title: Mad Mabel
author: Sally Hepworth
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
publication date: January 27, 2026
pages: 352
peppers: 1 (on this scale)
warnings: death, murder
summary: After the death of her elderly neighbor and another neighbor's figuring out her former name and identity, Mad Mabel, who now goes by Elsie, decides to tell her story to a pair of YouTube podcasters. Her life includes lots of twists and turns and murders...or does it?
tropes:
- secret past
- cute kid
what I liked:
- voice
- humor
- shenanigans with neighbors/kids
- elderly representation
- clever use of multiple timelines
what I didn’t like:
- n/a
overall rating: 5 (of 5 stars)
As always, you can click on the photo above if you want to buy the book.