Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. This is my first solo book by Sarah Pekkanen and I've since gone on to read House of Glass. Amanda, who struggles running her deceased parents' bar, finds out she has a twin sister, Georgia. Furthermore, her sister is in the locked ward accused of killing her adoptive parents' biological daughter. How did Georgia find out about Amanda? How did Georgia and Amanda become separated? And did Georgia commit murder? Pekkanen's pacing is smooth and it's a quick thriller, perfect for the end of summer.

3.5 stars

Wealthy socialite Georgia has been implicated in the murder of her biological sister. She is put in a psychiatric hold and reaches out to her newly discovered, twin sister, Mandy. The twin situation is a huge surprise to Mandy, but she immediately begins, helping her twin discover who the real killer is. Betrayal,, conspiracy, and lifelong secrets are revealed.

This book was better than average. It was quick to get into and I didn’t think there was a lol or slow moment in the book. Some of the twists were a bit predictable, but some were surprising.

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

Long lost twins were separated at birth, when a murder now brings them together. Georgia is accused of a murder, can twin, Amanda help Georgia with her innocence. This is gripping page turner with twists that I did not see coming.

I loved this story. The Locked Ward drew me in and kept me there the whole time. I didn't see any of the twists or turns and throughly enjoyed every moment. I didn't have a clue who the killer was until the end. The sisters were the best main characters and really make the story what it is. I feel like the blinder you go in, the better with this one. One of my favorite thrillers this year.

This plot kept me guessing. I could not figure out who to trust or of any of the characters could be trusted. I loved this book and will definitely be reading more by this author.

Now THIS is a unique premise...our main character Mandy learns that she has a twin sister when said surprise sister contacts her from the mental health facility where she's staying while awaiting trial for murder. The points of view of each sister are very well done, and Pekkanen capably avoids the usual frustration of a narrator who knows everything but ain't telling. I found this pretty gripping and the resolution surprised me. No complaints!

I am a huge fan of Sarah Pekkanen, so I was stoked to get an early copy of it! This one was an interesting one because of the twin aspect. I have always thought twins or multiples were so interesting. The characters were well written and the story was so compelling. Another good read from this author!

——4⭐️


➼ I would like to give a huge thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Pekkanen, & St. Martin's Press for providing me with an eARC of The Locked Ward in exchange for my honest review. You guys are the best!

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➼ Unreliable narrator, twin dynamic, family secrets, fast paced.

➼ I’m a sucker for creepy, closed in setting, and the psychiatric ward here was so vividly written that I felt that claustrophobic vibe the whole way through. The short, alternating chapters between Georgia (stuck inside) and Mandy (on the outside, digging into the truth) kept the pace flying.
I found myself saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly I’d read half the book in a sitting.

➼ The dynamic between the sisters was probably my favorite part. Georgia is such an unreliable, slippery narrator that I was constantly second guessing whether to believe her or not, and Mandy’s mix of skepticism and curiosity added another layer of tension. The twin element gave the story a unique edge and made their bond feel eerie and fascinating. I happen to be a twin myself, so I loved this aspect of the story.

➼ The asylum setting is fantastic, the pacing never lags, and Sarah Pekkanen does a great job layering in suspense and secrets. If you like psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators, creepy institutions, and sister dynamics, this one is definitely worth picking up.

The Locked Ward started out with a bang! Georgia was brought up wealthy and ran in all the right circles, but now she's locked up in a psychiatric hospital in a dissociate state for killing the biological daughter of her parents. Geogia was adopted and guess what? She has a twin sister!

Mandy lives a comfortable life with daily routines, but then she receives a call from someone claiming to be her twin sister. What? Her life is suddenly not ordinary and routine as she investigates Georgia and weighs her options of helping her. It's the twin sister she never knew she had, after all. Of course, duty calls.

They meet and...Wonder Twin powers activate! At the point when they meet and there was an ominous connection, I lost my enthusiasm in having to suspend belief too much. Switching between 1st and 2nd person between characters was off putting at first, but I soon fell into rhythm.

This didn't have that wow moment and felt predictable. I'm a fan of Sarah Pekkanen and eagerly wait for her next novel.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for early access.

A fun, straightforward popcorn thriller. I like this author and will continue to read her work. Fast-paced and kept me entertained throughout.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC of this book..

5 out of 5 stars! This was another great mystery/thriller novel from Sarah Pekkanen. The Locked Ward is a dual-narrated story of twin sisters separated at birth. Georgia, who was adopted by a wealthy Southern family has just been accused of killing her sister and is currently locked in a psychiatric institution. With no one else to turn to, she reaches out to her twin sister, Amanda, to help clear her name. Amanda on the other hand, has just been made aware of Georgia's existence and must decide whether or not to help her.

The dual narration added a lot to the story. Georgia' narration was told in first person while Amanda's was told in third-person, which helped differential the two points of view and avoided any confusion as there was only one narrator.

What I also like about this novel (similar to previous books written by Sarah Pekkanen) is that the plot did not drag at all. I was invested in the story from start to finished and I find that lately, I have been very drawn to novels that celebrate the sisterhood of women and how we help each other out, no matter what.

“The Locked Ward” was a promising read I looked forward to, as Sarah Pekkanen’s other works have been 4-5 stars for me. The summary is intriguing and the story pulled me in at the start. Pekkanen does a great job building suspense, and I found myself hooked by the twists throughout the story.

That said, there were moments where the pacing slowed a bit, and I felt like certain plot points were a bit predictable and I had to push myself to keep going through some stretches.

Overall it was a solid read with enough intrigue that kept me engaged, but not my favorite thriller of the year. I would still recommend it for fans of Sarah Pekkanen looking for something new!

This book had me completely hooked with its unexpected twists, buried family secrets, and a dark glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous.
Early on, I was convinced the two sisters were actually the same person with dissociative identity disorder, which would have been a wild plot twist, but the actual story still kept me guessing right up until the end. The plot did seem a bit over the top at times, but honestly, the lengths the wealthy will go to, and what they’ll cover up might surprise you… or maybe not.
While this book didn’t completely blow me away, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. It was an engaging and entertaining read that kept me turning the pages.

*Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Well written, exciting and intriguing!

Two sisters, twins, separated at birth, now find each other 30 years later.
One sister is accused of murder, and the other sister tries to get her freed of the charges.

With twists and turns, the story unfolds.
This is a very enjoyable book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins press, for the advanced copy. The opinions are unbiased and totally my own.

3.5 stars. This is a fast paced psychological thriller that certainly makes you question who is telling the truth and who really belongs in the locked ward. Like the previous book I read, this one is light on character development. It’s hard to root for either Georgia or Mandy, and there are several side story lines and characters that didn’t feel additive to the overall plot. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC.

The Locked Ward is a fast-paced psychological thriller told through dual perspectives, with a unique narrative twist. The story alternates between Mandy and Georgia, twin sisters who were adopted into different families and only learn of their connection as adults. Georgia’s chapters are written in second person, placing the reader directly into her perspective, while Mandy’s are written in third person. This stylistic choice sets the book apart and creates an immersive, unsettling reading experience.

The story begins with Georgia being held at a psychiatric facility as she awaits a competency hearing. She is accused of murdering her adoptive sister, but the truth behind what really happened is tangled in secrets, lies, and the unexpected reunion with Mandy. As the sisters’ stories unfold, readers are drawn into an intricate mystery that builds steadily toward a tense conclusion.

I found this to be a captivating read with several twists I didn’t see coming. The shifting perspectives kept me engaged, and I particularly appreciated the bold use of second person in Georgia’s chapters, it’s not something I come across often in thrillers. While I did feel the ending came together a little quickly and the Epilogue as a concept didn't quite work for me, the novel overall was a gripping and satisfying thriller. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological suspense with an inventive edge.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advance copy. All opinions are entirely my own, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The short chapters zipped along nicely, which helped keep the story moving, but it never quite hit that “can’t-put-it-down” level for me. I’d call it a respectable three-star read: not bad, but not exactly the literary equivalent of a standing ovation. My attention wandered a few times, and I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the psych ward scenes. Let’s just say they felt more TV drama than medical reality.

Then there’s the sudden twin bond between two grown women who’ve never met; sweet in theory, but in practice, it felt unrealistic. I kept waiting for a deeper connection, but it never quite got there.

Still, I’ve enjoyed two of the author’s previous books, and while this one didn’t sweep me off my feet, I’m not giving up. I’ll be back for the next one.

This is another one of those books that sounds like it would be amazing but the execution wasn't done as well as it could be. This is the ultimate family drama- estranged adopted twin sisters, a murder, and a few motives. I feel like this book was a little cheesy and a little predictable.

I will say it was fast and I had a hard time putting it down, but it wasn't because the book was blowing me away. I think this could potentially be better on audio. I love other books by this author and will still read anything she writes. This was just not my favorite (by ANY means).

The Locked Ward
Sarah Pekkanen
Publication date: out now!
4/5 stars

I finished this book in less than 24 hours! Mandy first discovers she has a twin when a woman who is accused of murder requests her as her only visitor in locked psychiatric ward. I really enjoyed the alternating POVs and cliffhangers that make you want to keep reading to find out who is telling the truth.

Thank you Sarah Pekkanen, St Marin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this! I found myself wanting/needing to know what happened next. I think sometimes the mystery/thrillers can get to be a bit reptitive but this had plenty of twists and ones that I didn't antcipate.

I'm a huge fan of Sarah's writing, I've read a few books of hers now and she's great at leading from one chapter to the next and that was no different here.

I think both of the main characters we meet, Mandy and Georgia, were fantastic. I loved learning more about their personalities and then how their lives actually intertwined. Of course I don't want to spoil anything but I was shocked! I also really found the ending to be shocking. I know some people said they figured out the twist but I sure as heck did not.

Anyone looking for a quick read to get them out of a slump, I'd recommend this!