Book Review: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

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Mad Mabel  by Sally Hepworth  is a domestic thriller about the youngest person convicted of murder in Australia, Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick. Now 81 years old, Elsie is living on Kenny Lane and has been for the past sixty years. When a mother named Roxanne moves into Mabel's neighborhood with her seven year old daughter, an unlikely friendship forms between Elsie and the seven year old child named Persephone. As Elsie's secrets come to light, her world comes crashing down.  Having read quite a few novels by Sally Hepworth, I requested an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Mad Mabel  without reading the synopsis of the story. I was thrilled when NetGalley and St. Martin's Press approved my request. The expected publication date of the book is April 21, 2026. Not knowing anything about the storyline before I started reading Mad Mabel  made the story much more interesting to me as I had no preconceived ideas. The tale was told from Mabel's perspective in alternating timeli...
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Book Review: The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson

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NetGalley ARC Book Review of The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson is a general fiction book about a marriage of two artists, Lucia and Ray Hanrahan, and their family gathering for Ray's newest exhibition of art, the first in years.  The family does their part in supporting him, but will it be a success?

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Advanced Readers Copy of The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson.  When I read the synopsis of the latest novel by Mendelson, I was intrigued as it sounded absolutely fantastic.  I was thrilled to be approved to read her story.

Unfortunately, The Exhibitionist didn’t quite resonate with me. The pacing felt slow from the start, and I found myself hoping the narrative would gain momentum. While the writing itself is polished and Mendelson captures the subtleties of relationships with authenticity, the story continued at a measured, almost plodding pace throughout the novel. The abrupt ending left me wishing for a more developed resolution. I truly wanted to love this book, and writing a less-than-positive review is always difficult.

Despite my personal experience, The Exhibitionist does have many strengths. The characters are believable, and the portrayal of family dynamics, artistic ambition, and marital tension is thoughtfully executed. Those who appreciate character-driven fiction, detailed emotional landscapes, and the quieter rhythms of literary storytelling may find it highly engaging.

Two out of five stars is what I rated The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson. However, I encourage readers to explore the book themselves to form their own opinion. Happy Reading! 

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