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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I’ve loved all of Sarah Pekkanen’s books, and The Locked Ward was no exception. I couldn’t put it down—the short, punchy chapters made it all too easy to say “just one more” until I’d read far more than planned.
From the start, I knew a twist was coming and found myself constantly trying to unravel it. The blend of murder mystery and family drama created the perfect storm of suspense and emotion. It kept me guessing and fully engaged until the very end. A compelling and satisfying read.
From the start, I knew a twist was coming and found myself constantly trying to unravel it. The blend of murder mystery and family drama created the perfect storm of suspense and emotion. It kept me guessing and fully engaged until the very end. A compelling and satisfying read.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m a perma-fan of Pekkanen, and this book didn’t disappoint. I actually wondered if I should re-read it because there’s so much detail and such a slow burn on the plot that I have concerns I missed things.
Just like her others, this is a well-written, suspenseful read where I didn’t know who to believe for the duration. My loyalties went back and forth between the characters for hours. In the end? I still don’t know if I chose correctly!
January LaVoy is my favorite narrator, and once again, she shows why she’s the best with this one!
Just like her others, this is a well-written, suspenseful read where I didn’t know who to believe for the duration. My loyalties went back and forth between the characters for hours. In the end? I still don’t know if I chose correctly!
January LaVoy is my favorite narrator, and once again, she shows why she’s the best with this one!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
challenging
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Meh. The characters were archetypes. The differing POVs were distracting and didn't add any benefit to the experience (it would MAYBE work if the sister POVs had switched, but I doubt it). The plot was relatively predictable. The "twists" and clues were dropped in like lead bricks.
It's a no from me.
It's a no from me.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After enjoying Sarah Pekkanen’s previous works like The Golden Couple, House of Glass, and Gone Tonight, I went into The Locked Ward with high expectations. The premise certainly hooked me: twin sisters separated at birth and adopted into different families, unaware of each other’s existence until three decades later. That setup alone promises a gripping psychological ride—and for the most part, it delivers.
There’s plenty of drama layered in: murders, infidelities, secrets, and a large cast of suspicious characters that keeps the reader guessing. Pekkanen is skilled at weaving intrigue and tension, and that talent shines here. However, despite the strong pacing and dramatic elements, I found myself wishing for a bit more originality. While the story was entertaining and fast-moving, it didn’t quite deliver the big, mind-blowing twists I’ve come to expect from her.
Overall, The Locked Ward is a solid, enjoyable read, but not one that breaks new ground. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with complex characters and tangled secrets, it’s worth picking up—just don’t expect it to completely upend your expectations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow! I really liked this thriller. It was fast paced with great twist that I personally didn’t see coming.
Georgia was adopted right before her sister, Annabel, was born and they’ve been stuck in a competitive cycle ever since. So when Georgia is caught over her sister’s dead body, no one doubts she is the murderer. She is taken away and locked in a psychiatric facility awaiting trial. But Georgia knows the secret her parents have kept from her, she is a twin, so while it looks like everyone has abandoned her she reaches out to the one person she hopes will help her clear her name, her twin Amanda.
A messy family drama mixed thriller, this one worked for me. Told from dual POV between Amanda and Georgia we are kept guessing on who we can trust and who might be hiding something.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin Press for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This psychological thriller started strong, immediately pulling me into the unsettling world of a psychiatric facility where the protagonist is pretending to be in a dissociative state of mind to achieve a hidden goal. It’s a tense premise, but after the initial hook, the pacing lagged for me.
The unknown twin sister trope seems to be popping up everywhere lately, and while it didn’t feel groundbreaking, it added some suspense. That said, the final twist—clearly setting up a potential sequel—was executed really well. Pekkanen knows how to end on a high note, even if the middle lost a bit of momentum.
If you like thrillers set in mental institutions with strategic narrators and a twisty final chapter, this one may be worth picking up.
Thank you to the author, publisher & NetGalley for the chance to read an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The unknown twin sister trope seems to be popping up everywhere lately, and while it didn’t feel groundbreaking, it added some suspense. That said, the final twist—clearly setting up a potential sequel—was executed really well. Pekkanen knows how to end on a high note, even if the middle lost a bit of momentum.
If you like thrillers set in mental institutions with strategic narrators and a twisty final chapter, this one may be worth picking up.
Thank you to the author, publisher & NetGalley for the chance to read an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.