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.

Sibling jealousy? Twists? Shocking details? Crime? Secrets? Dual perspectives? This book had it all. The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ mystery/thriller.

In this wild non-stop read, Georgia, a socialite, is accused of killing her sister. Now in the locked/supervised ward at the hospital she becons Amanda to visit and reveal that they are actually twins that were separated through adoption. Falsely accused, (maybe) and now being held and possibly drugged she asks her twin to help her solve the mystery of who really committed the murder. There are lots of trust issues and madness in this unputdownable book. Put this on preorder and get ready for a wild thrills and characters.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book because I have loved several books by Sarah Pekkanen. This one immediately grabbed my attention with the first chapter and was hard to put down. Georgia is in a locked psychiatric ward, accused of murdering her sister. She enlists the help of her estranged twin sister Amanda, separated by adoption at birth, to help clear her name. As she dives into a twisted world of powerful, twisted families, Amanda isn't sure what to believe.

I liked the alternating POV chapters, but I didn't like the "you" tense format instead of "I" or "She". I could see a few of the twists coming and I felt there were some unresolved loose ends. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Pekkanen and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 stars

Look. There's a reason Pekkanen is a best seller. This author knows how to keep us on our toes and questioning what we'd do if we found ourselves in the creepy situations of any of her characters. Readers get all of those disturbing benefits in _The Locked Ward_.

Amanda and Georgia are twins, but they only recently learned about this (one much more recently than the other). They're 32, so this is a long-held secret. The circumstances under which they are meeting now? Not exactly ideal. After all, one of them is in the titular locked ward, and it's not because she's accused of being a model citizen.

Like most thrillers, one must suspend disbelief when it comes to some of the coincidences and conveniences that befall these characters, but who cares about all that? If you're here for a summer thriller or an any-season read that'll keep you engaged without too much thinking necessary, this is a great option. There are many characters with sus motives and behaviors, hidden and sometimes surprising connections, and some questions that may leave readers pondering even after they've come to the final lines.

I enjoy this writer consistently and I look forward to whatever Pekkanen has for us next!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen was a wild ride full of twists and turns that kept me hooked to the end.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: August 05, 2025

#TheLockedWard #NetGalley

I really liked this twisty thriller by Sarah Pekkanen! Twin sisters separated for over 30 years, unknown to each other - and then one of them is arrested for murdering a non-biological sister. Good twists and a fast read.

i enjoyed this fast paced thriller a lot! i think pekkanen is great at writing thrillers that will have you pulling your hair out in anticipation and keep reading it! i love short chapters so much, and thankfully this book had them which i think is a big plus for any book, but especially when it comes to thrillers. i'd say the only minus for me was the way that amanda and georgia immediately connected, because i just don't think that's realistic at all, but the plot itself is super interesting, and i loved exploring the family dynamics throughout the book!

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, Sarah Pekkanen, and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.


I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Locked Ward. While I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as a pure thriller, it was full of mystery and kept me eagerly anticipating what would happen next. The dual-person perspective and the short chapters were particularly engaging.

Interestingly, I didn't realize until reading this that I had previously read Sarah Pekkanen's *House of Glass," which I also enjoyed. I'm delighted to have found another author to automatically add to my reading list.

The premise of twin sisters, Georgia, in a psychiatric ward for murder and Mandy, unaware of her sister's existence until contacted by Georgia's public defender, immediately drew me in. The story effectively unravels the mystery surrounding Mandy's newfound identity and the question of who wants Georgia dead. It also explores whether Mandy can uncover the truth of her sister's innocence before they both end up dead!

The book is fast-paced and mysterious, with several twists, some of which were somewhat predictable. However, even without a deeply shocking turning point, it remained an excellent and intriguing read that held my attention throughout.

Sarah is another author who I will blindly follow into any dark alley because I know I'll get an exquisite experience - this was no different. What a wild ride!