Book Review: X Marks The Haunt by Lindsay Currie

-
Image
X Marks The Haunt  by Lindsay Currie is a chilling middle grade horror novel that begins with Will Stone conducting genealogy research at Graceland Cemetery, where his mother works. When an old crypt key goes missing, it unleashes a sinister force within the cemetery, draining the lake and slowly sucking the life from the surrounding trees. As the eerie presence grows stronger, Will and his friends must rely on his unique knowledge and investigative skills to uncover the truth and put a stop to the dangerous energy wreaking havoc before it consumes everything in its path. I'd like to thank NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, and Delacorte Press for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of X Marks The Haunt  by Lindsay Currie. All I knew about the novel before I read it was that it was a children's horror book, and I loved the cover! I received a digital copy for free in exchange for my honest review. First and foremost, the story was exceptionally a...
Post a Comment

Book Review: The Inmate by Freida McFadden

-

Psychological Thriller Book Review of The Inmate by Freida McFadden
The Inmate by Freida McFadden opens with Brooke Sullivan starting a new job as a nurse practitioner at Raker State Penitentiary, a position governed by just three strict rules. From the very beginning, it’s clear there’s more going on beneath the surface. Unbeknownst to the prison staff, Brooke has already broken one of those rules ... she has a personal connection to one of the inmates and is, in fact, the person responsible for putting him behind bars. That secret sets the tone for a tense, fast paced psychological thriller that immediately pulls you in.

After hearing so many rave reviews about Freida McFadden, I decided to place holds on several of her books at my local library. When The Inmate finally became available, I wasted no time diving in, and I ended up absolutely devouring it. This novel is an incredibly easy and engaging read, the kind that keeps you turning pages late into the night. It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and felt like the perfect beach read ... gripping, addictive, and impossible to put down.

book review the inmate freida mcfadden
Going into the story, I thought I had things mostly figured out early on, especially since I was basing my assumptions on the last McFadden book I read, Never Lie. I was confident I knew where the plot was heading, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The big reveal completely caught me off guard, and just when I thought the surprises were over, the epilogue threw me for another loop. 

Brooke Sullivan is a very likable main character, much more so than the protagonist in Never Lie, which made it even easier to become invested in her story. There were also several secondary characters who initially seemed trustworthy, only to become far less likable as the truth slowly unraveled. The twists, turns, and carefully placed red herrings kept my heart pounding and made the story even more fun to read.

I gave The Inmate by Freida McFadden five out of five stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling, the pacing, and the unexpected twists, and I can’t wait to read the next Freida McFadden book that becomes available at my local library. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with shocking reveals and strong suspense, this book review should be all the encouragement you need to add The Inmate to your to be read list.

Follow The Running Bibliophile On Social Media

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book Review: The Dare by Natasha Preston

-
Image
The Dare by Natasha Preston is a young adult horror novel centered on Marley and her friends Atlas, Lucia, and Jesse, all seniors in high school. What begins as harmless, lighthearted senior pranks quickly takes a dark turn when Rhett starts assigning dares that are far more serious and dangerous. As the stakes rise, the question becomes whether Marley and her friends will survive the consequences of playing along. A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced readers copy of The Dare by Natasha Preston. The last book I read by this author was well written and engaging, so I was excited to dive into her latest young adult horror story. From the start, the novel feels reminiscent of R.L. Stine’s Fear Street series, which instantly brought back a wave of childhood nostalgia. Unfortunately, that initial excitement didn’t last. Before long, the plot shifts into territory that felt eerily similar to the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer . At that point, my interest started ...
Read more

Book Review: The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker

-
Image
The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker  was published on March 17, 2025. It opens with Detective Declan Shaw at a closed subway station trying to work up the nerve to commit suicide when he receives a call from his partner about a break in and homicide at the home of a true crime author. Shaw makes his way to the crime scene to work the case, and in a turn of events, Declan comes under scrutiny in another case loosely connected to this new case. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Writer  from NetGalley and Little , Brown, and Company for free in exchange for my honest review. I'm appreciative that my request for this book was approved. With this story opening with the main character trying to commit suicide, I almost didn't go any further with the book. However, I am glad I stuck with it as it took me on a fantastic ride and had my emotions all over the place. There were so many twists and turns that just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was ...
Read more

Book Review: Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, #30) by Janet Evanovich

-
Image
Book Review: Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, #30) by Janet Evanovich Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, #30) by Janet Evanovich is the latest installment in the long-running and beloved Stephanie Plum series, and it opens with Joe Morelli asking Stephanie to dog-sit his famously quirky dog, Bob, while he’s out of town testifying at a trial. As expected, things quickly spiral into chaos when Stephanie has to bring Bob along while attempting to apprehend her usual lineup of FTAs. Between chasing fugitives, dodging danger, and juggling her complicated personal life, Stephanie also finds herself seriously questioning whether marriage is something she truly wants. Each book in the Stephanie Plum series tends to follow a familiar and comforting formula, with everything wrapped up in a neat, tidy bow by the end. That predictability is actually one of the main reasons I keep coming back to these books. I always know Stephanie will get herself into trouble, Ranger or Morelli will step in to help,...
Read more