Mad Mabel
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4.6 • 118 Ratings
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- $23.99
Publisher Description
WINNER OF THE ABIA AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR 2026
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 . . . ?
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
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Past and present collide in this character-driven thriller about female friendship and how the media treats women. Mad Mabel centres on Elsie Fitzpatrick, an octogenarian busybody who’s been living in the same quiet Melbourne home for more than half a century. But the death of an elderly neighbour soon brings up burning questions about Elsie’s past, especially once the police and press realise that her real name is Mabel Waller—yes, the same Mabel Waller who was convicted of murder as a teen in the late 1950s. She made international news back then, and history looks set to repeat herself. But Mabel has decided to use her second time in the spotlight to tell the world what really happened, and author Sally Hepworth relishes every delicious twist and turn of her story—narrated in tandem by Australian actors Hannah Fredericksen and Jenny Seedsman.
Customer Reviews
Excellent book
Another wonderful book from the talented Sally Hepworth, full of twists and turns and highly addictive. It does not disappoint and indeed exceeds already high expectations. The actors who narrate the book bring the characters to life in the best possible Way. I particularly like the character of Persephone. The narrator truly captures her essence
Great
Great book, love the twist
Love your work
Just an absolute delight. I read it via audiobook as I traipsed around a forest walking my dogs. Made me laugh loudly and cry quietly. Thanks for such a beautiful story of true love…of others and self.