SHORTLISTED - 2026 NED KELLY AWARD FOR BEST CRIME FICTION

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate and Darling Girls comes the story of Mad Mabel. They called it murder. She called it justice.

In 1959, at just fifteen years of age, Mabel Waller became the youngest Australian in history to be convicted of murder.

In 2025, on a quiet Melbourne lane, an elderly man is found dead by his neighbour, 81-year-old Elsie Fitzpatrick. No one suspects any foul play.

Until they discover Elsie's past.

In the 1950s, her name was not Elsie. It was Mabel.

She is known around the world as Mad Mabel. But is she mad? More importantly, is she guilty?

When the police open a new investigation and the media descend upon her, the elderly Mabel decides it's time to set the record straight.

In a world first, at the age of 81, Mabel Waller is speaking.

New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth is at her finest in this twisty, compulsive thriller of friendship, family and murder. Or is it justice . . . ?

WINNER OF THE ABIA GENERAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026 AND ABIA AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR 2026


Praise for Sally Hepworth:

'She is one of my favourite Australian writers' - Liane Moriarty

'Sally Hepworth is a born storyteller' - Trent Dalton

'The queen of suburban noir' - Sunday Telegraph