The Inmate - A Review

The truth is, I still don’t believe it. There was something else that happened that night—something important I’m missing. Something tugging at the periphery of my memory. I feel like if I could think hard enough, I would figure it out. But the harder I try to remember, the more it eludes me.

Freida McFadden’s The Inmate is a thrilling and suspenseful novel that keeps the reader hooked until the very end. It tells the story of Brooke Sullivan, a young nurse practitioner who starts working at a men’s prison. Her new job is already difficult, but it becomes much more complicated when she realizes that one of the inmates, Shane Nelson, is someone from her past. Brooke once testified against Shane in court, believing he was guilty of a terrible crime. Now, forced to see him again every day, she begins to question whether she truly knows the truth about what happened.

The book is written in a fast-paced style, with short chapters that make it hard to put down. McFadden creates suspense by showing the story mostly through Brooke’s point of view, which means the reader only knows as much as she does. Since Brooke herself doubts her memories and her own judgment, the audience also feels unsure of who to trust. This makes the story unpredictable and adds to the psychological tension.

A major theme of the novel is trust. Brooke does not know whether to trust Shane, her own memories, or the people around her. The book also explores guilt and how past choices can affect someone’s future. Brooke feels responsible for her role in Shane’s imprisonment, and this guilt shapes her actions throughout the story. Another theme is justice. The prison setting shows how punishment and humanity often clash, especially when Brooke has to treat inmates as patients, even including Shane.

The characters are written in a way that makes them believable. Brooke is strong but also vulnerable, and her fears feel real. Shane, on the other hand, is mysterious—sometimes he seems kind and innocent, but other times he appears dangerous. This makes the reader constantly question his true nature. The tension between Brooke and Shane is what drives the novel forward.

The ending of The Inmate is full of twists and surprises. McFadden includes many clues and red herrings, so the final reveal is shocking but still makes sense. It leaves the reader thinking about memory, trust, and how easily people can be misled.

Overall, The Inmate is an exciting psychological thriller that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Freida McFadden creates a story filled with suspense, strong characters, and meaningful themes. It is a book that will keep readers turning the pages while also making them reflect on how memory and trust shape our lives. 

Shravya Garodia