Mad Mabel is Sally Hepworth’s tenth novel. In this highly enjoyable book, the New York Times bestselling author presents a riveting mystery that is full of humour, charm and heart. It is also a celebration of resilience, friendship and community.
The story is told by 81-year-old Elsie, a grumpy, tough lady living a quiet life in a peaceful neighbourhood. We soon learn there is a dark past that she desperately wants to hide. In that secret life she was known as “Mad Mabel”, the youngest Australian to be convicted of murder.
The story’s two timelines – now and then – reveal how Elsie’s childhood was shaped by others with both positive and traumatising consequences. A victim of gossip, gaslighting and even grooming, she had always felt lonely, misunderstood, used and abused.
The rare happiness came from care and companionship provided by other females. Elsie’s intellectual and emotional bonds with these women are some of the most tender and heart-warming parts of her story.
When tragedy struck, however, young Elsie took matters into her own hands as her only way to fight back – and paid the price afterwards. Worse, her pain and grief lingers, forcing her to distance herself from those who may use it to hurt her again. It is only when she decides to speak out about her past that she truly feels at peace with herself:
“Not just the catharsis of talking, although I like that part too, but the sense of taking my power back. For so long I’d accepted that I was powerless over the truth of my story, and perhaps I was, but at least now I was doing what was in my control to set the story straight.”
Elsie’s story reveals how people tend to “go with the pack”, accepting the “facts” that others tell them rather than thinking for themselves. Particularly when it is convenient to conform and comply, doubts become certainties and rumours intensified, gaining momentum and transforming into something that b(l)inds people with false, simplified yet shared belief, something that invites quick and equally convenient “solutions”. The results can be dangerous – even deadly.
These and other complex issues are subtly and oh-so-skilfully explored in the book, with the two timelines cleverly intersecting each other to create much tension and suspense. We cannot help but adore Elsie, but those who love and support her – those who crack her hardened shell to enchant the wounded heart inside – are equally admirable.
It is often said that effortless reading is damn hard writing. In this sense, Mad Mabel demonstrates Hepworth’s brilliance in turning common, sad tropes into surprisingly delightful plot twists, achieving a wonderful balance between heartbreak and healing, condemnation and redemption, tribulation and triumph. Highly recommended.
Sally Hepworth will discuss Mad Mabel and her writing with crime fiction author Kerryn Mayne at the 2026 Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival on October 9-11. Find more details HERE.
Note: This book review was originally titled “Darkly charming mystery” and published under the title “Mad Mabel review: A mystery” by Ranges Trader Star Mail, September 8, 2026, P.14.
Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音 