This book came highly recommended to me by someone that I have complete faith in. And that faith was well-placed.

Mad Mabel is a dual storyline story. We are first introduced to Elsie (or Elsa) Fitzpatrick, the eighty-one-year-old curmudgeon, only to learn that she is also Mad Mabel, the youngest convicted murderer that Australia has ever seen. The story bounces back and forth between old Elsie and young Mabel. I usually enjoy these stories; you see the development of the character while at the same time slowly learning about what made the character the one we see today.

I had a great time with Mabel and her neighbors. I hesitate to use the word friends, as I am sure Mabel would as well. There was a good mix of characters brought into this tale; I found that Persephone was a key character that propelled the story forward. There were themes that transcended both storylines with a misunderstood woman at the center of it all.

Hepworth crafted a fabulous story; it contained some great surprises as well as a few loathsome characters – every good story needs a few loathsome characters. And these characters need to get what they deserve.

Mad Mabel is a great general fiction story covering some serious topics with some laughs along the way and a good dash of vengeance. A journey well worth taking.

​*5 Stars