
Member Reviews

I had to DNF this - I HATE books written in second person. Every other chapter is that way and it yanked me out of the story every time.
Thank you, Netgalley for the ARC.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Oh story of twins separated at birth, now one must try to save the other who's accused of murder.
Very interesting set up and the author skillfully told a suspenseful story.

In The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen, Georgia Cartwright, adopted into a wealthy Southern family, is accused of murdering her biological sister and placed in a high-security psychiatric hospital. Her estranged twin, Amanda, reluctantly visits, unsure whether Georgia is innocent or dangerously deceptive. As Amanda investigates, she’s pulled into a chilling mystery where family secrets and psychological twists blur the line between victim and villain.

I liked how this book went between two different perspectives. And the two perspectives were very different, which made it really interesting. Two twins separated at birth - one, a rich girl accused of murdering her adopted sister, and the other, middle class just trying to find her way.
The only reason I dropped a star was i felt the ending twist was too abrupt.

Sarah Pekkanen continues to amaze!
I loved this story. The chapters were the perfect length, multiple POV is always my fave, and this story was very original. It was a fast read that fans of the thriller genre will be happy to add to their TBRs.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

The Locked Ward kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time from the very first page readers are plunged into the story. The writing and premise are engaging and well executed, full of twists (some unexpected, some predictable).
I enjoyed the shorter chapters found they sped up the already exciting story. While very predictable at times, I still enjoyed the book.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

Twisty, dark mystery about a woman who wakes up on the locked ward of a hospital after pleading insanity following her arrest for the murder of her sister. A lot of reveals happen early (Georgia has another sister!) but overall this one kept me engaged and guessing until the very end.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Such an addictive and propulsive story! I loved the consistent unraveling of the lies that had been told throughout the sisters’ lives. A solid premise with excellent execution!

A book that keeps you hooked from page 1? Yes this one did it for me! Imagine waking up one morning and finding out your entire life is a lie? Twins separated at birth. One had a good life one had a hard one when it came to being loved and accepted. It took someone dying in order for a pair of twins to be reunited and stay alive. This book had twists and turns in a great way. Definitely needs to be on anyone’s TBR list

Another fantastic psychological thriller from Sarah Pekkanen!! Buckle up because you're in for a ride!!

Okay overall I feel like this book is enjoyable for someone who is trying to get into thriller. This to me had a little bit of Frieda style which I’ve honestly have not been a fan of lately. There were many predictable moments with this story line and I honestly wish the book would have ended differently.

The Locked Ward starts off with a bang! I was instantly drawn in as a woman wakes up tied to a bed and realizes she is now in the locked ward.
Told in two voices, one locked in a psych ward accused of killing her younger sister, and the other an adopted woman, Mandy, who just found out that it is her biological sister, Georgia, who is locked up. Not just a biological sister, but her twin, she never knew she had. Georgia has asked Mandy for her help, but to be very careful because people are out to get them and now Mandy's life may be in danger.
Is Georgia manipulating Mandy? Did Georgia really kill her sister, Annabelle? You, as reader, are drawn into this cat and mouse game of high stakes wealth and a murder. Mandy's chapters are written in first person and Georgia's chapters are written in second person adding a bit of drama as well. The chapters are quick and fast to read and propels you faster and faster to the ending.
I thought this book had the perfect amount of drama and mystery and WTH moments. One thing I didn't love is that these twins are 32 years old and I really feel like this may have been better if they were about 25 years old. Some of the things done, said and acted upon in my opinion were better if they were younger, and could have been more easily influenced.
Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Sarah Pekkanen for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was another book that I was eagerly waiting to read as I loved the author’s previous book “House of Glass”. While I enjoyed this book, it was not one of my favorites from Ms. Pekkanen. I did love the short chapters and how the story was told from alternating POV's but felt the story lacked the depth which I normally get from this author and I felt like details were missing that would have made it a better read. Overall though it was an enjoyable read and I would recommend!

Easy to get into, highly readable and very enjoyable, but no wow factor here.
I liked what a breezy and engaging read this was but, it felt like typical dysfunctional family drama with all the usual tropes. The book also explores interesting dynamics and relationships, though it isn't as emotionally powerful as the author's previous works nor does it have the same depth.
The suspense kept me turning the pages, but as a thriller, this was just fine overall.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Locked Ward" and all opinions expressed are my own. I always try to read books by Sarah Pekkanen - so good! Lots of twists and turns, I didn't want to put it down. Overall it was a really good book!

Book was so good. I couldn’t put it down. Read within 24 hours. Each chapter alternated points of view between sisters and was short and ended with a cliff hanger. Always made me want to keep reading the next one.

felt more like a family drama than a thriller. i tend to like this author, but this one didn’t get me the way previous did. there was a lot of emphasis on sibling rivalry, family, etc. however it was a good book overall and definitely worth a read

Wow this took had some surprising twists. I predicted a few but the ending wrapped everything up nicely.
Thanks to NetGallery for this Arc.

I was so excited to get this eARC but it ultimately fell flat for me. The concept was great and I was drawn in right away but ultimately the twists weren’t very twisty and were very easy to see coming. Such a bummer, especially since the author is talented and I generally like her writing! I’ll hold out for her next one!

‘House of Glass’ was one of my favorite thrillers I read last year, so you better believe I jumped at the chance to read her newest novel ‘The Locked Ward.’
Here’s what it’s about: Mandy always knew she was adopted, but she never knew she was a twin until she got a call saying that her twin wanted to meet her. Mandy is over the moon to learn she has a living family member, but she never anticipated that their meeting would be within the walls of a psychiatric unit — because her twin sister allegedly murdered her little sister. She swears she didn’t do it and says Mandy is the only one who can help her, but can Mandy really trust this stranger, even if they are truly siblings?
I ate this book up! My eyes were burning because I could not put it down! This story was everything I love about thrillers, as I did not see a single one of the twists coming.
Thriller lovers: If you’re looking for a page turner, you need to pick this up! After absolutely devouring her last two books, I will now read anything Sarah Pekkanen writes. I rate her newest novel all the stars!