Book quote: “It's interesting to note that there are two groups of people who are rarely, if ever, suspected of murder. These groups are elderly women and little girls.
On the whole, when it comes to murder, the stats very much favor the men. The odd woman is thrown into the mix every now and again, but she's inevitably perimenopausal (and having been through the change myself, I certainly understand why). But an elderly woman or little girl committing murder? It's one in a million.”

This book was a mash up of some of her early work with a little mystery/thriller mixed in. Mabel, known to her friends now as Elise is uncovered as someone slips a note under her door “I know who you are” and she realizes that her quiet life is about to be upended. In an attempt to keep the media hounds at bay, she agrees to be filmed for a documentary and tell her side of story. The unfolding of her story is told in a then versus now narrative. The story centers around Mabel and her upbringing and ultimately how she comes to be known as Mad Mabel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this ARC in exchange for my review and honest opinion.

This is one of the funniest and most fabulous books I’ve read this year.

Mabel, as the reader will discover is living out her years in a quiet village, has been convicted of multiple heinous crimes. That’s all I will say about this very sweet old lady. Is Mabel mad (as in, insane, not angry)? Only the lucky person who reads this book will learn the truth.

The plot and character development are superior. The story of evolving relationships is wonderful and heartwarming. The writing is divine. I’m a big fan of Sally Hepworth, and I have to say that with Mad Mabel not only has she hit the ball out of the park she’s taken a different ball from the opponent’s end zone and run down the field for a touchdown.

Highly recommended!

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.

Maybe I can wrap this up with a few sentences I posted on my Goodreads once I was finished – OMG – what a story! That ending killed me. Tears were just rolling…

However, I won’t do that.

It is easy to form a preconceived notion of what a book will hold with the massive amounts of murder mysteries being published. Many readers are hooked on the thrills and chills.

When you open the cover of this one, I want to forget everything. Just read and absorb.

Hepworth has developed a character whom you are not sure if you should love or hate, but morphs into someone you want to hug and cry with. My heart broke a thousand times!

Mabel is funny, sarcastic, droll, and a delight. Her story is tragic and brings all of the emotions! Heartbreak and hugs are a great way to describe this one. Did she do it, or is she the best storyteller around?

You decide. Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth is an experience. This is not a story you will read today and forget tomorrow. This one will stay with you for a long time and demand a re-read as well!

Hepworth pours her heart out with this strange yet insightful and deep story. Not to be missed!

OMG – what a story! That ending killed me. Tears were just rolling…

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I adored this book. It’s about an 81 year old “killer.” I loved all the characters. I also liked the Then and Now timeline. Always kept you wanting to read more to get back to whatever’s timeline just left you with a cliff hanger. I loved the short chapters in this book. It was a quick read. Some stuff I figured out before it was revealed in the book. I was going to give this book a 4/5 but the way things were wrapped up in the last 5-10% of the book moved it to a 5/5 read for me. Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite “thriller” authors. She always has so many twists and turns in her books.

Sally Hepworth’s Mad Mabel is a captivating book that follows Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, an 81 year old woman, who lives a seemingly quiet life on Kenny Lane until an unexpected death in her neighborhood causes her difficult past to quickly resurface. This story is written with dual timelines as Elsie recounts the tragic events of her childhood. The story unfolds a little slow at times, but picks up in the end with some interesting plot twists! Overall, Mad Mabel was a great read with wonderful characters and plot development.

What a marvelous story! I enjoyed every word of this novel and fell in love with Mabel. This book entertained me on every level - at times it was hilariously funny, other times it was emotionally moving, heartrending and touching, suspenseful, intriguing... There were twists and surprises that blew my socks off. The characters are lovable, or most of them anyway, lol. The writing sucked me right into the story from page one. All in all, an extremely entertaining story, well told.

I received an advance reading copy from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own as I was not required to give a positive review.

Is Mad Mabel really mad or is she just misunderstood? What a story! I loved the way she unpeeled the layers on this book. Sally Hepworth is a master storyteller!

I’ve read several Sally Hepworth novels and she never disappoints! Mad Mabel was no exception and may just be my new favorite by this author!

A uniquely twisty tale of 81-year-old Elsie who has strived to live a quiet life and keep the tragedies of her past a secret. When her neighbor dies suddenly and she becomes a suspect, the mystery behind “what really happened” to all the people in her past begins to unravel.

Told in quick then/now chapters, this story blends mystery with sentiment with a full cast of lovable characters. Elsie’s sarcastic humor and wit was unmatched. She initially comes across as a very cranky old woman, but over the course of the story you see her soften and learn to understand where her walls originated. Her story was quite sad but her resilience was unforgettable.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Highly recommend! Pick this one up April 21, 2026!

Sally Hepworth does an excellent job at writing complex women. She delivers all the tension of a thriller — complete with suspicion, unearthed secrets, and the lingering question of whether Elsie is a villain or victim — while infusing the story with wit and surprising warmth. The result is a novel that feels both chilling and heartening, examining not only crime and justice but also redemption, identity, and the complicated legacies of family and community.

The opening of the novel took some time to draw me in, and I found myself stepping away from the book a few times. However, by the third act I was completely engrossed! The twist was both unexpected and mind blowing.

Five stars all the way! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

"There are two kinds of people no one ever expects to be: little girls and old ladies.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one years old. She's lived on her idyllic street for sixty years—longer than anyone else. Aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else's business, few would suspect that Elsie has a past she's worked exceedingly hard at concealing—because when it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies. And Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, once a little girl and now an old lady, has a strange history of people in her life coming to a foul end."

This book goes back and forth between present day and Elsie's/Mabel's childhood. The 9arrell timeliness were easy to follow and as I read one I couldn't wait to find out what happened on the other side.

The ending wasn't what I thought it would be but thst was fine.

This book won't be released until April 2025 so feel so blessed to have received this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher fir the ARC.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth is her best work yet. This domestic suspense novel has heart and twists! Elise’s voice is so strong that I felt like a friend was telling me this story. Mad Mabel examines friendships, community and murder. While I figured out one part of the twist, there is another part I didn’t see coming. As I read, I had to keep slowing myself down so I could savor this quirky, complex and interesting story.

My first Sally Hepworth read and I was blown away. “Mad Mabel” Elsie is a character I won’t forget , funny, flawed, and heartbreaking. The dual timelines kept me hooked, the cast was vibrant, and the emotions ran deep. Highly recommend!

Trigger warnings at end of review post! Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Sally Hepworth for the opportunity to receive and read this ARC.

Mad Mabel not yet released BUT should definitely be on your radar for 2026 Releases.

This was my first Sally Hepworth read, but I have heard so many outstanding reviews about her and this book did NOT disappoint.

Elsie Fitzpatrick, known to the rest of the world as Mad Mabel. An 81-year old woman, has been living a quiet life for the last 60 years on Kenny Lane. That is quiet until her elderly neighbor unexpectedly dies and while Elsie believes it’s due to old age, detectives (and possibly other neighbors) may believe foul play was suspected due to her past as Mad Mabel.

A neighbor (that knows of Elsie’s past) tips off the police and Elsie becomes a primary suspect. Her past reputation is quickly catching up to her, but is she really responsible for the kind of stuff she was blamed for? She’s approached by two young YouTubers who are interested in hearing HER side of the story once and for all…

The rest of the book goes back and forth between present day shenanigans and uncovering the secrets of her childhood. I LOVE how Sally uses Elsie to dive into the ins and outs of her life. It was written beautifully and I was hooked from the moment I started.

The character list is simple, but each of them pack a punch and add so much flare to the story. Even the little 7-year old girl from across the street is SUCH a firecracker. Sally Hepworth took her audience through every emotion from shock, surprise, sadness, excitement, etc. There is SO much depth in this book. I can’t wait for the release!

Trigger Warnings:
* Suicide
* Abandonment
* Child Loss
* Death
* Inappropriate teacher/student relations
* Violence
* Reference to domestic violence

𝗠𝗮𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗽𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 ⠀
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𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘪𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘧 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴." ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ʟɪɴᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏʟᴏɢᴜᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴀᴍ ʜᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ!
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This was so much fun. I finished 70% of this novel in one sitting and the other 30% the next day! Mad Mabel, murderess finally gets to tell her side of the story. At 81, she gets to let the world know how and why she was convicted and named "𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖'𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙧." ⠀⠀
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I loved the back and forth from the present to the past. I did figure out on tiny twist pretty early on but not the bigger one. I don't think anyone will see that coming. ⠀
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💯% ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ ᴛʜɪs ʙɪɴɢᴇᴡᴏʀᴛʜʏ ᴛʜʀɪʟʟᴇʀ!
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𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮, 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙃𝙚𝙥𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩. 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣'𝙨 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙖𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙡. 𝙈𝙖𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙪𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 𝟮𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. ⠀
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#Books #Bookstagram #Audiobookstagram #Booksta #Listentoread #ɴᴇᴛGalley #SallyHepworth #ARC #StMartinsPress #MadMabel #Bookaddict #Homelibrary #Ilovebooks #Prettybooks #Readingreviews #Ilovetoread #Supportlocalbookshops #TimeToRead #Tbr #Bookstack #Allthebooks #Bookstacks #Book #Audiobook #Lovetoread #2BooksAtATime #Kindle

"Mad Mabel" was a very enjoyable story. Mad Mabel/Elsie was a delightful character. She was the youngest person convicted of murder in Australia, but at eighty-one, she has long since put that life behind her. She has lived a relatively quiet life for decades, but her solitude ends after the death of elderly neighbor, Ishaan. The circumstances surrounding the discovery that Ishaan is dead ought to make it obvious that the death was from natural causes. However, Elsie's blunt comments, including referring to Ishaan as her nemesis, and her neighbor Joan's knowledge of her past (at least the stories that made the papers), results in Elsie being seen as a suspect, and in her identity as "Mad Mabel" being revealed. This brings a lot of attention to normally quiet Kenny Lane, much of negative. It also presents Elsie with an opportunity to tell her side of the "Mad Mabel" story; people around her have a bad habit of dying, at least one of whom dies at her hands.

The story the author crafts to explain Mabel's childhood and the deaths of those around her/connected to her is interesting and intricate. Mabel/Elsie's current life is also interesting, especially when she ends up responsible for Ishaan's deranged chihuahua (Nugget) and gets "adopted" as the new best friend of Persephone, a seven-year-old terror who is equal parts irritating and endearing. Elsie will gain a new perspective on some of her neighbors, as will they of her. The story contains some rather good plot twists.

What can I say about this book but OMG you must read it! I absolutely adore Sally Hepworth's book and this one is her best! It is about Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick (Mad Mabel) an 81 year.old woman with a mysterious troubled past. When it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies
Elise has lived in her home peacefully for six decades. A neighbor dies and Elise is the one who finds him. It unravels her past and news reporters will not leave her alone. Elise decides to sit down with two young podcasters and tell her side of this tragic story. Is she really Mad Mabel or has she been treated unfairly her entire life?
Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the advanced readers copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date April 2026

5 stars & easily the best book I’ve read this year!

I can now confidently say Sally Hepworth has become my favorite psychological suspense/domestic thriller author. Her books aren’t high-adrenaline thrillers, but they are the kind of page-turners that hook you and don’t let go. Mad Mabel had everything I love: witty humor, sharp writing, unexpected twists, and some of the quirkiest loveable side characters I’ve ever met.

At the center is Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, a most fascinating character. She’s 81, smart, sarcastic, resilient, and unapologetically grumpy in a way that makes her unforgettable. But she’s also spent her life under the shadow of a cruel legend. The book is told in two timelines, the now and revelations of the ongoing mishaps that followed her (or happened because of her) of her childhood. As a child both her appearance and aloofness made her an easy target, and the whispers of “Mad Mabel” grew into gossip, then hardened into myth. When a neighbor who always treated her coldly dies mysteriously and Elsie is the one to find the body, that old nickname resurfaces and her reputation takes another hit. This time, though, she’s not content to sit quietly anymore. She tells her story in her own voice, choosing two young podcasters as her confidants.

The result is a story that had me laughing, tearing up, and delighted by the twists and turns. It touched my heart in ways I wasn’t expecting, and I know I’ll be thinking about Elsie long after finishing. Whether you see her as the “crazy murderer lady” or a deeply misunderstood soul, she is unforgettable. Sally Hepworth’s signature blend of humor and suspense shines through on every page, and I absolutely loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was really a book about relationships and community rather than murder or mystery. It was mysterious but not thrilling. I enjoyed the characters and the flashbacks as well as the Anne of Green Gable references. I teared up a couple times with Elsie. I especially enjoyed Persephone. Everyone needs a bosom friend!

The book drew me in instantly with the main character Elsie's opening sentence - "When it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies."

The story alternates between Now - present day 81 year old "Mad Mabel" (Elsie) and Then - all of the events in Elsie's life that have led up to the current events. This is an engrossing story of how humans can persevere through challenging circumstances. Loved the quirky characters in Elsie's neighborhood (especially Persephone - the little girl across the street) who helped to bring Elsie out of her curmudgeon shell. Reminds of the idea that it's never too late to become who we might have been.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC provided via NetGalley. The publication date is April 21, 2026.

Another fantastic novel by Hepworth. Her novels center around flawed characters and some sensitive issues… but are always softened by her sarcasm and wit. Mad Mabel is no exception. This 81 year old has a past that she has worked hard to hide. And who would believe that this cranky old lady could possibly be capable of murder? 5 star read!