What a roller coaster of a story! This book is full of twists and turns. I never saw the end coming. There are a lot of smoke and mirrors. He writing is magnificent. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

This book was a gripping read that kept me hooked from the start. I felt a strong connection to the characters, which made the story all the more immersive. Although I was initially unsure about the second-person perspective, it grew on me over time and ended up adding an interesting layer to the narrative. The plot centers around twin siblings who were separated at birth and raised by different families. As they reunite, they join forces to unravel a major crime and mystery. I enjoyed it so much, I’d gladly read it again.

I thought I had it figured out and was so totally wrong! Lots of little twists and turns thru the whole book.

The Locked Ward is a twisty, atmospheric psychological thriller that grabs hold from page one and doesn’t let go until the final, jaw-dropping revelation. Sarah Pekkanen dives deep into the haunting world of fractured sisterhood, twisted family secrets, and mental unraveling—with a murder mystery at its core. When Georgia Cartwright, a picture-perfect Southern belle with a hidden past, is accused of a brutal crime, her estranged twin Amanda is pulled into a locked psychiatric ward that feels more like a haunted house than a hospital. The question that pulses through every chapter: is Georgia innocent… or just dangerously good at pretending?

Packed with twins with secrets, unreliable narrators, creepy institutions, and rich family dysfunction, this book is perfect for fans of mind-bending thrillers and slow-burning suspense. Pekkanen masterfully blurs the lines between reality and delusion, loyalty and betrayal. You’ll find yourself flipping pages late into the night, questioning every character—and maybe even your own sanity. The Locked Ward isn’t just a read—it’s an experience. Grab it, lock your door, and prepare to be haunted.

Overall, this had a good premise but it didn't stun me. I was actually creating a side story in my head that satisfied me more than the actual book. Meh.

A great story of twins separated and brought back together by a tragedy. When one sister wakes up in the psychiatric ward being charged with murdering her sister, she calls on a PI to contact her birth sister Amanda. She fights to get the answers they both need. The dual POV I enjoyed even though it was a struggle at times. The short chapters were nice and it had me guessing what was going to happen next. It was a great thriller!
many thanks to netgalley and St. Martins press for allowing me an arc read.

Wow! The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is one of the best psychological thrillers I have ever had the opportunity to read.

I was drawn into the story from the very first page by the captivating story line; reading this book was like being on a roller coaster--I was held fast in my seat until the very end. The characterization was well done. It takes an extremely talented author to get me to actually feel concern for the people in a story, and Sarah truly accomplished that!

Georgia Cartwright is accused of violently murdering her sister. While in a psychiatric ward, she asks her twin sister to help her find the real killer. In a tangled plot of well-connected families, Georgia's sister, Mandy, jeopardizes her life in a mad rush to find the killer.

The Locked Ward is another great Sarah Pekkanen thriller. It keeps you questioning the truth, but the story comes together perfectly in the end. In addition, there are many characters you will love to hate.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of another good thriller.

This book was fast and slow at the same time.. it was fast paced but took me SO long to finish. I knew there would be some crazy twist- and I genuinely didn't see it coming until the big reveal, which is always my favorite. A solid good thriller- from a reliable author.

I loved this book. It is full of unexpected twists that keep you hooked. I sped through this hook in 24 hours and enjoyed it so much. Told through two sisters with chapters alternating their points of view. A captivating story that includes revenge, family, hidden relationships and scandal! I can't recommend this enough to people who enjoy thrillers!

Dang! This story grabbed me from the first couple of pages. When a book does that, I know it's a must-read! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Twists and mysteries and a lot of suspense!

Special thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Author Sarah Pekkanen

Southern Belles are not what they seem. Georgia, coming from a very affluential family, is in a psych ward for the murder of her little sister Annabelle. Georgia learned just a month earlier she as a twin. So in her desperate hours she reaches out to Mandy to help sort out this mess, after all, Mandy now is the only family she has. Mandy agrees to meet with her, Georgia must remain mute to be declared crazy. That's when the twin power comes in. With what hints Georgia has given, Mandy dives into the family secrets, and there are many. Oh, what the rich can do when throwing around money. But not all secrets can stay hidden and money can't everything. 5 stars, Highly recommend!

I'm a longtime fan of Sarah Pekkanen, and I was thrilled to see she has a new book, The Locked Ward, coming out in August 2025! It's a fantastic story and will be sure to satisfy other fans of hers and anyone looking for a solid psychological thriller.

Georgia is a young woman who is accused of killing her sister, Annabelle, and is now in a locked psychiatric ward with a pending diagnosis of a dissociative state. Her time on the ward is confusing and terrifying, and the description of her experience is quite claustrophobic and effective. She reaches out, via her lawyer, to her twin sister, Mandy, whose existence she has recently discovered after hiring a private investigator to assist in finding her birth parents. The women are fraternal twins separated at birth, and despite having just met, they both have an uncanny feeling about each other that quickly develops into a closeness neither has experienced before. Georgia feels like she is in imminent danger and begs Mandy to help her prove her innocence and discover the secrets both their families have hidden for decades.

The story unfolds in two alternate points of view: Georgia tells her side in second person (an unusual choice that actually works pretty well) while Mandy's side is in first person. The chapters are short and punchy, which keeps the pace of the book moving along very quickly. The main characters are interesting, and I found them both quite likable; secondary characters are purposeful to the plot, and the villains are quite vile and despicable. The many puzzle pieces and twists along the way are fun, and the reveals towards the end were surprising to me. The author has a lovely writing style that flows very nicely, and I found myself flying through the book while enjoying it thoroughly. This is another great book by Pekkanen that solidifies my admiration for her work!

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

At multiple points throughout the book, I almost felt like I was in the psych ward with our main character. This book gave me 'The silent patient' vibes. I kept thinking "she's guilty, I just have to figure out why" ..Forget everything you thought you knew because you're wrong. Not a 5 star book but a solid 4 I think.

Huge thanks to the publisher for the ARC copy of The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen. I absolutely loved this book—just like I’ve loved all of her others.

Pekkanen has a gift for drawing readers in from the very first page, and The Locked Ward was no exception. The setting, the tension, the intricate characters—I was completely hooked. She masterfully blends emotional depth with a fast-paced, suspenseful plot that kept me flipping pages late into the night.

This one had everything I look for in a psychological thriller: smart twists, atmospheric writing, and a story that lingers long after the final chapter. If you’re already a Pekkanen fan, this will not disappoint. And if you’re new to her work, this is a phenomenal place to start.

Highly recommend. Five glowing stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy of The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen.

I haven't been reading many mysteries lately and it was nice to have a change from the usual. The Locked Ward is a mystery about twins, one who is in a psych ward, and the other who is trying to discover what happened. I enjoyed the dual POV and felt like I could connect with what each sister was going through and feeling. I have worked on a psychiatric unit and while several things were accurate, it was difficult for me to get past some of the inaccuracies I noted. Despite that, I read almost the entire book in one go as I just couldn't put it down. There were several twists that I wasn't expecting and I just had to know what would happen next. I highly recommend mystery readers to pick this book up when it releases on August 5th.

Overall I'd rate this book 3.5/5.

The Locked Ward was well written; I wasn’t able to put it down! The narration between the two women in the story kept it interesting and pulled me along: So many secrets and suspicions throughout the book. I enjoyed this book very much.

This psychological thriller has an intriguing premise and just enough suspense to keep the pages turning, but The Locked Ward ultimately falls short of making a lasting impression. The depiction of the psychiatric facility feels implausible, even for a thriller, and much of the setup strains believability. While there are a few twists that add some spark, they’re not quite enough to elevate the story beyond the ordinary.

As in some other novels by Sarah Pekkanen, the main character feels hard to connect with—neither unlikeable nor compelling, sort of emotionally distant. The dual perspectives of estranged twins Georgia and Amanda do help keep the narrative moving, but the emotional core never quite hits. It’s readable and fast-paced, but the overall experience is more fleeting than impactful.

Overall, a decent pick for those in the mood for a quick dose of suspense, but it didn’t linger in my memory once I turned the final page.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book. My review is voluntary and reflects my honest opinion.

Georgia Cartwright, the adopted daughter of a wealthy Southern family, is arrested for the murder of her younger stepsister, and is confined to a psychiatric institution. Georgia has recently discovered she has a twin sister, Amanda and enlists her help to prove her innocence. But is Amanda being manipulated by her sister? The Locked Ward is an engaging thriller that tests familial ties that keeps the reader guessing as to Georgia’s true intentions, and follows Amanda’s emotional journey while she struggles to accept her new-found sister’s pleas of innocence. For the most part, the story flows easily, although the scenes of Georgia in the institution are a little repetitious, hinting at mayhem and danger. But the star of the show is Amanda and her dogged pursuit of the truth at a severe personal cost, all for a sister she just met and has little reason to trust. Overall, a good read, 3.5 stars, and recommended. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you want rich people drama combined with twins mysteriously separated at birth, look no further! Georgia, adopted into a wealthy family as a baby, is housed in the psychiatric ward of a hospital after being accused of killing her sister. She reaches out to her newly found, separated at birth, twin sister for help. Reeling from the discovery that she has a sister she never knew about and being tasked by Georgia for help, Mandy isn't sure who to trust to get to the truth.

I loved the pacing of this book. There was a good balance with origin story flashbacks and present day friction to keep your mind spinning. There were a few plot twists that totally got me and at least two that I saw coming but appreciated nonetheless. I have read several Sarah Pekkanen books over the years and I will continue to buy her latest releases to get my fill of a juicy domestic thriller.