The Locked Ward

A Novel

Was it...
Bitter, all-consuming jealousy?
Pathological sibling rivalry?
Pure insanity?

Whatever the cause—and everyone has a theory—it's the Crime of the Decade when glamorous Georgia Cartwright, who was adopted as a newborn, is accused of killing the biological daughter of her wealthy, Southern family.

Georgia is locked in a psychiatric institution where the most violent offenders are held while she awaits trial. The only words she whispers when her estranged twin sister Amanda visits are, “I didn’t do it. You’ve got to get me out of here.”

Amanda doesn't trust Georgia, but she can't abandon her in a place so eerie and menacing that it seems to exist in another dimension. Is Georgia the victim of a powerful family that's so depraved murder is the least of their crimes? Or is Amanda being led down a path of madness into the web of a master manipulator?

Nothing is as it seems in Sarah Pekkanen’s The Locked Ward, a shocking psychological thriller about the complex bonds of sisterhood—and what happens when they are stretched to the breaking point.

Some doors in the Locked Ward should never be opened.

This program is read by January LaVoy, seven-time Audie Award–winner, Grammy nominee and AudioFile Golden Voice.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Instantly immersive, involving, insightful and scary - this is psychological suspense at its very best." —Lee Child


When beautiful and wealthy Georgia Cartwright is kept in a locked ward after being accused of her sister’s brutal murder, there’s only one person who can save her: the other sister she didn’t know she had. Spellbinding and masterful, Sarah Pekkanen’s THE LOCKED WARD is a deep dive into the dark secrets of a powerful family, where reputation and social standing have always mattered more than the truth. Nothing is as it seems in this evocative and twisty thriller, and I loved every breathless minute of it. —Jennifer Hillier, USA Today bestselling author of THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK and LITTLE SECRETS


"A dueling narrative fraught with tension that will leave you guessing until the very end. And when you think you know...you don't!" —Jeneva Rose, bestselling author of THE PERFECT MARRIAGE and YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE COME HERE

"One of my favorite thriller writers, Sarah Pekkanen is an automatic buy for me. I love her twisty, propulsive thrillers and THE LOCKED WARD is no exception" —Laura Dave, NYT bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me

Fun ride

Liked the writing style, story and narration. It was entertaining and held my interest in trying to figure out who-done-it. At the end, there was a revelation by the non-rich sister that was unnecessary because it felt out of character.

Wow what a story!!

Loved the whole book-twist, turns-awesome!!! I look forward to reading more books by this author… Or I should say listening to more books by this author.

Interesting but not a masterpiece.

Kept my interest. Not really about a psychiatric ward. But lost its way mid-novel. If it's on sale, I'd get it. But not for a full credit.

Not believable

I think her writing partner, Greer Hendricks, must be the voice of reason and the better editor. It was overly melodramatic . The books they have written together are much better.

Suspense - kept me guessing

"The Locked Ward" is a poignant and gripping exploration of mental health, filled with compassion and captivating storytelling. A must-read!