The Locked Ward

Normally, I would have no problem gushing over a Sarah Pekkanen novel. I tend to love her thrillers, finding them erudite and twisty. Unfortunately, I do not feel that THE LOCKED WARD is worthy of gushing. I had too many issues with certain details within the story for me to enjoy it as I normally would.

For one thing, I never felt that there was any real conflict or danger for either Georgia or Amanda from anyone outside of the institution. You can't have a thriller without a character in mortal peril, and no matter how often Georgia professed to be in danger, I didn't feel it.

In addition, the twin connection between Georgia and Amanda, fraternal twins who didn't even know about the other, is odd. Perhaps it is the fact that I married show more a fraternal twin that makes me more skeptical. Maybe it is my pragmatic understanding of fraternal twins in utero that has me raising my eyebrows at this little plot point. Whatever it is, I could not buy into the fact that these two women, who were separated at birth, could feel each other's emotions while miles apart.

THE LOCKED WARD includes a lot of convenient coincidences to help the story reach its conclusion, and I have never been a fan of stories that use coincidences to resolve the main conflict. Especially when one of those coincidences is that one character remembers some obscure paper she read in college years ago with perfect clarity, and that obscure paper just so happens to provide key insight into the mystery at the heart of the story. Again, I'm not buying it.

It isn't that THE LOCKED WARD is a bad story so much as it is not one of Ms. Pekkanen's better stories. The whole story ends too quickly for any decent tension to build, and the coincidences knock away any realism the story may have had. It is all just a little too rushed and too predictable for my taste. For now, I will chalk THE LOCKED WARD up to the idea that an author can't hit home run after home run all the time, and I will look forward to Ms. Pekkanen's next book, hoping it is more in line with what I know and love about her stories. show less

“THE LOCKED WARD” by Sarah Pekkanen
4.5 STARS - Fast Paced and Twisted!

This book got my attention with its unique concept. Amanda gets a call out of the blue. Surprise, you have a twin sister! Georgia Cartwright was adopted into a wealthy family and looks like she has it all, but now she’s in a psych ward, accused of killing her other sister, Annabelle. Georgia swears she’s innocent and wants Amanda to help prove it. That’s one way to shake up your week.

Amanda grew up with regular folks. Her parents owned and operated a small bar, which she took over after they were gone. Their lives couldn’t be more different.

Georgia is all secrets and weird vibes, but she still manages to get a few messages to Amanda. She wants Amanda to show more take her purse, and she’s seriously scared. The secrets in this book are wild. There are so many, I gave up trying to guess what was happening. And the characters! OMG, Amanda needed a suit of armor or maybe a couple of actual guard dogs instead of her tiny purse pups.

The sisters’ dynamic is fascinating. Amanda can’t tell if Georgia’s a victim or a pro at manipulation, and I was right there with her. But that’s exactly what makes it so fun.

“The Locked Ward” is fast and full of curveballs. Sarah Pekkanen keeps the tension high throughout. It’s one of those thrillers that sticks with you even after you finish.

Thanks to the author and St Martin’s Press for this ARC provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#TheLockedWard #SarahPekkanen #Edelweiss #StMartinsPress #CapCut

Psychological Thriller - Family Secrets - Psych Ward - Sister Drama - Gaslighting - Trust Issues show less

A murder infiltrates a family, bringing with it a web of secrets, lies, and intrigue where nothing is as it seems. Pekkanen crafts characters that are detailed and layered, just as we all are in real life, and I found myself genuinely invested in each person's story.
Pekkanen's writing flows seamlessly, carrying the plot forward as she expertly uncovers truths, while simultaneously throwing up smokescreens, creating revelations that are both surprising and inevitable. The journey from beginning to end is masterfully constructed, transforming what initially appears straightforward into something far more complex and nuanced.
By the conclusion, the story looks nothing like it did at the beginning, but the resolution feels earned rather than show more manipulative. This is a satisfying read for anyone who enjoys psychological play alongside their murder mysteries.
*I was invited to read by the publisher, through NetGalley, for an honest review show less

Amanda, adopted as an infant, grew up in a loving family. When her parents passed away, she inherited the bar they owned. Georgia, another adopted baby, was raised in a wealthy family where her parents’ biological child, Annabelle, was favored. Now, Georgia is in a locked psychiatric ward, accused of bludgeoning Annabelle to death.

Georgia reaches out to Amanda, leading Amanda to question everything from her true origin to her parents’ honesty and who she can trust as she investigates what really happened between Georgia and Annabelle.

Sarah Pekkanen weaves a captivating tale, skillfully alternating between two POVs. The plot is expertly crafted, with twists, turns, and deceptions as the suspense and danger build. The fast-paced show more narrative kept me totally engrossed, and I couldn’t put it down until I finished reading.

This is at least the seventh book I’ve read written or co-written by Pekkanen, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of them. She has become a “must-read” author for me.

Thanks to #Netgalley and @StMartinsPress for the DRC. show less

Gripping story about how secrets and jealousy can destroy. You are pulled into the story right away and it does not let go until the end. The book alternates between Amanda and Georgia telling their stories and it really highlights how perceptions matter in observations and relationships. When Georgia is arrested and put in a psychiatric war for allegedly killing her sister, she finds a way to involve her estranged twin sister, Amanda, to help unravel the mystery. Georgia's family wants nothing to do with her and they each have issues of their own. Another mystery floats through the story and is resolved by the end, but the reader is left wondering truths until the last minute.
If you want a riveting suspenseful thriller to wind up your show more summer or start your fall, I recommend this book!
#TheLockedWard #NetGalley
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own. show less

This was a fast moving, intense story with a lot of twists I didn’t see coming. The two main characters are extremely interesting and seeing how they are connected and how their paths crossed to lead them to where they are now was really interesting. Georgia has everything to lose if she can’t convince Amanda what’s she’s telling her is true. And it’s a hard pill to swallow. But if Amanda admits deep enough, she’ll discover the truth for herself and save them both. It’s not an easy thing to ask of a stranger but it has the wildest backstory to keep you hanging in until the end. An end I never saw coming. I received an advance copy in return for my honest review

“THE LOCKED WARD” by Sarah Pekkanen
4.5 STARS - Fast Paced and Twisted!

This book got my attention with its unique concept. Amanda gets a call out of the blue. Surprise, you have a twin sister! Georgia Cartwright was adopted into a wealthy family and looks like she has it all, but now she’s in a psych ward, accused of killing her other sister, Annabelle. Georgia swears she’s innocent and wants Amanda to help prove it. That’s one way to shake up your week.

Amanda grew up with regular folks. Her parents owned and operated a small bar, which she took over after they were gone. Their lives couldn’t be more different.

Georgia is all secrets and weird vibes, but she still manages to get a few messages to Amanda. She wants Amanda to show more take her purse, and she’s seriously scared. The secrets in this book are wild. There are so many, I gave up trying to guess what was happening. And the characters! OMG, Amanda needed a suit of armor or maybe a couple of actual guard dogs instead of her tiny purse pups.

The sisters’ dynamic is fascinating. Amanda can’t tell if Georgia’s a victim or a pro at manipulation, and I was right there with her. But that’s exactly what makes it so fun.

“The Locked Ward” is fast and full of curveballs. Sarah Pekkanen keeps the tension high throughout. It’s one of those thrillers that sticks with you even after you finish.

Thanks to the author and St Martin’s Press for this ARC provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#TheLockedWard #SarahPekkanen #Edelweiss #StMartinsPress #CapCut

Psychological Thriller - Family Secrets - Psych Ward - Sister Drama - Gaslighting - Trust Issues show less