Mad Mabel

 

This grumpy old woman broke my heart.

Elsie Fitzpatrick wants nothing to do with her neighbors. Turns out, she’d do anything for them.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth is one of those books that sneaks up on you. Elsie Fitzpatrick is 81, cantankerous, and completely misunderstood by everyone on her street. She comes across as the neighbor nobody wants — sharp-tongued, closed off, impossible to read. But she’s also quietly looking out for the people around her even while a shadow of suspicion hangs over her head.

Two relationships are at the heart of this story. The first is with a lonely little girl named Persephone who moves in across the street and refuses to take no for an answer. You can feel exactly why Elsie can’t quite turn her away. The second is with her own past, because young Mabel was that lonely little girl once. And the past timeline shows you the painful, overlooked childhood that shaped everything about who Elsie became.

The whole truth only comes out when a team of podcasters finally convinces Elsie to tell her side of the story. What her neighbors — and we — learn about her childhood changes everything. That’s where Hepworth really lands the emotional punch.

The dual narrator setup in the audio is perfect for this one. Hannah Fredericksen and Jenny Seedsman voice young Mabel and older Elsie. The distinction between them makes the timelines effortless to follow. Rare that the production adds that much to the experience.

I highly recommended this to anyone who loves character-driven fiction, family drama, or women’s fiction with real emotional weight. ⚠️Check trigger warnings before you start.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted early listen. Mad Mabel is out April 21. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: Have you ever misjudged someone — only to find out their whole backstory changed everything?

#madmabel #sallyhepworth #macaudio2025 #womensfiction #bookstagram

About the Author

Sally Hepworth is the New York Timesbestselling 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.