Review of The Inmate by Freida McFadden
When I first heard about The Inmate, I was immediately drawn in by its intriguing premise—a nurse practitioner returning to her hometown to work in a prison where her ex, who once tried to kill her, is incarcerated. Freida McFadden has a knack for creating suspenseful tales that keep you on the edge of your seat, and I couldn’t resist diving into this captivating storyline. However, like taking a leap into the unknown, this read ended up being a complicated journey.
First, let me start with what I loved. McFadden knows how to hook her readers. The pacing is brisk, and the twists are delivered like a rollercoaster ride—even if I sometimes found myself wishing for a little more control! The central character, Brooke Sullivan, manages to create both intrigue and frustration. I was glued to the pages, anticipating drama around every corner, and believed wholeheartedly that the plot had the potential to be a wild romp. But disappointment came creeping in with Brooke herself.
Her decisions often left me shaking my head in disbelief. As I navigated through her choices, I found myself questioning how someone could make such reckless decisions—like working at the very prison where her dangerous ex resides. At times, it felt like she was a walking cautionary tale. It’s tough to reconcile the heart-wrenching moments with the sheer bewilderment I felt while reading about her antics. McFadden captures the chilling dynamics of a former lover turned adversary excellently, but alas, my connection to Brooke faltered and ultimately brought my rating down to 2.5 stars.
The writing style is where McFadden excels. There’s a bone-chilling vibe that runs through the narrative, keeping you wary of every twist. I have to admit, I experienced goosebumps more than once, especially during the climactic moments when the plot flipped on its axis. A particular line that’s stuck with me was: “Sometimes people do exactly what you think they’re going to do, and they still manage to disappoint you.” As simple as it sounds, it encapsulates the essence of disappointment that lingers throughout the novel.
However, for me, the real letdown was Brooke’s characterization. Her seemingly misguided trust in her ex and her failure to make sound judgments were terribly frustrating; I found myself wishing for a more stable and proactive protagonist. The moments of tension evaporated faster than I could anticipate, thanks in large part to a character whose only consistent trait seemed to be poor decision-making.
Despite my frustrations, I wouldn’t discourage fellow Freida fans from picking up The Inmate. If you’re keen on compelling plots and suspenseful writing, this might still be a worthy read for you. Perhaps you’ll connect with Brooke in ways I couldn’t.
In conclusion, while The Inmate provided the adrenaline rush I craved, it also highlighted the bittersweet reality of expectations versus reality. If you’re a lover of thrillers and enjoy unpicking complex character dynamics, this book might just resonate with you. Until then, I’ll be here recovering from the headache Brooke has given me. Happy reading!