Note: Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

This novel may differ from Sally Hepworth’s usual style, but it was an absolute delight—and the perfect book to pull me out of a three-month reading slump. I’ve always loved stories featuring older protagonists, and Mabel was such a vibrant, layered character. More than just a mystery, this story is a moving exploration of quiet resilience and courage. The twists were impeccably placed, and every element felt beautifully balanced.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, #partner for the advanced copy of Mad Mabel in exchange for my honest review.

Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite authors and of course I dropped everything to read her latest book…even though it doesn’t come out for another 7 months. So…here’s a little teaser about what I thought and then I’ll do a full review closer to our date. ⁣
⁣
I loved this one! It’s no secret that Sally creates amazing characters and she has done this here with Mabel and all the secondary characters. And her signature wit and charm fill the pages, giving us both a heartwarming story but also a fantastic mystery. I was completely shocked when I reached the end, totally not expecting this book to go where it went…all in the best way possible, of course! But, my favorite part…all the Anne of Green Gables references. 💚💚

Another winner from Sally Hepworth! This time she brings us the story of 81 year old Elsie, formerly known as Mabel, or ‘Mad Mabel’ as she was called behind her back and to her face as a child and young adult. We hear the story in alternating timelines from today while Elsie is telling her story to two podcasters, and the past where Mabel experiences multiple traumas in her young life. I was expecting this to be a thriller but it’s not that, it’s more family drama with a bit of suspense. Elsie and Mabel, along with a cast of supporting characters will stick with me for a long time. Recommended for fans of A Man Called Ove and The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett.

*Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review*

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. Mad Mabel is a darkly funny and surprisingly touching story about a grumpy old and might I add hilarious woman rumored to be a murderer and the curious little kid who befriends her. Great twist at the end, but I thought it could have been executed better, it was rather abrupt.

𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 ~ 𝐌𝐀𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐋 ~ Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Negalley and the author for an ALC of this book which is set for release in April of 2026 in the US. (the Australian/New Zealand release is set for Oct. 1st 2025). I am so happy I had the opportunity to have an advanced copy of this book! I have enjoyed other books by this author but this one resonated on a deeper level. Sally Hepworth has raised the bar with the story of Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick. There is so much more to this book than just a mystery/thriller and I was so pleasantly surprised. I am hesitant to share too many thoughts because going into this blind was such a treat. The characters in this are interesting and will work their way into your heart. The pacing and structure of the story are well done and make this a mystery with depth that covers themes of family trauma, friendship, community, loneliness, and even love. I felt a myriad of emotions while reading this book and for me this is the best of Hepworth for sure. I will definitely re-post this close to the USA release and in the meantime will be encouraging all my reader friends to add this to their TBR…. I cannot wait to chat about this one!
(Note: if you like Liz Nugent’s STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND, I think you will enjoy this one…. Not in the same plot pattern but in the overall tone and heart of the work).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ …. (5 or 4.5 but….. It kept my interest all the way through in the genre where it fits… so… this seems fair; also, it is a week after finishing that I am posting and I find that I am remembering this story. So…. it deserves the stars!
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐀 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥! 📚❤️ 🤞

Mad Mabel is probably the most original book I’ve read in a long, long time. It centers on an elderly woman with a strange past that she’d like to bury. The book follows two distinct and interconnected timelines about Mabel’s past and present. Until the book ends you don’t get a true picture her life. This one is a departure from Hepworth's typical but this one was phenomenal!!

All rise for Queen Sally! 👑 With Mad Mabel, Sally Hepworth has truly outdone herself—this isn’t just a thriller, it’s her masterpiece.

At the heart of the story is Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick—81 years old, whip-smart, sarcastic, cranky in the most lovable way, and unforgettable. Once branded “Mad Mabel” after a childhood tragedy, she’s carried that cruel nickname her whole life. When a neighbor’s mysterious death puts her back in the spotlight, Elsie decides it’s finally time to tell her side of the story. Through interviews and flashbacks, we piece together her life—one full of heartbreak, resilience, and unexpected tenderness.

This book made me laugh, gave me chills, and left me teary-eyed. 🥹 The dynamic between Mabel and little Persephone melted my heart, and the way Hepworth tackles themes of gossip, judgment, and misunderstood lives hit me hard.

Beautifully layered, emotionally powerful, and impossible to put down—Mad Mabel isn’t just a thriller, it’s a story that lingers long after the last page.

💫 Heartbreaking, haunting, and absolutely brilliant—this is five stars all the way.

An excellent read. The quirky main characters plus the mystery from the past made it a delightful, fast-paced read.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth is a wonderful book that you won't want to put down. Sally Hepworth has done it again!
It is the story of Elise Mable Fitzpatrick, and 81 year old who was the youngest Australian to be convicted of murder.
There characters were wonderful and lovable, especially Mabel. There were a lot of surprises and twists in this mystery.
It is a story of community and family that we pick. It was poignantly sad in some places and tearfully beautiful in other places.
This is a MUST read

My new favorite book of 2025...a wonderful story start to finish. So very clever. I found myself highlighting passages because the writing was so powerful. Told in two different time periods, Now and Then, we see Mabel's life growing up (Then) and as an 81 year old (Now). And what a life story she has had! Highly recommend picking this one up...you will find it hard to put down! Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

According to her "loving" father-she was responsible for the first death when she was just three years old. And, after a series of other "unfortunate" incidents, fifteen year old Mabel Waller became the youngest Australian in history to be convicted of MURDER becoming known as MAD MABEL around the World.
Now, living under her new name, the 81 year old becomes a
"person of interest" when she is the one to find her 93 year old neighbor dead, and Police find out who "Elsie" really is...
But is she guilty of EVERYTHING she was accused of? Is she guilty of ANY of it? And, most importantly, is she Mad?
(A double entendre for sure!)
The story alternates between THEN chapters-to fill in the past, and NOW chapters-where Elsie (Mabel) agrees to be interviewed for the first time, for ADLIB-a YouTube channel, hosted by Libby Conquest and Adeem Anand. The only constant in the two timelines-her enduring friendship with Daphne.
This story wasn't at all what I was expecting based on the book blurb-it sounded like it would be yet another book this year about a senior citizen who slays, but it really isn't.
What you CAN expect is a story about a dysfunctional childhood in THEN, and found family and community support in the NOW chapters.
It took awhile to capture my interest but by about 35%, I was all in.
Stealing every scene in the present day, is Mabel's 7 year old neighbor, Persephone and a yappy dog named Nugget, who both manage to bring out her softer side.

One of the best mysteries I've read in ages! I have read and enjoyed Hepworth before, but this was a slightly different take in pacing, and I thoroughly enjoyed the in depth characterization and twists.

I just finished this, and I have no regrets. If anything, I wish I'd read more of Sally Hepworth. What was I thinking? All my expectations were met, and I am in a book hangover.

Hepworth, dare I say, killed it with the perfect pacing. I fell in love with Elsie from the very first chapter. Every single character in this story is beautifully crafted with great depth and personality. Every sentence in the book is completely intentional and serves its purpose. The plotline is unpredictable, and each twist and reveal left me shocked and desperate for more.

If you seek a riveting book that you will adore and cherish, I highly recommend this one. Hats off to the author and editing team, this book deserves so much love. Special mention to the gorgeous cover that gets all the credit for grabbing my attention.

**** Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth was such a delight to read due to Mabel's toasted marshmallow personality, themes of friendship and loyalty and Persephone who is determined to befriend Mable. I fell in love with Mabel just by reading the first few pages. She is crunchy on the outside, but soft on the inside. Life's hard knocks have made her wary of trusting and loving others, though she longs to do so. As I read her story, I was at once captivated by Mabel and surprised by the multiple aspects of her life shared throughout the book. Her loyal friend, Daphne, is one we probably all would love. Persephone is deteremined to love and be loved by Mabel.
While there are a few instances of cursing, they are not so frequent as to discourage me from re-reading this excellent novel. Highly Recommend. Thank you, St Martin's Press, for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was an another winner by Sally Hepworth! Compelling story with great character development and laugh out loud moments. I loved the character of Mad Mabel. There were some fun twists, and the short chapters kept the pages turning! I’d recommend it!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Oh Mabel, you are magnificent and maybe a little mad. Charming, mysterious and hilariously endearing, this book covered all the bases I love in a book. Mabel is an old cranky woman with a heart of gold under all the grumbling, however she has a past full of rumors and murder accusations. She changed her name, but as people learn who she really is, Mad Mabel, the true story of her life begins to unveil. We see the toll loneliness and being ostracized takes on the human soul and the glimmers of kindness to unexpected places. Beautifully composed, this book was a total win for me! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Okay, Sally Hepworth has done it again! This is an easy 5-star book for me.

Mad Mabel (as some know her) is an elderly lady who lives on a small street with a seemingly normal crew. When a neighbor is found dead in his home, Mabel’s past comes to light. How can Mabel use her past to help others in the future?

I loved all the characters and how they build into the plot. There was a twist that I did not see coming but completely worked for the story. A true page-turner for me. I will be recommending to all!

Move over Liane Moriarty. There’s a new Queen in town.

WHAT WAS THIS BRILLIANCE!!!! OMG just finished and WOW!!! Her best yet seriously!! I loved it it made me gasp in shock multiple times and cry. Just marvelous!!! It’s not only a twisty thriller but also a beautiful story of the importance of friendship and family and how you can change people lives for the worse, or better. Just a seriously incredible book.

I absolutely loved Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth! Mabel is an elderly woman with a reputation for being mad. People around her often die, and it’s often thought to be her fault.
Mabel is a bit of a recluse. She doesn’t have friends, and really doesn’t want anyone to get close to her. But when a precocious young girl named Persephone moves in with her mother next door, Mabel’s hard shell is cracked.
When their neighbor dies, it is investigated, and Mabel’s quiet existence is shattered when people began suspecting she caused his death. Podcasters interview Mabel and her life story is shared.
This is a story I’ll ponder for a long time. I will think of the tragedy and loneliness of her life, and how it was caused by evil people and gossipers who were too quick to share what they heard or imagined. Mabel will live on as one of my favorite characters. Highly recommended for Book Clubs.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

First off thank you so much for allowing me to read this book firsthand and I can’t wait for others to read it. This is one of my favorite authors. And this was just as enjoyable as our other and a bit funny cause the old ladies were killing it literally lol it was a great read