Picture an Australian storyteller who weaves tales of family secrets and human resilience with a twist of dark charm—meet Sally Hepworth! Bursting onto the literary scene in 2015 with her debut novel, The Secrets of Midwives, Hepworth has captivated readers worldwide with her emotionally rich domestic thrillers. Her stories, laced with quirky humor and suspense, explore the complexities of relationships, making her a standout voice in contemporary fiction.
From her home in Melbourne, Hepworth crafts narratives that feel like a cozy chat with a friend—until the plot twists hit! With more than two million books sold and translations in over 30 languages, her work resonates globally, earning praise from authors like Liane Moriarty and Emily Giffin. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life and stories of this New York Times bestselling author.
The Making of Sally Hepworth
Born in 1980, Sally Hepworth grew up with a wanderlust spirit, living in Singapore, the UK, and Canada before settling in Melbourne, Australia. Before her writing career took off, she worked in event management and human resources, but her creative spark ignited during maternity leave with her first child. While pregnant with her second, she penned The Secrets of Midwives, inspired by conversations with midwives during checkups. This debut novel, published in 2015, became Australia’s highest-selling debut fiction that year, marking the start of her meteoric rise.
Hepworth’s early unpublished novel, Love Like the French, written during her son’s infancy, found a home in Germany in 2014. Her persistence and knack for storytelling shaped her path, proving that even a busy mom could conquer the literary world. With her husband and three children cheering her on, Hepworth’s Melbourne roots ground her stories in authentic, relatable settings.
Sally Hepworth’s Unforgettable Stories
Hepworth’s novels are domestic thrillers that blend heart, humor, and suspense, often delving into family dynamics and hidden truths. The Secrets of Midwives (2015) follows three generations of midwives grappling with personal secrets, earning accolades for its enchanting narrative. The Things We Keep (2016) tackles early-onset Alzheimer’s with poignant grace, telling the story of Anna, a 38-year-old facing memory loss, and her unlikely love story in a care facility.
The Good Sister (2021), a Davitt Award winner, explores the bond between twin sisters Rose and Fern, unraveling lies and a haunting past with gripping twists. Her latest, Darling Girls (2024), dives into the dark side of foster care, following three sisters uncovering secrets tied to a body found under their childhood home. Hepworth’s style—described as “darkly charming” and “totally absorbing”—keeps readers hooked, with multilayered characters and plots that surprise at every turn.
Her settings, often in Melbourne, add a vivid backdrop, while her themes of love, loss, and resilience resonate universally. Hollywood took notice, too—Amy Poehler optioned The Mother-in-Law (2019) for a TV series, cementing Hepworth’s crossover appeal.
Why Sally Hepworth Matters
Sally Hepworth’s impact lies in her ability to make the ordinary extraordinary, turning everyday family struggles into page-turning thrillers. Her novels resonate with readers who crave emotional depth and suspense, offering a lens into issues like Alzheimer’s, foster care, and mental health. By blending humor with heart-wrenching moments, she creates stories that linger long after the final page.
Hepworth’s global success and comparisons to Liane Moriarty highlight her role as a leading voice in domestic suspense. Her authentic portrayal of women’s lives and her knack for defying stereotypes—like shunning the “housewife-author” label—empower readers and aspiring writers. With each book, she builds a legacy of storytelling that’s as relatable as it is thrilling.
- Born: 1980
- Key Works: The Secrets of Midwives, The Things We Keep, The Good Sister, Darling Girls
- Awards: 2021 Davitt Award for The Good Sister
- Fun Fact: Her husband, Christian, quit his job to become her full-time assistant!
Snag The Good Sister or Darling Girls and dive into Sally Hepworth’s darkly charming world of domestic suspense! You won’t put it down until the last twist unfolds.