The Inmate: A gripping psychological thriller – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Inmate: A gripping psychological thriller

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2022Kindle eBooks, Literature & Fiction

58%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

A high-stakes 'my-ex-is-a-serial-killer' thriller that’s basically the literary version of a bingeable Netflix true crime doc.

The Inmate: A gripping psychological thriller

book

2022, Kindle eBooks, Literature & Fiction

58%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

A high-stakes 'my-ex-is-a-serial-killer' thriller that’s basically the literary version of a bingeable Netflix true crime doc.

4.4

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Screenwise Verdict

The Inmate is the definition of a 'guilty pleasure' thriller. It’s not trying to be high literature; it’s trying to shock you, and for most readers, it succeeds.

McFadden writes in a way that is incredibly easy to digest, which is why she has millions of fans, but the content is gritty. If you’re looking for a wholesome family read, keep walking. But if you want a twisty prison drama to read on a flight, this is a solid pick for your own Kindle—just don't leave it on the coffee table where your 10-year-old might open it.

Age Fit

This is strictly for mature teens (16+) and adults. The themes of murder, prison violence, and manipulative sexual relationships make it a 'no' for the middle school crowd.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a story built on betrayal, murder, and toxic manipulation. The protagonist is a nurse who intentionally takes a job at a prison where her ex-boyfriend—a convicted killer—is held. It’s the opposite of emotionally healthy modeling.

Imaginative

While it leans heavily on standard thriller tropes and 'unreliable narrator' setups, the dual-timeline structure and the claustrophobic prison setting are effectively used to keep the reader guessing.

Safe

Contains graphic descriptions of prison life, violence, murder, and sexual content. While 'safe' for an adult reader, it would be highly inappropriate for a child to stumble upon without context.

Enriching

It’s high-octane entertainment rather than deep intellectual growth. It might prompt some thought about the fallibility of memory, but mostly it's designed for shock value and pacing.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Fast-paced 'popcorn' reading that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
Features a massive 'epilogue twist' that Freida McFadden fans live for.
Effective dual timelines that slowly reveal the truth about a traumatic past.
Great for older teens or adults who want a quick, twisty distraction.

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic violence and descriptions of murder that aren't for the faint of heart.
Sexual content and mature relationship themes involving a convicted inmate.
The protagonist's decision-making can be frustratingly unrealistic, which might annoy readers looking for a more grounded story.

Conversation Starters

"Do you think Brooke’s memory of that night was actually reliable, or was she just seeing what she expected to see?"
"Why do people feel drawn back to the places (or people) that hurt them the most?"
"If you found out a former friend was in prison, would you ever try to visit them to get 'closure'?"

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