Sarah Pekkanen returns with The Locked Ward, a chilling psychological thriller that explores the darkest corners of sisterhood, family secrets, and the fragile line between sanity and manipulation. With her signature mix of emotional depth and suspense, Pekkanen crafts a story that keeps readers questioning every motive and every truth until the very last page.
The novel opens with what the media dubs “the Crime of the Decade.” Georgia Cartwright, a glamorous woman adopted as a newborn into a wealthy Southern family, stands accused of murdering her younger sister Annabelle, the family’s biological daughter. The shocking twist? Georgia insists she’s innocent and claims she’s being framed by forces much darker than anyone realizes.
As she awaits trial inside a psychiatric institution for violent offenders, Georgia whispers one plea to her estranged twin sister Amanda: “I didn’t do it. You’ve got to get me out of here.”
Amanda Ravenel, a bartender from a modest background, never knew she had a twin. Her quiet life is turned upside down when a lawyer contacts her, revealing that Georgia the accused killer is in fact her biological sister. Despite her doubts, Amanda can’t ignore the haunting pull she feels toward Georgia. When they finally meet, the bond between them is undeniable, unsettling, and strangely familiar. Georgia’s desperate plea for help sets Amanda on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth.
As Amanda begins to investigate the Cartwright family, she quickly realizes that beneath their refined facade lies a web of deceit, power, and cruelty. Was Georgia truly driven to murder by jealousy and rejection, or was she the victim of manipulation and abuse by the very people who raised her? Each revelation drags Amanda deeper into a labyrinth of lies and puts her own life at risk.
Told in alternating perspectives between Georgia and Amanda, The Locked Ward captures the claustrophobic terror of an asylum as well as the moral corruption of high society. Pekkanen keeps the chapters short and the pacing tight, making it easy to lose track of time while reading. The atmosphere inside the psychiatric hospital is particularly well done bleak, menacing, and infused with a constant sense of dread that lingers long after the final chapter.
While some twists are easier to predict, the novel’s emotional intensity and the complex dynamic between the sisters carry the story. Georgia’s instability, combined with Amanda’s internal struggle between distrust and compassion, gives the narrative an emotional depth that elevates it beyond a typical whodunnit. Pekkanen also explores themes of identity, abandonment, and how trauma can shape one’s perception of truth.
However, the second half of the book slightly shifts in tone, leaning more toward family drama than psychological thriller. For some readers, this might dilute the tension built in the first act. Yet, even with its soap-operatic turns, the story remains compelling thanks to Pekkanen’s sharp writing and her ability to keep readers emotionally invested.
Fans of Sarah Pekkanen’s previous works or her collaborations with Greer Hendricks will find much to appreciate here. The dual narratives, the moral ambiguity, and the exploration of what it means to truly know someone make The Locked Ward a gripping and thought-provoking read.
Final Verdict:
The Locked Ward is an engrossing, fast-paced thriller about blood ties, betrayal, and the limits of trust. It may not deliver the most shocking twist of the year, but it’s undeniably captivating and atmospheric, perfect for fans of psychological suspense and sister-driven mysteries.
⭐ Rating: 4/5
If you enjoy dark family dramas with psychological twists and morally gray characters, this one deserves a spot on your reading list.
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