Mad Mabel (Sally Hepworth, Macmillan)

Few people suspect an elderly woman or a little girl of murder, which is what makes Mad Mabel such a deliciously enjoyable read. Sally Hepworth’s latest novel begins with a bang and never lets up, blending humour, heart and mystery into a story readers will devour. Told across two timelines – ‘Then’ and ‘Now’ – the novel traces the life of Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, a woman who has spent decades hiding from her past. At 81, she’s kept a low profile on her suburban Melbourne street, until a neighbour dies and the whispers begin. Her old nickname, ‘Mad Mabel’, resurfaces. Could she have struck again? The dual timelines offer a window into Elsie’s complicated childhood as Mabel in the 1950s and her current life on Kenny Lane, where a cast of quirky, lovable neighbours gradually shifts from strangers to something more like family. A true-crime YouTube documentary weaves through the present-day story, giving Elsie the chance to finally tell her version of events. Elsie/Mabel is one of Hepworth’s most memorable characters: wisecracking, misunderstood and achingly human. Her bond with seven-year-old neighbour Persephone is a highlight – funny and tender. With shades of Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove, Mad Mabel plays with reader expectations and rewards close attention. It’s the kind of book that feels light on its feet but lands with surprising emotional weight and a final twist so satisfying, you’ll want to go back to the beginning – proof once again that Hepworth (The Soulmate) is in top form. 

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is reviews editor for Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews