Mad Mabel

For more than sixty years, Elsie Fitzpatrick has lived on this small, quiet street where neighbors look out for one another almost as often as they complain. Now eighty-one, Elsie is perpetually grumpy, fiercely private, and perfectly content keeping to herself. Then Persephone arrives. Precocious, persistent, and only seven, Persephone decides that Elsie is going to be her best friend and will stop at absolutely nothing to make that happen. Elsie may believe she is immune to the charms of a feisty little girl, but Persephone has other ideas. Meanwhile, across the street, mean-spirited Joan begins digging into Elsie’s past. Joan’s nephew is a lawyer, you mustn’t forget that, and when she discovers that Elsie is the infamous “Mad Mabel,” life on Kenny Lane will never be the same again. This laugh-out-loud mystery is filled with nosy neighbors, secrets, unexpected friendships, and so much heart. I adored the relationship between Elsie and Persephone, and loved watching this quirky little street come alive. Sally Hepworth balances humor, mystery, and emotion, creating the most wonderful characters! I loved every minute of this perfect summer read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐