Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the digital ARC for reviewing.
Honestly I really loved this book. I was a bit skeptical when I saw that the Geo gia chapters were written in second person pov but I found it rather refreshing by the end. This is a sort of who dunnit amateur detective novel with twists and turns all along the way. Plenty of red herrings and reveals. I loved the surprise you're a twin and your twin has been accused of murder opening.

Mandy is the 'poor' twin who is now Georgia's only hope for proving her innocence. Georgia is trapped in a mental facility trying to pretend she's essentially catatonic after being accused of killing her sister. Mandy is incredibly smart for the most part and manages to weave herself into Georgia's former life and conduct a proper investigation that connects to her own backstory far more than she could ever have guessed.

My only small complaint was that it threw in a slightly weird twist about Mandy's backstory right at the end without time to properly process. I think it might be hinting at a sequel but we shall see.

This is a perfect book to read in one or two sittings especially on a vacation. To me it read a bit like a Riley Sager novel which I always enjoy. If you love a good mystery/cover up, you'll enjoy this book.

Although it took me a while to get started, this book blew me away. This is my first Sarah Pekkanen book but definitely won't be my last. Lots of little twists and turns that I wasn't expecting.

We have a story here about twins separated at birth, that's not the main plot, but it is an important piece of the story. Georgia grew up in an affluent house with her adoptive parents and their biological child, Annabelle. Annabelle is murdered one day, and Georgia is found over her body, covered in blood. She is placed in a locked ward under a psych hold. While in the ward, she has her lawyer reach out to her bio sister, Mandy, to try and help her get out of this mess. The thing is, Mandy has no idea Georgia exists outside the newspaper headlines. So, needless to say, she is very surprised by the call from the lawyer. Mandy grew up outside the big city, and she took over her parents' bar once they passed away. Though not affluent, Mandy grew up with a loving set of parents and an overall happy life, except she has a hard time connecting with people. As Mandy tries to help Georgia, she digs into her life, trying to learn everything about her, finding the secrets buried with their adoptions and why they were split up. Along the way, she digs up more than she bargains for and finds that she is no longer safe.

This was a good premise overall. Georgia is faking a dissociative state to try and buy time for Mandy to help her, but while in the ward, she not only has to face her past, but also the cruelties of her fellow wardmates and healthcare workers. Not everyone is cruel; most are there to help, but she becomes helpless where she was once powerful. We alternate from Mandy to Georgia in each chapter, and the chapters themselves are fairly short, giving you brief glimpses into each of the sisters' lives and where they are in the story. I think I felt more compelled by Georgia's story than Mandy's, mostly because Georgia grew up with everything but had no real love, and Mandy grew up with all the love and turned out mostly ok, but overall detached. That could be because she knew part of herself was missing, but had no idea what that part was. We also explore a little of that twin connection, even though the twins only met after they were 32 years old, they still have a bond. It feels like we explore the theme that the rich and powerful have these secret lives and get away with anything. Anyway, if you enjoyed "House of Glass" by the same author, you'll enjoy this story as well.

Here’s a solid mystery thriller about twin sisters separated at birth, recently reunited because one is in the psychiatric ward, accused of murder. We also get a Senator, an extremely wealthy Southern family, a creeper, and some sinister shadowy characters. Everyone has secrets and the plot twists keep coming.

Even though the book lacked that sparkle that would make me rate it five stars, I enjoyed it and was in suspense to learn what would happen next. The pacing was swift and the plot unfolded quickly enough that I stayed interested. The two main characters were engaging and dynamic. I recommended this book to anyone who likes contemporary thrillers.


Thank you Netgalley for giving me both the eARC and the audio book ARC, for free, for review consideration. Reading and listening is my favorite way to experience a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary early release copy of The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen.

The Locked Ward was a fun intriguing read with lots of interesting elements, theres the new strange relationship forming between twin sisters who were separated at birth plus all of the rich socialite drama and family dynamics. I liked both of our main characters, Amanda was a nice character to read from, she was the type of character that I could really route for because I felt that she played things out smartly. It’s been a while since I’ve read from a character that can hold their own and it was refreshing. Georgia’s perspective was written in a strange (at least to me) but unique way that I found myself enjoying. During her perspective the book really emphasizes placing yourself in Georgia’s shoes, it’s written like you are going through what she is. I found myself being able to connect more with her character because of this choice!

Overall there is quite a bit I liked about The Locked Ward, mainly the sister’s relationships, Georgia’s perspective, and the socialite backgrounds. Theres just something about fancy characters that I find intriguing to read about. This was a fun read but after sitting with things for a while I’m landing on a 3.5 rating. I wasn’t particularly impressed with some of the reveals.

Good writing. Confusing when theres a flashback to a previous moment because it doesn't tell you. Other than that really good book!

Who is Georgia Cartwright and why did she ask her twin sister Amanda to help her when they were separated at birth and have never met?

Georgia has been put into a psychiatric hospital after being accused of murdering her sister Annabelle.

Annabelle is the surprise biological daughter of her adopted family and Georgia’s sister.

Does Georgia need a psychiatric hospital or does she truly know what she is doing? She seems pretty aware.

Actually, how did Georgia find Amanda, and what has she planned as the help she hopes to get from her?

Georgia seems to have some plan and that plan is not to get convicted or stay in this hospital for the rest of her life.

Then Georgia meets Patty - was Patty planted in the hospital?

So many unsavory characters with secrets and one big secret a few are keeping that is causing all that's going on.

THE LOCKED WARD has the main character Georgia speaking in second person which is a bit confusing at first, but you become accustomed to it and focus more on if she really killed her sister Annabelle and what she is up to as well as what the other characters are up to.

It's a good one that will keep you glued to the pages. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

When I tell you this book was a crazy ride I mean it was a CRAZY RIDE! It’s the story of Georgia, a woman accused sister’s murder, who is locked up in the psych ward while the authorities assess her mental competence to stand trial.

I’m not gonna lie though, I was hesitant at first and I didn’t think I was going to like it because it was written in a style I’m not used to. The narrative is presented from two perspectives: Mandy, recently discovered long-lost twin sister, and Georgia. However, Georgia’s POV is written in the second person aiming to make you, the reader, be her. I don’t normally read that type of story so that threw me off.

Once I got past that I was caught up in the story and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to keep up with the plot twists. It has everything I love about a psychological thriller…. Political scandal, high society secrets, intrigue, mystery, multiple suspects, strong characters, etc.

I highly recommend putting this on your list of anticipated Coming Soon to a Store Near You on August 5, 2025! I promise it won’t disappoint you!

For fans of Freida McFadden comes a new bingeable psychological thriller.

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?

This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while and yes I did so in one sitting. The action starts on page one and not once does it slow down. In this multi pov we get the story told by both sisters, each being filled with twists and turns around every corner.
I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend

I was really looking forward to this one after loving House of Glass, but unfortunately, it didn’t fully land for me. I appreciated the short chapters and alternating POVs between Georgia and Mandy, but I just couldn’t get past the second person point of view. Every time it pulled me out of the story and made my brain hurt.

There are themes of sibling rivalry, hidden connections and mental health with a touch of suspense. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for the DRC.

The Locked Ward is a great fast paced popcorn thriller that had me completely hooked. I went into it thinking I had a good idea of where things were headed, but I was wrong in the way I love being wrong with books! The twist caught me off guard and added a whole new layer to the story that I didn’t see coming.

If you’re in the mood for something twisty, unsettling, and completely addictive, this is a thriller worth picking up.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the e-arc and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

A new thriller by Sarah Pekkanen is always exciting. Il read this in a day because I just needed to know how it was going to end, and I wasn’t disappointed. Her books are always so twisty and dark.

Imagine discovering that you had a twin sister that you knew nothing about. Now imagine you find out about. When that sister is arrested for murdering her other sister. Wild right? Mandy gets a call from a lawyer requesting she go visit her long lost sister, Georgia, in the psychiatric hospital she has been put in after her arrest. Georgia claims innocence and Mandy feels a connection to her sister even though she doesn’t even know her. The 2 set out to prove Georgias innocence.

It is really strange to see your name in a book, especially as a main character! it was fun though. I really enjoyed this crazy story of family, wealth and so many secrets.

Thanks so so much to St Martin’s Press for my early copy to read. . Out on August 5th.

Another fast thriller. I enjoy her writing and her books. I rarely guess the final twists. This one didn’t feel memorable but I will still continue to always read what she writes. I was a little nervous with another asylum story but this one gave Pretty Little liar vibes

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that kept me turning pages late into the night. With its layered mystery and alternating character viewpoints, this book delivers a tense, thought-provoking narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The shifting perspectives add depth and complexity, offering insight into each character’s motivations and secrets. Pekkanen masterfully peels back the layers of truth in a psychiatric hospital where no one is quite who they seem.

A great read that makes you think—and nearly impossible to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I usually like to start writing my reviews as I’m reading, that way I can take out/add details once I finish the book.

But this one… this one surprised the heck out of me! I was originally prepared to blast Patty for giving away secrets with time left to pass info along. But I was quite surprised when Mandy confronted Honey and the truth came out!

Just goes to show that you never really know until the end!

Plot 4/5
Spice 0/5
Suspense 3/5

This book had all the makings of a good psychological thriller. It was easy to read and had fun twists that’s were not predictabl! There’s family drama galore!

Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, NetGalley, and St Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This is a thriller based on twin sisters that didnt know the other existed, and how they navigate this information in the midst of everything going on with Georgia.

This was my first book by this author, and it didnt disappoint. It had great story building, and it kept my attention the entire time. There were a few things at the end that were left unanswered but nothing that ruined the story or anything like that.

I will definitely be looking into more of this author's books.

The Locked Ward immediately pulls you into a thrilling mystery about twin sisters who never knew each other existed until one of them, Georgia, finds herself locked up in a psych ward. She's been accused of murdering her sister, Annabelle, who seemingly "had it all." Georgia, who always felt unwanted and was scolded for her childhood tricks for attention, vehemently denies the murder.

Mandy, her newly discovered twin sister, becomes her only hope. We get both Georgia's and Mandy's points of view, which is fascinating as you see how incredibly similar these separated twins are, yet how they view the same intense situation through completely different lenses. Georgia struggles to communicate and connect with Mandy under constant surveillance, while Mandy dives headfirst into Georgia's life, searching her home and connecting with her friends, desperate for answers. Georgia even warns Mandy that people will come after her next, creating a chilling "why?" that drives much of the story.

This book was a fast-paced and engaging read, packed with unexpected twists, turns, and delicious family scandals. Themes of rich privilege, politics, and sibling rivalry are woven throughout, adding depth to the suspense. It was definitely a nice popcorn thriller that kept me hooked!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 8/5/25.

I was SO pumped to get this Sarah Pekkanen ARC and it didn't disappoint! This story follows a dual POV of two sisters as they navigate developing a relationship later in life after having two very different upbringingings.

Georgia is awaiting trial locked in a psych ward and feels the only person who can help is her twin sister who never knew she existed. While Amanda is hesitant to trust her estranged twin, she feels equally pulled to try to help her and uncover the truth.

I enjoyed the short chapters, character development and twists and turns along the way. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this!

📚 The Locked Ward
✍ Sarah Pekkanen
📖 Mystery/Thriller
⭐4/5
📆 Out 6/5/2025!
➡ Wealthy Southern wedding planner Georgia Cartwright has been accused of murdering her sister. Locked in a psychiatric unit and unable to plead her case without risking her life, she must put all her trust into someone she's never met: her other sister.
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🙏 Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author for an advanced digital copy of The Locked Ward. All opinions are my own.
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🎯 What I loved: I really enjoy Sarah Pekkanen's writing and found both main characters in this book both intriguing and likeable which was fun and different for a thriller. I was riveted the first three quarters of this book and thought the way things unfolded and relationships were revealed was propulsive. Though there were quite a few characters, it was easy to follow and the pacing kept me reading without giving me whiplash.

🙅‍♀️ What I didn't: This story developed so well until the very end when several pieces of it fell by the wayside. Characters who I thought had a deeper connection to the resolution just disappeared and subplots that I was invested in didn't get tied up. I was also really confused by the second person narration used for one of the characters- this is a dual POV book about two sisters but one is written in second person while the other is in first person and I'm not sure what function that served.
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Read if you love:
*secret twins
*wealthy southern families
*complicated family dynamics
*psych ward + selective mutism
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See also: Good Half Gone, The Silent Patient, The Senator's Wife