Was it... Bitter, all-consuming jealousy? Pathological sibling rivalry? Pure insanity?
Whatever the cause—and everyone has a theory—it's the Crime of the Decade when glamorous Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted as a newborn, is accused of killing the biological daughter of her wealthy, Southern family.
Georgia is locked in a psychiatric institution where the most violent offenders are held while she awaits trial. The only words she whispers when her estranged twin sister Amanda visits are, “I didn’t do it. You’ve got to get me out of here.”
Amanda doesn't trust Georgia, but she can't abandon her in a place so eerie and menacing that it seems to exist in another dimension. Is Georgia the victim of a powerful family that's so depraved murder is the least of their crimes? Or is Amanda being led down a path of madness into the web of a master manipulator?
Nothing is as it seems in Sarah Pekkanen’s The Locked Ward, a shocking psychological thriller about the complex bonds of sisterhood—and what happens when they are stretched to the breaking point.
Some doors in the Locked Ward should never be opened.
I'm a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 15 solo and coauthored books, including HOUSE OF GLASS, which is a Goodreads Choice award nominee and Amazon best book of the year.
My upcoming thriller, THE LOCKED WARD, is being hailed by Lee Child as "psychological suspense at its very best."
I'm also the coauthor of four bestselling thrillers: THE GOLDEN COUPLE, THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
I've also written eight novels that are contemporary fiction, not thrillers: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON'T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. My linked free short estories, published by Simon&Schuster exclusively for ereaders, are titled "All is Bright," and "Love, Accidentally."
When I'm not writing or spending time with my three kids, I'm a passionate advocate for rescue animals. I serve as Ambassador of RRSA India, a shelter and sanctuary for abused and injured street dogs and other animals in Anand, India. And I'm the founder of the nonprofit charity IndiaStreetPaws.com.
I also serve on the board of the International Thriller Writers. Readers and writers - come join us at Thrillerfest in NYC every spring!
(Here on Goodreads, my policy is to only review books I really like. If I don't enjoy the book, I won't write about it - it's just my personal policy.)
When you have the chance to read an ARC copy from one of your auto-approved thriller authors, like Sarah Pekkanen, the only thing you can do—after dancing in your study to celebrate your luck—is dive straight into the book. Especially when it presents an intriguing concept like twin connections, psychological thriller vibes with claustrophobic asylum chapters, and a twisty whodunnit premise!
The story revolves around two twin sisters’ perspectives:
Georgia, who is locked in an asylum after being arrested for murdering her sister Annabelle. She pleads insanity and awaits her trial, holding onto the last hope that Mandy will believe in her innocence and help her get out before she’s killed by hidden enemies controlled by powerful figures. Mandy (Amanda), who runs her family’s bar after inheriting the place following her parents’ deaths. She left her PR job behind, only to find herself at the center of a shocking revelation: the murderer making headlines—the one accused of vengefully killing her stepsister—is actually her twin sister, a sibling she never even knew existed. One day, Georgia’s lawyer calls Mandy, urging her to visit the hospital and meet her sister. Though skeptical, Mandy is too intrigued to resist confronting the presumed cold-blooded killer. When they finally meet, the unexplainable physical bond between them is undeniable. Then, Georgia hands over strands of her own hair, encouraging Mandy to conduct a DNA test. But deep in her gut, Mandy already knows the truth—Georgia is her real sister, and someone deliberately separated them at birth.
However, the biggest revelation is yet to come: Georgia insists she’s innocent. She warns Mandy that if she doesn’t help get her out, someone will kill her. But is Georgia telling the truth? Or is Mandy just a pawn in her twin’s dangerous endgame?
Determined to uncover the truth—not just to help Georgia, but also to piece together her own fragmented identity—Mandy is drawn into the elite’s scandalous secret circles. She learns more about the Cartwrights, the powerful family that adopted Georgia. Was Georgia the black sheep of the family, envious enough to kill her own sister? Or was she a victim of neglect and mistreatment, driven to desperation?
As Mandy digs deeper, she realizes there are people who would rather see Georgia dead—and in doing so, she unknowingly puts herself in more danger than she ever imagined. But even at the cost of her own life, she is determined to push forward and bring justice.
Overall Thoughts: The mystery surrounding Georgia’s innocence and the secrets of the Cartwright family are executed with a strong trajectory, featuring short, fast-paced, action-packed chapters. While some twists were a bit predictable, and I had hoped for a more earth-shattering conclusion, I still thoroughly enjoyed the character development and the magnetic—at times, eerie—bond between the sisters. That connection alone made me round my rating from 3.5 stars up to 4!
I highly recommend this well-crafted thriller to devoted fans like me and to any reader looking for a gripping, unputdownable read from the very first page.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC of one of this year’s most anticipated thrillers in exchange for my honest feedback—I truly appreciate it!
I was really looking forward to this book, and what an utter disappointment it was. I loved the titles You Are Not Alone, The Golden Couple and An Anonymous Girl that this author wrote with Greer Hendricks. I should have known this might not be a hit with me because the last book I read, which this author wrote alone, Gone Tonight, didn't appeal to me either.
This one is about Georgia (adopted), who is accused of murdering her sister (the parents' biological child). Georgia is sent to a psychiatric hospital for people who commit violent crimes while she waits for her trial to start. While there, she touches base with her twin sister, Amanda, whom she has never met. Amanda is then sucked into Georgia's dramarama.
What I did like about the book was the setting, which created a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere that is perfect for a thriller. The plot, however, was so frustrating to me because it was so damn predictable; the so-called twists had no impact on my reading experience whatsoever. I had a hard time connecting with Georgia or Mandy. Georgia didn't seem realistic; she was very one-dimensional, and I didn't sympathize with her grief or her fears.
While the premise is an intriguing one, the execution failed miserably. It didn't live up to the interesting setup, and it lacked the suspense needed to make it worthwhile. This was such a promising idea that just didn't deliver.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: 🎧 The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen Narrated by January LaVoy
9 hours 4 minutes at 1x 6 hours 3 minutes at 1.5x 4 hours 32 minutes at 2.0x (which is how I listened) 🎧
It’s the Crime of the Decade.
Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted as a newborn, has been accused of bludgeoning to death her younger sister Annabelle, who is her parents biological daughter, just 4 months younger than herself.
She is now locked up in a psychiatric institution awaiting trial-no longer a successful wedding planner, and lover of ugly dogs. She is just Case Number NC-0416729.
Amanda Ravenel is a successful bar owner and Georgia’s OTHER sister-her TWIN sister, but she doesn’t find this out until the high profile case hits the news and a lawyer calls to inform her of this fact. Apparently the girls were separated at birth and adopted by different families. And, now Georgia is asking to meet Mandy.
The only words she whispers when she meets her estranged twin sister are, “I didn’t do it. You’ve got to get me out of here before they kill me.”
WELL, THAT SOUNDS CRAZY.
But, Georgia knows that one item inside her purse will tempt Mandy into investigating. So she has it released to her twin, because Mandy is Georgia’s only hope.
A favorite quote: “ The most dangerous animal on earth isn’t the great white shark or a hungry crocodile or a mama bear. It’s the human being.”
Is Georgia innocent as she claims?
Amanda isn’t sure but she is curious enough to find out…
This is a FAST paced story with short chapters which alternate between the POVs of Georgia and Mandy. It explores family dynamics and twin synergy but the second half reads more like a sudsy, SOAP OPERA, than it does a thriller.
I have been a fan of the author since I started reading her collaborations with Greer Hendricks and always look forward to her latest book. Although this wasn’t a personal favorite of hers, for me, it did keep me engaged from the very first chapter to the last, so for that I am rounding my 3.5 stars up to 4.
AVAILABLE NOW
Be sure to watch for reviews from fellow buddy readers MarilynW, DeAnn, and Mary Beth! ✨
Thank You to Macmillan Audio for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley Shelf! As always, these are my candid thoughts
Do you like twin stories? If the answer is no, then this may not be the book for you.
Georgia Cartwright has been brought up in the lofty circles of the elite and powerful. Adopted and shunned by her mother Honey who favored her natural born daughter Annabelle, she now stands accused of murdering this sister in a fit of jealousy and is placed in a locked ward until her mental competency for trial is determined.
Mandy (Amanda) Ravenel is a bartender raised as an only child by loving parents in more modest circumstances. Her life is stable and predictable until her phone rings one morning with news she could never have imagined:
Georgia is not only her twin, but she’s asking for her help to prove she didn’t murder Annabelle.
This is where my buy-in faltered. Long-lost twin or not, I struggled to believe Mandy would risk life and limb amongst powerful threats that would want to silence her for the sake of a woman she literally just met.
Don’t get me wrong, I kept turning those pages and listening along while January LaVoy expertly narrated the unfolding drama, so I was definitely invested in where the story was going. The short chapters flew by, creating the “just one more” effect that I love in books, and Pekkanen’s writing is very good, so no issues with that.
My main issue was simply that stories about twins or rich and powerful politically-connected people behaving badly or misusing their influence just don’t excite me much. I can turn on the news and see abuses of power every day that I WISH were just fiction.
The best part of the book for me was Georgia’s experience inside the locked ward. That part felt terribly menacing! If the whole book was about a character in those circumstances, I’d have been hooked. It felt genuinely threatening. Mandy’s efforts on the outside in trying to clear Georgia fell flat for me and had none of that nail-biting tension, nor did the ending reveal and the epilogue, both of which felt a bit predictable and anticlimactic.
The story is a decent, well-written story, so the issue is just one of what kind of plots I prefer. While I enjoyed the story to a point, this plot didn’t work as well for me, but there’s definitely an audience for these kinds of characters and their stories. I’d encourage you to read others' reviews before you decide. The audio is very good if you do try this!
★★★ ½
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Sarah Pekkanen for this digital ARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC to honestly review. This is out August 5, 2025.
This was another book that I was eagerly anticipating. I loved the author’s previous book “House of Glass”, so I had high hopes for this book. While I did like this book, I didn’t love it unfortunately. I did love the short chapters, and the alternating POV’s between Georgia and Mandy. But the shock value just wasn’t there for me in this story, and I still feel like I have some questions/details that need to be addressed.
Georgia Cartwright, a wealthy woman wakes up in a locked ward accused of bludgeoning her younger sister to death. She is refusing to speak to anyone, but only wants to see one person and that is Amanda (Mandy) Ravenel.
Imagine Mandy’s surprise when she receives a call from Georgia’s public defender to go and meet his client- considering they have never met before. Due to curiosity and some sort of connection, Mandy goes to visit Georgia and she learns some deep secrets that turn her life upside down.
In this book you will learn about sibling rivalry, twin connections, wealth, what it’s like to be locked up in a psych ward, family relationships (or lack thereof), and then we get a little bit of suspense/shock value… I still feel like there were some missing details (which probably shouldn’t be that big of a deal), but it did bring my rating down a bit because of it. All in all, it was still a decent read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for a DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date: August 5, 2025
Uh oh. I accidentally clicked on 4 stars for this - MY OWN BOOK lol. Better than the time I clicked on 2 stars. I tried to clear it but who knows - perhaps I made it just one star. Someone keep me away from the internet, please!
3.5🌟 What’s worse? A life in prison? Or a life locked up in a psychiatric hospital? I’d like to hold out for the third option, please!🙋🏻♀️
Georgia has just been arrested for the murder of her younger sister, Annabelle. Suffering from shock, or possibly a breakdown, she’s been held for evaluation in a psychiatric hospital.
Her only hope is for her sister to help find the truth. No, not Annabelle, she’s dead! Georgia needs her twin sister Mandy. A woman she has yet to meet!
Told from two POVs. Mandy, in first person and Georgia in second person. (Why, I don’t know😩) I have to say, it felt awkward and mildly distracting.
I did enjoy the short chapters as it helped move the storyline forward, finishing in only a few sittings. Will it stick with me in the long run? Likely not. I’ve been a huge fan of this author but unfortunately this wasn’t a favorite.
Imagine being in your thirties and receiving a phone call from an attorney who informs you that your twin sister is in a high-security psychiatric ward and needs your help.
Horrifying, right?
Okay, now imagine this: you're an only child.
Gulp.
You've just entered the world of Amanda Ravenel in Sarah Pekkanen's psychological thriller The Locked Ward.
You might be familiar with Pekkanen from her collaborative thrillers with Greer Hendricks, including The Golden Couple (2022), You Are Not Alone (2020), and The Wife Between Us (2018).
I've also read and enjoyed a couple of her solo offerings: House of Glass (2024) and Gone Tonight (2023).
Anywho, back to this newly discovered twin sister...
Georgia Cartwright awakens in a dissociative state, accused of murdering her sister Annabelle, and finds herself confined in the titular locked ward of a psych hospital.
So, yeah, murder mystery.
But there's also the overarching mystery of how Amanda and Georgia were separated in the first place...and who their birth parents are.
Intrigued?
The narrative unravels in two alternating points of view: Amanda in first person and Georgia in second person.
Gotta admit, Georgia speaking in the second person threw me for a loop initially; however, I soon saw Pekkanen's storytelling brilliance in her choice — it creates a tension and leaves readers questioning the reliability of Georgia's paranoia and perception.
The psychiatric facility itself functions as more than mere setting, becoming another character that embodies the theme of imprisonment, both literal and metaphorical.
Trust, Pekkanen did her homework. The creep-factor is real inside this place. 😱
If you're a fan of the author or want to dip your toe into her work, The Locked Ward is an entertaining page-turner and interesting exploration of twin dynamics and nature versus nurture.
This novel was a great one! I enjoyed reading this book and found it to be very compelling. It came with complex characters and a great storyline. The premise started off really strong and it came with a well rounded ending. While I liked the dual point of views in the book, I found it to be different, because one was written in first person, while the other point of view was in second person. I would have loved both point of views to be written in first person. This is dark, emotional and tense. It is a fast paced read that is both plot and character driven. It explores family dynamics, the reality inside mental institutions, a twin connection, the power of wealth and the criminal justice system. This kept me fully immersed the entire time reading it, came with short chapters and had twists that I didn’t see coming! I do read a lot of thriller books and I do feel like it did lack in the thriller aspect, but it did come with a lot of mystery! I do see this becoming a best seller book!
❥ Synopsis & Rating ❥
“The Locked Ward” is about a girl named Georgia, who gets accused of murdering her wealthy adoptive family's biological daughter and ends up in a psych ward. Georgia claims that she is innocent. Then there is her twin sister named Mandy that just finds out that she has a biological twin sister and it so happens to be Georgia. There’s a lot of guessing and twists as to how this book will play out! Overall, I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
❥ Who I think would enjoy this book & Content Warnings ❥
I think readers who like Freida McFadden books would enjoy this one! Content warnings include murder, mental illness, death, rape, child abuse, sexual assault, violence, self harm and grief.
❥ Thank You ❥
Thank you to NetGalley, author Sarah Pekkanen and St. Martin's Press for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
❥ Release Date ❥
This book is expected to be published on August 5, 2025!
Slow-boiling, addictive, and thoroughly twisted, Sarah Pekkanen pulled out all the stops yet again with The Locked Ward. From the down and dirty dysfunctional family dynamic to the almost soap opera-esque feel, while I definitely had to suspend all disbelief, I was happy to do it just to inhale one more word. After all, with two unreliable narrators taking center stage, I never know who or what to trust as the gasoline was poured onto each increasingly spine-tingling scene. And that’s before I even got to the sinister vibe oozing out of the frightening and creepy locked psych ward. Evocatively described, Pekkanen managed to create a memorable setting that felt as inescapable as it did true-to-life.
The biggest win of this unputdownable tale, however, was the onion-like plot that wound down to a dynamite series of truly explosive reveals. And while it didn’t exactly feel realistic per se, the unhinged-ness of the truth hit just the right chord. You see, it all slotted perfectly into place thanks to the well-crafted backgrounds for both of these sisters. On top of that, though, was the original style that was used for one of the two distinct POVs. Told via second-person narration, the prose pulled the reader into the layers of desperate secrets, long-buried lies, and dirty schemes far more than just using she or I could have ever achieved. Bravo, Ms. Pekkanen on making me part of this plot right from the beginning.
All said and done, thanks to the short, punchy chapters, claustrophobic feel, and compelling twin-centered premise, there was no chance of my putting this book down before I reached the last page. In fact, I finished it in one single sitting. With a simmering level of unease that preceded a tense knife-edge climax, even the initial slow pace couldn’t put me off one of my favorite authors. Known for her ability to create perfectly timed suspense, this book only further confirmed my love for her razor-sharp writing. So if you’re looking for a nuanced tale of a family in turmoil that was also undeniably thrilling, you don’t need to look any further as you’ve found it right here. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Was it bitter, all-consuming jealousy? Pathological sibling rivalry? Pure insanity?
Whatever the cause―and everyone has a theory―it's the Crime of the Decade when glamorous Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted as a newborn, is accused of killing the biological daughter of her wealthy, Southern family.
Georgia is locked in a psychiatric institution where the most violent offenders are held while she awaits trial. The only words she whispers when her estranged twin sister Amanda visits are, “I didn’t do it. You’ve got to get me out of here.”
Amanda doesn't trust Georgia, but she can't abandon her in a place so eerie and menacing that it seems to exist in another dimension. Is Georgia the victim of a powerful family that's so depraved murder is the least of their crimes? Or is Amanda being led down a path of madness into the web of a master manipulator?
Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 5, 2025
Content warning: adoption, mental health issues, stalking/harassment, gun violence, mention of: sexual assault
Georgia is locked in a psychiatric ward, accused of bludgeoning her sister to death. She’s in a semi-catatonic state but knows enough to request a visit from her twin sister, Mandy, having recently learned of her existence.
Mandy however knew nothing of her twin sister. She was adopted and her parents have died. Mandy grew up in modest circumstances while Georgia grew up wealthy.
Mandy visits and decides on her own to do a bit of sleuthing, and slowly uncovers some long-buried secrets.
The short chapters moved this story along at a decent clip but for me, it was missing that oomph to elevate it beyond a decent 3 star read. There were times my attention waned, and, as a nurse, the descriptions of the psych ward didn’t ring true. As a Nana to identical twin granddaughters the sudden twin “bond” among grown women who had never met rang hollow as well.
I’ve enjoyed two of the author’s previous books and even though this one was not a complete winner, I will definitely try her next.
* I received a digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
The Locked Ward is a gripping story that masterfully intertwines the lives of two twin sisters, showcasing their distinct yet connected perspectives. Their interactions unravel a complex narrative filled with family dynamics, betrayal, and an urgent quest for truth.
Georgia finds herself trapped in a sinister asylum, wrongfully accused of the horrific murder of her sister, Annabelle. As she pleads insanity, she clings to the hope of convincing her estranged twin, Mandy, of her innocence before her trial begins. Paranoia creeps into Georgia's mind as she grows increasingly aware of powerful enemies—manipulated by influential figures with dark agendas—who aim to silence her before she can uncover the reality of her situation.
Meanwhile, Mandy (Amanda) has stepped up to run her family's bar following the tragic loss of her parents, abandoning a promising PR career. As she navigates her grief and seeks to redefine her identity, her world is turned upside down by a shocking revelation: the alleged murderer making headlines—her sister—was part of a hidden twin she never knew existed. This earth-shattering truth disrupts her understanding of family and forces her to confront the implications of their concealed past.
When Georgia’s lawyer urgently contacts Mandy, imploring her to visit the asylum and confront her sister, she grapples with skepticism but is drawn by an undeniable curiosity. Their meeting is charged with intensity, revealing the weight of their shared, yet fragmented history. As Georgia hands Mandy strands of her hair for a DNA test, a revelation strikes: Georgia is not merely a long-lost sister; she is an essential piece of Mandy’s identity, long shrouded in darkness.
The twist intensifies when Georgia proclaims her innocence, insisting that danger looms in the shadows of the asylum—and beyond. But as Mandy navigates this treacherous terrain, she must question everything she thought she knew: Is Georgia truly innocent, or is she crafting a deceptive web that could ensnare her sister in peril? As tension mounts, Mandy’s resolve deepens in her quest for the truth—not just to save Georgia, but to reclaim her own fragmented sense of self.
Venturing into the dark underbelly of elite society, Mandy unearths the scandalous secrets surrounding the Cartwright family, who adopted Georgia. As she delves deeper into their tumultuous dynamics, she confronts unsettling questions: Was Georgia the misunderstood black sheep shunned and abandoned, or merely a victim of toxicity and neglect, driven to the edge?
With each layer of deceit unveiled, it becomes clear that some individuals would prefer to see Georgia silenced forever. In this treacherous game, Mandy unwittingly places herself in danger, yet she remains unyielding. Justice must prevail, even if it means risking her own life.
The intricate mystery surrounding Georgia’s alleged innocence, coupled with the dark secrets of the Cartwright family, unfolds with a thrilling intensity. While some twists may feel predictable, the depth of character development and the magnetic bond between the sisters keep the reader engaged. This story reaffirms my love for tales centred on the complexities of sisterhood.
Told in short chapters from each sister's POV, this book drew me in right from the start. Neither narrator is reliable, and you'll wonder who or what you can believe. The twins seem to have a mysterious connection, and Mandy feels compelled to investigate Georgia's story. It's also interesting to see how differently the twins were raised - Georgia, raised by a wealthy family, seemed to have gotten the better part of the bargain, but did she? The psychiatric ward was a creepy, scary place, and I couldn't wait to see how all this would end—and I wasn't disappointed. Once again, January LaVoy was outstanding, perfectly capturing both women's personalities. I couldn't stop listening! I wholeheartedly recommend this expertly crafted thriller to avid readers who want an unputdownable experience that captivates from the very first page.
I want to thank NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. I was under no obligation to provide a review Pre-ReadThank you so much, St. Martin’s Press. I received the ARC and am excited to read it. I loved Pekkanen's "House of Glass," which was my first time reading a book by her.
Imagine discovering in your thirties that you have a sister. And not just a sister, but a twin. That’s the premise of The Locked Ward. Mandy has just discovered that Georgia Cartwright, glamorous daughter of the super rich Cartwrights, is her twin. Georgia, who’s just been charged with killing her younger sister and is currently locked up in the hospital’s mental ward. In fact, the only reason that Mandy now knows this is that Georgia has reached out to her. Told in alternating short, quick chapters between Mandy and Georgia, the story moves at a brisk pace. But one of the initial premises, that Georgia was sent to the ward because she’s suffering from a dissociative state, doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. She doesn’t talk on the ward but the staff never seems to realize she’s talking to her lawyer and capable of asking for visitors. We’re also meant to believe that these two strangers develop an instantaneous “twin bond” once they briefly meet. And for some reason, Mandy’s chapters are written in first person and Georgia’s in second person, which irritated me as there wasn’t a reason for it. I’ll give Pekkanen credit for creating a super eerie setting on the ward. The tension in those segments is palpable. But it wasn’t enough to hold my interest. I’m starting to think I’m losing my interest in psychological thrillers. It’s the rare one that doesn’t require a major suspension of belief. And too often, like here, the character development is lacking. The mother is such a cliche she’s laughable. My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
Georgia Cartwright, adopted into the wealthy Cartwright family as an infant, is accused of killing their biological daughter out of jealousy.
Georgia now finds herself in "The Locked Ward" where she enlists the help of her twin sister, Mandy, that never knew she existed.
Mandy, of course, agrees to help taking us on one of the most convoluted journeys imaginable.
I thought this book would never end.
These 30-something fraternal twin sisters meet for the very first time for literally 5 minutes and all of a sudden they have twin telepathy. This was the start of my eye rolling but it certainly wasn't the end of it. Georgia and Mandy were both dreadfully boring as characters. The writing lacked any kind of depth or nuance. If you like stories of wealthy powerful people behaving badly then you may have better success than I did. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.
Glamorous Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted as a newborn, is accused of killing the biological daughter of her wealthy family and, as a result, is locked in a psychiatric institution. Amanda (Mandy) Ravenel, also adopted as a newborn, is shocked to learn that she has a twin sister who is asking for help in proving her innocent of the murder of her sister Annabelle.
This story is told in short chapters from the points of view of Georgia and Mandy and I was thoroughly entertained by the book. Interestingly, Georgia's chapters are written in 2nd person which is unusual but worked well. I don't imagine it's easy to do. I found the scenes in the psychiatric hospital and descriptions of staff and patients to be especially chilling. There are some parts of the book that had me raising my eyebrows but I decided not to take it too seriously. The ending was a bit of a surprise but not really shocking. I've had mixed luck with this author's books but I'll definitely be watching for whatever Sarah Pekkanen comes out with next.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, via Netgalley, for inviting me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. This review will be published on Goodreads on August 3, 2025 and on amazon.ca on or after August 5, 2025. Publication Date: August 5, 2025
Long lost twins, one locked in a psychiatric facility for murdering her sister, the other just discovering her existence. This story dives into mystery as Georgia and Amanda’s POVs switch back and forth, giving us a peek inside both their minds. While it doesn’t hit super hard on the thriller side, the mystery was strong enough to keep me hooked.
This book starts out strong with Georgia, our MFC, who was adopted, standing over her bloodied and dead sister holding a book end that she had bought her for her birthday. Georgia is sent to a Mehran mental hospital where she awaits on whether or not she'll be found competent to stand trial. Meanwhile, Mandy gets a call from the hospital advising her that her sister would like her to pick up her stuff. Mandy is shocked because, as far as she knows, she's an only child. When Mandy gets to the hospital, Georgia immediately claims that Mandy needs to help her out. After meeting Georgia, Mandy immediately feels a connection and wants to uncover the truth. Is Mandy being played, or is there more to this story?
After reading The Locked Ward and having already read House of Glass, Sarah Pekkanen is now an author that I'll blindly buy her books.
Moving on to The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen. I'm excited to start this one. I hope it's just as exciting as House Of Glass. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
The crime of the decade! Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted when she was a baby, is in The Locked Ward of a psychiatric institution for killing the biological daughter of her family. While she awaits trial, she tells her estranged sister, Amanda, that she did not do it!
All is not cut and dry in The Locked Ward. There are long lost twins, who have just been reunited by tragedy, secrets, lies, and power, and tension. This book moved at a nice rate, and I enjoyed the twists and turns along the way. While I enjoyed this book, I didn't love it. It did have some intruding characters, and I never quite knew what was going to happen next! Having said that, this book didn't quite hit the spot for me as the author's previous books. I had very high hopes for this book and thought it would be a slam dunk. I can't quite put my finger on exactly what it was missing to make my rating higher, but I do have to give it high marks for the well thought out plot.
Others are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5⭐️ Georgia Cartwright, adopted at birth, is locked in a psych ward accused of murdering the biological daughter of her wealthy parents. Completely silent but for the words she speaks to her newfound twin sister Amanda, “I didn’t do it”, Georgia is desperate for help in proving her innocence. But is Georgia a victim or a master manipulator?
I have come to realize that Sarah Pekkanen writes stories that cannot be placed inside just one box. While often labeled as “thrillers”, they are clearly so much more than just that. Most books deemed thrillers are not as character-driven, with such nuanced and complex family dynamics. I have really come to appreciate that her books, with the inclusion of so many additional non-thriller elements, read more like literary thrillers. Which of course means, they won’t necessarily have the fast-paced popcorn vibes of other popular books on the market— and I have come to absolutely love that about her writing.
Going into The Locked Ward, I knew given the newly discovered twin storyline, that this would most likely have a slower burn feel to it, and it indeed does. It starts off with a bang as we learn that one of the women is locked away for the murder of her sister. I absolutely loved the atmospheric setting of the ward. Oh, the creepiness factor, every single time we hit Georgia’s perspective. The writing is so evocative, there were moments I felt I myself was locked in there with her. I enjoyed our deep dive into each of the two main characters; particularly the backstory around each of their upbringings.
That said, something in the execution of the story fell flat for me, particularly from the midway point through to the ending, and I am still unsure as to what exactly it was. Perhaps I had an idea in my head as to what was happening, and then not encountering nearly that type of twist left me wanting. However, if nothing else, Pekkanen does write insanely bingable books. And so while this may not have been my favorite of her thrillers, it was still a quick and entertaining read I found to be enjoyable nonetheless.
🎧 It’s no surprise, given that it’s narrated by January LaVoy, that the audiobook is terrific. She is fantastic at keeping characters distinct and really amps up the intensity of the story as a whole. And yet, because there are two twin sisters, who arguably should sound similarly, it was a little difficult to distinguish between the two, and I found myself looking to the setting of the chapter and the narrative perspective (I versus you) to decipher who was speaking.
Read if you like: ▪️genre mashups ▪️psychological suspense ▪️twin sisters separated at birth ▪️locked ward setting ▪️dual perspectives ▪️family drama
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copies of this book.
My final rating on this one is lower than expected which is a bummer after such a fun start! Personally - I'm a fan of books that start later in the story. Rewinding time to show you small glimpses and all unspooling the threads of what's going on as you read. The major blow to 'The Locked Ward' was that the urgency didn't continue.
- Really enjoyed the psych ward commentary/setting because I've not read one of these style settings before, and it was fun, without being gory!
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15% read - Really loving the tension and urgency. Being in a psych ward / losing freedom is one of my greatest fears so I feel like this is a fun one!
**Thank you to St.Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
You have a sister. But you never knew. And she's written you from prison, asking for help. Because she's suspected of committing murder. What do you do? Great premise... well-executed drama with multiple layers of family dynamics. Perfect story for me, and was glad to read my first stand-alone Sarah Pekkanen novel. I've read her co-written books, so this was a treat. Recommended.
The Locked Ward seems to have been a big hit this summer, so guess who didn’t like it????
I’m assuming Pekkanen is a BookTok phenom, because that’s about the caliber of “shocking psychological thriller” I experienced. The story here is about Georgia, who has been locked in a psych ward on an involuntary 14 day hold while the powers that be determine whether she is mentally sound enough to participate in her own trial for bludgeoning her sister to death and of Mandy, who just recently was informed she is Georgia’s twin sister who was separated at birth and adopted out to another family. This 100% falls into the “could have been an email” category because there is hardly any story to tell and yet it drones on for the usual 350 pages. I had to Google whether Pekkanen was a pen name for a writing duo because it certainly came off as one of those campfire games where one person tells part of a story and then another continues on. This sucker is full of plot holes and mini subplots that amount to nothing. And I’m a girl who loves a trashy popcorn thriller so you know they are bad if I’m calling them out. While I’m always appreciative to receive an advanced copy, unfortunately this one was not for me.
1.5 Stars
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 Stars. Having enjoyed Sarah Pekkanen's excellent House of Glass, I was pleased to receive an early digital edition. Thanks to NetGallery and the publisher. August 5th is the scheduled publication date. I regret that I didn't find The Locked Ward as compelling as her previous book. It features a sinister plot, dysfunctional families, misunderstandings, anger, revenge, secrets, manipulation, lies, and murder. I found the plot to be clever, with short chapters, but it ultimately became tangled, convoluted, and disjointed. It explored the dynamics and connection between twin sisters who were separated from birth. There were suggestions that wealth and power can subvert the justice system.
Georgia is the adopted daughter of the wealthy Cartwright family. Now an adult, she is in the locked ward of a mental hospital. It holds the most violent psychiatric patients, dangerous to others and themselves. Georgia appears to be in a semi-catatonic or disassociative state. She will be tried for the recent bludgeoning of her family's biological daughter, Annabelle. She plans to appeal the murder due to mental illness. Her choice seems to be between remaining in the locked ward while forced to be on medication, or life in prison. She is constantly watched, but none of the caregivers seem to notice that she speaks coherently with lawyers and a visitor.
Georgia has a plan to escape either of these two dreadful choices. She knows she has a twin, Amanda (Mandy). Mandy is unaware that she has a biological twin sister. Georgia believes someone is planning to kill her, and hopes that Mandy can save her. Mandy grew up in a middle-class home. She inherited a bar, but has felt something or someone is missing in her life. She is contacted by a lawyer to gather some of her twin's belongings, and to visit her in the claustrophobic ward where Georgia is imprisoned. This comes as an incredible shock to Mandy, but she is curious. When they meet, Georgia insists she is innocent, and some malevolent forces want her dead. She wants Mandy to prove she did not commit the murder. Is Georgia being manipulative, and is she lying? The result could put Mandy's life in jeopardy. Mandy feels that they have a mental and emotional bond.
The case made a sensation in news reports due to the family's prominence. Gossip and observations attest to a history of conflict between Georgia and her biological sister, Annabelle. Georgia was noticeably hostile and jealous, so the public is not surprised at the murder. Annabelle was considered a pleasant, good girl, but there was suspicion of a longtime affair with a much older politician. Could that be connected with her death?
The story is told in alternating chapters, narrated by Mandy and Georgia. This made the book fast-paced, but the suspense and intensity were lacking; the characters were dull and not memorable. There were many twists and turns once Mandy started her investigation, while unsure that Georgia could be trusted. Mandy has stepped into a tangled web where danger awaits at every turn.
Although frustrated with the book's structure, I think many readers will be entertained.
Curling up with a Sarah Pekkanen is always a thrill. The Locked Ward kept me turning the pages, but it was missing a little bit of "oomph" and "OMG" to make me rate this one higher.
What Its About:
It's the Crime of the Decade when glamorous Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted as a newborn, is accused of killing the biological daughter of her wealthy, Southern family.
Georgia is locked in a psychiatric institution where the most violent offenders are held while she awaits trial. The only words she whispers when her estranged twin sister Amanda visits are, “I didn’t do it. You’ve got to get me out of here.”
Amanda doesn't trust Georgia, but she can't abandon her in a place so eerie and menacing that it seems to exist in another dimension. Is Georgia the victim of a powerful family that's so depraved murder is the least of their crimes? Or is Amanda being led down a path of madness into the web of a master manipulator?
This story is told from both Georgia's and Amanda's points of view. I have to say that the setting of Georgia locked in this ward was my utterly favourite part. There were some great scenes where I feared for her life. Amanda "Mandy," on the other hand, there was something about her, and I cannot put my finger on it, but I just couldn't connect with that character.
Overall, not a fave but still a page turner.
Publication Date 05/08/25 Goodreads Review 05/08/25
This one started a little slow for me and I didn't warm to the characters right away. Once I got further in it became engaging and I found the overall story interesting.
I was disappointed with the lack of basic medical research. There were a couple of times in the story where something occurred and it drew me out of the story because it just wouldn't happen. This would have been very easy to research and one part is definitely common knowledge. Plus, there wasn't even any reason to add those details. They did not progress the story at all.
Second, there was too much discussion about the twin-mind connection for my taste. It came up multiple times and again wasn't necessary for the story to progress. I think the story would have been better without it.
Otherwise, I found the story kept my attention and I looked forward to reading it. I wanted to know what happened the night Annabelle was killed and what would happen to the characters in the story. I was curious how it would play out and for the most part the story was well told. I was satisfied with the reveal at the end, though there was a small bit tagged on after the story that wasn't needed.
I was fortunate to have both the audiobook and ebook. The audio was narrated by January LaVoy and very well done.
I think this was closer to 3.5 stars due to the reasons I mentioned above, but I'm going to round up because it kept my interest and the majority of the book was 4 stars for me. Plus, the narration was excellent.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with complimentary electronic copies of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rich people misbehaving, buried secrets from the past, twins separated at birth and murder combine to make a suspenseful, unpredictable mystery. The alternating POVs masterfully kept the story engaging. Georgia’s chapters had an eerie vibe while Mandy’s were equally twisted. The final twist was completely unexpected making the conclusion surprising and satisfying. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my copy.
decently intriguing storyline but i just could NOT take anymore of this basic closed captioned ass writing. did we need 4 paragraphs about her going to the kitchen to cook eggs? super quick read but this writing is working my nerves
Georgia Cartwright who was adopted as a newborn (uh-oh) seemed to have it all (bet she doesn’t) - wealthy family, great job, beautiful…so why is she locked in a psych ward, accused of murdering her sister, Annabelle (there it is)?
And not only was Georgia adopted, she was a twin, separated at birth (yep!) Now her only hope is her twin sister, Amanda, whom she has never met. Can Georgia and Amanda trust each other and can Amanda save Georgia?
This was a pretty ho-hum standard thriller and to be honest I’m not sure why I chose to read it. It’s set in Charlotte and it’s pretty clear that Pekkanen maybe read the first two paragraphs of the Wikipedia entry for the city as she doesn’t appear to know much about it.
Plus, I am perfectly willing to admit that perhaps I am not the good person that my two sweet dogs think that I am. But. Please tell me why Amanda, who is just living her life, is willing to risk it for a rich woman she doesn’t know whom she also suspects she can’t trust? Oh, and, naturally both women are beautiful and can get men to do stuff for them, well, just because. So, it was not bad, but, honestly, I would have rather been reading something better. And then I’ll see all kinds of four and five star ratings and I’ll be very aware that my tastes do not necessary match others. Georgia better hope that one of those women are her long lost twin next time.
A new thriller by Sarah Pekkanen narrated by January LaVoy….let me at it!! Every book by this author is highly addictive and impossible to put down. January LaVoy is always fabulous and brings all the characters to life and pulls you into the story. I listened to this in a day because I just needed to know how it was going to end, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Imagine discovering that you had a twin sister that you knew nothing about. Now imagine you find out about. When that sister is arrested for murdering her other sister. Wild right? Mandy gets a call from a lawyer requesting she go visit her long lost sister, Georgia, in the psychiatric hospital she has been put in after her arrest. Georgia claims innocence and Mandy feels a connection to her sister even though she doesn’t even know her. The 2 set out to prove Georgias innocence.
It is really strange to see your name in a book, especially as a main character! it was fun though. I really enjoyed this crazy story of family, wealth and so many secrets.
Thanks so so much to Macmillan Audio for my early copy to listen to. Out on August 5th.