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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Mental illness
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
The premise of this story got me intrigued with Georgia who was adopted as a newborn, is accused on murdering the biological daughter of their adoptive family.
While locked up, she reaches out to Amanda/Mandy who is her twin and they did not know each other. Here's where the plot lost me. Why would Mandy go out on a limb to help her sister who she didn't know existed. Also, as twins (the story does not say if they are identical) I expected them to share a lot of facial similarities which I thought would have been brought up in the story.
I enjoyed the dual POV but it was weird that Georgia's POV was not wirtten in 1st person like Mandy. The setting of the locked ward and what Georgia experienced was creepy and kept me wondering what was happening.
The last 25% of the book was just a bit far fetched to feel believable.
January LaVoy can do no wrong with narration. She created the creepy vibes and kept me interested in the story.
Thank you @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress for a copy of the book.
While locked up, she reaches out to Amanda/Mandy who is her twin and they did not know each other. Here's where the plot lost me. Why would Mandy go out on a limb to help her sister who she didn't know existed. Also, as twins (the story does not say if they are identical) I expected them to share a lot of facial similarities which I thought would have been brought up in the story.
I enjoyed the dual POV but it was weird that Georgia's POV was not wirtten in 1st person like Mandy. The setting of the locked ward and what Georgia experienced was creepy and kept me wondering what was happening.
The last 25% of the book was just a bit far fetched to feel believable.
January LaVoy can do no wrong with narration. She created the creepy vibes and kept me interested in the story.
Thank you @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress for a copy of the book.
Audiobook
Wealthy socialite Georgia Cartwright is committed to a psych ward while awaiting trial for her adopted sister's murder. Trying to remain undetected, Georgia's only hope is Amanda, her estranged biological sister. Can Mandy find the true culprit, or is Georgia setting up her other sister?
The Locked Ward is a tense and gripping psychological thriller. Pekkanen crafts a story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Who is innocent? Who is guilty? How far can corruption infect? A reader will keep flipping the pages in anticipation.
Advanced copy provide
Wealthy socialite Georgia Cartwright is committed to a psych ward while awaiting trial for her adopted sister's murder. Trying to remain undetected, Georgia's only hope is Amanda, her estranged biological sister. Can Mandy find the true culprit, or is Georgia setting up her other sister?
The Locked Ward is a tense and gripping psychological thriller. Pekkanen crafts a story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Who is innocent? Who is guilty? How far can corruption infect? A reader will keep flipping the pages in anticipation.
Advanced copy provide
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was a fun pool/beach thriller! I think the twin connection was a bit overplayed and there were some moments where it felt like a character jumped to a conclusion that wasn't quite clear how they got there... but there was a lot of tension, I loved the alternating POVs, and the ending was really satisfying. Definitely enjoyed!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑳𝑶𝑪𝑲𝑬𝑫 𝑾𝑨𝑹𝑫 𝒃𝒚 𝑺𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒉 𝑷𝒆𝒌𝒌𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒏 was an instant anticipated read that I was graciously #gifted by @stmartinspress via @netgalley & @macmillan.audio as part of the #MacAudio2025 choices!
I loved this one!
I was instantly gripped by Georgia as she awakes in the Locked Ward and begins to recall what led her here. When I got to Amanda/Mandy's chapters, I was equally enthralled. I had no idea who to believe and what would happen as the story of Georgia brutally killing her younger sister, an apparent rivalry taken to the extreme, was revealed.
The sisterhood variants explored here with Georgia being adopted and then having a sister only months younger, and seemingly much favored, juxtaposed against the twin with whom she just met and has an instantly deep connection. Amanda's take on the relationship as an only adopted child gave a drive to her that went beyond her new sister, but to her origins.
All those deeper lines added to the compelling suspense that I couldn't pause for a minute. Having the audio narrated by @januarylavoy made it easy to follow with her expert voicing and delivery of angst, fear, and intensity. I love having both formats, but as I said, I wasn't pausing the narration for anything! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I think this will be a big win for @sarahpekkanen when it comes out on August 5th!
I loved this one!
I was instantly gripped by Georgia as she awakes in the Locked Ward and begins to recall what led her here. When I got to Amanda/Mandy's chapters, I was equally enthralled. I had no idea who to believe and what would happen as the story of Georgia brutally killing her younger sister, an apparent rivalry taken to the extreme, was revealed.
The sisterhood variants explored here with Georgia being adopted and then having a sister only months younger, and seemingly much favored, juxtaposed against the twin with whom she just met and has an instantly deep connection. Amanda's take on the relationship as an only adopted child gave a drive to her that went beyond her new sister, but to her origins.
All those deeper lines added to the compelling suspense that I couldn't pause for a minute. Having the audio narrated by @januarylavoy made it easy to follow with her expert voicing and delivery of angst, fear, and intensity. I love having both formats, but as I said, I wasn't pausing the narration for anything! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I think this will be a big win for @sarahpekkanen when it comes out on August 5th!
fast-paced
The Locked Ward was a fast-paced, twisty thriller that centered around twins, Georgia and Amanda, who were separated at birth. Georgia has been accused of killing her sister Annabelle and has been placed in a locked psychiatric ward until it can be determined if she is competent to stand trial. Amanda is living her own life until she receives a phone call that turns her entire life upside down, the woman who has been all over the news for killing her sister is actually Amanda's twin and she wants to see her. During that first visit Georgia only says one thing, It wasn't me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, just as I have every other Sarah Pekkanen book I've read. The character's were all completely unreliable and some of the plot twists genuinely had me shocked! The writing style did take a bit to get used to because Amanda's POV is 1st person while Georgia's was 2nd person. Overall though it was a very enjoyable book that I highly recommend checking out.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC I received in exchange for an honest review. The Locked Ward releases August 5, 2025.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, just as I have every other Sarah Pekkanen book I've read. The character's were all completely unreliable and some of the plot twists genuinely had me shocked! The writing style did take a bit to get used to because Amanda's POV is 1st person while Georgia's was 2nd person. Overall though it was a very enjoyable book that I highly recommend checking out.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC I received in exchange for an honest review. The Locked Ward releases August 5, 2025.
Georgia is accused of killing her sister at her sister’s birthday party and is subsequently locked in a psychiatric facility where she awaits trial. Amanda is Georgia’s estranged twin sister and, while she doesn’t trust Georgia, she can’t fathom abandoning her in a place so eerie and menacing.
THE LOCKED WARD is told in two POVs: Georgia’s and Amanda’s. Both perspectives are intriguing, offering unique and important insights and information. I really liked both POVs and was eager to discover the true motivations of one of them as I couldn’t quite peg them. The setting of the psychiatric ward is eerie and very atmospheric.
The plot of THE LOCKED WARD is one that is somewhat unique to me, particularly with the way it is presented and executed. I found it to be a slow build over the pages as both characters try to put together what they’re learning, but it’s certainly worth the wait. The plot is more character-driven so has a bit of a slower pacing than other psychological thrillers I’ve read. I enjoyed the ending, feeling as though it completed the story well. This is a gripping read that kept me intrigued from the first page to the last.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, St Martin’s Press, for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
THE LOCKED WARD is told in two POVs: Georgia’s and Amanda’s. Both perspectives are intriguing, offering unique and important insights and information. I really liked both POVs and was eager to discover the true motivations of one of them as I couldn’t quite peg them. The setting of the psychiatric ward is eerie and very atmospheric.
The plot of THE LOCKED WARD is one that is somewhat unique to me, particularly with the way it is presented and executed. I found it to be a slow build over the pages as both characters try to put together what they’re learning, but it’s certainly worth the wait. The plot is more character-driven so has a bit of a slower pacing than other psychological thrillers I’ve read. I enjoyed the ending, feeling as though it completed the story well. This is a gripping read that kept me intrigued from the first page to the last.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, St Martin’s Press, for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.