Wow!!! I just finished reading THE LOCKED WARD by Sarah Pekkanen, and all I want to do is google her other books so I can read them immediately. This book had everything I love in a great suspense thriller… just enough hints, a few red herrings, and fantastic writing. I loved it.

I liked how the narrator voice alternated chapters between Georgia and Amanda. It allowed the reader to really take a nice peek into the mind of both MCs. I did find it a tiny bit odd how Georgia’s chapters used to”you” instead of “I” though. I also wish there hadn’t been QUITE as many clues to what I think was supposed to be a big reveal in the last chapter regarding Amanda’s past.

But despite those small criticisms, I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in a day. If you like smart strong female MCs, and twisty plots… The Locked Ward definitely should be on your TBR list.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Release Date Aug 5, 2025

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.

The premise of this book grabbed me by the collar and forced me to read it LOL. The Locked Ward is exactly what I want in a book by Sarah Pekkanen. What a book!

This was a quick and entertaining thriller. I am new to the thriller genre so I may be biased, but I REALLY enjoyed this story. I didn’t like the second person pov, but that is a personal thing. I will definitely be reading more by this author. Thank you NetGalley for this digital arc.

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!