Book Review: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

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NetGalley ARC Book Review of Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
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 timelines, which kept me on the toes of my feet and wondering where the author was going. It was definitely a heartwarming story because the main character finally learned how to make a friend after all these years.

Mabel, also known as Elsie, is a bit of a curmudgeon and rightfully so based on what we learn about her life throughout the story. However, we find out that she does have other more redeemable personality traits as her friendship with Persephone builds. She advocates for women who have fallen on hard times like Roxanne, has a soft spot for kids and animals, and ends up showing a deeply selfless nature. I loved seeing Mabel's character development throughout the novel.

Different Book Covers of Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
Persephone is incredibly spunky and audacious. While she can be a bit annoying at times, she genuinely connects with Mabel and comes to see her as a grandmother figure. The characters are just so wonderfully well developed.

The vibe of this narrative is similar to that of V. C. Andrews, particularly her Cutler series. If you’ve read that series, you might notice a few similarities, but it’s really the overall ambiance of Mad Mabel that brings the series to mind ... gothic family drama. 

Although I finished the story a couple of days ago, I still find myself thinking about it. Hepworth captured my attention from the very first chapter and held it all the way through to the end. It’s beautifully written and unfolds as a compelling slow burn. Five out of five stars is what I rated Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth.

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