You can’t not love Mabel after reading this book! She’s the octogenarian main character you’ve been waiting for. There were so many layers to this mystery and dare I say it’s snarky, darkly funny and heartwarming. I loved it and I will continue to read anything Sally Hepworth writes. This is a softer side of her writing and I loved it. Always twisty and keeps you guessing the whole ride to the end. Masterfully crafted

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is 81 years old. She's lived on her street, Kenny Lane, for 60 years, longer than anyone else. Aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else's business, few would suspect that Elsie has a past that she has 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. When a new little girl (talkative, curious, nosy) moves into the neighborhood and stops at nothing to befriend Elsie, her carefully-constructed life threatens to come crashing down as the secrets in Elsie's past start coming to light. Who was "Mad Mabel" fifty years ago? Who is Elsie Fitzpatrick today? And if the past has a habit of repeating itself, who has the most to lose?

I LOVE Sally Hepworth and was so excited to get an early copy of this. I went in thinking it was a thriller which I think made the story fall flatter for me. This story actually had a lot of depth to it and was really unique! It kind of reminded me of Strange Sally Diamond, more sad and dark than ‘thriller’. The story kind of felt all over the place at times, however I couldn’t put this one down and needed to know how it would end! The characters were really endearing and there are a few twists at the end that I didn’t see coming at all! (3.5 ⭐️)

✨ Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts ✨

Available April 21, 2026

Hepworth really knows how to write a murder mystery that is witty, funny and heartwarming.

Mabel, an 81 year old woman, has decided to tell her story to two podcasters. She was the youngest Australian to be convicted of murder. But there is so much more to Mabel and her story.

Mabel is so well-written. She wants to come off with a gruff exterior but she has so much love to give those around her, even if her delivery is that of a curmudgeon. The soft side really shows when the seven year old neighbor takes a shine to Mabel.

Her telling of her story is heartbreaking but filled with sarcastic humor.

I loved everything about this book. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins for the opportunity to read this in advance.

The dual timelines of this book were well handled, each switch ending on a cliffhanger that made me not want to put the book down. The shorter chapters kept the pace moving and made it so easy to stay hooked. While the darker tones of the past storyline kept me on edge, they were balanced beautifully with humor and a wonderfully complex cast of characters.

Mabel especially stood out. Her tough, sarcastic exterior hides a vulnerable side that completely warmed my heart (yes, there were a couple tears). The banter between Mabel and little Persephone was adorable, and their tender moments carried real emotional weight. The darkness and misfortune that Mabel had to endure as a child and to see how those events followed her throughout her life was heartbreaking. Uncovering the secrets of her past was wild, emotional at times, and kept me engaged to the very end.

Thank you so much St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this eARC!

I loved Mad Mabel (the character). The book was delightful, and a nice surprise for Sally Hepworth. A bit...softer than her recent books, but in a good way! Like a Thursday Murder Club or Lenny Marks kind of soft. The book was paced really well, and didn't add too much flowery-ness or unnecessary content. Overall, super enjoyable!

Sally Hepworth is truly a master storyteller, and Mad Mabel is no exception—in fact, it’s my favorite of hers yet! This novel blends mystery with sentiment, weaving suspense, heart, and a cast of unforgettable characters you can’t help but love.

At the center is Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, an 81-year-old woman with a tragic and traumatic past. Hepworth writes her so vividly that I felt like I knew her personally. Elsie is sharp, witty, a little grumpy, and absolutely endearing. For decades, she’s lived a quiet, peaceful life—until one of her neighbors is found dead, and suspicion falls on her. Why? Because once upon a time, Elsie was “Mad Mabel,” the cursed child, tragedy seemed to follow everywhere she went. Shunned, bullied, and blamed for every misfortune, Elsie has carried that weight her whole life. Now, thrust back into the spotlight, she’s given the chance to finally tell her story when two podcasters invite her to share it on their show.

Elsie is a character who will stay with me for a long time. Parts of her story are laugh-out-loud funny, while others are absolutely heartbreaking—so keep the tissues close. While there are definitely thriller elements, the true heart of this novel lies in Elsie’s journey: her resilience, her humor, and her unforgettable voice.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this moving and riveting ARC. I absolutely loved it, and all opinions are my own.

I adore Hepworth's books and almost literally inhaled this one! Elsie was known as Mad Mabel when she was young and even now, as a very tall woman, she has trouble "fitting in" with her neighbors. Told in a "now" and "then" format, the novel details her struggles at school and home--especially after her young sister dies from polio. A young girl, Persephone, befriends her but Persephone's mother isn't too thrilled with her daughter spending time with "Mad Mabel." This is a wonderfully convoluted story of a misfit, kind neighbors, and the power to become who and what you want to be. I loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Elsie is 81 years old and has lived alone on her street for more than 60 years. As a child she was known as mad mabel and she's worked hard to make sure no one knows that. Persiphone, a 7 year old girl, had decided Elsie is her friend and it seems they both need one. One day, her neighbor's dog won't stop barking so Elsie goes over to stop him... Except it turns out the neighbor is dead. It's not a surprise as he was elderly but for some reason the cops are investigating Elsie. She suspects Linda, one of her other neighbors, knows she was mad mabel and reported her. Now it's all coming to a head. Not only are the police investigating her, but the press won't leave her alone. Sure decides to tell her story to some you-tubers. It's about time she thinks.

Mad Mabel is not what I was expecting. The story followed quirky 81 year old Mabel and her relationships with her neighbours as she told her story while being interviewed for a podcast.
You can’t help but love these characters in this unique story. Hepworth’s storytelling keeps the reader engaged, at no time did I feel bored.
This was my second Sally Hepworth novel and she is now a must read author for me!
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this fantastic book before its release in the spring!

I will forever read anything Sally Hepworth writes. This one was so different, but no exception. Definitely give this one a try.

I loved this so much!!
It’s rare for me to really enjoy all of the characters but I did with this one. And I wish I had a friend like Daphne!! The dual timeline added so much to the story and it was all very well written

One of my very few 5 star reads of the year and I’m so glad I found it!

I can’t wait to read more from this author

Thank you to NetGalley & St, Martin’s Press for the ARC! Highly recommend this read to everyone!

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one years old. She lives on a quiet street and is friends with all of her neighbors, or at least most of them. She forms an unlikely friendship with Persephone, the seven year old from across the street. This child is hysterical. All is well until Elsie finds her ninety two year old neighbor dead in his kitchen and she emerges as the chief suspect because of her distant past as Mad Mabel. When she was younger, bad things seemed to follow her but all of that had been long buried in the past until she finds a body. I love Sally Hepworth. This is a very different story from most of her others but I loved the dual timelines coupled with the great character development. This book touched on everything from abuse to lots of humor. I highly recommend it. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
Oh wow, this is an amazing book; so heartwarming, heartbreaking and unique ... I didn't want it to end, I loved it so.much.
This is my favorite book of this year so far and frankly, I don't believe there will be another book that can surpass Mad Mabel.
The love shown by 7-year old Persephone and Nugget the Chihuahua, to 'Elsa' is so.uplifting as is the friendship with Daphne . 81-year Mad Mabel is a fantastic character and a literary heroine to me!
I would give 10 stars if I could!!

The layers of this book kept me captivated the whole time. It was dark all the way to the bitter end, but also every character had a way of being relatable and lovable. I really enjoyed the style choices, if one can call a boo about murder enjoyable.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is the kind of character that sneaks up on you. At first she seems like just another cranky old neighbor, but the more you learn, the more unsettling it gets. I really liked how the book plays with the idea that people dismiss both little girls and old women as harmless—when in reality, Elsie might be the most dangerous person on the street. The writing balances dark humour with a creeping sense of dread, and I kept turning the pages wondering just how many secrets Elsie has buried. It’s not a flashy thriller, but it lingers with you in the best way.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an eARC of Mad Mabel prior to publication.

We meet Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick (aka Mad Mabel), 81 years old, sharp-tongued, and absolutely not winning any “favorite neighbor” awards. She’s lived on this street for sixty years and without giving too much away, let’s just say her past is DARK. Then along comes this nosy little girl who inserts herself into Mabel’s life, and suddenly things get messy.

What I adored about this book is that it doesn’t stick to just one lane. It’s not a straightforward thriller, not a classic mystery either, but something deliciously in-between. You get a mystery that keeps you guessing, but it’s also surprisingly funny and genuinely emotional at times. It dives into justice, friendships, family, and how you can’t really outrun your past no matter how hard you try. Heavy themes, yes, but balanced with so many clever, funny moments that I found myself giggling in between the darker reveals. The structure was another highlight for me. The back-and-forth timelines? PERFECTLY executed. It was seamless and really added to the slow-burn reveal of Mabel’s past.

Mabel was a gem of a character. She’s unsettling and flawed, but her sense of humor? ABSOLUTELY GOLD. The multiple female friendships really grounded the story, too: especially Mabel’s relationship with Persephone, which was such a highlight for me. ALL THE CHARACTERS, actually, were refreshing to read about.

The twists were clever, but if you were paying close attention, some of them were a bit too figurable. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it just depends on whether you like to feel ahead of the game or prefer to be completely blindsided.

And don’t even get me started on the ode to Anne of Green Gables. 🥹 That little nod made my heart sing. The ending, though? Definitely bittersweet. I closed the book feeling satisfied but also a little wrecked in the best way.

Told mostly in single POV with dual timelines, Mad Mabel was a humorous, tragic, and emotionally moving story. (Chapter 69 broke me 😭) Mabel was treated so badly by so many people, including a father who should’ve loved her, but instead became one of her greatest tormentors. She couldn’t seem to catch a break. Going back in time throughout the book was an experience, as little by little you learned all she had endured up to the time she was 15 and the conclusion to life as she knew it before being incarcerated. And in present day timeline, this grouchy woman finds herself with a precocious 7 year old friend, Persephone, who she winds up caring deeply for. But even in her advanced years, Mabel aka Elsie, can’t have peace and quiet. A stalker ex is threatening the peace of the neighborhood and potential danger to Persephone. And what’s an old woman to do when a child’s life is being threatened? - I loved the witty banter in this book, but it also hit hard emotionally and had a very bittersweet ending with several twists that I didn’t see coming.

Quote: “In my experience, love has always been synonymous with terror.”

Content Themes/Warnings 👇

- Polio
- Death of a baby
- Marital affair
- Suicide
- Death of a parent
- Anne of Green Gables references
- Catholic school
- Slander/Gossip
- Teacher being inappropriate with a student
- Stalked by an abusive ex
- Homosexuality
- Toxic father figure
- Murder

Thank you so much to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you net galley and publisher. This book was interesting and kept me wondering exactly what Mabel had done.

“Mad Mabel” wasn’t really the thriller I expected—it feels more like literary fiction with a touch of mystery and a dark past running through it. Yes, part of the story is figuring out what happened to Mabel, but a lot of it is about getting to know her as a really complicated, layered person. More than anything, it’s a book about family—their love, their traumas, and how both can shape you. It’s also about growing up, how others see you, and the consequences those perceptions can have. Very interesting and very bittersweet. 4 stars

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced readers copy.

Wow! This book was incredible -- easily Sally Hepworth's best since The Good Sister, and possibly her best ever. Mad Mabel tells the story of 81 year-0ld Elsie, who as a teenager became infamous all over Australia as "Mad Mabel". The book alternates between Elsie's life now, and her childhood and teen years, including all that leads up to who she is when we meet her. It's perfect for fans of books/characters like The Maid, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and A Man Called Ove. It's quirky and funny and heartbreaking and life-affirming, and reading it felt like being surrounded by the coziest of friends and neighbors. It's tender and charming, a true testament on female friendship, and the various and unexpected ways that love can present itself throughout our lives. Stories and characters like this are why I fell in love with reading as a child, and still value it above all other hobbies. I adored Mabel, and can't wait to recommend her to everyone in 2026! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!