Rating:4.25

Review:

How much fun was my reading of The Locked Ward? This book takes off with word one with the fury of a starter pistol being shot at a horse race. It sucked me in with one large breath. I very much enjoyed the pacing of this thriller. I love the development of both perspectives of Mandy and Georgia as the same story unfolds. Twin stories particularly interest me. It stayed interesting throughout the story. It's not over the top but teetering at the apex of too much and I loved it. I would have liked more development of Many's relationship with Scott but that may have been a choice the author made on purpose.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eBook. This is the first time I have read from Sarah Pekkenen and it certainly won't be the last.

Blurb:

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?

Nothing is as it seems in Sarah Pekkanen’s The Locked Ward, a shocking psychological thriller about the complex bonds of sisterhood—and what happens when they are stretched to the breaking point.

Some doors in the Locked Ward should never be opened.

Okay, The Locked Ward totally pulled me in. I mean, how could it not? Georgia Cartwright finds out she has a twin she never knew existed… right as she’s accused of murdering their biological sister and gets locked up in a psych ward. I was instantly hooked.

The story flips between Georgia, who's trapped in this super intense, high-security mental hospital, and Amanda, her long-lost twin who suddenly gets dragged into a mess of family secrets. Georgia claims she’s innocent — but is she? Or is she playing everyone? That question kept me flying through the chapters.

I loved how the book played with perception — you’re constantly questioning what’s real and who to believe. The psych ward setting is creepy in the best way, and Pekkanen nails that unsettling atmosphere. Georgia’s POV was especially eerie (some of it written in second person, which gave it such a disorienting vibe), while Amanda’s chapters gave you a chance to breathe — and also dig into the mystery.

The only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars for me is that a few twists were kind of predictable. I saw them coming, which took a bit of the suspense out. But honestly? It didn’t even ruin the experience. The journey — the emotional intensity, the sister dynamic, the unraveling secrets — made it such a solid, satisfying read.

If you're into twisty thrillers with psychological depth and messy family drama, this one should definitely be on your list.

4.5 stars rounded up! This book sucked me in! The suspense and cliff hangers the chapters would end on made me not want to put this down. I honestly devoured it. And wooof that twist at the end! Thank you NetGalley for this great read!

Thank you Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for the free copies of this book.

I have been a huge fan of Sarah Pekkanen’s thrillers since her days co-authoring with Greer Hendricks, so I knew I had to pick this one up. Plus that cover 🤌🏻

Southern socialite and wedding planner, Georgia, is being held in a locked ward, suspected of killing her adoptive sister. She calls on Amanda, her recently discovered long-lost twin, to come to her aid. But appearances are not what they seem, and questions about who can be trusted will have you racing to the end to figure out what’s going on.

I was hooked and fully captivated by this book from the first chapter right through to the end! I was a little disappointed by the ending, but still taken aback by the final reveal and thought this was an addictive read. The Locked Ward is a complicated family drama, filled with deadly secrets and twists around every corner.

🎧: This book is written in dual POV, alternating between Georgia and Amanda, and the narrator did such a good job distinguishing between the two I thought it was dual narration! Fantastic narration and excellent pacing definitely had me hooked.

Another amazing psychological thriller from Sarah Pekkanen! I will literally read anything she writes, and I have loved them all! The Locked Ward had such a perfect creepy atmosphere with twisty layers of family dynamics and narrators that you’re not quite sure you can trust. I didn’t want to put it down, and I loved how she wove everything together in the end!

wow!!! this was amazing!!! i would love to listen to the audiobook version after reading this! 5/5 stars

Sarah’s book got me right from the beginning! It kept me on my toes and i couldn’t wait to see how the story would end. The research about twins and families was very interesting. The ending was a true surprise!

I enjoyed the short chapters and quick pace the story had. There were a few character names to keep track of, but I was pleased with the descriptions each character provided. I was truly shocked at all of the plot twists that happened, and was be try satisfied with having all of my questions answered. Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Pekkanen, and St. Martin’s press for this digital advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and thank you to the author !
For the opportunity to read this book early prior to publication release date!
Another book by Sarah Pekkanen that has hit it out the park. The book kept me interested and when I thought I had it figured out boom another twist to the story! I was deeply engrossed in Mandy and Georgias story twins who were separated at birth and raised in two very different families both by social standing and wealth.
Great book! Thx again for the opportunity to read early in exchange for a honest review!

I was disappointed with this book. I have read other works from Pekkanen and enjoyed them, but this one just didn't do it for me. Many chapters in, and I felt bored as things were not exciting or intriguing enough to keep my attention.

This book had me feeling straight-up anxious in the best way. The pacing was fast, the second-person POV was wild, and I couldn’t stop reading. It’s intense, claustrophobic, and the book totally messed with my head. The ending lost a tiny bit of steam, but honestly? I didn’t care. I was all in.

Sarah Pekkanen's new thriller is a gut punch. Two twins, separated at birth - one rich, one poor - meet again under the worst circumstances. Georgia Cartwright sits in a psych ward, accused of murder, while her twin sister Mandy might hold the key to what really happened.

The story moves fast, switching between the sisters as secrets spill out. Pekkanen turns the psychiatric facility into the perfect pressure cooker, where every locked door and watchful eye adds to the tension. She digs into big questions about family and privilege, but never lets them slow down the story.

The middle takes its time with character development, but the explosive ending makes it worth the wait. If you liked Sharp Objects or The Silent Patient, you'll tear through this 320-page thriller in one sitting.

*The Locked Ward* by Sarah Pekkanen was an absolute page-turner for me. I especially enjoyed the alternating points of view from the two main characters who each brought a unique depth and emotional layer to the story that kept me fully engaged. The writing style is smooth and effortless, making it a fast and easy read, while still delivering a storyline that flows naturally and keeps you hooked. It’s one of those books that feels immersive without being heavy. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a compelling, character-driven psychological drama!

A gripping psychological thriller with a chilling sense of urgency, The Locked Ward plunges readers into the claustrophobic world of a psychiatric hospital where secrets, power, and sanity blur.

Told from the perspective of a young psychiatrist determined to uncover the truth behind a patient’s shocking confession, Sarah Pekkanen crafts a slow-burning, tightly woven mystery. The novel explores the fragile boundaries of trust, the hidden traumas we carry, and the darkness that can lurk in even the most “healing” places.

Pekkanen’s prose is clean and propulsive, and her experience co-authoring bestselling thrillers shines through in the novel’s smart pacing and suspenseful turns. As the story unravels, readers are left questioning: Who’s really in control—and who needs saving?

The Locked Ward is an atmospheric, emotionally charged read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers like The Silent Patient and Shutter Island.

Fast paced and explored sibling dynamics in a way that was fresh and interesting. Kept me on my toes and questioning everything

When Georgia Cartwright is accused of murdering her sister, the shocking case grips the nation and lands her in a grim psychiatric facility. Her estranged twin, Amanda, reluctantly agrees to help—only to be drawn into a maze of twisted family secrets and buried trauma. As Amanda uncovers chilling clues, she must decide whether Georgia is a scapegoat or a cunning manipulator. The Locked Ward is a haunting psychological thriller that explores the dark depths of sisterhood, trust, and madness.

**Thank you NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Sarah Pekkanen for an eARC of The Locked Ward.

I really like the premise of this one (though I'd say that twins separated at birth is such a trope that it's basically a running daytime soap opera joke). The second-person direct address POV for Georgia could be alienating for some people, though I get it was done to put readers into the perspective of being locked on the claustrophobic ward. Unfortunately the writing was a bit pedestrian and I'm not sure I was entirely drawn into either character. Did Amanda have so little going on in her life that she could so wholly dive into Georgia's story? The motivation for engaging didn't quite sell me.

THE LOCKED WARD is a gripping psychological thriller. I liked the characters of Mandy and Georgia and found it interesting how they were connected. The scenes of the locked ward were eerie and had me on the edge of my seat! The mystery kept me guessing and I loved the added twist in the epilogue. I relish this author’s work! I not only recommend this book, but her others as well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my gifted ARC.

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to the publication day.

Another action packed, short chapters and very mysterious thriller. It kept me entertained with the twists.

The story is told in different perspectives, describing the family drama and secrets.

I really enjoy the writing style, it’s smart and clever. This page turning and captivating psychological thriller is a must read. Highly recommend.

Thank you so much St. Martin’s Press, Sarah Pekkanen for my eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

2.5-2.75 STARS

Oh, how I wanted to love this book! Boasting a unique and intriguing premise, I was eager to delve between the pages of Sarah Pekkanen’s latest novel, “The Locked War.” Unfortunately, and disappointingly, it’s not the edge-of-your-seat thriller I was expecting.

Despite the appealing premise, the execution totally missed the mark. While I found the story interesting enough to keep me engaged, everything from the characters to the pacing/flow to the suspense element just fell flat. I also found the periodic switching to second-person more annoying than effective. And then there is the epilogue… (cue eye roll).

Previously, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed other novels by this author, so it truly pains me to say that this one just didn’t work for me. There are others that obviously feel differently, so gauge your interest in this book accordingly, and then decide for yourself.