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knowthy_shelf 's review for:

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen
3.0
mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

 
The Locked Ward gripped me with the promise of a psychological thriller featuring estranged twin sisters, potentially unreliable narration, and the tense backdrop of a psychiatric ward. 
What I appreciated most about this book was the concept. The tension between the Georgia and Mandy, the emotional weight of their histories, and the intensity of a family secrets and suspicion of murder had strong potential. 
In general, the writing leaned heavily on telling rather than showing and often felt clunky. The second-person narration used in Georgia’s chapters seemed underdeveloped. I initially thought it may be intended to enhance the psychological elements, but that never played out. As it didn’t seem to ever be used for any functional purpose, it ultimately came off as more distracting, especially when it occasionally shifted back to first-person within a chapter. I really wish this had been better developed, as this change in POV could have really been used to play up the psychological tension. 
The biggest disappointment is that the plot didn’t hold together. Key elements of the family secrets felt inconsistent, and several of the suspenseful threads set up in the locked ward never paid off. We never really got to the “psychological thriller” part of the story. Unfortunately, The Locked Ward did not deliver on its premise. I’ve enjoyed other works by this author and have to say this one is not her best work. 
That said, it’s a fast-paced read and might appeal to those who enjoy light thrillers and aren’t overly concerned with the deeper logic of how a mystery might play out. If you’re looking for a quick, twisty ride and can overlook some rough edges, this might still be worth a try. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.