08/06/2026
So I just finished Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, so let me try to tell you what I thought (without spoilers).
The story is told by 81 year old Elsie (Mabel) Fitzpatrick. Elsie is a spitfire, fiercely independent, wonderfully grumpy and maybe the most endearing protagonist I have encountered in a long while. From the beginning we are introduced to her 7-year-old neighbor (Persephone) who chatters nonstop and bubbles with boundless energy, with her never-ending presence nearly forging friendship onto reluctant Elsie. The relationship between these two characters alone makes this novel a must read.
Elsie tells us in the prologue " It's interesting to note that there are two groups of people who are rarely, if ever, suspected of murder. These groups are elderly women, and little girls." Ever since Elsie was very young, people around her have ended up dying. It earned her the moniker "Mad Mabel", and the plotline develops as the story alternates between present day and 1950's childhood. The central question here centers on whether Elsie (Mabel) is actually a stone cold killer, or maybe something else entirely. I am such a skeptical reader, so as the book unravels I had real questions about Elsie and the prospect of her maybe being an unreliable narrator.
After finishing this I was left with thoughts about other peoples perceptions and the roll they play in shaping us into the person we become. I think it's uncommon to find something so sharp, witty and amazingly funny, wrapped up in single novel! This is a tough book to source (right now) , I have one copy left in stock, and more on the way! If you have already read this let me know what you thought in the comments.
