An easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. My first of the year!

I loved Mad Mabel from the very start, she is 81, quirky and has a fantastic personality. Mabel would quite easily have me chuckling to myself and laughing out loud throughout this book.

Told in two timeframes of then and now, we learn about Mabel’s life and how she became to be called Mad Mabel. The writing was great, it had some lovely characters in and it reminds us not to be as judgemental of people when we don’t know all the facts.

I’m going to miss Mabel and her friends, they will be in my thoughts for a while yet I’m sure.

Rating: 4.5 stars 


This bittersweet dramedy blends a present day mystery with a compelling look at the past. We follow Elsie, an irresistibly sharp witted 81-year-old whose quiet life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers her neighbour dead and inconveniently becomes the main suspect. Alongside her long-time friend Daphne, a chaotic but endearing 7-year-old named Persephone, and the ever watchful Kenny Lane neighbours, Elsie’s story unfolds alongside the mysterious tale of the infamous “Mad Mabel.”

This is character driven storytelling at its best, full of emotional insight, humour, and heart.

What I loved most was the intergenerational dynamic. The bond between Elsie and Persephone is funny, and surprisingly touching. Nugget the dog also deserves a special mention for loving Elsie far more than she loves him.

The AdLib true crime podcast element was such a fun addition, giving Elsie a chance to finally set the record straight. While this wasn’t the thriller I initially expected, it’s instead a warm, layered story exploring loneliness, resilience, neglect and found family with a few twists.

I’d recommend this to anyone who loves character driven fiction with humour and heart, emotional, but not heavy.

What an absolute treasure of a book! There are not enough words (or ⭐️’s) to convey just how fantastic “Mad Mabel” is. From the very first page, I was completely hooked—and quite honestly, I didn’t want it to end.

This is one of those rare reads that manages to be wickedly clever, darkly funny, and genuinely gripping all at once. The pacing is spot-on, the tension quietly simmers before snapping into place at exactly the right moments, and the storytelling feels effortlessly assured.

And then there’s Mabel herself… what a character. Sharp, secretive, and utterly unforgettable, she walks that perfect line between charming and chilling. You’re never quite sure whether to root for her or keep a wary distance—and that delicious uncertainty is what makes the whole thing so compelling.

The narrative unfolds with a kind of mischievous confidence, dropping clues, teasing truths, and keeping you constantly guessing. Just when you think you’ve got it all worked out—think again. It’s twisty without being overdone, and every reveal feels earned.

There’s also something quietly brilliant in the way the story plays with perception—how easily people are underestimated, overlooked, or misunderstood. It adds a subtle depth beneath all the wit and intrigue that really elevates the novel.

Simply put, “Mad Mabel” is smart, addictive, and just a little bit wicked. An absolute joy to read—and almost rude for a book to be this entertaining.

My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the DRC of “Mad Mabel” by Sally Hepworth.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and may be found on Goodreads, Amazon, and NetGalley.

‘Mad Mabel’ is due to be published and available on Amazon on the 23 April 2026.

I adored this book. Elsie (aka Mabel) is a 81 year old, slightly curmudgeonly, woman living in a quiet residential street in Australia (I had Ramsey Street in mind). She says that the people least suspected of murder are young girls (enter her annoying neighbour Persephone) or old women.

But that’s not entirely true as she was called Mad Mabel for a reason and there is a past to explore.

Through events in the street and flashbacks to her youth through a YouTube film interview, we get to know Mabel and her past. And it’s bloody brilliant.

Mabel is such a wonderful character. Full of spike, sass, humour, and ultimately vulnerability, and I loved her.

4.75⭐️

Having loved several of the author’s books I’m always keen for a new release.

Here we have an old quirky, funny lady called Mabel whose best friend is Daphne. I really liked her, although no doubt I’d be exasperated if she lived next door to me. I found myself frequently chuckling at things she did or said especially to Persephone.

The author cleverly ties Mabel’s present and past together, while creating intrigue with the reader drawing them in. The main story is her past which is slowly revealed.

Although the tone of the writing is light and breezy there’s always the insinuation of darker undertones, it avoids being graphic.

I think this book is ideal for those who loved Strange Sally Diamond, quirky character that’s very character driven with great depth to the characters. It’s not as dark, but very entertaining. It’s a book that I’d highly recommend.

Loved this story about a fiesty quirky 81 year old woman living in Kennel Lane. You get to know all of her neighbours and the story recounts Mabel’s life from an early age coming from a wealthy background with parents who neglected Mabel and didn’t provide her with the upbringing of love and support she needs to navigate through life.

We go on to find out how Mabel becomes known as Mad Mabel and inevitable traumatic events in her life which have shaped Mabel as a person. This story has some lovely touching moments and by the end of it you would be hard pressed not to find love for Mabel in your heart. I would definitely recommend reading this book.

This is a brilliant story, but is one I nearly didn’t request to read, due to the title. I saw a few people say how good it was, so thought I’d give it a go, and I’m so glad that I did.

Even after finishing the book I’m still not sure the title ‘sells’ it very well, but hopefully word will spread about what a great story this is.

Elsie is 81 years old and lives alone but has a few neighbours around her. Persephone is a 7 year old girl who is determined to make Elsie like her, but it takes a while.

The story is told in ‘Then’ and ‘Now’ chapters and we learn why Elsie was called ‘Mad Mabel’ when she was younger.

Her life has been a difficult one but what shines through is the strong women in her life who made it so much better.

You will laugh whilst reading this book, but you might also shed the odd tear too.

This is a brilliant book that I’d highly recommend.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read this book.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

A quick and engaging read about the ways our perceptions of people are influenced by what we know of them. 81 Elsie is a great character and reminded me of Dorothy in Sandi Toksvig's Friends of Dorothy. I really liked the diversity of characters and thought that this added a 'neighbourhood' feel to the story. The dual timeline was cleverly used to deliver twists and key moments. Although classed as a thriller, I felt it was more a layered story of life and second chances, as it was more of a book to make you linger with your thoughts than wonder if you're being watched.

This novel was the most beautiful surprise. Rich character development, a thoughtful storyline, great dialogue, and an ending that will have you sobbing (and wanting to read the whole thing a second time). At its core, this is a book about the stories other people write for us, the ones we tell ourselves, and what it means to be loved. I can't recommend it enough!

I read this in one day (and nearly one sitting). I am sad to leave Kenny Lane and its inhabitants, while also satisfied and at peace. The world created here, the found family, touches my heart. I thought this was a gun-toting-granny-caper -type novel, but it is not. And I am so glad to be wrong. It is a character-driven, meticulously structured story filled with humor and heartache.

The two timelines are so effective and fit seamlessly without interrupting the flow of the story. The current timeline on Kenny Lane provides wicked humor, heart-warming emotion, a noisy little dog, and a scene-stealing child. Persephone’s forced friendship with Elsie is pure gold and worth the read alone. But when circumstances lead to Elsie’s past coming to light, we are provided with the second timeline – a look back at her vulnerable childhood to reveal the truth about “Mad Mabel” and her notorious deeds. This timeline is suspenseful and emotional. Here we have family trauma, loneliness, and lessons on the power of suggestion, gossip and societal conformity. The balance in tone and content between the two timelines is compelling. The story, all together, is a gripping and deeply heart-felt experience that leaves an indelible impression.

Mad Mabel is a great read, I could not put this book down. Great story with believable characters and heartbreaking at times.

This is my first novel by Sally Hepworth. I normally read thrillers, I wanted to try something different. And I loved this one. I just fell in love with Mabel, who hasn’t?

This book was moving, gripping, loving, thought provoking and sometimes shocking.

It’s written in past and present from Elsie. She gets interviewed for a YouTube documentary, when she’s being interviewed you hear her past. That’s where you really get to know Mabel, her upbringing, her family and why she got the name Mad Mabel. I loved the way it’s written how, with everything in her past, Mabel interacts with her neighbours on Kenny Lane and with Persephone the little girl from across the street. A hate love relationship that grows and grows.

If I’m honest, I had tears in my eyes those last chapters.

All I can say, if you haven’t read this one, please do.

4,5 stars

Wow,this book grabbed me from the start, I loved it,couldn't put it down... we all need a mad Mabel in our lives...