“There are two sorts of individuals nobody ever expects to be murderers:
little women and previous women.”

I’ve lengthy been a fan of Sally Hepworth’s thrillers, however this outing she has written one thing very totally different. Sure, I suppose some would possibly name “Mad Mabel” a thriller, however I feel it’s extra a personality research about an intriguing and interesting octogenarian, Elsie ‘Mabel’ Waller.  She was a personality that had lived a protracted life ridden with trauma, loneliness, and misunderstanding. Her solely companion is her lifelong buddy, Daphne.

Mabel’s story is ready in Australia, and is written in a twin time line format. On this method we meet Mabel at age 81, and likewise we study her childhood and adolescence from her viewpoint as an unloved, and vilified woman. When she was simply fifteen, Mabel turned the youngest Australian to be convicted of homicide.

“Generally murderers are unhealthy individuals. Generally murderers kill unhealthy individuals. Generally murderers are good individuals who make unhealthy choices.”

When Mabel’s aged neighbour dies in his kitchen, and Mabel finds his physique, she is as soon as extra put below the highlight of suspicion. Mabel wasn’t his largest fan, so, as soon as individuals be taught of Mabel’s private previous historical past, she turns into a bigger than life suspect.

Mabel has lived on her avenue for many years, preserving herself to herself for essentially the most half. She prides herself on being brusque and greater than a tad curmudgeonly, so her neighbours are held at arm’s size. That’s, till Roxanne, a younger single mom, strikes into the road together with her seven 12 months previous daughter in tow. Persephone is a delight. She is outspoken, spunky, precocious, and finally… lovable. Mabel pretends that Persephone’s consideration is bothersome, however we shortly understand that Mabel is coming to have nice affection for the little woman.

When two younger journalists strategy Mabel to get her aspect of the story, she accepts. Mabel realizes that this may be her solely likelihood to be heard. What follows is Mabel’s recounting of her earlier years. A time when she was blamed for her child sister’s demise, her mom’s suicide, a schoolmate’s accident, and a lot extra. We suspect Mabel was not responsible of these items, however can she persuade others of her innocence? Was she responsible of one among them, all of them, or certainly – none of them?

Informed with empathy and emotional depth, to not point out greater than a bit of humour, Mabel’s story was one I’ll absolutely keep in mind for a very long time. The story got here with a number of plot twists, some I had guessed at, and a few that got here as a shock.

There are fairly just a few underlying themes working all through this novel. Therefore, it might be a wonderful selection for bookclub discussions.

If, like me, you take pleasure in studying about inter-generational relationships, misunderstood aged protagonists, and located household, you can be a fan of “Mad Mabel“.  I’m score it 5 glowing stars. It is going to undoubtedly make my 2026 favourites record.

This evaluate was written voluntarily and my score was under no circumstances influenced by the truth that I obtained a complimentary digital copy of this novel from St. Martin’s Press by way of NetGalley.

Publication date: April 21, 2026
ISBN: 9781250284549   ASIN: ‎ B0F5PCBV62    352 pages

Sally Hepworth is the New York Instances bestselling creator of seven novels, most lately The Youthful Spouse (2022), Good Sister (2021), which was an prompt bestseller. Her novel, Mom In Regulation (2019) has been optioned for a TV sequence by Hollywood actress and producer, Amy Poehler.
Drawing on the nice, the unhealthy and the downright odd of human behaviour, Sally writes incisively about household, relationships and id. Her home thriller novels are laced with quirky humour, sass and a darkly charming tone.
Sally’s novels can be found worldwide in English and have been translated into 20 languages.
​Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia together with her husband and three kids.

Observe Sally Hepworth on Twitter @SallyHepworth, or Instagram @sallyhepworth