I was able to read the arc of The Locked Ward. I've never read a book by Sarah Pekkanen and let me tell you I'm glad I finally did. This book kept me on my toes the whole time and I never saw the twist coming at the end. I absolutely love her writing style. Very easy read filled with lots of twists. I will definitely be reading more by this author for sure!!

Some doors should never be opened.

Was it bitter, all-consuming jealousy? Pathological sibling rivalry? Pure insanity?

Whatever the cause―and everyone has a theory―it's the Crime of the Decade when glamorous Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted as a newborn, is accused of killing the biological daughter of her wealthy, Southern family.

Georgia is locked in a psychiatric institution where the most violent offenders are held while she awaits trial. The only words she whispers when her estranged twin sister Amanda visits are, “I didn’t do it. You’ve got to get me out of here.”

Amanda doesn't trust Georgia, but she can't abandon her in a place so eerie and menacing that it seems to exist in another dimension. Is Georgia the victim of a powerful family that's so depraved murder is the least of their crimes? Or is Amanda being led down a path of madness into the web of a master manipulator?

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, #partner for the advanced copy of The Locked Ward in exchange for my honest review.

A new Sarah Pekkanen book is always cause for celebration and this one is not to be missed! Her books are the perfect summer reads – fast, addictive thrillers with that little something extra that sets her apart from the traditional summer thriller. I think it’s the character-driven storyline that we don’t typically see in a regular thriller and I am here for it. ⁣
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There is something about the twin trope that completely fascinates me and when you add in the fact that in this case, it’s finding out not only that you didn’t know about your twin before now but also that she’s locked away for the murder of her sister. That alone completely sold it for me but then the twists start popping up and I had no idea where this one was headed. ⁣
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I loved how the story alternates between both sisters’ POV…it made for some tense, uneasy moments. And of course, there is always that question of who can be trusted. ⁣
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I really enjoyed this one. It kept me guessing and as someone who loves stories of family dysfunction, this one completely satisfied me as they started digging into all the family drama and secrets. It’s the perfect summer read to escape into!

4.5! Sarah Pekkanen is an auto buy for me and I absolutely loved this one. The twin connections was new for me and she never disappoints with psychological thrillers. Very addictive and could not put it down!

My final rating on this one is lower than expected which is a bummer after such a fun start! Personally - I'm a fan of books that start later in the story. Rewinding time to show you small glimpses and all unspooling the threads of what's going on as you read. The major blow to 'The Locked Ward' was that the urgency didn't continue.

I absolutely loved previous books from this author, but unfortunately, I struggled with this one. 

I enjoyed all the small reveals and ominous hints in the first half. They happened at a steady pace and kept me flipping the pages, needing to know more. Chapters alternating between the two main characters made it nearly impossible for me to find a pausing point in the book, so it was a quick read.

I was initially curious about where things were going with the twin angle, but as the story progressed, things began to feel less engrossing and more unbelievable, with subplots that didn't go anywhere. The big reveals the story built toward ended up feeling predictable and not particularly big.

Overall, The Locked Ward was an entertaining way to pass a few hours, but it didn't maintain suspense and tension for me as with the author's past books. The story pieces just didn't fit together as nicely and neatly as her plots normally do. Not every book can be a favorite, and I'll still be anxiously awaiting her next book.

I felt this was a good twisty read. I definitely liked the psych ward element. I did find it a bit odd that not one person noticed any similarities at all, being that they are twins. Even non identical twins usually look alike or have enough similarities to see them. I also am left wondering what the point of some of the characters were, as they came in briefly, played their part, and that was it. Still, overall, it was a decent twisty read.

A woman learns that she has a twin sister who is in a psychiatric institution accused of murder. As she tried to untangle secrets from their past, she begins to wonder who is lying and who is telling the truth and if she, herself, may be in danger.

I liked the long lost twin premise of this as well as the psychiatric ward setting which created much tension. Pekkanen skillfully wove in family secrets and there are several surprises at the end. For fans of Megan Miranda and Mindy Mejia.

Phew y’all this one is crazy, and I just ate it up! An adopted daughter of a wealthy family is accused of killing the biological daughter (her sister), and she ends up in a psych ward. Then she recruits her estranged twin sister to help prove she is innocent…or is she??

Family secrets and lies, dangerous patients in the psychiatric hospital, and a murder to be solved had me so captivated by this story. The chapters are SUPER short which always makes for a quick read, and I loved the alternating viewpoints with Georgia and Amanda (the estranged twins).

Amanda infiltrates herself into Georgia’s high society life, and while making some interesting decisions, she’s doing her best to help prove her sister’s innocence. All while scared for her life. The middle section was a tad slow (not for very long though) as some backstory was shared that I didn’t think was necessary, but the ending was WILD!! I did not guess the twists which I always enjoy because I love having the shock factor!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a gifted copy of this novel!

I went into this book pretty blind, as I a fan of this author’s work - and this book didn’t disappoint! It had all of the trademarks that I love about this author’s novels; short chapters, fast pacing, lots of twists and turns, and ultimately a book I don’t want to put down. I finished this one very quickly when I started it as well. I loved the premise behind this novel as well as the dual POVs from the sisters. I did not guess most of the twists coming, although some of the smaller ones I was able to figure out on my own. I did feel that some of the aspects of the novel were more akin to a salacious mystery rather than a thriller, but I enjoyed the ride regardless. I definitely recommend giving this one a read!

I was hooked right from the start with this story of twins separated at birth. When Georgia is accused of murdering her other sister, the only person who might be able to save her is the twin she never knew existed. The plot was such a carefully woven web with twists at every turn, and I was left guessing all the way until the very end. I felt like I got to know both sisters and the lives they grew into.

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is a chilling, emotionally layered psychological thriller that explores the fragile boundaries between truth, perception, and identity. The story centers on Georgia Cartwright, a glamorous wedding planner from a wealthy Southern family, who wakes up in a high-security psychiatric ward accused of murdering her younger sister Annabelle. The media paints her as a jealous, unstable woman—but when she reaches out to Mandy Ravenel, a bar owner from a nearby town, the narrative begins to unravel. Mandy learns that she and Georgia were adopted separately as twins, and Georgia’s desperate plea “I didn’t do it. And if you don’t get me out of here, they’re going to kill me” sets off a tense investigation into buried family secrets.

This was my first read by Sarah Pekkanen, and I was immediately struck by her command of psychological tension and narrative structure. The alternating perspectives Georgia’s chapters told in second person, Mandy’s in first create a disorienting intimacy that mirrors the claustrophobic setting of the psychiatric ward. Pekkanen doesn’t just build suspense; she excavates emotional trauma, using the locked ward as both a literal and metaphorical space where identity is questioned and reality is manipulated. The pacing is deliberate, the atmosphere oppressive, and the characters especially Georgia are rendered with a complexity that keeps you guessing until the final pages.

What makes The Locked Ward stand out is its refusal to offer easy answers. Pekkanen explores how trauma can fracture memory, how family can be both sanctuary and weapon, and how truth is often a matter of perspective. Mandy’s journey from skepticism to reluctant ally is compelling, and Georgia’s unraveling whether real or orchestrated is haunting. For a debut experience with this author, it was a gripping and emotionally resonant ride, and I’m eager to explore more of her work. If you enjoy thrillers that blend psychological depth with moral ambiguity, this one delivers.

Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this book

Very entertaining fast paced read, kept me interested from the beginning but I didn't really feel a connection with any of the characters so I was just reading more to get it over with rather than being invested in story, It was good but i still felt compelled to be honest.

I always seem to enjoy this author, and this book did not disappoint. You should make sure that you like twin stories first. This has short chapters with alternating pov's. It had a strong storyline and good character development. I really enjoyed this and would recommend and as easy read thriller.
4 star

The Locked Ward is a story about family dynamics when a debutante accused of murdering her sister. In walks the twin she just discovered who she charges with finding her killer. This one fell flat for me and was pretty predictable. It also felt like there was a lot of holes like the Josh story, etc.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Locked Ward, by Sarah Pekkanen, is a short, but immersive domestic drama focusing on severe sibling rivalry and dark family secrets. This story is fast-paced, addictive, and shows the lengths people will go to, to protect their reputation and power.

It’s a crime that has taken the media by storm. High profile Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted at birth by a prestigious, well-connected southern family, is accused of killing their biological daughter. To save herself from prison and a certain death row penalty, Georgia is sent to a psychiatric institution, the locked ward of a local hospital. When she manages to contact her estranged twin sister Amanda, through much plotting and planning, the only thing she communicates to her is that she didn’t commit this crime and begs her to find out who did. But the means in which she found Amanda seem suspect, so Amanda doesn’t know if Georgia is someone she can trust.

Told from two perspectives, this story unravels a complex plot that is so interesting as layer upon layer is revealed. There is family drama, turmoil, trauma, lies, betrayals and so much more that lies beneath the surface. The Locked Ward is a mystery that’s easy to jump right into; it’s evenly paced, clearly written, and kept me captivated throughout the entirety of the story. It culminates in a satisfying conclusion with one final twist. Sarah Pekkanen is an auto-buy author for me and this story, yet again, confirms why.

A psychological thriller full of twists and turns. Classic Sarah Pekkanen. A quick entertaining addictive read.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

'The Locked Ward' offers many thrills as it twists and turns. Mandy discovers she has a twin sister, Georgia, who needs her help beating a murder rap. Most of their interactions take place in the locked wing of a psychiatric hospital. The hospital itself is atmospheric. Most of the twists occur through family secrets. 4 stars.

Georgia Cartwright killed her sister - or did she? That's what she enlists her OTHER sister, her long-lost twin Mandy, to find out. This book was full of twists and turns. It had characters to root for, ones you despised, and others that left you on the fence. I really enjoyed the interactions between Mandy and Georgia, and the sleuthing that was being done. This book kept me hooked from the first chapter and the chapters were short, which is always a bonus for me.

Another fast paced, psychological thriller from Sarah Pekkanen! The Locked Ward was a quick read, alternating chapters between Georgia (literally locked in a psych ward) and her estranged twin sister, Mandy, who has been tracked down by Georgia and didn’t even know she had a twin sister until now. Georgia is accused of killing her other sister, the one she grew up with… the one who was the family favorite. The Locked Ward is packed with lots of suspense, secrets, and family dynamics. I guessed a couple of the twists, but that didn’t take away from the joy of reading. There were still surprises and reveals that resulted in another satisfying read.

If you enjoyed House of Glass or Gone Tonight by Pekkanen, definitely pick up The Locked Ward.

Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the digital ARC via NetGalley.

I couldn’t put this one down’, read it in one sitting! I love a good locked in thriller. Kept me thinking the whole way through. Thanks for the opportunity