Pekkanen didn’t disappoint yet again. I read this in 2.5 days it was so thrilling I couldn’t put it down!
Told from two points of view, Mandy and Georgia. The book starts from Georgia’s point of view in second person describing her experience in the psych ward. Then comes Mandy, bar owner and adopted at birth who receives a call from Georgia’s lawyer that changes everything. Did Georgia do it? Is she faking psychosis to avoid penitentiary? Pick up this book and find out that some twists won’t stop long after you thought you had it figured out.

5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I usually love books from this author, but this one fell short. I'm not sure if it was the writing, the lack of details, or the different view points. Sadly, I was left disappointed.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. This was an entertaining read, but it was a bit too slow for me. I did enjoy it and it kept me guessing, but it’s not my favorite by Sarah Pekkanen.

Received this advanced book thanks to NetGalley and really enjoyed it. Very well written and the story covered almost everything: sibling rivalry, murder, mental health, rape etc. Likable main characters and took me a while to figure out who the murderer was. Will read more from this author for sure!

Sadly, this was a DNF for me. I made it to 21% but was finding myself reading cookbooks at night rather than face picking up this book as part of my nightly routine. A disappointing book from one of my usually go-to authors. Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC copy. This review is my own.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. This book was everything I was looking for. It had me hooked and glued to the edge of my seat. I really liked this story.

Sarah Pekkanen does it again. The queen of thrillers is back. This book did not disappoint, you need to pick it up!

This was a fun popcorn thriller! Georgia Cartwright wakes up in a “locked” psychiatric ward being accused of killing her sister. But did she?? The story unfolds from there. So many twists and turns that keep you wondering. I thought I had it figured out. But nope I was wrong!

Thank you @St. Martins Publishing Group and @Netgalley for an Arc of my honest review.

I found *The Locked Ward* by Sarah Pekkanen to be a quick and engaging read, but it did fall short in some areas for me. The characters felt underdeveloped, and the plot lacked the depth I was hoping for, with some of the twists feeling either predictable or unconvincing. The setting of the psychiatric hospital also came across as more of a soap opera than a realistic portrayal, which took away from the immersion. That said, the writing style was smooth and kept me turning the pages, and I appreciated the suspenseful atmosphere Pekkanen managed to create. I do see potential in her writing and would be interested in checking out her future works.

I’m unsure of my thoughts on the book. It was a bit strange to me how Amanda found out she had a twin and was so ready to help her, without all the background knowledge.
I did like how the story alternated chapters between the two main characters and the story did flow.
But overall, I didn’t really like the storyline

**Review of *The Locked Ward* by Sarah Pekkanen**

*The Locked Ward* by Sarah Pekkanen is an engaging psychological thriller set in a mental health facility. The story is full of tension and mystery, keeping the reader guessing as it unfolds. Pekkanen’s writing brings the setting to life, making the mental hospital feel both oppressive and fascinating.

The characters are well-developed, and their emotional struggles feel real and relatable. The main character’s journey is both heartbreaking and hopeful, as she faces her own fears and secrets. The novel keeps you on edge with unexpected twists, questioning who can be trusted and what is really happening behind closed doors.

What makes *The Locked Ward* stand out is its honest look at mental health. It doesn’t just focus on the patients, but also explores how society views and treats those struggling with mental illness. Pekkanen balances the mystery with deeper themes, making the book both thrilling and thought-provoking.

In short, *The Locked Ward* is a gripping, emotional read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. It’s a well-written story about trust, healing, and the secrets people hide, with plenty of twists to keep you hooked until the very end.

Thank you to #netgalley. I quite enjoyed this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Mystery novels are my favorite and this one was another good one. Fans of Freida McFadden will enjoy it, even though it's not quite as unhinged as most of hers. Solid writing, nice twists, but no major shockers or surprises.

An easy read by Sarah Pekkanen told from the viewpoint of twin sisters who were separated at birth. There are several twists and turns that keep the story interesting. A great read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

After Georgia is arrested for murdering her sister Annabelle, she pleads insanity and ends up, for the time being at least, in a locked ward instead of jail. When the murder makes headlines, Mandy comes to find out that the accused Georgia is the sister she never knew she had. Georgia's lawyer calls Mandy and asks for help. When the sisters meet, Georgia insists that she is innocent and that Mandy must help her get out. But is she?

I was SO excited to be given a chance to read this because I loved House of Glass and Gone Tonight and this one did not disappoint either. I read it in a few days. It was quite suspenseful and although there was quite a few characters, it was easy to keep track of all that was going on because I was so immersed in the story. I was second guessing myself a few times whether Georgia was guilty or not, and if she was innocent, who did it? And that makes a book that much more fun. The other storyline with the adoption was another piece that added to the flow of the book. Sometimes when there is 2 things going on at once it is hard to follow but I felt like it was easy to keep track of it all because everything was well intertwined.
The only part I absolutely hated was when Josh walked in on her in the bathroom. I hated his character altogether, I understood that it was to portray that she didn’t belong there and to show that she was clearly unsafe but as a healthcare worker (and although I know this is fiction :)) her watcher should have had repercussions. Even though some of the patients did wrong to land them on that unit, they are all mentally unwell and nobody is allowed to judge or decide who gets to feel safe.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author + St. Martin’s Press for the DRC! I look forward to more books from this author in the future.

#TheLockedWard #NetGalley
Sarah Pekkanen delivers a spine-chilling psychological thriller with The Locked Ward, a novel that explores the dark depths of family secrets, sisterly bonds, and the terrifying uncertainty of truth. With a gripping premise and a setting as unsettling as the mystery itself, this book keeps readers questioning everything until the final page. Georgia Cartwright, adopted at birth into a wealthy Southern family, is accused of committing the most shocking crime of the decade—the murder of her adoptive parents’ biological daughter. While she awaits trial, she is locked away in a high-security psychiatric institution for the most dangerous offenders. Her estranged twin sister, Amanda, has every reason to doubt Georgia’s innocence. But when Georgia pleads, “I didn’t do it. You’ve got to get me out of here,” Amanda hesitates. Can she trust her sister, or is she being manipulated by a master liar? As Amanda digs deeper, she finds herself ensnared in a web of lies, deception, and a family so powerful they may be capable of covering up murder.
Likes :-
1 Unsettling Atmosphere: The psychiatric institution setting is eerie and suffocating, heightening the novel’s tension and sense of isolation.
2 Complex Sisterly Dynamic: The bond between Georgia and Amanda is layered with love, resentment, and doubt, making their interactions compelling and unpredictable.
3 Twist-Filled Plot: Pekkanen masterfully crafts a story where every clue leads to more questions, keeping readers second-guessing until the shocking conclusion.
Dislikes :-
1 Slow Build-Up: The first few chapters take time to establish the backstory, which may test the patience of readers looking for instant suspense.
2 Some Predictable Twists: While the story is gripping, experienced thriller readers might anticipate a few of the major revelations.
Overall :- The Locked Ward is a dark, psychological rollercoaster that keeps you turning pages late into the night. If you love twisted family dramas, unreliable narrators, and eerie institutional settings, this book is a must-read. Fans of Gone Girl and Sharp Objects will devour this chilling, addictive thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me an advance copy.

Georgia has never felt like she fit in her well-to-do southern family. Annabelle came along just months after her parents adopted her, the biological child they had given up hope of having. Georgia spends her childhood as the outcast who wishes Annabelle had never came along and finds herself shipped off to boarding school by her parents to keep her away from their golden child. Now at Annabelle's 32nd birthday party things take a terrible turn and when Georgia is discovered crouched over Annabelle bludgeoned body. She is quickly shipped off to a psych ward where she will be evaluated to stand trial for this heinous murder. Just before these terrible events, Georgia had discovered that she has a long-lost twin sister, Mandy. Now trapped in this locked ward, she must reach out to Mandy for help. Georgia maintains (to Mandy, she is not speaking to staff in the locked ward) that she is innocent and that everyone involved with her family is dangerous and out to get her. As Mandy immerses herself in trying to discover who could have really been responsible to Annabelle's death, she finds herself questioning everything. Nothing is as it seems in this caper, I found myself suspecting almost everyone at one point or another and I was still shocked at the final reveal. The story is told in alternating viewpoints, Georgia and Mandy. The chapters are short and quick, with each one leaving you needing to keep reading to find out what will happen. I could have easily devoured this book in one or two sittings as I was so intrigued by where it was going, but you know, life....overall, I liked it a lot and will continue to read Ms. Pekkanen's books in the future! Thank-you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review an early copy of The Locked Ward!

awesome fun thriller with some very good writing, some interesting twists, and unique characters throughout, like Honey, the Senator, Georgia, and Casey. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

This one had me on the edge of my seat - the scenes in the locked ward were just a bit nerve wracking for me . I would say that the first half I had no idea where this book was headed … then a couple twists here and there . The Epilogue throws one last great twist the reader’s way

Georgia Cartwright, a wealthy woman who was adopted, is accused of killing her sister Annabelle and sent to a psychiatric hospital. As Amanda Ravenel (Mandy) is reading about “The Crime of the Decade” she gets a call from Georgia Cartwright’s lawyer asking her to visit her which is strange until he reveals to Mandy that Georgia is her twin sister. She is also told that she is the only person Georgia wants to see. It turns out that Mandy is Georgia’s last chance but can she even trust her twin? Mandy does a lot of investigating into both her adoptive parent’s and Georgia’s past unearthing so much. This leads her to really question her upbringing. A lot of truths are brought to light. Will one of them be that Georgia is just a jealous sister who has become unhinged or is there more to this story than meets the eye?
This book goes back-and-forth between the past and the present making this such a page turner. All of the twists kept me engaged and I loved the shorter chapters. Sarah Pekkanen has been a go to for me for thrillers! House of Glass had me hooked as well last year. Check out The Locked Ward on August 5th it will not disappoint!
Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Pekkanen for this ARC in exchange to for my honest review. I hope to be on the list for the next one!