I was issued this book by NetGalley for my unbiased review.

This book was recommended by NetGalley for me to read. I am glad they did!

Excellent story and lots of twists and turns throughout. Even the ending through an interesting twist.

Looking forward to reading more from Sarah Pekkanen.

If you’re looking for a book with an immense amount of details, chronicling every item in the main characters apartment, with a lackluster plot, this is the book for you!

I was thrilled to receive this arc, I had such high hopes. And they fell so flat. There isn’t much of a story here, with minor twists, and FAR too much description of mundane things that are irrelevant to the story. About 90% of this book was just detailed descriptions. I don’t need to know every piece of clothing worn by every character.

Sarah Pekkanen's "The Locked Ward" is a gripping and emotionally resonant thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Pekkanen masterfully weaves a tale of suspense, mystery, and the complexities of the human mind, creating a truly unforgettable reading experience.
The story follows Georgia, a patient in a high-security mental institution who may hold the key to a deeply disturbing secret. Mandy is also followed as the gritty character who unravels the secret. Pekkanen's portrayal of Georgia in the psychiatric ward is both realistic and unsettling, providing a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama. The characters are incredibly well-developed, each with their own vulnerabilities and motivations, making it easy to become invested in their fates.
What truly sets "The Locked Ward" apart is Pekkanen's ability to blend a thrilling plot with profound psychological insights. As the layers of the mystery are peeled back, the novel delves into themes of trauma, memory, and the blurred lines between sanity and madness. The suspense builds expertly, with twists and turns that are genuinely surprising and keep you guessing until the very last page.
Pekkanen's writing is sharp, evocative, and propulsive. She knows how to craft a compelling narrative, and her prose is both elegant and accessible. You'll find yourself racing through the chapters, desperate to uncover the truth, yet also wanting to savor the intricate details of the story.
"The Locked Ward" is more than just a thriller; it's a thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche and the secrets we keep, even from ourselves. If you're looking for a book that combines heart-pounding suspense with richly drawn characters and profound themes, then this is an absolute must-read. Sarah Pekkanen has delivered a truly remarkable novel that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.
* I was given an advanced copy of this book to review.

In the following novel, the atmosphere is seriously tense, the ward is chillingly creepy, and Pekkanen masterfully blurs the line between innocence and guilt. It’s a wild ride through twisted sibling relationships and hidden darkness. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, unpredictable read with some Southern gothic flair, *The Locked Ward* will keep you guessing until the very end. Just be careful—not every secret in this place should be uncovered.

Georgia is accused of a terrible crime - killing her biological sister. Now Georgia is locked in a special ward while awaiting trial. She gets an unexpected visitor, the only person that may be able to find out what really happened and free her. But all is not what it seems. There are secrets among these wealthy families and their friends. A bit of a twist at the end and quite an interesting read. I thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first read for this author and she BLEW ME AWAY!!! The way she alternates between first and second person for characters really puts you in the story! I loved the unpredictability of this book! This would be a great book if you have found yourself in a slump and want to re-ignite your passion for reading an unpredictable, unputdownable book!!!

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately this fell incredibly flat for me. While the initial premise was intriguing, there were far too many moving parts, and I was disappointed that the twist that I had envisioned didn’t play out in the end.

Twists, turns and slow burn, this novel keeps the reader turning the pages and trying to find the right path of whodunnit. Georgia Cartwright, a wealthy woman wakes up in a locked ward accused of bludgeoning her younger sister to death. She is refusing to speak to anyone, but only wants to see one person, Amanda (Mandy) Ravenel. Imagine Mandy’s surprise when she receives a call from Georgia’s public defender to go and meet his client- considering they have never met before. Due to curiosity and some sort of connection, Mandy goes to visit Georgia and she learns some deep secrets that turn her life upside down. Told from dual point of views as well as flashbacks of the two growing up. A well written and plotted story with nicely developed characters. There are some outstanding points that I feel might lead to another book on one of the other secondary characters. This book had so much depth with the plots of love, sisterhood and was nothing like any thriller I’ve read before. Definitely pick this book up if you like psychological thrillers that will keep you on your toes. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and St. Martin's Press. The Locked Ward comes out on Aug 5 2025.

Another great thriller from one of my faves. The pacing and storytelling are perfect for a summer read. Most exciting was a thriller where the characters all felt so grounded—taking believable actions in a surreal situation. Will definitely recommend!

I absolutely loved the book
Such an interesting story of mothers and daughters
An interesting mystery as well.
I really enjoy her writing

I enjoyed the back and forth of the two main characters; this made for a faster read. Loved the ending and the character development. I’d recommend to anyone who is looking for a fun, fast paced thriller that will have you wanting more!

The title is not my favorite, I’d recommend changing.

This book was GOOD! It kept me engaged and wondering what was going to happen next. The story is told from two point of views.I found myself flying through the last 50% of this book because I didn’t want to put it down. I was surprised by the twists and thought the author tied everything up really good. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy thrillers.

Thank you NetGalley, author Sarah Pekkanen, & St. Martin’s Press for the digital advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Georgia has been accused of killing her younger sister and is being held in the psych ward. The only person who may be able to help is her twin sister. The problem is her twin sister doesn’t know she exists! This one was a little slow to start but picked up and became unputdownable! Lots of twists I did not see coming. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Georgia Cartwright is accused of killing her sister, Annabelle, and fakes insanity to avoid jail while waiting trial. The problem is, she has to play the part so no one can catch on. She must watch her back to avoid getting caught lying, all while trying to prove her innocence behind the locked ward. With help from a PI, she discovers she has a twin sister named Amanda.

Mandy hears about the high profile crime all over the news. The last thing she expects is getting a call from the accused murderer's lawyer, claiming that Georgia is her twin sister who wants her to come visit. Can Mandy really trust Georgia? Can Georgia find out the true killer in time?

The Locked Ward was an intense ride. It drew me in from the very beginning. It's dual point of view and short chapters made it a quick read. I enjoyed the suspense of not knowing who the characters could trust. Every chapter brought more danger and uncertainty. Of course, it wouldn't be a good thriller without a last minute plot twist!

This book was as addictive as it was entertaining. The story line of this thriller was so different from others and had absolutely no holes in it. Unrelentingly twisty and turny! It was unputdownable! Sarah Pekkanen has done it again and created a psychological thriller that will leave you guessing until the very end!

The Locked Ward was a total page-turner—I couldn't put it down. It powerfully captures the unbreakable bond between sisters, even in the darkest of circumstances. The story weaves in just enough unsettling elements to keep you guessing, and the twist completely caught me off guard. I loved every second of it.

“The Locked Ward” by Sarah Pekkanen is a wild ride from beginning to end. Our two POVs; twin sisters that have recently found each other and have led vastly different lives. Georgia was raised in wealth and high society and Amanda raised in a small town. What brought these two together and being separated since birth? Georgia is accused of murdering her little sister and locked in a ward for the criminally insane. Amanda is brought into this high class, high profile case and has to determine if she can not only trust Georgia but if she wants to put herself in the middle of a murder investigation? Southern crime drama at its finest is all you will find here.
This is the definition of a page turner. I didn’t want to stop until I knew the truth. I can say without a doubt that I enjoy the first person narrative the most, so reading from Georgia’s POV wasn’t as enjoyable. I didn’t guess the twist and for me that’s always a win. Do yourself a favor and read this. I feel like this will end as a “Top 10” read of the year

First off, thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC!

I won’t lie, I went through many emotions reading this book. It definitely has its moments where it not only spooked me, but had me questioning everything.

Structurally, this book is great if you like short chapters. The POV changes each chapter and gives you small insights into both main characters. It sometimes switches between past and present for both women as well to give extra details and backstory. It makes the book easily digestible and fun to read with the different perspectives you are exploring.

The overall story was okay. At first, it really had me hooked with so many different possibilities and endings that could have happened. One way I like to judge thriller books by is if they shock me and I can’t say that this one exactly did that. The twist in the storyline was definitely interesting, but not something that had me staring at my ceiling in surprise.

The underlying themes of family dynamics and how they are often very different for every person was a nice touch. It gave emotional depth to the characters and the story that shows how complicated family can be.

All in all, I did enjoy this book. It wasn’t as thrilling as I had anticipated going into it, but it was a good read overall and I would recommend it to others.

I will post my reviews on social sites closer to the books release date!

This was my first Sarah Pekkanen book and I will definitely be checking out more. I liked the short chapters, it helped the fast paced feel. The plot is interesting and unlike any other books I’ve read recently.

Read this book early to review from Netgalley. This book had me nonstop reading every chance I got. I absolutely loved the story and it kept me on my toes the whole time. Some may think the POVs are written slowly, but the storyline had me hooked. Highly recommend.