying but also leaves you with a few lingering questions, which is exactly how a great thriller should leave you. 

I was totally blindsided by the conclusion—it completely turned everything I thought I knew on its head!

Final Thoughts on The Inmate Review

So, should you read The Inmate? Absolutely! It’s a gripping, emotional, and suspenseful ride that will keep you on your toes. I finished this book in just one weekend because I couldn’t stop reading. 

If you’re into books that leave you guessing until the very end (and make you question everyone you know), then you’ll love this one. And I’ve got to warn you—this book will leave you second-guessing everyone around you for a while. Just ask my cat, who I started eyeing suspiciously after finishing this book.