This book was a 4.5⭐ rounded up to 5 for me.

It was not what I was expecting going in, which always makes the book better, especially when a locked psych ward is what you're expecting!

I think reviews for this book are going to be all over the board with this book because there are things that are not resolved fully, not "realistic" per se, and were just looking for something different from this book.

I like Sarah Pekkanen's books (at least the 3 I've read) because there is a sense of reality, and it's scary enough that it could happen to someone you know, but probably not to you. And I like that little degree of separation.

This book probably won't be what you're expecting- so go for it with an open mind and surprise yourself. :D

Thank you to @macmillianaudio and netgalley for my #gifted copy.
Georgia finds herself in a locked ward after being accused of murdering her sister. The thing is she has another sister, a twin, Georgia knows Mandy will her help her figure out what really happened to her stepsister even though they had never meet. While I liked the plot and thought it was entertaining, I just didn't really care for any of the characters. That usually makes it hard for me to get invested in the story. I did have a good time listening to Mandy try to figure out a whole side of family and her trying to figure out why Georgia would murder her sister or if she even did! The narration made it all more enjoyable, I defiantly recommend audiobooks narrated by January Lavoy.
2.5 *

There’s something about thrillers involving twins that always draws me in—and The Locked Ward did not disappoint. Sarah Pekkanen’s latest psychological thriller is a chilling, twist-filled page-turner that kept me engaged from start to finish, and the eerie setting of a locked psychiatric institution only deepened the suspense.

The novel centres on Georgia Cartwright, the glamorous, adopted daughter of a wealthy Southern family. Outwardly, her life seemed perfect—but beneath the surface simmered jealousy, resentment, and a sense of never quite belonging. Now, accused of murdering her younger sister Annabelle, Georgia is confined to a high-security psychiatric hospital, awaiting trial. When she whispers to a visitor, “You’ve got to get me out of here. I didn’t do it,” the story takes a sharp and intriguing turn.

That visitor is Amanda—Georgia’s estranged twin, who had no idea she even had a sister. Amanda doesn’t know whether to believe Georgia, but she also can’t ignore the plea, especially in a place that seems more haunted than healing.

Told in short, alternating chapters, the story follows Amanda as she unravels the mystery behind Annabelle’s death and Georgia’s complicated past. Despite their separation at birth, Pekkanen captures the growing emotional bond between the two women beautifully. There’s a strong focus on their diverging upbringings, what led to their separation, and how these early experiences shaped them. I appreciated how thoroughly their backstories were explored—it made the final twist all the more impactful.

And what a twist it is. Just when I thought I had things figured out, Pekkanen pulled the rug out from under me. The plot developments are clever and compelling, and there are some genuinely chilling moments—especially within the walls of the psychiatric institution—that gave me goosebumps.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by January LaVoy, and her performance was outstanding. She brought both Georgia and Amanda to life with nuance and tension, making an already suspenseful story even more immersive. I’d highly recommend the audiobook if you’re looking for a gripping listen.

Final Thoughts:

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with dark family secrets, layered characters, and shocking twists, The Locked Ward is absolutely worth picking up.

I received an ARC of this audiobook from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎧Song Pairing: Sisters - Radical Face

💭What I thought would happen:

Someone is locked up who shouldn’t be? Should be? Shouldn’t be until the very end and you realize hoooo fuck they guilty? I guess we shall see 😂

📖What actually happens:

😱Secret twin
💋Crime not committed
🪦Whodunnit
📖Binge-y

🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:

Did you ever watch The Parent Trap? So like that but not even at all. Maybe if The Parent Trap was directed by Eli Roth (iykyk).

Loved it. Couldn’t get enough of it. I had an hour left on audio and had to go on stupid vacation with my stupid family (kidding). I got to finish while getting ready the day we arrived 😂

I read House of Glass last year and thought yeah fine so I didn’t have high hopes, just wanted a thriller and was beyond pleasantly surprised!

To be enjoyed with a fist full of Sour Patch Kidz

We’ve got twin sisters, a murder charge, a creepy psychiatric hospital, and a Southern family with enough secrets to fill a vault. Georgia swears she didn’t do it. Amanda doesn’t believe her—but also can’t walk away. That tension alone had me locked in.

✨ What worked:
• The atmosphere was A+. That psych ward setting? Unsettling in the best way.
• Family drama was juicy—rich people behaving terribly is always a good time.
• I loved the “can I trust her?” angle. Every chapter added just enough doubt.

🤔 What missed for me:
• Some reveals felt a little convenient.
• I wish the twins’ relationship had even more emotional depth—it scratched the surface but didn’t dig as deep as it could’ve.

Still, it’s a tight psychological thriller with solid pacing and a few great “wait, WHAT?!” moments. Perfect if you want a twisty, quick read with unreliable characters and a dark vibe.

Georgia Cartwright has been accused of murdering her sister and is currently locked away in a psychiatric institution awaiting trial. When her estranged twin, Amanda, visits, Georgia says only one thing: “I didn’t do it.” It’s up to Amanda to piece together the mystery and uncover the truth that could set her sister free.

Sarah Pekkanen once again delivers a twisty mystery that kept me guessing until the very end in this advanced listening copy. The story is told in dual POV and narrated by January LaVoy, who does a fabulous job bringing each character to life. However, the shift between first-person and second-person narration felt a bit jarring at times. I found it distanced me slightly from the tension I expected, particularly in Georgia’s sections. Still, the unique structure and gripping premise make this a compelling and memorable listen.

This was a suspension thriller from the very start. So suspenseful and intriguing. I didn’t figure out the ending at all. It really kept me guessing.

I have read several Pekkanen books, and I was excited to get to this one, but sadly it missed the mark for me.
Someone wakes up in a locked mental ward, convicted of murder, and things start to unfold when she contacts her twin sister that she didn't know existed.
When the twins discovered each other I found their thought processes to be a little ridiculous, some of the "I can sense my twin" stuff made me heavily roll my eyes. As the story began to unfold I did eventually find it interesting, but I hated the treatment of women in this book overall. The patient in the ward, the mysterious patient that she connects with, her adoptive mother and her friend, and even the murdered sister were all treated in the worst way. The worst women who's lives revolved around the men in them, and while I understand that is still part of society today, I just did not love reading about it.
Overall, this one was very just okay. The book was well produced and I did love the narrator, she is one of my favorites.

Georgia Cartwright was adopted at birth. She is currently locked in a psych ward, accused of murdering the biological daughter of her affluent parents. Georgia isn’t talking except when she whispers to her newfound twin sister, Amanda, “I didn’t do it.” Georgia is desperate to prove her innocence. But can Amanda trust Georgia?

I am a huge fan of Sarah Pekkanen’s writing and jumped at the chance to read and review this one. I enjoyed the points of view of both Georgia and Amanda. The plot of the story was excellent. I enjoyed the twists and turns. The narration by January LaVoy was perfect. I recommend this one to anyone that enjoys twisty thrillers! I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

While I’ve really tried to vary my readings lately and have even set a limit that I must read multiple other categories of books before I read about thriller now, I still find myself breaking that rule and reading thrillers anyways. This thriller definitely was worth the read. I tried to compare it to other books such as Ward D by Frieda McFadden or The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides because of the ward idea, but I think this book sits in its own category because of the unique story line, unique twists that tie up some seeming red herrings, and a well-developed set of characters. I didn’t expect this thriller to keep my attention as well as it did due to being disappointed by some thrillers, but I was pretty well-engaged from the beginning until the final twists.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I went into The Locked Ward expecting a deep dive into the inner workings of a psychiatric hospital, but it didn’t quite deliver on that front. While the setting is technically a locked mental health unit, it ended up feeling more like a backdrop for a domestic thriller than a true exploration of life inside psychiatric care.

That said, this was still a very solid and enjoyable read. The short, alternating chapters between Georgia and Mandy kept the pace moving fast—definitely one of those books you can finish in a day or two. I liked the premise: estranged twin sisters, one locked away after a murder accusation, the other just discovering her sibling’s existence. It was twisty, high-stakes, and full of secrets.

But I kept wanting more from the setting. The psych ward didn’t feel real or detailed—almost like it was written by someone who had only seen it on TV. Some other readers mentioned this too, especially those with experience in healthcare or mental health settings. If you’re looking for a gritty, accurate portrayal of psychiatric treatment or institutions, this isn’t it.

Still, I enjoyed the suspense and the idea of uncovering family secrets through the lens of mental health and trauma. It’s not overly complicated, and some of the twists are predictable, but it’s definitely entertaining and hard to put down. I just wish the hospital had felt more like a character in itself, instead of a set piece.

Final thoughts: If you’re in the mood for a quick, binge-worthy psychological thriller with family drama and a few surprises, this will hit the spot. Just adjust your expectations on the psychiatric aspect.

The Locked Ward
by Sarah Pekkanen
4/5⭐

I could not put The Locked Ward down. From the first chapter, Sarah Pekkanen drew me into a gripping psychological thriller. The short chapters kept the pace brisk and the suspense high.

The dual POV structure centers on two sisters, Georgia and Mandy. Georgia is accused of murder and placed in a psych ward. Mandy is determined to uncover the truth and help her sister. Both women are fascinating, layered characters, and honestly, I did not know whom I should trust. My one complaint is that Mandy’s chapters are written in the first person, while Georgia’s are in the second person. I did not understand the shift in writing style or purpose.

While I saw one of the twists coming early on, the full ending still managed to surprise me, and it was completely satisfying. If you’re looking for a thriller that’s fast-paced and full of secrets, The Locked Ward is absolutely worth your time.

Special thanks to @netgalley and @Macmillan.Audio for the audiobook ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: August 5, 2025

This might not be the best Pekkanen book I've read, but it is still pretty amazing. As usual the main characters are well thought out and developed, and the twists keep you entertained.
A set of twin girls are separated at birth, and tragic circumstances reunite them. As they try to get to know each other, they both have to figure out how much is manipulation and if they can trust the only real family they have left.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.

3.5🌟

This psychological thriller opens with an intriguing premise: twin sisters separated at birth, a murder accusation, and a psychiatric ward at the center of it all. The alternating timelines are easy to follow, and the short, bingeable chapters make it a quick and engaging read. Mandy, the main character, is pulled into a whirlwind when she learns about her twin sister Georgia, who’s been accused of murdering Annabell, the biological daughter of the wealthy family that adopted her. The story leans more into family/societial drama and emotional unraveling than horror or suspense.

Although the premise is strong, a few elements kept this from being a 4-star read. Certain aspects of the mental hospital and its procedures felt off. The repeated mentions of the girls having a strong "twin connection" felt necessary to the story. The ending left me a little confused, but overall, the journey was interesting and kept me guessing and engaged.

Loved the narration on this story; she did a great job, and it was easy to follow.

Good book! Thank you for the Advanced copy. I love this writer and have read her works in the past. I had really high hopes for this book after reading the description. It was a bit of a slow burn building up to the climax of the story. The story is told in two perspectives and it starts off leading the reader in one direction only to switch up and throw in a curveball that you wouldn’t expect. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book after it got to the exciting mystery part. The book held my interest, made me want to get to the bottom of the mystery and I would definitely recommend it to others.

This book just ok. I was bored and uninterested in the story line. The big plot twist fell flat for me. I liked how we got both Georgias and Mandy's POV but I don't know why Georgias POV was told in second person. It was weird to listen to. I enjoyed 2 other books from this author and sad this book wasn't it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Sarah Pekkanen does it again. This book sucked me in from the get-go. A set of twins, separated at birth - now one of them is in a psych ward (Georgia) and is potentially a murderer and she calls on her, unknowing twin (Amanda) to prove her innocent and save her from life in prison. This story unfolds in the most intriguing way. As Amanda digs into her past, the connection between her and Georgia and the murder, the things she uncovers prove shocking.

This was a definite page-turner, or in my case, quick audio listen. My only gripe is that the ending seemed a bit abrupt and I wanted there to be more to the story. Overall though, this was a great book though and if you're a Sarah Pekkanen fan or just looking for a new psychological thriller to checkout, you won't regret picking up this one!

January LaVoy narrated the heck out the audio version, per usual, making it an easy and enjoyable listening experience all-around.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sarah Pekkanen is quickly becoming a favourite author. When I see her name, my interest is definitely piqued!

There are mixed reviews on this one and I sort of see why some people might not like it. The shock factor was not as strong as some people are looking for. But the hook is fantastic and pulls you right in. The atmosphere of the ward is perfectly creepy and unsettling. I love the sister connection and slowly watching the relationship between Georgia and Amanda grow, as well as gaining more insight into Georgia and Annabelle's relationship.

This is a propulsive story that you will devour in no time!

Two sisters separated at birth, one adopted by a prominent Southern family and now imprisoned in a high security psychiatric ward, accused of murdering the biological daughter of her adopted parents. Georgia would never harm the sister she grew up with, but she knows there are powerful forces at work to ensure she is kept locked away forever.

When Amanda is contacted by a defense attorney telling her she has a biological twin sister who is requesting to see her, she is skeptical. Amanda is currently keeping her parents' bar afloat after their deaths and figuring herself out, the last thing she needs is to find out someone is making allegations that she was adopted and estranged from a twin at birth. A reluctant visit to the psychiatric ward, her DNA relationship confirmed, and the silent pleas from Georgia to help save her force Amanda into a world of secrets, wealth, and power that could mean danger for both her and Georgia.

A dark psychological thriller told in dual points of view from both Georgia and Amanda, Pekkanen's latest is a decent read, but there felt like something missing to make it a truly shocking suspense thriller. Everything seemed pretty predictable, there were no huge twists and the characters were just ok to me. I never felt truly invested in either twin, which made it hard for me to get into this one. January LeVoy did a great job of narrating the book, as always.

I've read other titles by Pekkanen and had been looking forward to this one. It just seemed to fall flat to me.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the short chapters and dual POVs, but did not love the second person narrative in Georgia’s chapters. It wasn’t the most exciting or twisty book. Some parts felt repetitive but overall it was an entertaining book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.