2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth.

Pages: 352 pages

Length: 1 month (September)

Participants: Amitha, Marielle

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Here are some questions to help get the conversation started! Feel free to look up discussion questions specific to this book or come up with your own. Just make sure any questions that contain spoilers are under spoiler tags.
Discussion questions are not required but may be a fun way to talk about the book and get to know each other!

Prior to starting:
What prompted you to join this buddy read?
Have you read this author before? What do you think of their other books?

Mid-read:
What character or ideas do you relate to the most and why?
Do you have any favorite quotes or scenes?

After reading:
What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?

Hi Marielle, it’s nice to be reading this book with you! I’ll be starting next week, as I currently have a library book that I need to finish soon. I’ve never read this author before, so I’m looking forward to it!

Hi Marielle and Amitha. My library hold on Mad Mabel has crept forward. As it is now available on the 14th, I will be able to join in later in the month.

That’s great! Lovely to have you in this buddy read.

Hi Odette and Amitha,
Great to try this buddyread.
For me it's okay to start next week, I'm also still finishing other (library) books.
It will be my first book by Sally Hepworth, but I heard many good things both about the book and about the author. Looking forward to this book!

I was able to borrow this book from the library, and just started reading it. I have read two book previously by this author, and enjoyed them.

I started today

When I started reading the book, I got a strong sense about Daphne being (view spoiler)[ an imaginative friend. This continued throughout the first chapters. I also thought she was connected to the crime in the past (hide spoiler)]
I think this book reads very easy, I like the jumping between 'Now' and 'Then'.

I have finished this book. Marielle, I agree it is an easy read. I found it entertaining. with a light-hearted feel., however, some serious and darker issues were covered. (view spoiler)[Mabel's father was a nasty piece of work and she had to endure a lot because of him (hide spoiler)].

There was a twist I did not see coming towards the end of the book. Mabel ia a very memorable character and enjoyed (view spoiler)[her relationship with Persephone, young daughter of one of the neighbours (hide spoiler)], I also enjoyed the setting as I am familiar with the area..

I finished the book. And I also didn't see the twist coming. I agree with you, Odette, about the relationships Mabel builds during the book.
I want to read more from Sally Hepworth. Since you read more books by this author, which one would you recommend?

Marielle, you must have liked the book if you are interested in reading more from the author.

I enjoyed Darling Girls and The Mother-in-Law. Also The Good Sister seems popular.

I finished the book today and loved it. I loved the way the story slowly unfolds with all the twists and turns. It was an easy read for me too and would like to explore more of this author’s works in the future. It was lovely reading with you two.

Odette wrote: "Marielle, you must have liked the book if you are interested in reading more from the author.

I enjoyed Darling Girls and The Mother-in-Law. Also [book:The Good Si..."

Thank you so much!