I wasn't really sure how I felt about this book going into the first couple chapters but this picked up quickly. Easily this one will be a favorite of my reads for the summer. I stayed up way too late to finish this book because I could not put it down.

This really wasn't a thriller mystery as I had expected but it was more of a unveiling the story line of the past, answering the question of how the story unfolded. I loved this so much in terms of having two timelines.

I especially liked the final chapter from Persephone's POV, this warmed my heart a little bit.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

Read through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. What a delightful book! I wish I could give it 10 stars. The story was about an 81 year old woman who felt she was an outcast all of her life. As a child her nickname was Mad Mabel and that followed her all of her life. As well as what appeared to be a string of suspicious deaths that cast a real shadow over her existence. The book is full of twists and turns and blunt remarks from Elsie (Mabel) that only seem to get her in more hot water. This is definitely a page turner and I found myself setting aside other things I needed to be doing so I could find out what was happening in Elsie's life next. This book is very high on my "recommend" list.

While Mad Mabel was a bit different from other books by Sally Hepworth, it was nonetheless a great read. Hepworth added a bit more humor to this one that was much appreciated. We meet Mabel and her story unfolds chapter by chapter. We learn more and more how this horrible moniker was bestowed upon Mabel and uncover secrets from her past. Is she really Mad Mabel? Her interactions with Persephone show a different side of Mabel. As we come to know Mabel, we see that maybe the old stories that continue to haunt her are not as true as they seemed. A really entertaining read.

I always enjoy Sally Hepworth's books, and Mad Mabel exceeded my expectations! Sally creates the best characters. I really connected with Mabel and her lifelong bosom friend Daphne.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is a sassy 81-year-old who takes no nonsense from anyone, least of all her nosy, tiresome neighbors. When Elsie's nemesis Ishaan turns up dead, busybody Joan alerts the residents of Kenny Lane to Elsie's dark history as Mad Mabel, Australia's youngest ever convicted murderer. Elsie ends up suspected of Ishaan's murder due to her ongoing feud with him as well as her checkered past. This attracts the attention of YouTubers Adeem and Libby, with whom Mad Mabel shares her whole sordid story.

The residents of Kenny Lane are an absolute hoot! Not a single one of them is capable of minding their own business. Despite Elsie's lack of maternal tendencies, seven-year-old neighbor Persephone attaches herself to Elsie as a sort of grandmother figure.

I loved the characters, I loved the mystery, I Ioved the neighborhood drama, and I loved the references to Anne of Green Gables, one of my favorite books. I highly recommend Mad Mabel!

A sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press for my complimentary advanced reader copy of Mad Mabel. All opinions are my own. Expected date of publication in the U.S. is not until April 21, 2026, so I am SO GRATEFUL to have received an early copy! I was so excited to read this, and it was absolutely delightful.

I think I’m just about a Sally Hepworth completist. And I think Mad Mabel might be my favorite of them so far. This novel had a main character that surprisingly, at first, you can’t help but root for. The story is intricate and the multiple timelines are well executed. I saw a few things coming but it didn’t at all spoil the book for me. A really good thriller/mystery… and if you like Sally Hepworth, this really is one of the best.

I have read all of Sally Hepworth’s books and this is hands down her best. This reminded me of A Man Called Ove but if Ove was a convicted murderer. I loved this story. I loved Mabel. I loved Cess and Ness. A beautiful, heartbreaking story. Highly recommend.

Mad Mabel is equal parts mystery, humor, and heartbreak. Elsie, once branded “Mad Mabel,” has lived six decades in hiding, but when her nemesis dies and her secrets threaten to surface, her story finally unfolds. Sally Hepworth masterfully blends quirky neighbors, childhood tragedy, and shocking reveals into a tale that is both clever and emotional. I never guessed the truth until the bittersweet finale, and the journey there was absolutely addictive. I love Sally Hepworth and will read anything she writes - another big win!

I am still working on sorting my feelings for this book. I loved it, it just wasn’t what I expected. This authors last year’s book is probably my favorite of all time, but this one was really good in its own right. I adored the relationship between Mabel and Persephone. My daughter is around Persephone’s age, and I could totally relate to her actions. It was such a heartwarming relationship. Learning about Mabel via the past and present was really interesting. I loved how this book looked into unfair perceptions of women. I mean sure things have changed since 1959, but when compared to the time directly, it isn’t as much of an improvement as I’d hope. The older I get the more and more I realize just how excruciating slow social change is, and that’s what this book explored. This book is emotional and heartbreaking. At the end, while this wasn’t exactly what I expected, it was exactly what I needed.

If you’re looking for a truly amazing read, then check this one out.

Wow, I just finished the best book! Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth was such an amazing time. It’s out next spring.

I really enjoyed this as a concept and the fact that the main character was a 81 year old lady, it had that element that I was wanting and thought worked in this genre. I was invested in the twists and humor in this and how it was used in the storyline. The characters were everything that I wanted and was glad I got into this world with the characters. Sally Hepworth has a strong writing style and can't wait for more.

Oh my gosh I loved this book so much. The characters were realistic, the story was fantastic and the writing was wonderful. Dontmiss this read.

I love every Sally Hepworth book ever written. But THIS ONE IS HER VERY BEST! I absolutely loved the story of Mad Mabel and how the story developed. We see and learn who she really is throughout the book and it is impossible to not fall in love with her. I would give this one 10 stars if possible. It's amazing!

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

I've read all of Sally Hepworth's books and this one is a bit different because it’s definitely more of a cozy mystery than a thriller. I really enjoyed the story which was told in 2 different time lines. It was easy to read, although a little slow at the beginning, and I did figure out a few things out ahead of time, but it was still a really enjoyable read.

This is Hepworth at her best—quirky, charming, and wickedly funny, with the perfect amount of and packed with jaw-dropping twists.

Each page is infused with Sally’s signature brand of humour that is both dark and unique. Without giving it away, the final reveal literally made me gasp!

Pretty sure I am the minority here but I did not enjoy this book. I kept waiting for it to get going and felt like I was reading a whole lot of nothing. I did like parts of the book that went into the past but overall it felt like I wasn't following any type of story. It just wasn't for me.

Mad Mabel is one of those characters who stays with you long after the last page. Hepworth paints her with sharp wit, prickly humor, and just enough vulnerability that you can’t help but root for her.

She actually reminded me a lot of Ove from A Man Called Ove: gruff exterior, eccentric habits, the kind of neighbor you might avoid at first glance. But just like Ove, Mabel has layers of grief, love, and resilience underneath her cantankerous shell.

A really great story that is heartfelt, funny, and unexpectedly moving.

This was a delight! Mabel was an excellent character and I enjoyed the mystery around her without it being something completely out there. The neighbor characters were all a lot of fun too.

A little quirky, a little dark, a whole lot of intrigue! I am a huge fan of Sally Hepworth, and this book did not disappoint. Our main character Mabel has a seemingly dark past, but are all of the rumors about “Mad Mabel” true? Could she really be a cold blooded killer? Mabel’s life is dictated through a duel timeline, giving us a glimpse into the events of her past that has shaped her into the woman she is today. I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Mad Mabel! The characters were great and the story was super creative and engaging. If you like Sally Hepworth’s other books you’ll love this one, too!

Mad Mabel was a great story. We learn about a 81 year’s old Elsie’s past . Is she really the person everyone thinks she is ?This book has a bit of everything. It will definitely be an emotional ride. I couldn’t put the book down.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.