The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
- Judith D Collins
- Apr 14
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 18
By: Elizabeth Arnott
Narrators: Saskia Maarleveld, Karissa Vacker Penguin Audio
ISBN: 9780593952993
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: 03/03/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)
NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2026 BY MARIE CLAIRE AND A BEST BOOK FOR BOOK CLUBS IN 2026 BY GLAMOUR
A remarkable trio whose lives have been cracked wide open by their husbands’ crimes unite to catch a serial killer in this dazzlingly captivating novel.
Beverley, Elsie, and Margot are not your average housewives. They are all wives of convicted killers. During the sun-drenched summer of 1966, the three women form an unlikely friendship after the discoveries of their husbands’ brutal crimes. With their exes—some of California’s most infamous murderers—dead or behind bars, they are attempting to forge a new future for themselves.
Headstrong Beverley tries compulsively to maintain control of everything around her, all while raising two children. Bookish Elsie fights to make a name for herself in the newsroom, working among men who sneer at her career goals. Glamorous Margot prefers partying to homemaking and devotes all her energy to upholding the appearance that everything is fine—anything to quell the shame from her husband’s deceit.
They know people look at them and think only one thing: How could they not have known what their husbands were doing? How much are they to blame? And yet when a string of local killings hits the news, the three women—underestimated, overlooked, shrewd—decide to get to work. After all, who better to catch a killer than those who have shared their lives and homes with one?
At once a riveting portrayal of shattered trust and a story of gripping suspense, The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives is a testament to the intricacies of women’s lives and how the deep bonds of female friendship can empower, uplift, and lead us to endure.
My Review
"A Subversive, Soul-Stirring Look at the Shadow Side of 1960s Crime"
Elizabeth Arnott’s THE SECRET LIVES OF MURDERERS' WIVES is a slow-burning triumph that finally gives a voice to the women society often turns into footnotes. Set against the atmospheric, sun-drenched, gritty backdrop of 1966 California, the story follows three women bound by a sisterly bond forged through shared trauma.
A character-driven mystery at its finest.
Instead of glorifying the "monster," it explores the resilience of Beverly, Elsie, and Margot as they hunt a new killer the LAPD has ignored. The prose is noir-infused and cinematic, making you feel the heat of the Valley and the tension of their secret meetings.
It's unsettling and subversive in all the right ways. If you love thrillers that prioritize psychological depth over cheap thrills, this is a must-read.
My thoughts...
This isn’t your typical true crime thriller. It’s a subversive, survivor-centric story that flips the script on the 'murderer’s wife' trope. Set in 1966 LA, it’s giving major cinematic vibes—think Mad Men meets a dark, noir-infused mystery.
~Atmospheric & Unsettling
You can practically feel the California heat and the lingering tension.
~Slow-Burn & Character-Driven
The bond between these three women is everything.
~Sisterly Strength
A powerful look at how we heal and fight back.
If you’re looking for a character-driven read that’s both haunting and beautiful, grab this one immediately!
Set in the sweltering heat of 1966 California, it turns the lens away from the killers and toward the women left to pick up the pieces.
~The Atmosphere: Sun-Drenched Noir
From the first page, the book is incredibly cinematic. Arnott captures a specific 1960s aesthetic—think poolside martinis clinking against a backdrop of dark, noir-infused suburban secrets. It’s atmospheric and often unsettling, making you feel the claustrophobia of a society that views these women with a mix of pity and suspicion.
The heart of the story is the sisterly bond between Beverley, Elsie, and Margot. They aren't just characters; they are a study in resilience. Because the book is so character-driven, we get to see the psychological toll of their pasts. This isn't a high-speed chase; it’s a slow-burn investigation where the women use their "invisibility" as a superpower to track a new killer the LAPD has ignored.
What makes this novel stand out is how survivor-centric it remains. It refuses to give the murderers the spotlight. Instead, it focuses on:
~The Weight of Secrets:
How each woman hides her past to survive the present.
~The Power of Collective Action:
How their shared trauma becomes their greatest investigative tool.
~The Feminist Flip:
Subverting the "damsel in distress" trope by having the victims' wives become the protectors.
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives is a reminder that we are not defined by the monsters who cross our paths, but by the strength we find in those who walk beside us. Elizabeth Arnott has written a powerful anthem for the 'forgotten women' of history, proving that even in the darkest noir, there is room for light if we find it together.
Takeway:
The core takeaway of The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives is that trauma does not have to be a life sentence of shame; it can be transformed into a source of collective power.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a thriller that is as thoughtful as it is tense, this is it. It’s a haunting, subversive look at the stories that happen after the headlines fade.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~Perfect for fans of: Laura Lippman's Lady in the Lake, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and 1960s period dramas.
Special thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Mar 3, 2026
Praise
GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK ∙ A LIBRARYREADS PICK ∙ A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2026 FROM MARIE CLAIRE ∙ A BEST BOOK FOR BOOK CLUBS FROM GLAMOUR ∙ A SOUTHERN LIVING BOOK WE CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS MARCH
“Mad Men meets Zodiac: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives is a sultry period thriller with a big, hopeful heart. Elizabeth Arnott combines the sweltering glamour of 1960s California with a page-tearing serial killer mystery. But this is also a beautiful, warm book, which captures the nuances of female friendship, the exhaustion of day-to-day misogyny, and the shame of betrayal.”
–New York Times bestselling author Abigail Dean
"The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives transported me to 1960s California and introduced me to three incredible female characters. Bev, Margo and Elsie felt as complex and flawed as living, breathing women. Beautifully written, with twists that had me compulsively turning the pages. As if Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote a crime novel."
–New York Times bestselling author Emilia Hart
“An unputdownable story about a trio of amateur sleuths unlike any other. The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives is more than a crime novel; it is a story of womanhood and friendship under unthinkable circumstances.”
—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake and Good Dirt
“A fresh spin on the mystery genre! I read this wickedly feminist whodunit in just a few sittings. Brimming with sly humor and a twist you’ll never see coming, this is a perfect weekend read for fans of Richard Osman and Nita Prose.”
—Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary
“Sun-soaked and sinister, gripping and glamorous, this 1960s-set mystery is Lessons in Chemistry with Californian serial killers. Wickedly clever—loved it!”
—Ellery Lloyd, New York Times bestselling author of The Club and The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby
“Such a unique set-up that absolutely delivers on what it promises—I was hooked from the start, growing even more invested as I got to know the three unique women at the story’s core. If you like strong female characters, perfectly timed twists and turns, and great 1960s vibes, this one’s for you!”
—Kristen Perrin, New York Times bestselling author of How to Solve Your Own Murder
“Atmospheric, stylish and wholly believable. The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives is a highly intelligent, feminist whodunnit with a side order of 1960s fashion.”
—Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things
“A stylish, suspenseful and sharp novel which celebrates female resilience and brilliantly captures the glamour--and darkness--of 1960's California. I loved every minute of my time with Elsie, Beverley and Margot.”
—C.L. Miller, author of The Antique Hunter Guide’s to Murder
“Smart, compelling and expertly crafted, The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives takes the spotlight off tawdry killers and shines it instead on those they hurt. In focusing on the women who know better than anyone else how a murderer's mind works, Elizabeth Arnott gives us a rich and thought-provoking novel electric with suspense and vivid in atmosphere. She perfectly evokes the seedy glamour of 1960s California and an infuriating misogynistic establishment that dismisses and shuns the three protagonists, judging them for their former husbands' actions - only making them more determined to protect other women and bring justice to those who deserve it. I loved every twist and turn!”
—Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne
"A propulsive, period-set whodunit perfect for anyone who loves early criminal profiling and Mad Men-era aesthetics with bite."
—Parade
"The perfect squad to solve the mystery of an emerging serial killer in town!"
—Marie Claire
About the Author
Elizabeth Arnott is an award-winning writer and journalist and has written critically acclaimed historical fiction as Lizzie Pook. Her work—covering everything from true crime to Arctic exploration—has featured in publications including The Sunday Times, National Geographic, The New York Times Book Review, and The Guardian. She lives with her husband and their young daughter in London, where she spends far too much time drinking iced coffee and watching serial killer shows.
