I was INTO this one. Omg. I thought the storyline was so good and I couldn’t put it down!! Very eager to keep reading- the ending was so good!

I loved this book! Sarah Pekkanen is a great story teller and this book was no exception. In The Locked Ward, Georgia is institutionalized after being accused of killing her sister Annabelle. Georgia uses this moment to reach out to the twin sister she has only just learned about, in hopes that her sister will help her prove her innocence. This book is filled with a massive web of lies and secrets, and is truly engaging. I did see some aspects of the ending coming, but that comes with the territory of reading many thrillers. There were other aspects that surprised me. I loved the epilogue and felt like it was such a fitting end to this book.

This book is expected to publish on August 5, 2025. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for my ARC.

I really enjoyed this one! It was fast-paced with a twist I didn't see coming! I will definitely be reading more from this author

The premise of this book was so interesting and it didn’t disappoint. This is not the first book I’ve read by this author and I’ve really become a fan! I loved the psychological aspect of this as someone who works in mental health and thought it was well written with lots of great twists and turns! Overall, another fantastic read from Sarah Pekkanen.

Oh. My. Freaking. GOSH!!! Pekkanen has outdone herself, which I didn’t think was possible after House of Glass! I have loved her for years and years but my goodness she just keeps writing better and better novels! I loved the alternating POV between Georgia and Mandy and I loved the unique twist of her using second person perspective on Georgia’s chapters to highlight her state of mind. Absolutely brilliant! I was so caught up in trying to get ahead of one massive twist that I totally missed the big whammy! (Don’t even bother trying to guess what it is…)
This book is definitely going on my list of books to recommend! Beyond brilliance!

“The Locked Ward” by Sarah Pekkanen delves into the psychological complexities of Georgia Worthington, a young woman confined to a mental institution after being accused of murdering her sister. Adopted into a prominent and wealthy family at birth, Georgia finds herself entangled in a web of suspicion as the biological daughter of the family is found dead, and she is at the scene covered in her blood. Her desperate plea for assistance leads her to reconnect with her twin sister, Amanda, whom she was separated from at birth. Amanda doesn’t even know she had a twin, let along one accused of murder. She feels strangely drawn to her new sister, but are Georgia’s intentions as pure as she claims they are?

I worked in a psych unit and I really appreciated how accurate this novel is. It can be really frustrating to read an inaccurate novel but this book really delivered and Sarah Pekkanen definitely did her research! I devoured this book within 24 hours of starting it. I recommend this novel for fans of Sarah Pekkanen’s previous works and enthusiasts of psychological thrillers in general.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this novel. “The Locked Ward” by Sarah Pekkanen will be published on 8/5/2025.

Man I love this author so much. Everything she writes is truly thrilling which is hard to find. She genuinely keeps me guessing the entire time.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Locked Ward is a clever labyrinth murder mystery thriller from the wonderfully imaginative mind of Sarah Pekkanen that explores themes such as familial loyalty, trust, and going up against a powerful omnipresent political force who has almost everyone, including the local police, in their pocket.

Pekkanen does an excellent job of telling this story with compelling subplots - the intriguing story of twins, separated at birth, reunited to rescue the one who is facing either 20 years in prison or life in a psychiatric institution for a murder she did not commit.

Keep writing Sarah Pekkanen, we will keep reading!

Excellent character and plot development in this captivating psychological thriller.

Sarah Pekkanen delivers a gripping psychological thriller in The Locked Ward, a novel that masterfully blends suspense, family secrets, and the unsettling question of whether we can ever truly know those closest to us.

The story follows Amanda, who is thrust into a nightmare when her estranged twin sister, Georgia, is accused of murdering the biological daughter of her wealthy adoptive family. Georgia, institutionalized in a psychiatric ward for the most dangerous offenders, insists on her innocence, pleading with Amanda to help her escape. What follows is a tense and chilling unraveling of truth and deception, set against the backdrop of an eerie mental institution and a family that may be hiding far darker secrets than anyone suspects. Honestly, Pekkanen is a master at crafting an atmosphere of paranoia and dread, so if that’s your thing (it’s mine!) then she’s your girl! . The novel plays with themes of trust, sisterhood, and power, making us question whether Georgia is a victim or a masterful liar. The Southern gothic undertones add richness to the setting, making the family’s wealth and influence feel both intoxicating and suffocating. Five stars!!

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is an emotional and compelling contemporary novel that explores the complexities of family, secrets, and personal healing. The story follows a young woman named Grace who, after a personal tragedy, takes a job at a psychiatric ward. As she becomes entangled in the lives of her patients and co-workers, Grace confronts her own trauma and begins a journey toward understanding herself and those around her.

Pekkanen’s writing is sensitive and insightful, offering a deep dive into the lives of the characters. The novel balances suspense with emotional depth, keeping readers engaged as it explores themes of forgiveness, mental illness, and the struggles of personal growth. The character development is strong, and the setting of the locked ward adds an atmospheric element to the story.

Overall, The Locked Ward is a powerful, thought-provoking read that will resonate with fans of character-driven narratives, offering both emotional intensity and a nuanced look at mental health and recovery.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! An absolute page turner.

Georgia Cartwright is in a locked psychiatric ward for the murder of the biological daughter of her adoptive family - a sister with which she has always had a strained relationship. Georgia reaches out to Mandy, her estranged twin sister for help - telling her she didn't do it and there's a much bigger story here. The chapters alternate POV between Georgia in the locked ward with glimpses into the past, and Mandy who is investigating and trying to figure out what exactly happened.

I adore this kind of thriller - short chapters that convince you to stay up way too late telling yourself "just one more!" - dual POV and questionable reliability of EVERYONE! And a very satisfying ending with all of my questions answered.

A bonus for me is that this book is set in Charlotte, North Carolina, where I live! I have friends that live in the Vue - the apartment complex where Georgia lives - and it was fun to picture events at the real restaurants and neighborhoods the author used in the book.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC - all opinions are my own.

THANK YOU, Netgalley for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book. Couldn’t put it down. The story kept me on my toes and I didn’t see the final twists coming.

Honestly I didn’t know what to expect as this is my first time reading anything by this author but I loved it!

I loved the two point of views and short chapters as things were constantly going and seeing things from both sides.

This story not only was a fast and easy read (as I always say one more chapter if it’s less than 5 minutes). But also it just had me on the edge of my seat that I didn’t want to stop reading it.

The Locked Ward was a great book that when you thought you knew what was happening something else comes up and what you thought isn’t it.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves some mysteries

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC. I found myself so drawn into this. Between the short but fast-paced chapters ending with cliffhangers, and the alternating POV chapters (one of which is written in the second person, which I thought would be off-putting but actually really liked), I legitimately kept doing the “just one more chapter” dance. Really great.

OMG wow this book was so good I loved the institution setting and then trying to solve the murder while not falling victim of the space. This book was a wild ride and I cant wait to own the physical copy and re read this. Wow this book I just cant get over how it was almost atmospheric but in a building.

The Locked Ward
Sarah Pekkanen
08/05/2025
St. Martin’s Press

Sarah Pekkanen - this is a banger. Every book you have written or co-written just seems to get better! The Locked Ward is best going in blind, so avoid spoilers. Just know that there will be plenty of perfectly placed red herrings on this journey! Told between two alternating POV’s with two unreliable characters - Mandy, who owns a bar and recently lost her parents and Georgia, a wealthy socialite accused of murder - the reader follows these to women finding out how they and their families are connected. The novel delves into complex themes like family dynamics, politics, wealth and power, and the deep, often complicated bond between sisters, especially twins.

This book grabbed my attention right from the start. Sarah Pekkanen's portrayal of a mental hospital ward is unmatched. The eerie mix of unsettling tension and the complexities of misunderstood individuals make a challenging environment to maintain your sanity. I genuinely believe Sarah did her research while writing this novel; it felt like I was right there on the locked ward with Georgia from the very first page. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. It’s a nail-biting, can't-put-it-down story that keeps you hooked until the very end. So, prepare for a thrilling ride!

The locked ward was suspenseful thriller. I can't say enough how much I loved this book. I would recommend this one. I would give it 5 out of 5 stars. Probably in my top 5 books for 2025

The Locked Ward was an excellent read! It's been a while since I've read a well written and suspenseful plot. Pekkanen carefully wove a story together with many red herrings. She tied up all loose ends by the end of the novel, which is a delight! It wasn't the typical story line and was refreshing to read a new idea. The way Pekkanen built the story line was excellent and exciting. It got very hard to put down, especially the last 1/4 of it. By that point, I'm usually bored and ready for things to end, but it wasn't the case with The Locked Ward. Highly recommend!

✨️Review✨️
The Locked Ward by: Sarah Pekkanen
5/5 🌙's

Overview: Georgia has always been the bad sister. The one no one wanted. It's always been about Annabelle the perfect daughter. That is until Annabelle dies. Now the news talks about Georgia. Her mean streak has just continued.

Thoughts: This book kept my attention from the very beginning. The way that Sarah captured a ward in a mental hospital is unparalleled. I used to work at our state mental hospital and the creepy crawly mixed with the misunderstood it is a hard place to stay sane. I truly believe that Sarah did her homework while writing this book. I felt like I was on the locked ward with Georgia from the very beginning. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a mystery. This is a nail biting hooked until the end type of story. So buckle up.



Many thanks to netgally, st. Martin's press, and the author for a DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure in reading. all opinions are my own.
Publish date: 8/5/25