Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth review

About The Book

Book: Mad Mabel
Author: Sally Hepworth
Standalone or Series: Standalone
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Publication Date (UK): 9th July 2026

🔍Standout Read. Awarded to books I highly recommend.

My Review

What a brilliant read! Hepworth is a new to me author. Mad Mabel comes under crime fiction, whilst the cover may look more on the cosy side and the book features touching relationships between neighbours as well as the young and the old, its content is also very dark at times.

The titular character is an 81-year-old woman, actually going by Elsie, living in suburban Australia. When she unfortunately discovers her neighbour’s dead body, her past is dredged up and her true identity as “Mad Mabel” is revealed. It turns out that, at just 15, she was the youngest Australian in history to be convicted of murder!

I loved the inclusion of an older, strong female character. In fact, there are many strong representations of women running throughout the book. Elsie is sarcastic and blunt but ultimately seems to be caring. We learn more about her history and how she gained the Mad Mabel moniker as she tells her truth to a YouTube documentary series that contacts her amid the media storm surrounding her rediscovery.

This felt a bit akin to a Strange Sally Diamond for me. There was also a nice moment that felt ever so slightly Plur1bus-esque. I absolutely loved it, one of my favourite reads of the year so far.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC.