Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Mad Mabel seemed very different than the other thrillers and mysteries I’ve read by Sally Hepworth, and given she always writes books that draw me in, I was eager to figure out if this would too.

At the end of the day Mad Mabel was just as engaging, enjoyable, and mysterious as all her other books which is why I love them, so I’m glad to see this spin on what I’m used to! Following Elsie, who is the perfect book character, we get to experience her neighbors (the high point being her thoughts on them) and learn about just what made her so unique, a killer, even. I mean she doesn’t seem the type, but throughout the story we get to learn more about what made this woman Mad Mabel and see her form the bonds she has previously shunned with a wider group of people who show her care. The events that took place when she was younger are fascinating, rivalled only by this snapshot in the twilight of her life we get as our main perspective.

A more emotional story but one that will keep fans coming back, perhaps attracting new ones who will appreciate the versatility of Sally Hepworth’s writing.

A good story, fairly well told, but the "twists" didn't always surprise me and I think this is because I started reading it after a few reviews saying "wow the twists are so twisty!!" This is the 2nd book by this author I have read and I enjoy her writing and this genre.

Let me start by saying I am not one who usually figures out the "twist" before it is revealed but this one I figure out right away. I'm not sure why, but it seemed pretty obvious to me. So that kinda ruined the "mystery" for me. That said there are still twists that I didn't see coming. I did love the characters Mabel and Persephone were delightfully- I always enjoy a team of an elder and a child. A solid thriller and I would recommend.

This book was amazing! I wasn't sure how I felt about Mabel in the beginning but loved her by the of the book. My heart broke for her after reading everything she had.been through. I was surprised by ending explaining her best friend Daphne.

I love the references in this book to Anne of Green Gables. Very fitting scenarios. Mad Mabel shows you there are no lines you won't cross when it comes to protecting the ones you love. The characters made this story for sure. This book is hands down a page turner that you want don't want to put down.

I was lucky enough to land an early digital copy of Sally Hepworth’s newest and upcoming book. And… I can’t believe we have to wait until April 2026 for this to be released to for everyone to enjoy because I loved it!

This felt like so much more than just your typical fast paced, twisty thriller. Yes, it was still very bingeworthy and I totally flew through it in just two sittings (though it could have easily been one!). But I really enjoyed how it was also a wonderful yet deep story and exploration about loneliness, being misjudged, family, toxic relationships, etc.

The story revolves around our 81 year old MC was once known as Mad Mabel due to past events that occurred when she was a teenager, the most notorious being the murder she was find guilty of that put her in a psychiatric hospital. Now she goes by Elsie and lives in quiet little neighborhood where her arch nemesis of a neighbor was just found dead, with the body being discovered by none other than Elsie. This death sparks some interest in Elsie’s past and soon we embark on the journey of really learning what happened to her.

Told in alternating timelines, we see what is occurring in Elsie’s current life: the regular neighborhood happenings, visits from her oldest friend, Daphne, a young child name Persephone who (much to the dismay of Elsie) just wants to talk and be friends with Elsie, her neighbor’s dog she has somehow taken ownership of, and the documentary crew duo Elsie has agreed to tell her story to. We also learn from her everything that took place in her childhood and teenage years and honestly, it was quite sad, but remarkable in its own way. From childhood trauma and being misunderstood leading to being ostracized and labeled “Mad Mabel” by schoolmates and her own father, there were so many times my heart hurt for poor Mabel.

But on the flip side of things, it was also so fun and heartwarming to see so much kindness and love in many forms develop. And I especially loved seeing Elsie’s soft side come out as she seemed to always be hiding parts of herself. There were a couple of twists and a bit of an interesting psychological element, but overall I couldn't put this one down and enjoyed!

Brilliant! Murderers are usually men, not elderly women or young girls.

As an only child, Mabel was isolated by critical parents in a wealthy family home. She became the youngest person in Australia to be convicted of murder at age 15. Her life is a series of dramatic situations that continue the bullying and isolation. At 81 she decides to finally tell her side of the story.

The ending was amazing.

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed every book by Sally Hepworth, and I am thrilled to have her latest, Mad Mabel, to read and review and suggest to you!

Elsie is an octogenarian woman living in Australia, with a group of neighbors who keep her both entertained and annoyed. One neighbor has dug up information on Elsie's past and her history as "Mad Mabel". This turn of events becomes more challenging for her to navigate when Elsie discovers another neighbor dead in his house and the busybody brings her history to the attention of both the neighborhood and the police.

Elsie narrates the story in two timelines, the present and her past. She's a very funny and clever character who is a delight to spend time with. The exploration of female friendships is wonderful and complex. The chapters are short and propulsive, and make for a quick and entertaining read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This one took me by surprise! Mad Mabel has alwayss been misunderstood and is finally telling her truth after all these years. It very much had a grandeur and immersive story telling. I felt as if I was watching her life play out right in front of me. There were so many twists and things that shocked me. (Compliment) Mabel was so likeable and I couldn’t put it down. It felt like listening to an old friend and I wanted to know everything. The found family made me teary and hopeful because she really deserved the world. This was such a good read and I highly recommend!

I love Sally Hepworth so much! This book had me feeling all the emotions. I loved an 81 year old woman telling her life story. I loved all the characters on the street loving each other. Most of all, I adored Mabel and Persephone’s relationship. This is a must read!

I was thrilled to get an advanced copy of this book. And now I'm sad. Why? Because when this book is released for everyone to read, I won't be one of the people reading it for the first time. This is one of those books that is so good you want to experience it for the first time all over again. Mad Mabel is witty, charming, and sad. It made me laugh and shed tears.

Mad Mabel was such a good read. Mabel is a quirky character with a past that is slowly revealed throughout the book. I really liked the "then and now" format of the book. It kept the story interesting. It also provided a good flow to the book and kept the story moving forward. I also liked the supporting cast of characters, especially Persephone. She was an absolute delight, and her interactions with Mabel were funny and heartwarming.

I'm not sure that a suspense or mystery-type book is supposed to be a feel-good story, but that's what this book was for me. It is different than any other Sally Hepworth book I've read, and there is a mystery to the story. Some emotional parts left me feeling sorry for Mabel, but it also made her so relatable. Mabel felt like a friend throughout the story, and I wanted to reach into the pages and hug her.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a great story with well-developed characters. After reading this book, I would recommend reading all of her books. She has been on my automatic read list since I first picked up one of her books, and I'm sure she will end up on yours.

There are two kinds of people no one ever expects to be murderers: little girls and old ladies. Meet Mad Mabel.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick had a rough upbringing, and for some reason, death always seemed to follow her. The nickname “Mad Mabel” stuck with her from childhood all the way into adulthood.

Now in her 80s, this cantankerous old woman lives on a quiet street with just a handful of neighbors. But after the death of the man next door, her solitude is disrupted when a nosy neighbor digs into her past and brings her secrets into the light.

What unfolds is a story I never saw coming. Sally Hepworth once again proves why she’s one of my favorite authors. She has a gift for pulling you deep into the lives of her characters—especially Persephone and Mabel—until you care for them as if they were real.

Told in a seamless weave of past and present, the story connects hidden dots, unearths long-buried truths, and takes you on an emotional ride that will leave you gasping, laughing, and, by the end, in tears.

Mad Mabel is a character who will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the chance to review this ARC from one of my all-time favorite authors.
Expected publication: April 2026

Mad Mabel, the name says it all or does it? The story follows Mabel aka Elsie from the beginning. How did she become Mad Mabel? Is she truly Mad? This book hooked me from page 1 and I devoured the story. Told across past and present, Mabel story captures you. Full of twists and turns the ending will leave you questioning most everything.

Mad Mabel is a captivating read, weaving together mystery, humor, and poignant reflection through cleverly constructed alternate timelines. The engaging narrative keeps you hooked as the intricate plot gradually unravels, showcasing the author's skillful storytelling. Each character is thoughtfully developed, making them not just relatable but genuinely enjoyable to follow. This book isn't just a story; it's an experience that lingers, prompting you to ponder the delicate dance of fate and choice. A must-read for anyone who loves a blend of suspense and heartwarming moments.

I am a huge Sally Hepworth fan and her latest book is an absolute masterpiece! This witty, heart-wrenching, and addictive story is a beautiful blend of past and present that is filled with mystery and charm. Elsie, the cantankerous, octogenarian protagonist, has been living under the veil of her dark past, struggling to ensure that her past remains hidden from others. As often happens, Elsie's past is revealed, and now she finds her current life being unfairly defined by her past.

Told in two timelines, 'then' and 'now,' Hepworth deftly weaves together Elsie's dark childhood and her present day struggles. The emotions run high and I found myself, giggling, raging, and crying during the twists and turns of the story. The characters were well-developed and realistic, with several that made my blood boil and several whom I adored.

Themes in the story include family, psychological abuse, parenting, bullying, loneliness, friendship, found family, redemption, and justice.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty one years old. She's lived on her street for over sixty years. when her unpleasant neighbor's dog won't stop barking, she peeks through the window, only to find him dead on the floor. Elsie is hiding a big secret. Will she be discovered?
What a book! This author never disappoints, but this is one of my favorites. I basically read it in one sitting. It was so well written and Elsie/Mabel was an amazing character. I did figure out one major plot point but it in no way interfered with my enjoyment of this book. Highly, highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Mad Mabel is told in two time frames - her growing up and at age 81.  Trouble certainly followed her despite her good intentions and secret longings.  As the tale unfolds readers will develop a deep empathy and understanding of Mabel.  Read this and laugh, feel deep sadness and reach a an understanding of this young girl to grown woman.

This was NOT what I was expecting. A moving and heartbreaking story of Mabel. The beautiful intergenerational friendship at the center of this story cracked me wide open.

There were so many twists I did not expect. I cried multiple times. Everyone should read. Just fabulously heartbreaking yet heartwarming.

My first from Sally Hepworth but certainly not my last.

Thank you to netgalley and St. Martins Press for a complimentary earc in exchange for an honest review.

👵🔪✨ 4.75 Stars — Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth ✨🔪👵

First of all, huge thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💌.

Okay besties… Sally Hepworth has done it again. I devoured this book like it was a plate of cookies fresh out of Mad Mabel’s oven (except, y’know, with more murder vibes 😅). This was sharp, funny, and DARK in the best way possible.

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Tropes & Vibes
• 👵 Feisty old lady with secrets
• 👧 Child narrator foil
• 🔍 Suburban secrets
• 💀 Murder in the past & maybe the present
• ⏳ Dual timelines
• 🏘️ Nosy neighborhood drama

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The Story

Elsie “Mad Mabel” Fitzpatrick is 81, cranky, and the longest-standing resident of her street. Everyone sees her as the weird, nosy old lady but nobody suspects her dark past. When a bubbly, chatty little girl moves in and basically refuses to leave Mabel alone, cracks start forming in the walls Mabel has built around her history. And let’s just say… a lot of skeletons start rattling. 👀

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What I Loved

✅ Elsie!! One of the most deliciously complex characters I’ve read in a while. She’s witty, messy, dark, and somehow still lovable.
✅ The duality of “no one suspects old ladies or little girls” as potential killers?? Genius. Gave the book such a unique edge.
✅ The balance of dark themes + humor was chef’s kiss. Like, I’d be laughing one second and side eyeing Mabel’s every move the next.
✅ Twists were smart but not gimmicky, Hepworth knows exactly how to keep readers on their toes without going full soap opera.
✅ That ending??? I’m still sitting here like 👁️👄👁️.

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Tiny Things That Held Me Back from a Full 5 Stars

❌ Some pacing dips in the middle (a few “nosy neighbor” chapters dragged a little).
❌ I wanted just one more gut punch twist to really seal the deal.

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Final Thoughts

This is dark domestic fiction at its finest, part murder mystery, part character study, part witty suburban drama. If you loved The Mother-in-Law or The Soulmate, you NEED Mad Mabel. Honestly, I think this is Hepworth’s sharpest, most entertaining novel yet.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.75 stars — so close to perfection it hurts).

Hepworth is, without question, my reigning Australian thriller queen (sorry, Liane Moriarty—Sally has absolutely earned this crown!). With her latest novel, she doesn’t just deliver another solid story—she delivers her masterpiece. From the moment I finished it, I wanted to stand on the rooftops and shout, “All rise for Queen Sally!” because this book has officially become my favorite of hers.

It’s everything I love about Hepworth’s writing: a perfectly balanced mystery that teases and twists until the very end, layers of questions that keep forming in your mind, and, this time, a tidal wave of emotion that caught me completely off guard. For the first time in a Hepworth novel, I found myself teary-eyed, glassy-eyed even, overwhelmed by the tenderness and heartbreak woven into the suspense. Beyond the thrills, it’s a story about friendship, honesty, resilience, and the power of a community that holds each other close—even when secrets threaten to tear everything apart.

At the heart of the novel is Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, one of the most fascinating characters I’ve encountered in years. She’s 81 years old, whip-smart, sarcastic, sturdy, resilient, and unapologetically grumpy in a way that makes her unforgettable. But she’s also a woman who has lived her entire life under the shadow of a cruel legend: Mad Mabel. As a child, after surviving a tragic accident, Elsie’s appearance and aloofness made her an easy target. Whispers grew into gossip, gossip hardened into myth, and soon she was the neighborhood scapegoat—a girl supposedly cursed, dangerous, unstable. It’s heartbreaking to see how her story was twisted by others, how she was villainized from such a young age. But as readers, we’re left wondering: was Elsie ever “mad” at all? Or was she simply misunderstood, punished because people needed someone to blame for their own fears and weaknesses?

In the present day, Elsie has been living peacefully for six decades, content to keep to herself—until everything comes crashing down again. A neighbor who always treated her coldly dies mysteriously, and Elsie is the one to find the body. Suddenly, she’s thrust back into the spotlight, her old nickname dragged up and her reputation shredded once more. This time, though, Elsie is determined not to be silenced. She decides to tell her own story, choosing two bold young podcasters as her confidants—the only ones brave enough to sit across from her and listen. And through her voice, we’re forced to ask ourselves: is she the monster the town has always painted her to be, or the tragic heroine of her own misunderstood life?
The beauty of this book lies in the way Hepworth refuses to make it simple. Elsie is complicated, contradictory, deeply human. Why do her neighbors adore her if she’s truly as dangerous as they say? Why does little Persephone never leave her side? Why would a supposedly cold woman open her home to a barking dog she once despised, simply because he lost his owner? Every act of kindness, every sharp remark, every moment of vulnerability adds to the puzzle, forcing us to confront whether she’s truly capable of the darkness people have long accused her of—or whether she’s simply been carrying a false narrative for decades.

This is not just a thriller—it’s a character study, a meditation on truth, bias, and the stories communities tell about those who don’t fit the mold. It’s haunting, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s undeniably gripping. Hepworth delivers action and mystery, yes, but she also gives us one of the most emotional, deeply felt stories she has ever written. By the final chapters, I was shaken to my core, napkin in hand, heart pounding.

So buckle up for this ride. This is Sally Hepworth at the very height of her powers, blending sharp suspense with raw, emotional depth. I can confidently say this is one of the best books of 2026 and deserves not just five stars but five gazillion stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this marvelous book from one of my all-time favorite authors in exchange for my honest thoughts. I loved every single page, and I will be talking about Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick for a long, long time.