Okay, The Locked Ward totally pulled me in. I mean, how could it not? Georgia Cartwright finds out she has a twin she never knew existed… right as she’s accused of murdering their biological sister and gets locked up in a psych ward. I was instantly hooked. 

The story flips between Georgia, who's trapped in this super intense, high-security mental hospital, and Amanda, her long-lost twin who suddenly gets dragged into a mess of family secrets. Georgia claims she’s innocent — but is she? Or is she playing everyone? That question kept me flying through the chapters. 

I loved how the book played with perception — you’re constantly questioning what’s real and who to believe. The psych ward setting is creepy in the best way, and Pekkanen nails that unsettling atmosphere. Georgia’s POV was especially eerie (some of it written in second person, which gave it such a disorienting vibe), while Amanda’s chapters gave you a chance to breathe — and also dig into the mystery. 

The only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars for me is that a few twists were kind of predictable. I saw them coming, which took a bit of the suspense out. But honestly? It didn’t even ruin the experience. The journey — the emotional intensity, the sister dynamic, the unraveling secrets — made it such a solid, satisfying read. 

If you're into twisty thrillers with psychological depth and messy family drama, this one should definitely be on your list.