Mad Mabel is the captivating, curmudgeonly, and unforgettable main character in the twisty new release by Sally Hepworth.
Carol’s Captivating Characters of June Link-Up
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
On the last Friday of the month, I will write a post about my most captivating character of the month and create a Link Party (see link below my review)! In addition to hearing about the memorable characters that have captivated you, I also want this new project to facilitate new bookish friendships, help you find your book twin, and promote blog engagement. This link party will stay active for 30 days. In exchange for linking your post back to this one, I promise to visit every blog post that links up, leave a comment, and share your post once on #bookx and #booksky.
Captivating Character Link Up Details:
- You can use fictional or real characters/persons.
- Link up a review that specifically highlights a captivating character or person, or write a post dedicated to your most captivating character or person of the month.
- Please include a link back to this (monthly) post.
- Be kind: visit one other post in the link-up and leave a comment.
- #CaptivatingCharacters26
No blog? No problem! Share your most captivating character of the month in the comments.
Shoutout to Joanne @ Portobello Book Blog, Carla @ Carla Loves to Read, and Laura @ Reading Books Again for linking up with me in May. Check out their posts!
Mad Mabel
Mad or Misunderstood?
Name of Captivating Character: Mad Mabel aka Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick
The reason she is captivating: resilient, smart, kind-hearted beneath her defenses, a survivor, sacrificial
Book and Author: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
Genre/Categories: contemporary fiction, mystery/suspense, multigenerational, mental health
Mood: heartfelt content sprinkled with dark humor and suspense
Content Considerations: click the “show more” option below (may contain spoilers)
Mad Mabel is the page-turning story of an elderly woman who suffered childhood trauma and abuse. She has reached the age of eighty-one and lives by a strict set of rules. From her point of view (past and present), we hear the entire story and form our own opinions. Mad Mabel is a character you will think about long after you turn the last page. You’ll probably want to talk about her with someone. This makes her my most captivating character of June.
Is Mad Mabel “mad” or misunderstood? All is slowly revealed. #spoilerterritory
Surprising depth and substance. Thoughtful themes include multigenerational friendship, childhood trauma, bullying, the kindness of neighbors, resilience, sacrifice, media’s influence on the story, found family, mental health, and finding your voice (telling your own story). Content warnings apply.
Quirky or Curmudgeonly? Quirky connotes light-hearted and lovable in a way that doesn’t capture the essence of Mad Mabel who is more curmudgeonly, cantankerous, and abrasive. Hidden beneath a protective shell, is a kind-hearted and compassionate person.
Does Mad Mabel have friends? Yes! Despite what she may think and despite her prickliness, she is surrounded by a handful of people who seem to care for her, especially young Persephone. Most of her acquaintances give her space and accept her peculiarities. Seven-year-old Persephone knows no boundaries, is demanding, and accepts no limitations on a relationship. She reminds me a bit of Rose in The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honneysett. I appreciate a multigenerational friendship!
A survivor or an unreliable narrator? Can we ever judge a person without knowing their entire story? I admire how the author carefully reveals Mad Mabel…a brilliant characterization.
Who would best understand Mad Mabel? The fictional character who would best understand Mad Mabel would be Eleanor from Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Eleanor is a survivor (like Mad Mabel) and attributing her behavior to simple quirkiness or “on the spectrum” does not take into account the element of survival after childhood trauma.
Overall, fans of Sally Hepworth will want to add Mad Mabel to their summer TBRs. It’s page-turning and compelling. Mad Mabel would lend itself to energetic and opinionated book club discussion!
Star Rating: 3.5 Stars (rounded up to 4)
Mad Mabel is very well written and classic Sally Hepworth. The only other book I’ve read by the author is The Good Sister. Even though Hepworth’s books are not in my preferred genre, I do admire her writing and ability to tease out a multilayered, memorable, and twisty story. I enjoyed The Good Sister and was eager to give Mad Mabel a try after reading rave reviews. Fans of the author and the genre will likely rate this 5 stars.
Meet the Author of Mad Mabel, Sally Hepworth
Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including The Good Sister and The Soulmate. Her latest novel, Darling Girls, was released in Australia in September 2023, and will be released in North America in April 2024.
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 three children and one adorable dog. She has recently taken up ocean swimming (or to put it more accurately, ocean dipping)
I KNOW you’ve encountered some fascinating and interesting characters this month! Share them with us by linking up your review post!
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Click here to enter!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words where life and literature connect.”
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~Madeleine Riley
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I’ve read 5 Sally Hepworth’s, and the only one that wasn’t great was The Younger Wife, I’d rate that a 3 star. The Good Sister was fantastic! I’m looking forward to Mad Mabel.
I hope you enjoy it!
Sounds interesting, I don’t think I’ve read anything by this author.
She’s good at what she does!
Can’t get the Linky thing to work just now but I’m on a train so might be a WiFi issue.
Here’s my link just in case: https://portobellobookblog.com/2026/06/26/captivating-character-of-the-month-june-2026-lottie-from-disappearing-acts-by-helen-graham-linkparty-bookblogger-memorablecharacter-bookx-booksky-bookreview-%f0%9f%92%99%f0%9f%93%9a/
Mad Mabel certainly sounds very memorable!
It went through and it’s there now! Thanks!
I loved Mad Mabel (the book) and Mad Mabel (the character)! 🙂 Funny, while I don’t usually gravitate toward thrillers, I try to never miss one of Sally Hepworth’s books. This is one of my favorites, along with The Good Sister!
She does what she does really well!