Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy.
I’ve read Sarah Pekkanen before, but The Locked Ward feels like her strongest work yet. I listened to this in just two days—completely hooked from start to finish.
The premise is instantly gripping: Georgia Cartwright, accused of murdering her biological sister, is locked away in a psychiatric ward for violent offenders. When her estranged twin Amanda visits, Georgia insists she’s innocent and begs for help. What follows is a tense psychological puzzle—part family drama, part locked‑room thriller—as Amanda is pulled deeper into her sister’s web. Is Georgia a victim of a corrupt Southern dynasty…or a master manipulator?
The pacing is fantastic—sharp, twisty, and filled with red herrings—and the atmosphere of the ward is claustrophobic and eerie in the best way. January LaVoy’s narration elevates the story even more, perfectly capturing the tension and emotional stakes.
A must for anyone who loves psychological thrillers with family secrets, unreliable narrators, and plenty of jaw‑dropping turns.

Sarah Pekkanen and I have a tumultuous relationship. I liked some of her stuff and have not liked others. And this falls into the later unfortunately. I wanted to like this but I was bored and uninterested. Everytime I wanted to pick it up i couldn't bring myself to do it.

I was hooked on this audiobook—Pekkanen delivered on every level. The twists kept me guessing right up to the very end and the dysfunctional family drama added delicious layers of tension. I was completely invested in the complicated dynamics between Georgia and Amanda; both POVs are so distinct and emotionally charged. The pacing felt electric—short, sharp chapters had me pressing play again and again. If you’re looking for a dark, twisty ride packed with psychological suspense and complex sisterly bonds, this one’s for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is a chilling, twist-filled psychological thriller that dives deep into the complexities of sisterhood, identity, and the thin line between truth and delusion. From the first page, the story pulls you into the eerie, high-stakes world of Georgia Cartwright—a woman accused of murdering her adopted family’s biological daughter—and her reluctant twin sister Amanda, who must decide whether to trust the one person she’s spent her life avoiding.

The setting of the psychiatric institution is deeply atmospheric, adding an extra layer of unease to the already high-tension plot. Pekkanen does a fantastic job keeping you off balance, constantly second-guessing what’s real, who’s telling the truth, and how far people are willing to go to protect secrets. Georgia and Amanda’s dynamic is fraught, messy, and totally compelling.

There were a few moments where the pacing dipped or the plot got a little tangled, but the suspense and emotional stakes more than made up for it. If you love a thriller that leans into unreliable narrators, dark family secrets, and mind-bending twists, this one’s for you.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

“The most dangerous animal on earth isn’t the great white shark or a hungry crocodile or a mama bear. It’s the human being.”

I couldn’t read this fast enough! The creepy and claustrophobic atmosphere of the psychiatric ward bled through the pages leaving me slightly uncomfortable, even as I wanted more. Georgia’s POV is written in second person, which cleverly adds to the isolated and dissociative feeling, especially when juxtaposed with Mandy’s first person narrative. I could literally put myself in Georgia’s shoes and they were scary and desperate! Did she kill her other sister? If she didn’t, who did?! Will Mandy help her or leave her to face a dire fate?

Mandy isn’t sure WHAT to think of the situation and knows nothing about Georgia, but naturally she’s intrigued about having a twin. Can she trust Georgia? As the story progresses, the distinct personalities of the sisters becomes evident, providing an extra layer of complexity. Sarah Pekkanen’s writing is taut and immersive and is sure to keep you on your toes guessing!

I did a combo read with the audiobook and January LaVoy’s performance was STELLAR which is NO surprise! January is always BEYOND fantabulous, using different accents, as well as perfectly exuding the emotions of any given situation, increasing the tension, excitement and danger! I will ALWAYS recommend the audiobook of a superb novel when January is narrating.

THE LOCKED WARD is not only a tense psychological thriller, but an exploration of what it means to be family and how far some will go to protect themselves and the ones they love. Do you enjoy juicy family drama, secrets and lies, an amateur sleuth vibe and surprising moments? Then look no further!
____

Thank you Sarah Pekkanen and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC!

3.5 stars - the writing was good, the plot pacing was steady throughout. I was happy with the twist and the family drama. I think the narrator absolutely crushed this book. I feel like there wasn’t a huge mental health = evil trope which I greatly appreciated. The family dynamics were a huge part of this story, and I appreciated the constant POV changes to keep the storyline moving. I LOVED the epilogue, I was not surprised but thrilled to have been confirmed in my thoughts. 😈 a pretty standard thriller including sinister family dynamics, twins, psychological tension - if you like thrillers you’ll like this.

It takes a lot for a thriller to really suck me in but this one got me! I was enraptured by the entire premise and was dying to know what was going on. Mandy and Georgia were both so captivating and the unraveling of both of them was fantastic. I definitely recommend!

Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress for the ALC/ARC!#MacAudio2025

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The Locked Ward
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Sarah Pekkanen
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: January LaVoy
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: August 5, 2025
4⭐️

🔹 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🔹
I was looking forward to reading this new one and it was a bingeable story! Georgia has been committed to a psych ward after being accused of killing her sister at her birthday party. Georgia is the adopted sister of the family. She reaches out to her estranged twin sister, Mandy, asking for help because she didn’t do it.

Mandy is skeptical of course. She didn’t even know she had a twin out there! She isn’t sure what to think. I would be as wary of her locked up sister too because everything seems sketchy.

Georgia’s POV was in second person, which was a little odd to get used to be lent to a different feel of her being the one locked up during the story.

The chapters were short and seemed to leave off on just enough of a cliffhanger that you couldn’t wait to get back to that sisters next chapter (every other one), so you had to keep reading!

There were a few unexpected twists and answers thrown in near the end and overall it was a fun story to read. The twin connection was a theme woven throughout as well, so if you love twin stories, definitely pick this up!

🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 🎧
January LaVoy always makes audiobooks enjoyable to listen to! She delivers this story with smooth ease, as she goes back and forth between Georgia and Mandy’s POVs. I was happy the author has the girls name at the beginning of each chapter, so you know the POV switch each time. I could speed up listening with January’s voice easily too!

🎧 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🔹 Suspense Thriller
🔹 Twin Connections
🔹 Complex Family Drama
🔹 Psych Wards

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Sarah Pekkanen, for this ARC of "The Locked Ward" out August 5, 2025!

Accused of murdering the biological daughter of her wealthy Southern adoptive family, Georgia Cartwright becomes the center of a scandal dubbed the "Crime of the Decade." Now locked in a high-security psychiatric facility, she pleads her innocence to her estranged twin sister Amanda with a chilling whisper: “I didn’t do it. You have to get me out of here.”

If you are looking for a fast paced thriller, dual POV, shocking twists, and quick read/listen, "The Locked Ward" is the book to read!

⭐️Overall Rating: 4 Stars

This novel was provided by the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy Sarah Pekkanen's books (with or without Greer Hendricks) so I was excited to get this ARC. There wasn't anything special about this, but it was a good read. If you like the mystery/thriller genre a la Gillian Flynn with less trauma, you'll like this. Some people didn't like the alternating POV with the use of second person voice, but it was a good tool to distinguish which character was narrating.

Solid 4 stars for me. I really enjoyed this jaw-dropping psychological thriller. Inside this dark and twisted whodunnit we have secrets, accusations, schemes and scandal, parental toxicity.. and estranged twins. It’s such an addictive ride. You’ll be shaking your head wondering which way is up! Even better on audio with January LaVoy narrating. 📖🎧 Pub. 8/5/25

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

twisted, eerie, and completely addictive. This book had me questioning everything and everyone. The atmosphere? Creepy as hell. The sister dynamic? Messed up in the best way. I love a psychological thriller that keeps me on edge, and The Locked Ward delivered. The pacing dragged just a little in some spots, but once things picked up, it was impossible to put down. I was second-guessing myself the whole time is Georgia innocent or a master manipulator? That ending?? Whew.

The Locked Ward is a gripping story that masterfully intertwines the lives of two twin sisters, showcasing their distinct yet connected perspectives. Their interactions unravel a complex narrative filled with family dynamics, betrayal, and an urgent quest for truth.

Georgia finds herself trapped in a sinister asylum, wrongfully accused of the horrific murder of her sister, Annabelle. As she pleads insanity, she clings to the hope of convincing her estranged twin, Mandy, of her innocence before her trial begins. Paranoia creeps into Georgia's mind as she grows increasingly aware of powerful enemies—manipulated by influential figures with dark agendas—who aim to silence her before she can uncover the reality of her situation.

Meanwhile, Mandy (Amanda) has stepped up to run her family's bar following the tragic loss of her parents, abandoning a promising PR career. As she navigates her grief and seeks to redefine her identity, her world is turned upside down by a shocking revelation: the alleged murderer making headlines—her sister—was part of a hidden twin she never knew existed. This earth-shattering truth disrupts her understanding of family and forces her to confront the implications of their concealed past.

When Georgia’s lawyer urgently contacts Mandy, imploring her to visit the asylum and confront her sister, she grapples with skepticism but is drawn by an undeniable curiosity. Their meeting is charged with intensity, revealing the weight of their shared, yet fragmented history. As Georgia hands Mandy strands of her hair for a DNA test, a revelation strikes: Georgia is not merely a long-lost sister; she is an essential piece of Mandy’s identity, long shrouded in darkness.

The twist intensifies when Georgia proclaims her innocence, insisting that danger looms in the shadows of the asylum—and beyond. But as Mandy navigates this treacherous terrain, she must question everything she thought she knew: Is Georgia truly innocent, or is she crafting a deceptive web that could ensnare her sister in peril? As tension mounts, Mandy’s resolve deepens in her quest for the truth—not just to save Georgia, but to reclaim her own fragmented sense of self.

Venturing into the dark underbelly of elite society, Mandy unearths the scandalous secrets surrounding the Cartwright family, who adopted Georgia. As she delves deeper into their tumultuous dynamics, she confronts unsettling questions: Was Georgia the misunderstood black sheep shunned and abandoned, or merely a victim of toxicity and neglect, driven to the edge?

With each layer of deceit unveiled, it becomes clear that some individuals would prefer to see Georgia silenced forever. In this treacherous game, Mandy unwittingly places herself in danger, yet she remains unyielding. Justice must prevail, even if it means risking her own life.

The intricate mystery surrounding Georgia’s alleged innocence, coupled with the dark secrets of the Cartwright family, unfolds with a thrilling intensity. While some twists may feel predictable, the depth of character development and the magnetic bond between the sisters keep the reader engaged. This story reaffirms my love for tales centred on the complexities of sisterhood.

Told in short chapters from each sister's POV, this book drew me in right from the start. Neither narrator is reliable, and you'll wonder who or what you can believe. The twins seem to have a mysterious connection, and Mandy feels compelled to investigate Georgia's story. It's also interesting to see how differently the twins were raised - Georgia, raised by a wealthy family, seemed to have gotten the better part of the bargain, but did she? The psychiatric ward was a creepy, scary place, and I couldn't wait to see how all this would end—and I wasn't disappointed. Once again, January LaVoy was outstanding, perfectly capturing both women's personalities. I couldn't stop listening! I wholeheartedly recommend this expertly crafted thriller to avid readers who want an unputdownable experience that captivates from the very first page.

I want to thank NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. I was under no obligation to provide a review

Listening to The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen, beautifully narrated by January Lavoy, is a special treat for fans of both the author and the narrator. Pekkanen's gripping storytelling combined with Lavoy's captivating voice creates an immersive experience that draws listeners into this captivating story.

From the very beginning, Lavoy's narration sets the tone for this psychological thriller. Lavoy expertly captures the suspense and uncertainty that permeates the relationship between Georgia Cartwright and her newfound twin sister, Amanda.

Pekkanen's writing shines in this audiobook format, as her intricate plot unfolds with each chapter. The pacing is well-maintained, and Lavoy's clear and engaging delivery keeps listeners hooked from start to finish. The duality of Georgia's character—whether she is a victim or a manipulator—adds layers of intrigue, and Lavoy's voice effectively conveys the ambiguity of her situation.

One of the standout aspects of this audiobook is how Lavoy brings the supporting characters to life. Each character has a distinct voice, making it easy to follow the story. This attention to detail enhances the overall listening experience, allowing listeners to become fully immersed in the world Pekkanen has created.

While the story itself is compelling, the combination of Pekkanen's writing and Lavoy's narration elevates it to another level. The audiobook format allows for a unique interpretation of the text, and Lavoy's performance adds a little something that may be missed in print version.

In conclusion, The Locked Ward is a must-listen for fans of Sarah Pekkanen and January Lavoy. Their collaboration results in a thrilling and emotionally charged experience that will keep you engaged until the very last moment. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with interesting characters and a gripping plot, this audiobook is definitely worth your time. While the ending fell just a little flat for me - I enjoyed the book as a whole.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this audiobook. It was one of my highly anticipated books and the audiobook format of it did not disappoint.

The bond between sisters is strong, the bond between twins is even stronger. This was a face-paced suspense from Pekkanen, and I loved it! Georgia is adopted into the wealthy Cartwright family, and they have their own daughter, Annabelle, soon after. Much later, Georgia is accused of killing Annabelle and locked in a psychiatric ward. While locked up, Georgia reaches out to her estranged twin, Mandy, for help. Although Mandy doesn't trust Georgia, the twin bond is strong, and Mandy begins to unravel secrets that the Cartwrights would rather remain hidden. There were lots of twists and turns in this novel, and the narrator did a great job with the characters and the southern accents.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook.

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. That being said, I always enjoy audiobooks narrated by January LaVoy. She has a very calming, soothing tone of voice and I feel that this helps to elevate the story even further.

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.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Sarah Pekkanen
with the audiobook narrated by January LaVoy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Georgia was adopted by a wealthy Southern family as a newborn. She's now in a locked psychiatric ward awaiting trial, accused of killing Annabelle, the biological daughter of that family. Georgia has her lawyer contact Mandy, her biological twin sister, though they have never met before. Georgia tells Mandy that she didn't kill Annabelle and she needs her help to get her out. Mandy doesn't know who or what to believe.

Told in short chapters from each sister's POV, this book drew me in right from the start. Neither narrator is completely reliable and you'll wonder just who or what you can believe. The twins seem to have a mysterious connection, and Mandy feels compelled to investigate Georgia's story. It's also interesting to see how differently the twins were raised - Georgia being raised by a wealthy family seemed to have gotten the better part of the bargain, but did she? The psychiatric ward was a creepy, scary place and I couldn't wait to see how all this was going to work out - and I wasn't disappointed. January LaVoy once again was fabulous, completely capturing both women's personalities perfectly. I couldn't stop listening!

This book was involving and kept me listening. I enjoyed the characters and the story. Both the sister dynamic and the who done it aspect made the listener want to keep going to find out what was going on. Wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of the main character! Well worth a listen.

Okay, this one? Creeped me out in the best way possible. From the moment the narration starts, the atmosphere wraps around you like a cold breath in a dark hallway. The pacing, the eeriness, the slow unraveling of what’s really happening in the locked psych ward—it’s addictive. You keep thinking you know what’s going on. You don’t.

Sarah Pekkanen crafts a chilling, intelligent psychological thriller that tiptoes right along the edge of madness, truth, and manipulation. The dual perspectives (and the flawless performances by all three narrators) really heighten the tension. Each voice adds depth and realism, making it feel like you're watching everything unfold from the inside. It’s unsettling in the best way.

And listen, if you’re into stories with twists that slap, unreliable narrators, and settings that feel claustrophobic and haunting—this one is 100% for you.

✨ ARC Review – Thank you to the publisher, author Sarah Pekkanen, and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy! ✨

Sarah Pekkanen is back with her always engrossing brand of twisty mystery that takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of roundabouts and unexpected turns in her newest novel, The Locked Ward. Georgia Cartwright, the privileged adopted daughter of the famously wealthy Cartwrights, is accused of killing her sister, Annabelle, the biological Cartwright daughter. The motive? Jealousy. There were all of those times, after all, that Georgia showed her ugly, mean side and tried to hurt Annabelle. Or were there? Regardless, Georgia is the one in the locked hospital ward, believing herself to be safe from the very powerful man who now wants her dead. But Georgia isn’t safe at all. The locked ward has its own dangers with no escape.

But Georgia does have an ace up her sleeve in the form of Amanda–Mandy–Ravenel, her twin who’s just been discovered by a private investigator. Mandy, needless to say, is shocked to learn of her connection to Georgia. And then she’s intrigued and angry at her beloved parents who omitted information from her upbringing. Unfortunately, now they’re both dead and they can’t explain any of their motivations to her.

When I say The Locked Ward is a novel full of twists, I am not kidding. Just as you begin to accept something as being truthful, you discover that it isn’t or that elements are not quite as straightforward as you may have thought.

The characters are equally as intriguing with their own idiosyncrasies and twists. I admit that Pekkanen fooled me several times with unexpected revelations. Were the clues there? Yes, in retrospect. I do love that no one was as they seemed. This left the door open for for all of the twisty mystery–my favorite kind.

January LaVoy was an outstanding narrator, bringing vocal definition to both Georgia and Mandy as well as the entire range of characters. She brought drama to the reading at the right time. An excellent narration that provided an enjoyable, engrossing listen.

The Locked Ward will be published on August 5th, just in time to throw it in your bag for some last minute beach reading.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy.