Wow. I could not put this book down. Mabel was so lovable & the development of her character, even at 81, was so sweet. This book flowed so easily between then & now. After the twists in the end, I feel like I need to go back & reread the entire book to see it from that perspective. Such a good read - highly recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this novel!

My goodness - this is the absolute best book I have read in 2025! Such a complete departure from my usual fare but Sally Hepworth writes such an incredible story with the past entwined with the present that just tugs at the heartstrings. I even had tears at the last chapter... Beautifully written with quirky characters that make you feel like a better person for just reading their tale.

I really, really enjoyed this book because the author has created a terrific character in Mad Mabel. She is a spunky, dryly humorous, fiercely loyal eighty year old who possibly has homicidal tendencies. To find out, the reader has to go back into her past to find out what really happened when so many people around here were turning up dead. This is an emotional book with lots to ponder about rumor, character, and family, not just a run of the mill thriller.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

When Elsie's elderly neighbor and nemesis ends up dead, Elsie's past public discretions come to light, shattering the quiet life she has made for herself.

This had an enjoyable cast of characters with quite a few twists and turns that made for a fun, thrilling read.

I absolutely ADORE Sally Hepworth and Mad Mabel exceeded my expectations. I thought it was a little slow at some points, but I trusted the process and I was left sobbing and thinking about this story for weeks. The tragic backstory set against a hopeful and beautiful present circumstance really drove the story home. I often find myself reclusive and suspicious of the world, but Persephone's character reminded me that joy can be found in the most unexpected of places. I think this book will stay in my heart for a long time.

Oh, this book! This unputdownable, intriguing, tragic, heartwarming and beautiful book.

Told in dual timelines, in one, we meet Mad Mabel, aka Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, at 81 years old living in the same house for almost 60 years. Her street consists of, what she calls, the usual assortment of neighbors and one deranged Chihuahua. In the other, her lonely and distressing childhood. How and why did Mabel go mad? Is she really mad? It would have been so easy with all she faced at such a young age. I fell in love with many of the characters, especially Mabel, who is snarky, bold, strong and amusing.

You know a thriller is done right when you don’t see the twists coming. Very well done Sally Hepworth! Someone needs to snatch this one up and make a tv series. Please! I want Mabel to be my neighbor, my granny and my friend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was fun and interesting. The old lady trope serial killer is becoming fun! I hope to see more of these.

At 81, Elsie lives alone and keeps to herself, in her neighborhood. But when a man turns up dead and the police start asking questions, Elsie’s carefully buried past begins to resurface.

I absolutely loved this book. All of the characters felt so dimensional, especially Elsie. She was hilarious and the flashbacks of her early childhood/teen years had me crying one minute then mad the next. Her relationship with Persephone was also so sweet. This book is twisty, emotional and hilarious must read in my opinion.

hank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book!

And WOW was it an amazing book. Dare I say one of my favorites of the year.

I’ve only read one other Sally Hepworth book (Darling Girls), and rated that 5 stars. When I saw that Mad Mabel was on NetGalley I immediately requested it and read through the whole book very quickly.

Mabel and her young neighbor Persephone are such real, lovable characters. I loved every second of this book and Hepworth did an amazing job of allowing for the reader to fall in love with the characters.

Please, please, please give this book a try! You won’t regret it!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Another great one from Sally Hepworth! This is a dark, twisted and fast paced read. I think anyone who's read Sally's work before will appreciate and enjoy this one as well.

3.5 Elsie - aka Mad Mabel - recounts the tragic story of her life with a sharp wit, grumpy attitude, and a begrudging acceptance for her found family on Kenny Lane. I liked the premise of this story and it had some humorous parts, especially with precocious Persephone. However, Elsie’s past was one gut punch after another. The kid can’t catch a break and, while it’s never graphic, what I thought started as a cozy mystery veered off course into something darker than what I was expecting.

If you like elderly anti-heroes and found family, kids that are just the right amount of precocious, and a more character driven mystery, then definitely pick this one up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy and a chance to read this early. All opinions are my own.

Every now and then you read a book and think to yourself "This is one of my all time favorite books." Mad Mabel was this for me! She'll take you along on the story of her life and answer the life long rumor of whether Mad Mabel truly earned her name--in a series of murders she's been accused of committing. 😳 part mystery, part historical, part heartfelt story of a fascinating woman's life. One of my favorite parts were all the thoroughly fascinating side characters. I felt like I knew all of them--especially Daphne. Also, while this isn't a thriller, there is a big twist at the end that will leave you gasping. Publishing next April, but I recommend you preorder now! this is one of those few books that while I got a digital version from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, I plan on buying my own hard copy for my bookshelf!

I absolutely loved this book! It started off a little slow, but I was quickly endeared by Elsie and loved uncovering all the layers of this story. I couldn’t put it down for the second half of the book!

Great writing, great story! Highly recommend! Loved the characters and just couldn’t get through it fast enough. Thank you NetGalley for this arc

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

I love anything Sally Hepworth writes and this one was absolutely great again. I fell in love with Mabel and Persephone and did not want this book to end. I will say the book is also not what I was expecting, but in a great way! I feel like this would be a great Book Club book when it comes out. I am going to be suggesting this one to all my friends and family. So far it is one of my favorite books of the year.

4.5 stars, rounding up to 5!

Delightful, if a bit dark sometimes, but delightfully so! As Mabel's fascinating backstory is revealed in masterfully executed multiple timelines, you come to love and understand her. Wonderful character development and great storytelling--a total treat! Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this great book.

Oh my GOD?! what the heck did I just read?! This will HANDS DOWN be listed as the best book I have read in 2025. Sally Hepworth has done it again. As a self-proclaimed Anne Shirley stan I adored the mentions of my favorite story, as well as the parallels between Marilla Cuthbert and Elsie. The ending had me both laughing and crying...I can't wait to recommend this to everyone I know.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC in exchange for an honest review. Mad Mabel was so much more than I expected it to be. Mabel is a cranky 81 year old woman who has lived alone in her house for years. She takes great care to hide her unsavory past from her neighbors and keeps only one close friend, Daphne, who has been with her since childhood. Many rumors about Mabel's past swirl around her regarding people in her life who died under mysterious circumstances. She hides under a different name but keeps a watchful eye on her neighborhood. Persephone is a 7 year old living with her single mother who works late and has gentleman calls. She calls Mabel (who calls herself Elsie) her best friend - something Mabel isn't thrilled about. The story takes twists and turns into Mabel's past and what really happened to earn her the name of Mad Mabel. Sally Hepworth has created a phenomenal character with Mad Mabel. This may be her best work yet.

I think I am going to be an outlier for this one. It is getting outstanding reviews. While this one wasn’t for me, I still believe Sally Hepworth is one talented writer and I look forward to what she writes next.

I really liked the relationship between Elsie and the little girl. They were each exactly what the other needed, even if it took a while for Elsie to realize it and appreciate it!

The rest of the book, while at times entertaining and in parts touching just came across as really weird for me. I couldn’t really get behind any of the story lines and by the time I reached the end, I was glad it was over. Again, I know I am in the minority here as there are already so many people who love this book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the copy of this book. All views are my own.

Mad Mabel was such a good read - fast-paced, twisty, and super entertaining. I really enjoyed the writing and the atmosphere the author created. That said, I did find it a bit predictable, which took away some of the “shock” factor. Still, it didn’t stop me from flying through the pages, and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a bingeable read!