The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
Hardback Published on: 09/04/2026
Price: £16.99
Bookseller Reviews
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Perfection
This book was everything I wanted it to be and more.
1960s America, Beverly, Margo and Elise. Three women who each discovered their husband was a serial ... READ MORE
A really interesting premise that kept me guessing!
I received an e-ARC of The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives through NetGalley from the publisher, and the premise immediately hooked me. The idea of three ... READ MORE
Synopsis
Escape to 1960s California with the gripping and glamorous new crime mystery that sees an unlikely trio team up to solve a string of murders - the perfect page-turning holiday read for fans of Big Little Lies and The List of Suspicious Things.
A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK
A MARIE CLAIRE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2026
'As If Taylor Jenkins-Reid wrote a crime novel' Emilia Hart, bestselling author of Sirens
'Lessons in Chemistry with Californian serial killers. Wickedly clever - I loved it!' Ellery Lloyd, bestselling author of Reece Witherspoon Book Club pick, The Club
You’ve heard of the men who kill, but what about the women who loved them?
It’s a baking hot summer in 1960s California and three women have formed an unlikely friendship. They may look like they lead idyllic lives but behind the false smiles and glittering pools lies the truth: their husbands are some of the country’s most notorious serial killers.
Amidst neighbourhood gossip and pointed fingers, Beverley, Elsie and Margot are fighting to forge new paths for themselves. But when a string of local killings hits the news, the women – underestimated and overlooked – are hurled into an investigation of their own.
After all, who better to catch a killer than those who have shared their lives with one?
Readers LOVE The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives:
'A highly intelligent, feminist whodunnit' Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things
'Mad Men meets Zodiac: a sultry period thriller with a big, hopeful heart' Abigail Dean, bestselling author of Girl A
'Gripping, unsettling, and totally binge-worthy. If you love true crime with a psychological twist, this one is a must-read.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Keeps you hooked from the very first page to the last, with twists and tension that never let up.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A stylish and engrossing thriller, this terrific murder mystery hits all the right notes' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Felt like the love child of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Richard Osman…. Brilliantly plotted, full of surprises and driven by complex female characters, this was such an enjoyable read' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Moving, enraging, and deeply empowering' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'So addictive I couldn't put it down.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Publisher information
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9780241733622
- Number of pages: 320
- Dimensions: 241 x 164 x 31 mm
- Weight: 530g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allWives, Secrets, and a Killer on the Loose
Set in 1960s, this is historical fiction rooted in a time of rigid expectations, pantyhose, and deeply ingrained misogyny.
Written in an era when women ... READ MORE
A promising new author to watch
1966 California is the setting for a fun romp with Beverley, Margot and Elsie, three women who have the distinction of once being wives to serial killers. ... READ MORE
Must read
I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of this and WOW what a read!
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives was an absolutely fabulous read that I could not pu... READ MORE
Unputdownable!
A brilliantly thought through and complex novel about women's friendship and tenacity. Beverley, Elsie, and Margot are not ordinary housewives. Each of the... READ MORE
Chasing Closure…And A Serial Killer
The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives is the definition of a page-turner. Every chapter pushes you forward with new clues, new bodies, new suspicions. I was... READ MORE
fresh, different and unexpected
I expected something similar to the jokey serial killer's wife/sister trend. It isn't It was initially hard to get in to. The fashion and music of the ... READ MORE
Atmospheric and gripping from the first page
In 1960’s California, three women join forces to track down a killer. They’re better placed than some to know what they’re looking for as they were all mar... READ MORE
Wives, Secrets, and a Killer on the Loose
Set in 1960s, this is historical fiction rooted in a time of rigid expectations, pantyhose, and deeply ingrained misogyny.
Written in an era when women ... READ MORE
Very original!
Margot, Elsie and Beverly are women who refuse to be defined by their husbands. In 1960s California each is trying to forge a life despite the fact that t... READ MORE
Lady Sleuths
I don't often read books set during the 60's because often they can be unrelatable but this one had an original premise and I was excited to give it a shot... READ MORE
Fabulous, powerful read about women
So I requested this ARC on NetGalley because a quick skim of the premise and the cover instantly caught my eye. It’s a thriller, but not the usual kind I’d... READ MORE
My new favourite thriller
One of my favourite reads of the year so far. The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives delivers a brilliantly fresh twist on the thriller genre, following thr... READ MORE
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
We start with the meeting of Beverley, Elsie and Margot. They all have one thing in common. They are all wives of convicted killers! But in adversity, they... READ MORE
Good enough story but not very involving
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
3.5
I don't know why this called "the secret lives" because there are no secr... READ MORE
A decent read with twists and turns
The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives is an interesting concept, focusing on the wives of men convicted murder during the 1960s - when women very much had c... READ MORE
Great team
The Secret Lives Of Murderer’s Wives by Elizabeth Arnott tells the tale of three women, deceived by their husbands, and trying to give back by helping to s... READ MORE
Compelling LA set thriller about the far reaching effects of violence
thanks to Penguin UK and NetGalley for ARC.
High summer in LA and the news is of another young Hollywood hopeful missing. Three unlikely friends begi... READ MORE
Mostly good, even if there's too much "telling"
Three women in an unofficial and unlikely club realize they may be the only ones who have the insight to solve a series of horrific crimes. With their inst... READ MORE
Immersive crime-thriller.
An immersive crime thriller that places women at the heart of the story.What I really enjoyed about this novel is the unique take on what it must be like f... READ MORE
5⭐️ Read for me!!
I really enjoyed this book it was not what I was expecting it to be in a good way!
The three main characters could not any different from one another bu... READ MORE
Disappointing!
I started The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott with high expectations. My high hopes were quickly disappointed. The story moved at a ... READ MORE
Great read!
A great read from Elizabeth Arnott, I could not set this book down until I finished it.
Set in 1966 in LA, Beverley, Margot and Elsie are unlikely frien... READ MORE
Gripping thriller
The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives is an absolute must-read. This gripping thriller keeps you hooked from the very first page to the last, with twists an... READ MORE
A twisty and engaging historical crime thriller.
Although set in the 1960s, ‘The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives’ deals with topics that are just as relevant today, including violence against women, the ... READ MORE
Didn't finish this one. Not for me!
I tried really hard with this book after all what's not to like. The 1960s, murderer's wives, California. Unfortunately it didn't provide what it promised ... READ MORE
Flung into 1960s California
The three main characters in The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives were so well drawn that I was invested from the very first page. I was immediately plunge... READ MORE
A well written, fascinating, page turner
What a wonderful book !!!! I was gripped immediately by the story and kept engaged throughout. This was impossible to put down, maintaining reader engageme... READ MORE
Good But Not Great
Three women with uniquely close ties to convicted murderers team up to try to catch a serial killer in the 60s. I loved the setting and the characters them... READ MORE
Good premise
I liked the premise of this book, and was interested to meet the 3 main characters from the 1960s. However, I'm not sure I ever really got to know them pro... READ MORE
What happens to the wives of serial killers?
This cosy, police procedural, follows Beverley, Elsie and Margot. They are all very different people, but with one thing in common, their husbands are all... READ MORE
A twisty tale of feminist redemption
Beverly, Elsie and Margot share a unique connection as survivors of marriages to serial killers. They understand the shame of not knowing that their own hu... READ MORE
A gripping read
A different concept writing from the perspective of three wives who have one thing in common……..their husbands were murderers! They form a friendship and b... READ MORE
Interesting idea
An interesting idea of the lives of three wives of convicted killer husbands. A little drawn out for me but captured some of the emotion of the situations... READ MORE
Great team
The Secret Lives Of Murderer’s Wives by Elizabeth Arnott tells the tale of three women, deceived by their husbands, and trying to give back by helping to s... READ MORE
Great team
The Secret Lives Of Murderer’s Wives by Elizabeth Arnott tells the tale of three women, deceived by their husbands, and trying to give back by helping to s... READ MORE
Trauma bonding at its finest
“Ah, white males, the world’s untouchables”.I really enjoyed the sisterhood between Elsie, Bev and Margot. What a funny thing for them to bond over but I’m... READ MORE
Gripping and Resilient Women
I’m giving this 3.5 stars because, overall, it was a genuinely gripping and atmospheric read that kept me turning the pages. The premise is such a strong h... READ MORE
Excellent
Elizabeth Arnott has written a well-crafted, scathing critique of patriarchal institutions that do not value women and the significant roles they play in s... READ MORE
Vintage Class
I loved the whole vibe of this book. Such a clever plot and the detail of the time period made it feel evocative and real
A gripping and riveting read!
Oh my goodness, I really enjoyed this book! Its not your run of the mill thriller/ police/ murder mystery. It takes another angle, and one that in 1960s Am... READ MORE
Fantastic mystery
I was intrigued by the description of this book and it lived up to and exceeded my expectations.
The main characters are 3 women whose husbands were seria... READ MORE
Brilliant
1960s California.
Three women are friends. But they have an unusual connection - their husbands are convicted killers.
So who better to conduct an un... READ MORE
Fantastic read
Fantastic book.
Keeps you guessing.
Like a small town cosy read, but with a serial murder mystery thrown in.
Tension picks up as it goes on and I dev... READ MORE
An enjoyable mystery read
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review. The narrative follows Beverley, Elsie and Margot. They are bonded t... READ MORE
Good, steady, interesting read
Beverley, Elsie and Margot have one main thing in common. They're all wives of a killer. The three have formed a friendship trying to deal with all that ha... READ MORE
not for me
This book was not for me. The time period and restrictions on females grated with me. Although I know it's an accurate portrayal of the time. I am obviousl... READ MORE
The enduring power of female friendship through adversity
This is an absorbing thriller that follows the lives of three women joined together by the fact of their husbands' multiple murders. Carrying the guilt and... READ MORE
Suspenseful and enjoyable
This book got me out of a bit of a slump, the setting, the story, the drama it was just what I needed. My expectations going in were not at all what the bo... READ MORE
A page turning wild ride!
What a blooming wonderful read.
From page one I was absolutely hooked. We meet Beverley, Margot and Elsie. The wives. Brought together by the crimes of... READ MORE
Must read!
Firstly thank you to @netgalley and @penguinukbooks @vikingbooksuk for this ARC. This was such a compelling read. The story follows three women whose lives... READ MORE
A different take on crime
The story follows three women, each the wife of a convicted murderer, who have formed an unlikely friendship group as a result. When a string of local murd... READ MORE
Fantastic Characters
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives is as gripping as any murder mystery book but unusually it's not just the desire to find out who the murder is which d... READ MORE
Something a little different
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives by Elizabeth Arnott is an original take on a murder mystery. Elise, Beverley and Margot seem to have little in common ... READ MORE
Unputdownable!
A really enjoyable and, at times, gripping novel. Lots of twists and suspense. The characters and the setting combined to make this an unputdownable rea... READ MORE
Leave it to the Ladies
I love that in this book, the murdering men are just bit-part characters, this is all about the women. It might be the 60’s but these ladies will not be qu... READ MORE
Interesting idea
An interesting idea of the lives of three wives of convicted killer husbands. A little drawn out for me but captured some of the emotion of the situations... READ MORE
Very Clever!
This is a mystery thriller with a twist- Margot, Bev and Elsie are three friends in 1960s LA who decide to investigate a string of murders of young women. ... READ MORE
Atmospheric step back in time
If you're looking for a fast paced, nail biting thriller, this is not the book for you.
It wasn't the traditional thriller that I usually go for but I ... READ MORE
Intriguing book
An intriguing book.
I’ve never really given any thought about the wives and partners of serial killers, but this book was an eye opener!
Set in the 60’s... READ MORE
Retro & Intriguing
3.5⭐️
I enjoyed the retro setting, and the premise of a group of women whose husbands were all serial killers banding together to investigate a new seri... READ MORE
Lots of twists
1960s California; Beverley, Elsie and Margot are friends with one thing in common, their husbands were serial killers. When a new wave of killing happen in... READ MORE
clever and well written
Sometimes you read a book and can see the characters and the setting really clearly, almost like you are watching it on the screen. The Secret Lives of Mur... READ MORE
A thrill
3.5/5 starsSet in 1966, this story follows Beverley, Elsie, and Margot, bonded by an unusual connection: all of their former husbands were serial killers. ... READ MORE
Desperate Housewives meets Agatha Cristie but with the vibe of Malibu Rising.
I could not put this book down. These three women were so fierce, strong and had such a beautiful friendship that I missed them whenever I had to stop read... READ MORE
A gripping page-turner. Highly recommend
You’ve heard plenty about the men who kill. But what about the women left standing in the wreckage?
Set in baking hot 1960s California, The Secret Lives... READ MORE
4 Star Book
The secret lives of murderer wives was a fast paced funny murder mystery whilst at the same time commenting on the role of women in the 60s and how men can... READ MORE