Freida McFadden is an author specializing in crime novels, particularly psychological thrillers that are often well-received by readers. In her latest work, The Inmate, she captures the audience’s attention with her characteristic style. In this novel, she devotes considerable, perhaps excessive, attention to introducing the characters, while the main action unfolds mostly in the second half of the book, maintaining a very dynamic narrative pace. The mysteries presented are gradually resolved by the end. McFadden also avoids including explicit scenes of violence or erotica, which is not always common in this type of literature.
The protagonist of the story is Brooke Sullivan, a 28-year-old single mother with a 10-year-old son. She works as a nurse at Raker Penitentiary, a maximum-security prison. Although she doesn’t particularly enjoy her job, it’s the only position she found after moving to a new city. Her work at the prison is governed by three key rules: treat inmates with respect, never share personal information, and never establish personal relationships with them. However, these rules become challenging to follow when Brooke discovers that one of the most dangerous prisoners, Shane Nelson, was her high school boyfriend. Back then, Shane was a football star, but now he is serving a life sentence for multiple murders. Moreover, Brooke’s testimony was instrumental in putting him behind bars.
The book also introduces several significant secondary characters, such as Tim, the vice principal at Brooke’s son’s school; Maggie, the nanny; and Shane’s and Tim’s families, among others. Through these characters, a complex plot unfolds, alternating between the present and traumatic events that took place eleven years earlier.
In summary, The Inmate is a well-crafted crime novel within its genre, ideal for readers who enjoy these themes. While it portrays morally questionable situations and behaviors, it also highlights positive aspects, such as Brooke’s unconditional love for her son. Although the story includes some violent scenes and moments of romance, everything is handled with restraint and fits within the narrative context.