Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth: Book Analysis, Author Facts & Trivia
- Jessica Graham
- Jan 10
- 5 min read
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth: Family Secrets, True Crime Inspiration & Author Insights
Before it became Sally Hepworth's latest psychological thriller to dominate book clubs and reading lists, Mad Mabel started with an unforgettable encounter: an elderly woman calmly telling the author she was planning to murder her neighbour. That confession - delivered at a book launch, no less - became the spark for a novel about eccentric recluses, dangerous secrets, and what happens when the past refuses to stay buried.
Welcome to your ultimate guide to Mad Mabel - from Sally Hepworth's personal inspiration and author backstory to the true crime case that shaped the novel's themes of female friendship, unreliable narrators, and twisted family dynamics.
Prefer your trivia in audio form?
👉 Listen to the full Mad Mabel bonus episode now - only on the Book Trivia Podcast.
What is Mad Mabel About?
Mad Mabel follows a woman dubbed "Mad Mabel" by her neighbours - eccentric, reclusive, maybe dangerous. But when a body turns up, the truth about her past begins to unravel, revealing family secrets and buried trauma. With light spoilers only, this psychological thriller explores:
Unreliable narrators who keep readers guessing
Family secrets that span generations
Female friendships - both supportive and toxic
The line between victim and villain
Sally Hepworth's signature pacy writing style keeps the tension high, while Mabel herself proves to be one of the most compelling - and divisive - protagonists in contemporary Australian crime fiction.
The Inspiration: "I'm Planning to Murder My Neighbour"
When Sally Hepworth attended the launch of her previous book at Dymocks Sydney, she had no idea she was about to get the plot for her next novel handed to her. At the end of the event, an elderly woman waited in line to get her book signed. When it was her turn, she leaned in and casually told Sally: "I'm planning to murder my neighbour." As you can imagine, Sally was all ears. The woman's deadpan delivery and audacious confession became the seed for Mad Mabel. At our book launch event in October 2025, Sally shared this story with the audience - and then asked if that mysterious woman happened to be in attendance again. Sadly, no one owned up.
📚 Mad Mabel Trivia:
The book launch inspiration happened at the same venue where Sally later launched Mad Mabel
Sally describes the moment as hitting "very close to home"
The real identity of the "murder-planning" woman remains a mystery
The Anne Perry Connection: True Crime Meets Fiction
Sally Hepworth didn't just draw inspiration from a cheeky confession - she also looked to one of crime fiction's most shocking true stories: Anne Perry. Anne Perry was a successful British crime writer until 1994, when the release of Peter Jackson's film Heavenly Creatures revealed her dark past. Perry had previously been known as Juliet Hume, and in 1954, as a 15-year-old, she and her best friend Pauline Parker were convicted of murdering Parker's mother.
Sally Hepworth wove themes of intense female friendship throughout Mad Mabel, likely inspired by the Hume-Parker dynamic depicted in Heavenly Creatures.
🎬 Did You Know? The Peter Jackson film became a cult classic and launched Kate Winslet's career - while simultaneously ending Anne Perry's anonymity.
Sally Hepworth: The Author Behind the Thriller
If you haven't fallen down the Sally Hepworth rabbit hole yet, here's your primer on one of Australia's most successful psychological thriller authors.
Sally's Life & Career
Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia
Family: Grew up with twin brothers who were 17 months older
Pre-writing career: Worked in events management and HR
First book: Written on maternity leave with her first child (a superhuman feat for any new parent!)
Marriage: Married to Christian for over 20 years; they separated around 2023 and have three children together
Her Books & Adaptations
Sally Hepworth is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels have:
Sold millions of copies worldwide
Been translated into over 30 languages
Been adapted for screen multiple times
TV/Film Adaptations:
The Family Next Door - TV series premiered on ABC
The Soulmate - In development, starring Asher Keddie (major Australian actress)
Darling Girls - Also in development
🎬 Fun Fact: Sally was an extra in the TV adaptation of The Family Next Door, filmed in her local coffee shop with her real-life barista - which meant free coffee on set!
Sally Hepworth's Alopecia Advocacy
When Rach and I attended Sally's book launch in October, I was absolutely mesmerized by two things: her impeccably styled floral dress and her fabulous hair. I turned to Rach afterward and gushed about being jealous of Sally's luxurious locks. That's when Rach told me: Sally has alopecia and was wearing a wig. I was flabbergasted.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you look up Sally Hepworth online, she is absolutely stunning - and you would never know she was wearing a wig unless someone told you. Sally has been open about living with alopecia and a hair-pulling disorder since early adolescence. While she's never given a specific diagnosis date, she's become a huge advocate for normalising women's hair loss and visible wigs. She frames her condition as life-long and uses her platform to turn what could be a sensitive topic into something beautiful - just like her. 💜
Why This Matters: Sally's openness helps destigmatise alopecia and empowers other women experiencing hair loss.
Instagram's "Towelgate" & Other Sally Moments
Sally Hepworth has built a massive Instagram following by sharing personal, hilarious, and deeply relatable moments from her life. Two of the most memorable:
1. Towelgate
Sally posted on Instagram Reels expressing genuine surprise that not every household operates like hers - where everyone just grabs whichever towel is driest after a shower. Apparently, many households have dedicated towels per person that are never shared. The internet had opinions. Sally got so much engagement that the debate was dubbed "Towelgate" and immortalised in her saved Instagram stories. (For the record: I'm Team Dedicated Towels. What about you? Tell us in the comments!)
2. The WrestleMania Hotel Room Incident
Sally left Melbourne for a book tour in New York, but a cancelled flight left her stranded in Los Angeles during - of all things - WrestleMania weekend. With no hotel rooms available, Sally ended up sharing a seedy motel room with two complete strangers. She told this story at the book launch, and it was as hilarious in person as you'd imagine.
📱 Follow Sally on Instagram for more chaotic author stories: @sallyhepworth
FAQ: Mad Mabel & Sally Hepworth
Q1: Is Mad Mabel based on a true story?
A1: Partially. Sally was inspired by a real woman who told her she was planning to murder her neighbour, as well as the Anne Perry true crime case depicted in Heavenly Creatures.
Q2: What is Sally Hepworth's writing style like?
A2: Pacy, suspenseful, and character-driven. Sally excels at unreliable narrators and psychological twists that keep readers guessing.
Q3: Has Sally Hepworth got a podcast?
A3: Not yet! But Sally mentioned at the launch that she's planning to work on a podcast in the near future. (Sally, if you're listening - we'd love to have you as a guest!)
Q4: Where can I buy Mad Mabel?
A4: Mad Mabel is available at all major bookstores, online retailers, and as an audiobook.
Final Chapter: Why Mad Mabel Hits Different
Mad Mabel is more than just another psychological thriller - it's a story steeped in real-world inspiration, true crime echoes, and Sally Hepworth's sharp understanding of human complexity. From the elderly woman's cheeky confession to Anne Perry's haunting past, Sally weaves together themes of secrets, redemption, and the blurred line between victim and villain. Whether you're a longtime Sally Hepworth fan or discovering her work for the first time, Mad Mabel delivers the twisty, character-rich storytelling Australian crime fiction is known for. 🎧 Want the trivia, author stories, and book analysis in audio form?
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