Where Do I Begin???

Ms. Sarah Pekkanen!! This Was Such An Amazing Read. I Didn’t Know Who To Trust Or What To Believe. The Story Had A Slow Buildup But It Makes Sense The Deeper You Get Into The Story. I Finished This Book Hours Ago And Am Still Amazed By That Ending!

The Story Resolves Around Two Sisters Georgia and Mandy. One Sister Is Is Locked In An Asylum And Looks To Her Sister Who Is Free For Help. They Work Together To Get Through Some Family Trauma, Clear Her Name, And Find Out The Truth Regarding Past Events. In The End Everything Works Out…. Or Does It? Read To Find Out!!

Thank You To The Net Galley Team For Allowing Me To Read An ARC In Exchange For My Honest Review.

Sarah Pekkanen takes us on a deep dive into a thrilling whodunnit. You’ll find dual points-of-view, murder, a psych ward, and abuses of power in this page turner.

I loved the short chapters which kept the storyline moving quickly, but there was just A LOT going on this book and I unfortunately still have many questions. However, I cannot emphasize enough how entertained I was. Lots of lies, lots of deceit, lots of thrills. This will be a fast and easy read for anyone looking for a palate cleanser.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced readers copy. I still consider Pekkanen a must read author.

A fun, face paced read. The story starts off rocking from the first chapter and the suspense doesn’t let up. This is the story of two twins: one standing accused of murdering her adoptive sister and the other, who is just learned about her accused murderer twin. The story unfolds from both of their perspective as they both attempt, within their means to try and solve the crime.

One twin, the accused is stuck in a locked psychiatric facility and the other is trying to solve the truth of who her twin really is, who her parents really were and what actually happened the night of the murder.

I enjoyed the fast pace of the novel and the level of suspense is high throughout every chapter. You really are rooting for both twins as the story unfolds. The are plenty of twists along the way to keep you hooked.

I did find that the forced suspense at seemly every chapter fell flat for me. Things like “this changes everything”, and the like just didn’t resonate with me. It just felt like manufactured suspense when it really wasn’t needed. The plot alone does that.

Parts of the ending were kind of meh to me as well, most of it was satisfying but there was one that just felt like throwing in one more twist as a “gotcha” that really didn’t hit the mark for me and honestly, didn’t feel relevant to the story at all.

If you like a fast paced, fun thriller, this is absolutely the book for you. It’s a page turner that will def keep you up reading to see what happens next. If you’re a fan of Freida McFadden, you’ll love this book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advance reader copy!

DNF @ 100 pages 💔.. I cannot get into this one, at all.. and I feel zero inclination to continue to see where it goes ☹️
Issues for me:
-One POV being 1st person and the other POV being 2nd person doesn't flow well and it makes the read tough to enjoy
-The immediate escalation from character introduction to "hi you're my long lost twin get me out of here they're trying to kill me" was done way too quickly
-I dislike both main characters and have zero desire to root for / see where the plot takes them

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication date August 9th, 2025

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4!

The Locked War is a quick, suspenseful read featuring 2 sisters following a murder with one being held in a psych ward. Pekkanen really brings the characters to life with dual POVs, however one of the POVs is written in second person narration which I felt was very odd and at times hard to comprehend. There was a ton of suspense throughout the story leading to a twist that was definitely unexpected, but not worth the build up for me.

I do feel like the average reader will love this book, but as someone that reads a ton of thrillers, I just didn't feel the wow factor like I normally do from Sarah Pekkanen. I would recommend The Locked Ward to any readers that love reading about psych units, sister drama, or family drama rolled into one book.


Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

So amazing!! This was such a great thriller. I will say you will 100% be thinking one thing and be totally surprised. It does hook you in very good. I did love the end as well, it leaves it open to additional pieces of the story but also a great and complete end. This is my 3rd book from Sarah Pekkanen and probably my favorite yet! :) Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to catch this one early. It releases Aug 5 2025. I will be snagging a copy!

Very much enjoyed this book!
The secrets unfolded in a very pleasing way, and the story kept me interested the whole time. Loved getting to know the sisters, and seeing a new relationship blossom and unfold.

Really makes you think about what you would do if you were being held in a psych ward for a crime you didn't commit.

Thank you for the opportunity on reading an ARC copy of the locked ward! Atmospheric , total page turner. I kept binging this and read in just a little over 24 hours. This book was a total banger! 5/5 recommend!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Sarah Pekkanen is an author I always enjoy reading. This story is no different. I had a wonderful time reading it and had trouble putting it down. I think the story concept is fascinating because it would be crazy to find out you have a twin sister due to her being accused of murder.

Usually, second-person narration can be difficult to pull off and not well-liked by most people. However, I think it was executed well. It seemed to be a way to build the character of Georgia in this book.

I will say there were moments where the story could drag on a bit, mainly due to random anecdotes the characters had when they looked at/found something. I wanted more of a faster pace to the story.

The plot unraveled in a great way, and I enjoyed how each reveal kept happening. Truly, not everything was as it seemed in this book. The twists kept coming and delivered each time. I love how the story had an element I never saw coming. There was a deep conspiracy within the initial murder that our main character, Amanda, had to unravel. In my opinion, the ending was also really good. I really liked how it all came together and the twists were revealed.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen due to be published August 5, 2025.
Also recommended by Sarah Pekkanen: House of Glass and Gone Tonight!
Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted as a newborn, is accused of killing the biological daughter of her wealthy, Southern family. She is locked in a psychiatric institution, and when her estranged twin sister, Amanda, visits she tells her she didn’t do it. Is Georgia a victim or a master manipulator?

I loved this book – it was such a unique concept, and it held my interest the entire time. Told in alternating chapters by the sisters, it uncovered their mysterious separation and reunion and the reasons for their lives. It was a fast-paced storyline and a must read for psychological thriller fans!

#NetGalley #SarahPekkanen #StMartinsPress #TheLockedWard

Thank you netgalley for the arc of The Locked Ward in exchange for my honest review. Sarah Pekkanen is quickly becoming a must read author for me when she has a new book release. Pekkanen does an excellent job of setting the scene and getting you really engrossed in the storyline. Georgia and Amanda (Mandy) are twins separated at birth. Georgia grows up in a wealthy family and Mandy grows up in a solidly middle class family. Georgia has terrible parents who treat her unfairly and without much love and care and Mandy has lovely parents who treat her kindly, The girls find each other under the worst of circumstances. Georgia is in a locked ward for the insane being accused of murdering her non biological sister Annabelle. She reveals her relationship to Mandy in order to get help proving she is innocent. Will they succeed or will Georgia be forced to spend decades in jail? Read to find out! Five stars.

Sarah Pekkanen is one of my absolute favorite authors. I was thrilled to be awarded this ARC. She does not disappoint with this fast-paced, exciting thriller. I highly recommend this. I can't wait for everyone else to read it.

Thank you, #NetGalley and #St.MartinsPress, for this ARC.

Complicated family dynamics esp among the rich and powerful underline this story. Two sisters, twins separated as babies grow up in very different kind of environments. The so called bad one ,Georgia is now locked up after being accused of murdering the sister she grew up with. Mandy is now trying to understand who Georgia is, is she dangerous or is it all those around her, that put her Mandy in danger as well. Everything she thought was true might not be. What we see if often not what we get. This was a fast moving, immediately got my interest book. 4.5

A dark and twisty tale of two sisters who, until tragedy strikes, have never met. Now, one of them needs the other to help her solve a mystery and save her life. This book left me on the edge of my seat. Written in duo POV, you follow each sister's experience as the story unfolds.

It looks like an open and shut case when Georgia is found, bloodied by her sister body. Everyone knows they didn't get along. This easy to read mystery explores family dynamics of all kinds and also class and power. Very interesting read, think my students will like it.

A Gripping Psychological Thriller with Unpredictable Twists
Sarah Pekkanen's The Locked Ward delivers a compelling psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of family secrets and mental health. The narrative centers on Georgia, confined to a psychiatric institution after being accused of murdering her sister, and Amanda, her estranged twin who is drawn into a web of mystery and deceit.
The story unfolds through alternating perspectives, with Georgia's chapters uniquely presented in second person, creating an immersive experience that some readers found engaging, while others felt it disrupted the narrative flow.
Pekkanen masterfully maintains suspense throughout the novel, with twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. The pacing is brisk, and the short chapters make it a page-turner. While some elements, such as the portrayal of the psychiatric ward, may stretch believability, the overall storytelling remains compelling.​
In summary, The Locked Ward is a thrilling read that explores the depths of familial bonds and the shadows of the human psyche. It's a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers seeking a story that keeps them on edge.

LOVED this!! Dual POV and short chapters had me up reading way past bedtime. This author is a must read for me and never disappoints! A huge thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher.

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen hooked me from the very beginning—not because of any big, flashy twist, but because of the quiet, unsettling way it builds tension. This is a psychological thriller that understands subtlety. It doesn’t need to scream to get your attention; it whispers until you’re completely pulled in.

The story is set inside a psychiatric facility, and from the moment we’re introduced to it, the setting feels charged. There’s this tight, claustrophobic atmosphere that never lets up, like the walls are closing in and you’re not sure who—or what—you can trust. I was constantly questioning: who's being honest, who’s hiding something, and how much of what we're seeing is real?

What really kept me turning pages, though, was the narrator. She’s layered, vulnerable, and clearly carrying more than she’s letting on. There’s a quiet strength to her, even in moments of fear or doubt, and I found myself deeply invested in her unraveling—not in a voyeuristic way, but in a “please make it out” kind of way. She’s not just trying to figure out the truth—she’s trying to survive it.

Pekkanen does a great job balancing suspense with emotion. The plot moves, yes, but it also gives you space to sit with the heavier themes—mental health, trauma, identity. Nothing feels thrown in for shock value. Even the darkest moments feel intentional and earned.

By the time I finished, I was drained in that oddly satisfying way only a well-done psychological thriller can deliver. The Locked Ward doesn’t just keep you guessing—it makes you feel the stakes of every lie, every secret, every moment of doubt.

This book was perfectly fine. I love a twin trope so I was expecting to eat this UP!

Overall, the story dragged a bit, and I kept thinking this could have been shorter. When I wasn't reading, I was never rushing to pick the book back it. It was perfectly fine. I think if you don't read a lot of thrillers, you'll enjoy this. As someone who does read a lot of them, I called the big reveal and knew exactly what was happening.

I’m a huge fan of Sarah Pekkanen. I read this book in nearly one sitting because I knew there would be a twist in the final pages, and I was eager to find out what it was. This was the first time the twist wasn’t a jaw-dropper for me. I thought it was good, but it wasn’t that surprising.