I really enjoyed House of Glass so I was excited to get a copy of her new book thanks to @netgalley. I read this in a day because the story was so interesting. Imagine finding out you have a twin and not only that, she’s in a psych ward for killing her sister. I gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I totally recommend it.

Literally incredible. Finished it in 2 days, didn’t want to put it down. So many good twists and turns to keep you on your toes and always second guessing who really is the murderer. Also love the twist at the end!! 10/10 hands down

{3.5 stars} This book kept me engaged the whole time and I felt like I couldn't stop reading because I just had to find out the truth behind everything! I loved both main characters and how their lives intertwined. However, I felt like it just fell a little flat for me. The ending was just a tad underwhelming for my liking. It was missing something and I just can't put my finger on what it was.

Despite that, I did still enjoy it and read it fairly quickly, because as I mentioned, I literally could not put it down. I would definitely recommend it to someone who is newer to the thriller genre or is just looking for a quick binge worthy thriller!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Georgia Cartwright is in a locked psychiatric ward, after being arrested for killing her sister. Her twin sister, Amanda, was separated from Georgia as a baby, but now she's begging Amanda to get her out. Can Georgia be trusted?
This was a fun book. it was a quick read, and kept my attention. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

It goes without saying that Sarah Pekkanen is the queen of domestic thrillers, and The Locked Ward was no exception. I love a good family drama/murder mystery, and a psychiatric ward is high on the list of creepiest settings for a book. In other words, The Locked Ward really pulled out all the stops.

I love Pekkanen's ability to flip the narrative at a moment's notice, and somehow -- even when the narrative is on its head -- everything makes perfect sense. In addition, Pekkanen did a fantastic job of creating complex characters, especially Georgia and Amanda. As with her other books, I could not put this one down. A must read for 2025!

What a roller coaster of a story! This book is full of twists and turns. I never saw the end coming. There are a lot of smoke and mirrors. He writing is magnificent. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

This book was a gripping read that kept me hooked from the start. I felt a strong connection to the characters, which made the story all the more immersive. Although I was initially unsure about the second-person perspective, it grew on me over time and ended up adding an interesting layer to the narrative. The plot centers around twin siblings who were separated at birth and raised by different families. As they reunite, they join forces to unravel a major crime and mystery. I enjoyed it so much, I’d gladly read it again.

I thought I had it figured out and was so totally wrong! Lots of little twists and turns thru the whole book.

The Locked Ward is a twisty, atmospheric psychological thriller that grabs hold from page one and doesn’t let go until the final, jaw-dropping revelation. Sarah Pekkanen dives deep into the haunting world of fractured sisterhood, twisted family secrets, and mental unraveling—with a murder mystery at its core. When Georgia Cartwright, a picture-perfect Southern belle with a hidden past, is accused of a brutal crime, her estranged twin Amanda is pulled into a locked psychiatric ward that feels more like a haunted house than a hospital. The question that pulses through every chapter: is Georgia innocent… or just dangerously good at pretending?

Packed with twins with secrets, unreliable narrators, creepy institutions, and rich family dysfunction, this book is perfect for fans of mind-bending thrillers and slow-burning suspense. Pekkanen masterfully blurs the lines between reality and delusion, loyalty and betrayal. You’ll find yourself flipping pages late into the night, questioning every character—and maybe even your own sanity. The Locked Ward isn’t just a read—it’s an experience. Grab it, lock your door, and prepare to be haunted.

Overall, this had a good premise but it didn't stun me. I was actually creating a side story in my head that satisfied me more than the actual book. Meh.

A great story of twins separated and brought back together by a tragedy. When one sister wakes up in the psychiatric ward being charged with murdering her sister, she calls on a PI to contact her birth sister Amanda. She fights to get the answers they both need. The dual POV I enjoyed even though it was a struggle at times. The short chapters were nice and it had me guessing what was going to happen next. It was a great thriller!
many thanks to netgalley and St. Martins press for allowing me an arc read.

Wow! The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is one of the best psychological thrillers I have ever had the opportunity to read.

I was drawn into the story from the very first page by the captivating story line; reading this book was like being on a roller coaster--I was held fast in my seat until the very end. The characterization was well done. It takes an extremely talented author to get me to actually feel concern for the people in a story, and Sarah truly accomplished that!

Georgia Cartwright is accused of violently murdering her sister. While in a psychiatric ward, she asks her twin sister to help her find the real killer. In a tangled plot of well-connected families, Georgia's sister, Mandy, jeopardizes her life in a mad rush to find the killer.

The Locked Ward is another great Sarah Pekkanen thriller. It keeps you questioning the truth, but the story comes together perfectly in the end. In addition, there are many characters you will love to hate.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of another good thriller.

This book was fast and slow at the same time.. it was fast paced but took me SO long to finish. I knew there would be some crazy twist- and I genuinely didn't see it coming until the big reveal, which is always my favorite. A solid good thriller- from a reliable author.

I loved this book. It is full of unexpected twists that keep you hooked. I sped through this hook in 24 hours and enjoyed it so much. Told through two sisters with chapters alternating their points of view. A captivating story that includes revenge, family, hidden relationships and scandal! I can't recommend this enough to people who enjoy thrillers!

Dang! This story grabbed me from the first couple of pages. When a book does that, I know it's a must-read! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Twists and mysteries and a lot of suspense!

Special thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Author Sarah Pekkanen

Southern Belles are not what they seem. Georgia, coming from a very affluential family, is in a psych ward for the murder of her little sister Annabelle. Georgia learned just a month earlier she as a twin. So in her desperate hours she reaches out to Mandy to help sort out this mess, after all, Mandy now is the only family she has. Mandy agrees to meet with her, Georgia must remain mute to be declared crazy. That's when the twin power comes in. With what hints Georgia has given, Mandy dives into the family secrets, and there are many. Oh, what the rich can do when throwing around money. But not all secrets can stay hidden and money can't everything. 5 stars, Highly recommend!

I'm a longtime fan of Sarah Pekkanen, and I was thrilled to see she has a new book, The Locked Ward, coming out in August 2025! It's a fantastic story and will be sure to satisfy other fans of hers and anyone looking for a solid psychological thriller.

Georgia is a young woman who is accused of killing her sister, Annabelle, and is now in a locked psychiatric ward with a pending diagnosis of a dissociative state. Her time on the ward is confusing and terrifying, and the description of her experience is quite claustrophobic and effective. She reaches out, via her lawyer, to her twin sister, Mandy, whose existence she has recently discovered after hiring a private investigator to assist in finding her birth parents. The women are fraternal twins separated at birth, and despite having just met, they both have an uncanny feeling about each other that quickly develops into a closeness neither has experienced before. Georgia feels like she is in imminent danger and begs Mandy to help her prove her innocence and discover the secrets both their families have hidden for decades.

The story unfolds in two alternate points of view: Georgia tells her side in second person (an unusual choice that actually works pretty well) while Mandy's side is in first person. The chapters are short and punchy, which keeps the pace of the book moving along very quickly. The main characters are interesting, and I found them both quite likable; secondary characters are purposeful to the plot, and the villains are quite vile and despicable. The many puzzle pieces and twists along the way are fun, and the reveals towards the end were surprising to me. The author has a lovely writing style that flows very nicely, and I found myself flying through the book while enjoying it thoroughly. This is another great book by Pekkanen that solidifies my admiration for her work!

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

At multiple points throughout the book, I almost felt like I was in the psych ward with our main character. This book gave me 'The silent patient' vibes. I kept thinking "she's guilty, I just have to figure out why" ..Forget everything you thought you knew because you're wrong. Not a 5 star book but a solid 4 I think.

Huge thanks to the publisher for the ARC copy of The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen. I absolutely loved this book—just like I’ve loved all of her others.

Pekkanen has a gift for drawing readers in from the very first page, and The Locked Ward was no exception. The setting, the tension, the intricate characters—I was completely hooked. She masterfully blends emotional depth with a fast-paced, suspenseful plot that kept me flipping pages late into the night.

This one had everything I look for in a psychological thriller: smart twists, atmospheric writing, and a story that lingers long after the final chapter. If you’re already a Pekkanen fan, this will not disappoint. And if you’re new to her work, this is a phenomenal place to start.

Highly recommend. Five glowing stars!