i really enjoyed this book, it was well written and kept me engaged the entire time. i always love a good thriller and this one was really good! grateful to have received an early copy and couldn’t put it down! definitely recommend if you like psychological thrillers!!

Thank you for pulling me out a reading slump. The Locked Ward is one of the best books I’ve read in months. The idea of twins separated at birth and the political scandal behind it was genius. I loved both Georgia and Mandy.

I was so happy to get an advanced copy of this new book from @sarahpekkanen! What a fun psychological thriller this book turned out to be. Georgia is a high society wedding planner that comes from a well to do family in Charleston. When she is put in a psychiatric ward after being found over her dead sister she turns to the only person she can trust, her twin sister she recently found out about Mandy. Mandy lives a quiet life running her family’s bar after the death of both of her parents when she finds out she has a twin sister she didn’t know anything about. This dual POV book goes between Georgia and Mandy’s experiences as they try to figure out who really murdered Georgia’s sister and how to exonerate Georgia’s name.

Thank you for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book. Lots of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming!

Georgia is sent to the locked ward for killing her sister. Most people who know the sisters can confirm she has always been cruel and jealous of her younger sister Annabelle but Georgia says she's innocent and the only person who can save her is her twin sister Mandy who doesn't know Georgia exists, yet. After her life gets turned upside down, Mandy is determined to find the truth even if it kills her.

After finishing my first Sarah Pekkanen book, I immediately started reading this one and it did not disappoint. The Locked Ward kept me coming back for more and I did not want to put it down. I needed to know what happened to Annabelle and I was shocked by the truth. Highly recommend this one if you love twisty thrillers!

Thank you NetGalley for this e-ARC!

This book had me hooked from the start. The Locked Ward is full of dark twists, creepy vibes, and that intense psychological suspense Sarah Pekkanen does so well. The story follows Georgia, locked away in a psychiatric ward for violent offenders, after being accused of murdering her sister. Her twin, Amanda, isn't sure what to believe—but she can’t walk away, either.

The setting was super eerie (in a good way), and I loved how the story kept me guessing. The pacing was just right—never slow, but not rushed either. And that ending? Totally caught me off guard, in the best way.

If you’re into twisty thrillers with messed-up families, unreliable characters, and a setting that gives you chills, this one’s worth picking up.

I found this story of twin sisters separated at birth a mildly interesting tale. Somehow, I felt that most of the major characters were not totally believable. Unfortunately, what was completely believable was that a U.S. Senator wields a tremendous influence and has a significant amount of power in his home city and state. There is a murder at the beginning of the book and, of course, the wrong person is accused and placed in the locked ward in a psychiatric portion of a hospital. DNA and a private investigator play significant roles in the plot and this reader was curious and willing to see how everything would work out on the way to an unexpected and satisfying outcome..
I thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Georgia Cartwright, adopted into the wealthy Cartwright family as an infant, is accused of killing their biological daughter out of jealousy.

Georgia now finds herself in "The Locked Ward" where she enlists help of her twin sister, Mandy, that never knew she existed.

Mandy, of course, agrees to help taking us on one of the most convoluted journeys imaginable.

I thought this book would never end.

These 30-something fraternal twin sisters meet for the very first time for literally 5 minutes and all of a sudden they have twin telepathy. This was the start of my eye rolling but it certainly wasn't the end of it. Georgia and Mandy were both dreadfully boring as characters. The writing lacked any kind of depth or nuance. If you like stories of wealthy powerful people behaving badly then you may have better success than I did. 2 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.

This book had twists and turns at every corner! The short chapters made this incredibly easy to binge and not want to put down! The sisterly bonds showed emotion, while constantly wondering where the relationships would end up. There were a few loose ends I would have liked a little more closure on upon finishing, but overall this was a quick, engaging book.

What a ride!!
Sarah Pekkanen delivers a riveting psychological thriller in "The Locked Ward", a novel that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. Told through dual POVs, the story offers a layered and intimate look at two very different characters (twin sisters) whose lives collide in the most unexpected ways. Each coming from different stations in life- One is a wealthy girl from (adopted into) a wealthy family living a life of luxury (even if she is miserable). However, this family seems to seriously dislike her and makes every attempt to exclude her. The other girl comes from (adopted into) a loving, working-class family who love and cherish her and have made a lifetime of memories. (even if they may be based on lies) But no family is without its secrets. Right?

One of the standout strengths of the book is its fast-paced structure. The short chapters make it incredibly easy to keep turning the pages, each one ending with just enough intrigue to make the next feel absolutely necessary. (Just One More Chapter!) The pacing never lags, and every new chapter peels back another layer of secrets, keeping you constantly guessing and reevaluating what you think you know.

The unpredictable plot unfolds in a way that feels natural but still manages to surprise at every turn. Pekkanen masterfully builds suspense while deepening her characters with each twist. Both protagonists are richly developed, with distinct voices and emotional depth that make them easily relatable. As their stories unfold, you are drawn deeper into a complex web of trust, betrayal, and psychological tension.
It’s not just about what’s happening; it’s about why it’s happening, and how it impacts the people involved. The steady stream of revelations keeps you hooked until the final page, and the payoff is well worth the ride.

If you love psychological thrillers that are smart, twisty, and emotionally rich, "The Locked Ward" is an absolute must-read.
This is my second novel by Sarah Pekkanen, and I do believe I will be adding her as a new favorite Thriller author.

Big Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars!

Georgia Cartwright, adopted into a wealthy Southern family, is accused of killing her biological sister. Locked in a psychiatric institution, Georgia insists she is innocent. Her twin sister, Amanda, is torn between believing her and the ominous atmosphere of the institution.

Ah, the world of twin thrillers! It seems like they're everywhere these days, and I am here for it. However, this particular read was the one I had been eagerly anticipating all year.

The story follows Georgia and Mandy, twin sisters who have just discovered each other's existence. As we delve into their lives through alternating chapters, we uncover the mystery of their separation at birth and Georgia's past. Georgia's perspective is written in the second person, which adds an interesting twist to the narrative.

The vivid descriptions of the environment really immerse you in the story, especially when Mandy gets a taste of Georgia's luxurious lifestyle. It seems like every twin book I've read this year has a similar plotline, but hey, who doesn't love a bit of sibling rivalry and drama?

If you're into dark secrets, complicated sisterly bonds, and twisted plots, this book is right up your alley. While it wasn't exactly what I was expecting from this author, I still recommend giving it a read. Who knows, maybe it'll resonate with you more than it did with me.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC copy! This was my first ARC and I couldn't be more pleased with it.

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I couldn't figure out the twists at first, but when I did, I certainly didn't see the next one coming. Definitely would recommend reading if you are a fan of Freida McFadden and her type of writing. This one did not disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC for review!

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is a fast-paced psychological thriller with emotional depth and a haunting premise. The story centers on Georgia, institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital and accused of her sister’s murder. She reaches out to Amanda—her identical twin, separated from her at birth—claiming she's innocent. As Amanda investigates, disturbing family secrets come to light.

The dual POVs work well, especially Georgia’s second-person narration, which creates a unique, immersive experience. The pacing is tight, and Pekkanen keeps the suspense high throughout. Some twists are a bit predictable, and a few characters could have been more fully developed, but overall, the book delivers both tension and heart.

If you enjoy psychological suspense with emotional layers and family drama, this one’s worth picking up.

This book begins with Georgia being locked up in a psych ward. Then we meet Mandy, Georgia’s twin sister, who is running the family bar. Mandy has no idea she has any siblings much less a twin. All she knew was she was loved by her parents even though she was adopted. Will Mandy help Georgia prove her innocence?

These were very short chapters, which I appreciated. I also liked the dual POVs. There were twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Locked Ward
by Sarah Pekkanen
Pub Date: August 5, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Whatever the cause—and everyone has a theory—it's the Crime of the Decade when glamorous Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted as a newborn, is accused of killing the biological daughter of her wealthy, Southern family.
This was another book that I was eagerly anticipating. I loved the author’s previous book “House of Glass”, so I had high hopes for this book. While I did like this book, I didn’t love it unfortunately. I did love the short chapters, and the alternating POV’s between Georgia and Mandy. But the shock value just wasn’t there for me in this story, and I still feel like I have some questions/details that need to be addressed.

As a huge Sarah Pekkanen fan, I was thrilled to get my hands on an ARC of The Locked Ward. This emotional and suspenseful story centers around two sisters—one institutionalized for a crime, and the other left reeling as she tries to piece together what really happened to save her sister.

The premise had me hooked right away. One sister is locked away in a psychiatric ward, accused of something terrible... but why? What’s true, what’s been buried, and what secrets still haven’t come to light? It’s up to her sister to untangle everything, even as everything she thought she knew starts to crack apart. The tension builds with every chapter, and I loved the emotional depth behind the mystery. It’s not just about the crime—it’s about family, and loyalty. I enjoyed this one by Pekkanen’, her storytelling with strong female leads.

4 stars.
So this was eerie! The atmosphere - I felt goosebumps multiple times during the book.
Georgia and Mandy are twins. Georgia is locked away in a behavioral health institution allegedly for murder.
However, Georgia tells Mandy - she didn't do it and to help get her out of the facility.
We then go on a crazy investigative journey with Mandy.
So many twists and turns with secrets and family revelations!
This thriller is written so well. The plot is well structured and paced.
The characters ongoing development is well done.
This is a quick read (I read this in one sitting) and a quick thriller!
Definitely add this to your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah Pekkanen for the opportunity to review this ARC!
Happy Reading!

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

This was OK. I was moderately interested. The author can write write a good story and can create memorable characters. I guess I'm a little tired of the "twins separated at birth" scenario. I've read too many books using this trope, and when it arrived, I really fought it mentally.

I enjoyed the book; I just wanted to enjoy it more.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Twins separated at birth, sibling rivalry, and a really rich, privileged b*tch who you will love to hate are all part of the newest book from Sarah Pekkanen. The locked ward part of the book was particularly interesting, it definitely made you think about which would be worse locked in a mental institution or locked up in prison. I personally liked the dual story line told from each of the sister’s points of view, it seemed to make me want to keep reading to find out what the other sister was going to do next. Overall, this was a quick and entertaining read.

Love a book with short chapters! This was a fun read but nothing about the book took it to that next level. Would have been a great beach read