The Book Nook Chronicles

If someone would have told me that the last few weeks of pregnancy I would feel like the tortoise from the Tortoise and the Hare, I wouldn’t have completely believed you. My energy levels are shot and, to be completely frank, words are hard right now.

BUT Mad Mabel came out this week and I loved this book so much that I need to tell you all about it, even if my 38-week pregnant butt is struggling. So, apologies in advance if there are confusing sentences or odd antidotes in this one. I’m almost done growing a human and it’s humbling me every day.

Mad Mabel Review

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5.0 on StoryGraph

Genre: Contemporary Thriller

Author: Sally Hepworth

Page Count: 352

Publication Date: April 21, 2026

From the start of Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, one thing is certain: Mabel is a murderer.

As the youngest murderer convicted in Australian history, Mabel Waller (now known as Elsie Fitzpatrick) has kept to herself since serving her time in a mental asylum as a 15-year-old girl.

Now 81, she lives on a quiet-ish street in Melbourne where she tries her best to go unnoticed. When an overly friendly little girl named Persephone moves in across the street, another neighbor suddenly dies, and morbidly curious locals start poking around, Mabel is forced to confront her past, whether she wants to or not.

This was my first experience with a Sally Hepworth novel and, God, does this woman know what she’s doing. Murder mysteries and thrillers are typically not my jam, but this book is anything but its genre. Hepworth’s character development and plot building is impeccable. Mabel’s quirky, laissez-faire attitude toward her conviction is entertainment I haven’t experienced in a long time. Even though you know she’s killed someone it doesn’t really matter, you simply want to know more about her. Throw in Persephone, who thinks Mabel is the coolest person on the block (and rightfully so), plus Mabel’s ride-or-die sassy best friend Daphane, and you have dynamic duos that will stand the test of time.

The balance between past and present narrative makes this book fly as you slowly uncover what landed Mabel in the life she is currently leading. You begin to question if Mabel is the true definition of a murderer or an easy target for a community that is not interested in understanding her. It also brings into question the impact a child’s upbringing will have on their own world view, not only of themselves, but of everyone around them.

The women throughout Mabel’s life prove to be her saving graces. I want to give a particular shoutout to her Aunt Cess and Aunt Cess’s close friend Ness (I think we all know what that means) who are consistently positive presences in Mabel’s life. Not to get too in the weeds about Mabel’s family dynamic (since it’s a massive plot point I do not want to ruin), life is messy in her childhood home. The consistency of Cess and Ness in Mabel’s early life keeps her above water more times than not and these two characters deserve praise for being the adults Mabel needed in her childhood. They are also an exploration into same-sex relationships in 1950s Australia, predominately seen through the eyes of a child which is honest, pure, and kind of beautiful.

Mad Mabel is an exploration of loneliness, friendship, and the lengths adults will go to save face, for themselves and in the society around them. Currently in the lead as my favorite book of 2026, Sally Hepworth’s latest novel will make you feel every emotion under the sun and is worth every page. Get your name on your library’s waitlist or buy this book now. You won’t regret it.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.