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If I had a pound for every time Freida McFadden made me question everything halfway through a story… I’d probably use it to buy her next book when it comes out in a few months! Here’s my spoiler-free Death Row by Freida McFadden review, let’s talk tension, twists, and trust issues.

Spoiler-Free Zone
This review is completely spoiler-free, no twists revealed, no key plot points given away. You’re safe to read on, even if you haven’t cracked open the book yet.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

A locked cell, a ticking clock, and a narrator you’re never quite sure you can trust, Death Row delivers a good dose of psychological tension, a hint of moral unease, and just enough misdirection to keep you guessing until the very end. A true 4-star read!

Death Row by Freida McFadden Review – Book Synopsis

Death Row by Freida McFadden

Published June 1, 2025

With all hope of an appeal fading away, the fate of a condemned murderess takes a shocking turn in a breathtaking short story.

Talia Kemper is on death row for murdering her husband. She had an alibi and no known motive, yet Talia’s unwavering protestations of innocence have always been ignored. Then one day in the visiting area, she sees a recognizable stranger she’s certain is her husband. It turns out the man she’s been convicted of killing may not be dead after all. But as the days tick away toward Talia’s execution, what will it take for her to be believed?

Freida McFadden’s Death Row is part of Alibis, a collection of stories about lies, truth, and deception. It’s just a matter of what you can get away with. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.


Goodreads Rating

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Title

Death Row

Author

Freida McFadden

Genre

Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Short Stories

Format

73 pages, Kindle Edition

Pubished

June 1, 2025 by Amazon Original Stories

ISBN

9781662532269 (ISBN10: 1662532261)

ASIN

B0DRLJNHZJ

Language

English

Author’s Bio – Freida McFadden

#1 New York Times, Amazon Charts, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Sunday Times, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Freida McFadden is a physician who has penned multiple bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels.

Freida’s work has been selected as one of Amazon Editors’ best books of the year, she is the winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for best paperback, and she is a Goodreads Choice Award winner. Her novels have been translated into 40 languages.

​ Freida lives with her family and cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.

Check Freida’s Official Website: freidamcfadden.com

The Alibis Collection is a series of standalone short mystery and thriller stories from Amazon Originals, each written by a different bestselling author — including Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, and David Lagercrantz. Each story explores the theme of alibis: who has one, who doesn’t, and what secrets might be hiding behind them.

Death Row by Freida McFadden Review – Quick Summary

Death Row Review – Trigger Warnings, Sensitive Topics and Age Rating

Before we go any further, I always like to include a quick note on sensitive content. Every reader is different, and some themes in this book might be difficult for certain people.

If you prefer to check content warnings before reading, just click below to reveal the list of trigger warnings, sensitive topics and age ratting.

Age Rating

Recommended for ages 16+ due to mature themes, suspense, and emotionally intense situations.

Trigger Warnings / Sensitive Topics:

  • Death and capital punishment
  • Prison setting and themes of confinement
  • Psychological distress
  • Mentions of crime and justice system failures
  • Murder
  • Infidelity

Notes

Death Row explores guilt, isolation, and psychological strain with a quiet intensity. While it’s not graphic or violent, the atmosphere is heavy and emotionally charged. The story leans into moral ambiguity and internal conflict, which may be unsettling for some readers — especially those sensitive to themes of imprisonment, judgment, and fractured truth.

My Thoughts

This short story is part of The Alibis Collection, and as someone who enjoys a far-fetched Freida McFadden story (yes, my guilty pleasure), I was instantly intrigued. Give me Freida, a prison, an unreliable narrator, and a hint of “what really happened?” and I’m fully seated.

Despite its length, Death Row gives you plenty to sit with. It’s a true page-turner, especially if you enjoy stories that feel like peeling an onion, one tense, layered chapter at a time

What I Loved

It’s a fast-paced little story, I’m telling you, once you start, it’s hard to put down until you find out what really happened. I read it in exactly one hour while on the treadmill, so trust me, it’s the perfect way to kill (no pun intended hehehe) some time during your commute, gym session, or any quiet moment in your day.

What Surprised Me

I really liked the premise, it had great potential, and with a little more development, it could’ve gone even deeper. There were moments where I wished the story had more room to explore the characters or build tension just a bit longer. Still, for a short story, it delivers a solid punch and leaves you thinking.

Vibe Check

The vibe is moody, isolated, and claustrophobic, most of the story takes place inside a prison cell. It doesn’t rely on action; it focuses more on psychological tension.

About The Plot Twist

No spoilers, I promise! I’ll just say this: despite all the clues the story gives you, I never saw it coming, and that’s a really good thing. After reading so many books that rely on twists, you kinda start to predict them. But maybe I was too busy judging Talia to notice the clues along the way.

Conclusion

Death Row is a short story that does exactly what it needs to: it hooks you, holds you, and leaves you thinking in the end. If you’re in the mood for a morally layered psychological mystery this one is absolutely worth reading.

After Freida McFadden’s last book The Tenant, I have to admit I wasn’t expecting much from Death Row. But I was pleasantly surprised. Sure, it lacks a bit of depth and development, but overall, it’s a solid short read and a good dose of entertainment.

Let’s Chat!

Have you read Death Row? Did you spot the twist before it landed, or did it catch you off guard like it did me? And what did you make of the ending? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Just remember no spoilers!

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