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In The Inmate, we follow Brooke Sullivan, who returns to her hometown after inheriting her parents’ house, hoping for a fresh start for herself and her son. As a nurse practitioner, she’s eager to find work, but the only place that offers her a position is a maximum-security men’s prison. Brooke is reluctant to take the job, especially because one of the inmates, Shane, is serving a life sentence for a crime she testified against him for. Shane knows she’s the reason he’s behind bars, and he hasn’t forgotten. The story alternates between Brooke’s present-day perspective and flashbacks to eleven years earlier, revealing the night and the events that ultimately led Shane to prison.
My overall opinion
I was all set to give this book three stars at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I couldn’t.The Inmate is my least favorite McFadden book so far. I do give credit where it’s due: her short chapters make it possible to read in one sitting, and it’s definitely an easy read. But beyond that? Yikes. I don’t have a ton of good things to say without risking spoilers.
First off, the plot was super predictable and, frankly, weak,like, even for a book, it was a bit far-fetched. Then there’s Brooke. Oh, Brooke. She’s basically the definition of ignoring red flags. At every turn, she makes the most frustrating decisions. Honestly, she drove me nuts and became my least favorite character in the entire McFadden universe.
Maybe it’s because I read two McFadden books in a row and I need a break, but I just don’t get why this one’s a fan favorite. If it had been my first McFadden book, maybe I’d feel differently, but who knows. Anyway, Brooke? The worst.
Who would enjoy this book?
If you’re a Freida McFadden fan, you might as well add The Inmate to your list. If you like alternating points of view,especially between present and past timelines, or if you enjoy watching a character in a horror movie casually wander into a creepy situation without a plan, you might enjoy this one. Just be warned, though, there are triggers for abuse and murder, so proceed with caution.
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