Mad Mabel (by Sally Hepworth)
I've been wanting to read Sally Hepworth's suspenseful thrillers for a while. When Mad Mabel became available on Libby, I jumped on the opportunity to finally read one of her novels and placed a hold. I got lucky reading this one first, because it's been getting a lot of attention — and it certainly exceeded my expectations.
Mad Mabel revolves around 81-year-old Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, a sharp-tongued and fiercely independent woman who resides quietly in a Melbourne suburb. When a neighbor's death under suspicious circumstances triggers the resurfacing of her carefully buried past, Elsie is thrust back into a time when she was known as "Mad Mabel," Australia's youngest convicted murderer.
As police and the media intensify their investigation, Elsie forms an unexpected bond with her persistent seven-year-old neighbor, Persephone. Simultaneously, she grapples with the decision to finally share her side of the story. The novel skillfully weaves together dark humor, dual timelines, and explores themes of justice, friendship, and redemption.
Early on, I got some similar vibes to Samantha Downing’s Too Old for This (a book I also loved—you can read my review here). Both feature older, snarky protagonists, but the similarities mostly end there. Mad Mabel is a vastly different story, in the best possible way. What I loved most, and didn't expect, was the emotional depth of the characters. The story alternates between Elsie's present-day life and flashbacks to her traumatic childhood and adolescence, gradually revealing what really happened all those years ago. The more I learned about Mabel, the more she worked her way into my heart.
There are plenty of entertaining twists and moments of suspense, as you’d expect. But for me, the emotional richness of the story is what truly stood out. I never expected to feel so sad, amazed, and stunned all at once by the final moments.
I listened to the audiobook on Libby, narrated by Hannah Fredericksen and Jenny Seedsman. They did a phenomenal job. Whichever narrator voiced Elsie was outstanding, and her take on Persephone completely stole my heart—it made me fall even harder for both characters.
I’m already looking forward to exploring Hepworth’s backlist. If Mad Mabel is any indication of her talent, I’m in for some excellent reading.
My X-Factor dahlias are flourishing this summer. I think the bold red color is simply gorgeous.
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