Mad Mabel - Sally Hepworth

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Hardcover

From New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth comes a twisty tale of justice, redemption, and one irrepressible woman who's not done breaking the rules just yet.

Meet Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick: eighty-one years old, gloriously grumpy, fiercely independent, and never without a hot cup of tea--or a cutting remark. She minds her own business in her quiet Melbourne suburb, until a neighbor turns up dead and the whispers start flying.

Because Elsie hasn't always been Elsie. Once upon a headline, she was Mad Mabel Waller--Australia's youngest convicted murderer. But was she really mad, or just misunderstood? Either way, she's kept her secret buried for decades.

Enter seven-year-old Persephone, a relentless little chatterbox who has just moved in across the road (armed with stickers, questions, and no sense of personal boundaries); Joan, who appears to have it in for Elsie; and a healthy dose of public interest--the cops are sniffing around, and the media is circling like seagulls at a picnic.

So Mabel does what she's always done best--she takes matters into her own hands.

Is she a cantankerous old lady with a shady past? A cold-blooded killer with arthritis? Or just someone who's finally ready to tell her side of the story?

Sharp, surprising, and wickedly funny, this is the unforgettable story of a woman who's spent a lifetime being underestimated--and is about to prove everyone wrong. Again.

Biographical Note:

SALLY HEPWORTH is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including The Good Sister and The Soulmate. Drawing on the good, the bad and the downright odd of human behaviour, Sally writes incisively about family, relationships and identity. Her domestic thriller novels are laced with quirky humour, sass and a darkly charming tone. They are available worldwide in English and have been translated into twenty languages.

Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her family and one adorable dog.

Review Quotes:

"A must-purchase for most collections. Not only will Hepworth's many fans be clamoring for this, but it's sure to grow her reader base." --Library Journal, starred review

"Hepworth balances heartbreak with Elsie's delicious snark and strong suspense, but readers will be hard-pressed to resist feeling something here as allies emerge to defeat Elsie's resigned loneliness. Arguably Hepworth's best, this is a must-read for fans of Helene Tursten's Elderly Lady series and Christopher Bollen's Havoc (2024). " --Booklist, starred review

"A twisty page-turning triumph, packed with wit, warmth, nuance and mystery. Brilliant." --Jane Harper

"Funny, twisty and suspenseful."--Harlan Coben

Review Citations:

• Booklist 03/01/2026 (EAN 9781250284549, Hardcover) - *Starred Review
• Library Journal 01/01/2026 pg. 53 (EAN 9781250284549, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Contributor Bio:Hepworth, Sally
Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including The Good Sister and The Soulmate. Drawing on the good, the bad and the downright odd of human behaviour, Sally writes incisively about family, relationships and identity. Her domestic thriller novels are laced with quirky humour, sass and a darkly charming tone. They are available worldwide in English and have been translated into twenty languages. Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her family and one adorable dog.