Books I've Read in April

Well, there's another month ticked off the 2025 list! I don't know about you but the year started off really slowly for me, and then the last couple of months have absolutely flown by. My reading this month has felt rather sporadic. I've managed to tick two books off my TBR, however both of these were devoured in a few days each. So it feels like I've not actually spent that much time reading during April. Both books have been fab reads though, so let's get straight into it. Here are the two books I've read in April.

Books I've Read in April

1. The Locked Door by Frieda McFadden

Synopsis

As a child, Nora Davis had no idea her father was a serial killer... Until the police arrived and revealed the horrors happening in their basement. Decades later, Nora has built a quiet, respectable life as a successful surgeon, determined to keep her past buried. No one knows who her father was, and she plans to keep it that way. But when one of her young patients is found murdered in a disturbingly familiar manner, Nora realises someone knows the truth. And they want her to take the fall. As suspicion mounts and secrets begin to surface, Nora must fight to prove her innocence. Because she’s not like her father. She’s not a killer. At least, not yet. But there’s one place the police must never look... Her basement!

Review

After reading quite a few McFadden books recently I really wanted to branch out and try something new, but there was something about the synopsis of The Locked Door that I was so intrigued by. I love a bit of mystery, and I love a crime thriller! And let me tell you, this book ticked all the boxes. I was really spooked by the similarities playing out in Nora's life to that of her serial killer father. The riddles and secrecies not only kept me turning the pages, but they also kept me guessing too! I've read quite a few thrillers now so I can usually guess at know how the story is going to play out, but this one had me questioning right until the very end. What I will say about this one however is that although the twist was unexpected, it didn't really pack the punch I wanted it to (hence the 4 star rating). But perhaps, like I say this is because I've read quite a bit in this genre now. Maybe I'd have thought differently if this was one of my first reads!

Rating - 4 stars

2. The Inmate by Frieda McFadden

synopsis

Brooke Sullivan has three strict rules to follow as the new nurse practitioner at a men’s maximum-security prison. 1 - Treat inmates with respect. 2 - Keep her personal life private and 3 - Never get too close. But Brooke is already breaking all of them. No one at the prison knows about her past with Shane Nelson (the charming high school sweetheart turned convicted serial killer). Brooke’s testimony helped put him behind bars for life. Now, years later, she’s working in the very place he’s imprisoned. Shane hasn’t forgotten her betrayal, and he certainly isn’t done with her. As secrets resurface and old emotions reignite, Brooke finds herself caught between duty, guilt, and a dangerous connection that never truly ended.

review

Okay, okay, another McFadden book, I know! But what a goodie this one is! Mystery - yes. Crime thriller - yes. You see the pattern this month, right? The Inmate was a real page turner from start to finish for me! My mind went through so many different emotions and feelings - Especially towards Shane Nelson (the inmate) and whether he was falsely imprisoned or not. I felt so conflicted when it came to the relationship between Shane and Brooke. When I was reading, it felt like I could have been watching a gripping drama series on tv. I was captivated! Conflicted and captivated! As the book plays out you're kept guessing until the last 50 pages or so. This one isn't a quick twist at the end. Which I actually really liked. I enjoyed how the story unfolded. And the last epilogue! If you know, you know! I loved this one. What I will say as a slight negative however, is that I found the main character, Brooke, really quite annoying. I thought some of the decisions she made were quite silly. But was I entertained? Absolutely, yes! I couldn't put this one down. I think I managed to whizz through it in a couple of days. Five out of five for me!

rating - 5 stars

To Conclude

Although it feels like I didn't do an awful lot of reading through April, I think the books I chose to read were absolute corkers! You'll be pleased to know however that I've currently branched away from Frieda McFadden and am currently reading something by a new to me author... Karin Slaughter! I can't wait to update you on this one next month.

What books have you read in Arpil? Have you read any Frieda McFadden?

For more bookish inspiration

• Books I've read in January
• Books I've read in February
• Books I've read in March