Talia is in prison for killing her husband. At least, she thought she killed him. But when a man arrives for visitation who bears a striking resemblance to Noel, Talia starts to question what’s real. Death Row by Freida McFadden is a thriller novella that will keep you guessing at every turn. Let’s dive in to a little review for a little book, shall we?
What Is Death Row About?
Talia is in prison for killing her husband. She’s tried to appeal the decision before, but as her final day approaches, all Talia has left is to accept her fate. She’s going to die. And maybe that would be easier for her to swallow if she hadn’t just seen a man who looks exactly like Noel visiting another inmate.
In classic Freida McFadden style, we’re following Talia as she flits between her dark past and her hopeless present. We’re taken through the night she met Noel right up until the night of his death, and by the end, we’re not sure how much we can trust Talia’s story. Who do we believe? Who really killed Noel, and who was the man Talia saw in the visitor room? This novella will keep you guessing until the very end.
What I Liked…
This was not my first Freida McFadden book, and it won’t be my last. When I needed a break after the last splatterpunk book I read, I knew exactly where to go. Death Row is a recent release, and the novella length was perfect for an afternoon read in the sun. The story is short enough and straightforward enough that you feel like you can just turn your mind off and enjoy the ride, which was exactly what I’ve been needing.
In regards to the ending, you can expect a classic Freida McFadden twist. You will not be able to see this one coming (at least, I didn’t), and you’ll find the entirety of the book is wrapped up within a few short chapters. In my experience, this felt liek a classic book from Frieda. It’s fun, it’s short, and it’s really nothing too serious. That being said…
… And What I Didn’t
This book really was nothing spectacular. While I can appreciate FM’s endings for what they are (twisty and fun and oftentimes silly), they’re not what I would call great. When I read a thriller, my favourite twists are the ones you can trace back. I like when an ending actually adds to the reread value for the book, and I haven’t really seen this happen in a Freida McFadden book yet. There’s no clues to pick up in Death Row that would make the ending seem any more obvious or clear, because it’s just a regular twist. Once again, this is kind of perfect for a summer read, but the ending alone is what has stopped her books from being five-star reads for me. Call me picky, but I want more.
Final Thoughts
I regularly recommend Freida McFadden books to people who are trying to get into thrillers, and Death Row is no different. This book has short chapters, the writing is fantastic, and the story will keep you locked in. If you need something to read by the pool this summer, this is perfect for a murder-filled afternoon.
Have you read it? Pick this book up on KU, and let me know what you think!