Here’s a solid mystery thriller about twin sisters separated at birth, recently reunited because one is in the psychiatric ward, accused of murder. We also get a Senator, an extremely wealthy Southern family, a creeper, and some sinister shadowy characters. Everyone has secrets and the plot twists keep coming.

Even though the book lacked that sparkle that would make me rate it five stars, I enjoyed it and was in suspense to learn what would happen next. The pacing was swift and the plot unfolded quickly enough that I stayed interested. The two main characters were engaging and dynamic. I recommended this book to anyone who likes contemporary thrillers.


Thank you Netgalley for giving me both the eARC and the audio book ARC, for free, for review consideration. Reading and listening is my favorite way to experience a book.

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is a darkly atmospheric psychological thriller that grabs hold from the very first scene and doesn’t let go until the final, chilling twist. Suspenseful, character-driven, and emotionally fraught, it explores the murky waters of sisterhood, trust, and the sinister power of buried secrets.

The story centers around Georgia, accused of killing her wealthy family's biological daughter and confined to a psychiatric institution for the criminally insane. When her estranged twin sister Amanda visits, Georgia’s only plea is, “I didn’t do it. You’ve got to get me out of here.” Despite years of distance and doubt, Amanda is drawn into a terrifying spiral of questions: Is her sister truly innocent—or a cunning manipulator with blood on her hands?

What elevates the audiobook experience so significantly is the phenomenal narration by January LaVoy. Her performance is nothing short of immersive. She brings the story to life by giving each character a distinct voice and emotional depth, adding tension and urgency with every line. Her portrayal of the eerie, unsettling environment of the institution—known as the Locked Ward—makes it feel vividly real and claustrophobically tense. LaVoy’s nuanced shifts between Georgia’s fragile desperation and Amanda’s growing unease make the unfolding drama all the more compelling.

While the plot occasionally dips into familiar thriller territory, the emotional weight of the sisters’ complicated relationship and the expertly layered mystery keep it engaging throughout. Pekkanen masterfully plants seeds of doubt at every turn, ensuring listeners constantly second-guess what they think they know.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers that delve into family trauma and unreliable narrators—and especially if you appreciate top-tier audiobook performances—The Locked Ward is a must-listen. Just be warned: some doors are better left unopened.

Highly recommended on audio for fans of Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware, or Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen’s earlier work.

For fans of Freida McFadden comes a new bingeable psychological thriller.

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?

This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while and yes I did so in one sitting. The action starts on page one and not once does it slow down. In this multi pov we get the story told by both sisters, each being filled with twists and turns around every corner.
I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend

The Locked Ward is a great fast paced popcorn thriller that had me completely hooked. I went into it thinking I had a good idea of where things were headed, but I was wrong in the way I love being wrong with books! The twist caught me off guard and added a whole new layer to the story that I didn’t see coming.

If you’re in the mood for something twisty, unsettling, and completely addictive, this is a thriller worth picking up.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the e-arc and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

A new thriller by Sarah Pekkanen narrated by January LaVoy….let me at it!! Every book by this author is highly addictive and impossible to put down. January LaVoy is always fabulous and brings all the characters to life and pulls you into the story. I listened to this in a day because I just needed to know how it was going to end, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Imagine discovering that you had a twin sister that you knew nothing about. Now imagine you find out about. When that sister is arrested for murdering her other sister. Wild right? Mandy gets a call from a lawyer requesting she go visit her long lost sister, Georgia, in the psychiatric hospital she has been put in after her arrest. Georgia claims innocence and Mandy feels a connection to her sister even though she doesn’t even know her. The 2 set out to prove Georgias innocence.

It is really strange to see your name in a book, especially as a main character! it was fun though. I really enjoyed this crazy story of family, wealth and so many secrets.

Thanks so so much to Macmillan Audio for my early copy to listen to. Out on August 5th.

The Locked Ward is the story of Georgia Cartwright, who is accused of murder and currently housed in a locked unit for the criminally insane. She employs the help of her twin sister, Mandy, whom she was separated from at birth. The two of them work together to gather clues, exonerate Georgia, and hopefully identify the person who actually committed the murder.

This was fairly interesting and very easy to read, however it was not very thrilling most of the time. I did enjoy the ending very much, but felt it just wasn’t quite enough to carry the rest of the story. I suspect fans of Frieda McFadden may enjoy this. Unfortunately, I was left feeling lukewarm about this particular story. It wasn’t terrible, but I didn’t love it. 3.25 stars.

Sarah Pekkanen is one of my favorite psychological thriller authors. This book started off slower than her previous books for me. Twin sisters separated at birth not knowing about each other and one is accused of murder. Georgia is locked in a psychiatric hospital and needs her sister Amanda to get her out. Family secrets, political aspirations and family love are the themes in this story. I enjoyed the novel.

Thank you #NetGalley, #MacmillianAudio, #SarahPekkanen, #JanuaryLaVoy and #TheLockedWard for the audiobook for my honest review.

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that kept me turning pages late into the night. With its layered mystery and alternating character viewpoints, this book delivers a tense, thought-provoking narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The shifting perspectives add depth and complexity, offering insight into each character’s motivations and secrets. Pekkanen masterfully peels back the layers of truth in a psychiatric hospital where no one is quite who they seem.

A great read that makes you think—and nearly impossible to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If it wasn't entertaining I definitely would have dnf'd this

This book read like an idea board if im being honest which left me with a bit of a headache

I liked the idea of a former psychology student using their lessons to help them plee an insanity defense for a crime. I wish there was a lot more of that aspect in here

Overall though, an apple tree that grew mangos on the 31st of February would be more believable than 95% of what we have here.

I feel like there's a lot of really good ideas here that would have made good books of their own. But thrown together it felt like that last struggle meal you throw together the night before payday. Slightly satisfying, Slightly painful, & slightly humorous

Normally I start with the plot even for audiobooks but for this one I’ll start with the narrator- January LaVoy
Absolutely loved her for this audiobook. Suited perfectly for the characters; nicely done ✅
The production and flow of the audiobook was perfect. No remarks.

Now for the plot; I absolutely loved it. Anything related to psych wards immediately peaks my interest and I’m glad I read this one. Since I read “The Golden Couple”, I have loved Sarah Pekkanen.
The plot was fast paced, extremely interesting with twists and turns. Proved that perspectives are everything and extremely important. It was predictable for me but still loved every minute of it because of the way it was written.

2 people POV
Short chapters (always love it)
Fast-paced
Psychological ward
Uncover past secrets

** A Promising Premise that Gets Lost in the Shadows ** The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen had all the makings of a gripping psychological thriller—family secrets, mental institutions, and a mysterious murder—yet somehow, it didn’t quite live up to its potential. I was hooked early on, imagining the eerie corridors of the institution and the chilling secrets lurking behind locked doors. However, as the story unfolded, I found the plot leaning into quite a few tropes — the suspicious family, the unreliable narrator, and twists that felt a little too convenient. The characters, especially Georgia and Amanda, are interesting but lack depth that would have made their emotional rollercoaster resonate more. The ending, while packed with shocks, felt a bit rushed and somewhat predictable, which took away from the surprise factor. That said, Pekkanen’s atmospheric writing creates a story that is definitely page-turning—once I got past the clichéd moments—and it kept me guessing whether Georgia was a victim or a mastermind. It’s a dark and twisty ride, but I wish the story had been sharper and more original in its execution. Overall, The Locked Ward is a decent thriller—entertaining and suspenseful enough for a weekend read.

The Locked Ward immediately pulls you into a thrilling mystery about twin sisters who never knew each other existed until one of them, Georgia, finds herself locked up in a psych ward. She's been accused of murdering her sister, Annabelle, who seemingly "had it all." Georgia, who always felt unwanted and was scolded for her childhood tricks for attention, vehemently denies the murder.

Mandy, her newly discovered twin sister, becomes her only hope. We get both Georgia's and Mandy's points of view, which is fascinating as you see how incredibly similar these separated twins are, yet how they view the same intense situation through completely different lenses. Georgia struggles to communicate and connect with Mandy under constant surveillance, while Mandy dives headfirst into Georgia's life, searching her home and connecting with her friends, desperate for answers. Georgia even warns Mandy that people will come after her next, creating a chilling "why?" that drives much of the story.

This book was a fast-paced and engaging read, packed with unexpected twists, turns, and delicious family scandals. Themes of rich privilege, politics, and sibling rivalry are woven throughout, adding depth to the suspense. It was definitely a nice popcorn thriller that kept me hooked! I also thoroughly enjoyed the narration; it was expressive and engaging, making the story even more immersive.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 8/5/25.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen, narrated by January LaVoy.
Sarah Pekkanen has become one of my new favorite mystery writers, and teaming up with January LaVoy makes the audio version of her books a sure success. The Locked Ward follows twin sisters that were separated from birth and are reconnected following a murder and one sister's accusation and detention in a psych ward. Pekkanen expertly uses first person and second person narration to separate the two sisters' chapters. The second person point of view is rarely used, but puts the reader into the character's story. The ending felt a little too forced and neatly tied-up, but overall the book was well done.

📚 The Locked Ward 🎧
✍ Sarah Pekkanen
📖 Mystery/Thriller
⭐4/5
📆 Out 6/5/2025!
➡ Wealthy Southern wedding planner Georgia Cartwright has been accused of murdering her sister. Locked in a psychiatric unit and unable to plead her case without risking her life, she must put all her trust into someone she's never met: her other sister.
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🙏 Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley and the author for an advanced listener copy of The Locked Ward. All opinions are my own.
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🎯 What I loved: I really enjoy Sarah Pekkanen's writing and found both main characters in this book both intriguing and likeable which was fun and different for a thriller. I was riveted the first three quarters of this book and thought the way things unfolded and relationships were revealed was propulsive. The audio was really well done and though there were quite a few characters, it was easy to follow and the narrator did a great job with tone and pacing.

🙅‍♀️ What I didn't: This story developed so well until the very end when several pieces of it fell by the wayside. Characters who I thought had a deeper connection to the resolution just disappeared and subplots that I was invested in didn't get tied up. I was also really confused by the second person narration used for one of the characters- this is a dual POV book about two sisters but one is written in second person while the other is in first person and I'm not sure what function that served.
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Read if you love:
*secret twins
*wealthy southern families
*complicated family dynamics
*psych ward + selective mutism
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See also: Good Half Gone, The Silent Patient, The Senator's Wife

Thank you to Macmillan audio and NetGalley for this audio arc. I was also lucky enough to receive the kindle arc as well. I enjoyed doing immersive reading. The narrator did a great job.

The Locked Ward
Sarah Pekkanen
Pub: 8/5
3.5☆

Was it...
Bitter, all-consuming jealousy?
Pathological sibling rivalry?
Pure insanity?

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?

My Thoughts:
This was a fun, fast paced thriller told in dual POV. I enjoyed the action packed story, the short chapters, and the level of suspense. I struggled with Georgia’s second person POV and felt the ending was slightly underwhelming so it ended up being a like vs love for me. I’ve really enjoyed other books by Pekkanen so I look forward to what is next.

I did a mixed format read on this one and really enjoyed January LaVoy’s narration.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted copies.

A quick read with identified POV, short chapters and an original storyline. This was not my favourite by Sarah Pekkanen but it enjoyed it. It improved significantly in the last third of the story, after everything had been setup. At that point I couldn’t put it down until I knew how ever played out.
The narration of the audiobook is well done. The narrator’s voice is well paced, clear, and very easy to listen to. (3.5/5)
Thank You to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version of this ARC.

I’ve read and enjoyed several of Sarah Pekkanen’s books, so I was really looking forward to The Locked Ward. The premise was compelling and had so much potential, but unfortunately, this one fell a bit short for me.

The story felt at times it didn’t have a direct direction to go in, making it hard to stay fully immersed. I was hoping for more suspense and tighter pacing to really hook me in. The twist, while decent, didn’t quite land with the impact I expected from a psychological thriller. It just didn’t have that wow moment.

That said, it wasn’t a bad book. The narration on the audiobook was solid, and there were moments that kept me interested. Overall, this was an average read for me. Nothing particularly memorable, but not a total miss either.

WOW…. This book took me a while to read, but not because it was bad. I was taking my time letting it last. I loved this book. The twist and turns that came from this book had me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t guess anything that happened, but I loved the whole ride. I took a day to really think about it and get over how mind blown I was with it. The set up for the entire book was amazing so that it pulled you through the entire book. Pekkanen sets herself up in the best way where everything is laid out (but takes an eye to see) and her pacing is constant throughout the book.


One of my favorite parts (that isn't a spoiler) is the way Pekkanen wrote the perspectives of the sisters. The ability that she had to show the reader through the writing which sister it was is so clever. Mandy is written with “I” while Georgia is written with “you”. These subtle things are just what makes this author great.

The narrator, January LaVoy, did a very good job with this audiobook. I was very much immersed in the story from beginning to end.

Definitely a must read for thriller fans!


Thank you NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Unfortunately I DNF this one.

I stopped at 44% because everything was happening way too slow for my liking. I didn’t find myself intrigued by the characters or the background as to why Georgia called her sister for help. Nothing about this story was holding my attention as it felt like a drag. I also didn’t enjoy the writing and the back and forth of the POV.