Georgia Cartwright once lived a privileged lifestyle. The name Cartwright held clout. After being accused of murdering her sister Annabelle Georgia finds herself stuck in a psyche ward. Her only means of escaping the death penalty is to ask her sister Amanda for help.
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Georgia recently found out she has a twin sister. Before she could meet her the murder of Annabelle happened. Now she resides in a high security psyche ward. Meeting Amanda for the first time wasn’t suppose to take place in a psyche ward, but she’s desperate to clear her name.
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Mandy never knew she had a twin sister. Her adoptive parents never mentioned it. Mandy wants to learn everything she can about her sister Georgia.
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Sarah Pekkanen writes an intriguing story about female fraternal twins who were not aware they were sisters for over thirty years. Pekkanen gives readers pieces of the truth serving them on a platter of stories that Mandy unfolds all the while Georgia knows the truth but is unable to tell her sister for the place she is in is heavily guarded. Told in dual points of view between Georgia and Mandy It’s tantalizing and thrilling discovering the truth about their separation. Fast-paced stories of this sort gives off an energy of mystery and wonder keeping the reader locked within the pages.

I am such a big fan of Sarah Pekkanen. Her books are always twisty and well thought out. The Locked Ward had secrets and betrayal and exciting surprising moments. Despite the murder and mayhem, the bond of sisterhood that was displayed was very special.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: August 05, 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

I loved House of Glass and Gone Tonight and when I saw that Sarah had a new one coming up and I was given the opportunity to read it I knew I was going to be in for yet another fast paced ride!

If you love a fast paced thriller, a dark psychological thriller at that that has all the punches this is your book. We have multiple POV and different timelines which flowed smooth and flawless ( i never got lost in transition ). We have many secrets, lots of what’s happening moments and when you think you know, you get thrown through a twist and back into the ride.

This book will have you gripping and guess to the last page. I loved this 100% and can’t wait for more to come out from Sarah. Hurry and put this on your TBR for its August 5th release! Thank me later.

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well St. Martins Press

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Fast paced, Secrets, Twisty, Dark, Multiple POV, Multiple Timelines, Psychological Thriller

One sister accused of murder calls on her “long-lost” twin to help prove her innocence.

This was a fast-paced, easy read, but I never fully cared for any of the characters. Wasn’t surprised by the twists - it felt very formulaic and obvious. But it did keep me invested and wasn’t inherently ruined by the ending (which so often happens with thrillers). So this was just a middle of the road for me.

Thankful to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is an engaging thriller that kept me on my toes from start to finish. I read the whole thing in one day! This book explores the story of sisters Georgia and Mandy, each adopted by different families. Georgia has found herself locked in a psychiatric institution after being accused of murdering her biological sister in their family home. Mandy has to search to find out if her sister is guilty or if something more sinister is happening. You will love the character development and the fast-paced plot, with twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end!

If a lawyer called to say you had a twin sister who was currently in a psychiatric ward after committing a crime, would you ignore it or would you get involved?

When Amanda finds out she not only has a sister, but a sister who needs her help, her whole world is turned upside down. Georgia needs Amanda’s help to uncover the truth. Can the two work fast enough to stay alive, or will the secrets win?

A page turning thriller that had me thinking about it any time I had to put the book down. Told in alternating narratives, this is a quick read that will have you guessing until the very last page!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.

I loved this book! It gave off some interesting "creepy" vibes at first, but was so much more. I loved the ways the characters developed and there were many twists that I did not see coming. The ending was a surprise to me as well, I was on a completely different train of thought! Loved it and look forward to more of her books.

Sarah Pekkanen always know how to bring it!!
This story removed around sisters, murder, wrath lyrics families. Loved how this one was weaved together perfectly to come yo a great ending. Creepy mental institution included.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

The story revolves around twin sisters Georgia and Mandy who were separated at birth and have no knowledge of the other existing. Hiring a PI, Georgia finds out about Mandy’s existence, but doesn’t reach out immediately. Following the death of Georgia’s other sister, Annabelle, Georgia asks her lawyer to contact Mandy. The catch- Georgia is accused of murdering Annabelle, and is in-patient in a locked psychiatric ward awaiting her trial. Mandy is shocked to hear from the lawyer, having no idea she had a twin sister! She decided she needs answers, and goes to the locked ward, where she is further surprised when her sister claims she didn’t murder Annabelle and needs Mandy to get her out.

Sarah Pekkanen is an auto buy author for me, so I was so stoked to get this ARC! Thank you so much to NetGalley and publisher for this opportunity!

Whew! I've come to depend on Sarah Pekkanen for a good, solid thriller and this one definitely fits the bill. I loved learning all of the secrets and truths that were slowly exposed and also found the ward parts super creepy. It was a nice, fun dichotomy and gosh did I enjoy it!

The protagonist is deeply compelling—a woman on the brink, fighting to hold onto her sense of reality while navigating an environment designed to strip her of autonomy. Her fear, frustration, and determination feel real, making her easy to root for even when we’re not sure what’s true. The supporting cast, from the enigmatic doctors to the fellow patients with secrets of their own, adds to the eerie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest-style unease that permeates the novel.

The atmosphere is incredible—you feel as trapped as the protagonist, questioning everything right along with her. The twists are expertly placed, and the psychological depth elevates this beyond a standard thriller.

If you like your thrillers straightforward and neatly resolved, this one might leave you with lingering questions. But honestly? That’s part of its brilliance.

If you loved The Silent Patient, Girl, Interrupted, or Behind Closed Doors, The Locked Ward is your next obsession. A gripping, unsettling thriller that keeps you second-guessing until the very end. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy—now excuse me while I go process that ending

This is my first book that I’ve read by Sarah Pekkanen and I feel like I’ve been missing out. Immediately as I start the book it’s thrown me into the rollercoaster that is thriller. This book is masterfully crafted so far with methodical moving parts that have me at the edge of my seat. Immediately adding Sarah’s other books to my TBR because I LOVE twisted thrillers like these!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC!

The Locked Ward is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that delves into family secrets, identity, and justice. The story follows twin sisters Georgia and Amanda who were separated at birth and adopted, with one raised in an average household and the other in a wealthy southern family. They grew up unaware of each other's existence until tragedy strikes.
When Georgia is accused of murdering her sister Annabelle she finds herself locked in a psychiatric ward awaiting trial. Desperate to clear her name she must convince Amanda the twin she knew never knew up about until a month prior to help uncover the truth.
The novel is rich with complex characters including a power-hungry senator with presidential ambitions, a mother who favored one daughter over the other and a passive father who stood by in silence. As the story unfolds secrets unravel and unexpected twists keep the reader on edge.
The political and social dynamics at play add depth to the mystery making this more than just a whodunit; it's a tale of privilege, betrayal and long buried family truths.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its pacing just when you think you have everything figured out another revelation throws you off course. The suspense builds steadily leading to an ending that is shocking and satisfying. This is a must read for fans of psychological thrillers and family dramas offering a compelling blend of mystery and emotional depth.
Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this novel.

I flew through this book. Chapters are told in the voice of I identical twins. One is in a locked ward for allegedly killing her adopted sister and the other twin just found out about the existence of her sister and is working hard to find out the truth. Is her identical new found sister a vicious murdered like everyone is saying or is she being framed by her rich family? The story is a little ridiculous but very entertaining.

This was a great read! It was a bit of a slow start for me, but the character development was great and really brought me in to get to know and empathize well with both of the main characters. Then the twists started coming and DIDNT STOP! Not until the very end! Definitely recommend!

I've read many of Sarah Pekkanen's books so I was excited when I saw she had written another. The Locked Ward is not my favorite book by her, but definitely one that is worth the read. The book kept me wanting to read to find out what happened. There were several twists in it that I did not see coming which made it exciting!

This story quickly grabbed my attention with the short chapters and alternating POV. However, it was not my favorite work from Pekkanen. I think the biggest downfall to thrillers is the unbelievable nature to the end of so many plot lines. I also didn’t appreciate the attitude/beliefs portrayed about the other patients that were on the same psychiatric floor as one of the leading characters.

Georgia is arrested for murder of her sister, Annabelle, and instead of going straight to jail she was taken to a mental health facility on a mandatory 72 hour hold.

Mandy gets roped into the drama and intertwined to the story of Georgia, murder, and suddenly she has to figure out who really killed Annabelle and why.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Sarah Pekkanen for this eARC, publishing August 2025.

I've read every book by Sarah Pekkianen, but this was one of my least favorite. The plot was very unrealistic and ridiculous and predictable. The characters were not well-developed. The ending was a disappointment.

This book is best suited for a newer thriller reader.

I was given an ARC of The Locked Ward from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was the first book I have read by Sarah Pekkanen and I will definitely be reading more of her work! I enjoyed her writing style and loved the twists that I didn't see coming!

I was excited to receive an ARC of this book as it takes place in a psychiatric ward, which is always interesting to me!

Georgia is placed in a psychiatric ward while awaiting the decision if she's going to face charges for murdering her sister or be deemed mentally ill and have to stay in the ward and be forced to take psychiatric medication. Before her sister's murder she found out she had a twin sister who she was separated from at birth. She gets in contact with her twin to help her prove her innocence.

This story went back and forth each chapter from each sisters' point of view. I couldn't put it down as I was anxious to see where the story was going. I kept telling myself "just one more chapter" even though it was already late and past my normal bedtime!

I just couldn’t get into this book. One sister is locked up for killing her younger sister. Along comes her twin who didn’t even know she had sisters! Just kind of drug out. Not super interesting. Little shocking at the end but not something I would recommend.