The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives

by Elizabeth Arnott

A remarkable trio whose lives were 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 serial killers—dead or behind bars, they are attempting to forge a new future for themselves.

Headstrong Beverley compulsively tries to maintain control of everything around her, all while raising two children. Bookish Elsie fights day in and day out for the chance to make a name for herself in the newsroom, working among men who sneer at her career goals. Glamorous Margot refuses to take anything seriously 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  How could they not have known, when their husbands were right under their noses, committing horrific crimes? How much guilt is theirs to carry? And yet when a string of 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.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Serial Killer, Adult Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

I gravitate toward books about women in the 1950s–60s era, so I was really excited to dive into this one! It did a good job highlighting the challenges women encountered at the time—being misjudged, dismissed, and pushed to take extreme measures just to be heard.

I loved getting to know the three main characters—all strong, distinct women—as they tested limits and challenged societal norms. I just wish we’d gotten a little more of their backstory: how they met and more details of what unraveled to bring them to where this story begins. That extra context would’ve made their friendship and choices resonate even more.

The pacing was slow at times with a lot of details that didn’t feel necessary. It didn’t really pick up until the last quarter of the book as everything resolved. The ending wrapped things up nicely, though I do wish the rest of the story had the same tension and pacing. Still, I loved some of the twists and the overall message about women refusing to stay quiet and fighting for themselves!

** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published March 3, 2026.

3 stars

It’s 1966 and Beverley, Elsie and Margot, Californians all, share a unique sisterhood - all three of their former husbands were serial killers. They bonded over ver that fact and have become the best of friends. Now Beverley is hyper alert to any crime involving the death of a young woman, Elsie is wants to be a crime reporter at the newspaper where she’s just an executive assistant and Margot just wants to party her life away…which would be easier with a rich husband.

The women learn there’s a serial killer in their area, and who knows serial killers better than the three women who lived with them? They decide to investigate.

This was a cute story, filled with period detail. Despite the fact it’s about serial killers, it’s pretty light and fairly easy to read. I was a bit puzzled as to how Beverley got along financially…if it was explained, then I missed it.

[Mallory ☀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Penguin Random House for the free ARC. My goodness I loved this book! Every single thing about it!!

[EmmaReadsCrime · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

You always hear about the men who k*ll, but what about the women who love them? The story follows three women who form an unlikely friendship, united by the fact that their husbands are convicted murderers. When it appears that a serial k*ller is on the loose, they take it upon themselves to investigate.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but I absolutely loved the premise and had high expectations. I wasn’t sure if it would lean towards a trashy beach read or something more serious—and it definitely fell more towards the latter.

Unfortunately, I was really disappointed by this book. I found it incredibly slow-paced and dull. I had no strong feelings towards any of the characters; they were just nothing special or memorable.

The final quarter of the book is probably the most exciting part. However, the twist was extremely predictable, and the motivation behind it wasn’t unique—it’s been done before… a lot!

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable book with an interesting premise. It was just a little slow until maybe the last 10%.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

[Rose Streamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated how this book explored the struggles women faced in the 1960s, from being underestimated and overlooked to taking drastic action in pursuit of justice and equality. I enjoyed following the three women at the heart of the story as they pushed social boundaries in the name of feminism.

That said, I found the pacing quite slow, and it didn’t feel particularly thrilling until the final 10%, when everything finally came together. While the ending was satisfying, I wish the earlier parts had carried more of that intensity.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK - Fig Tree for the ARC.

[CoCoBug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This wasn’t exactly what I was anticipating, but it was entertaining to read. I felt like it couldn’t quite decide if it was a tense crime read or something a little more light and the balance was off - I didn’t actually feel any tenseness until about 80% of the way through the book.

I was also left with some questions … did I miss exactly how Bev, Elsie, and Margot met? I wish we had more of their lives beforehand. The 60’s timeline also through me a bit because it didn’t feel authentic except for some music references.

This could make a good screenplay for a film though!

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a striking and an emotional thriller set in the sweltering heat of 1960s California. The novel centers on three women, Beverly, Elsie, and Margot. Their lives are shaped by the horrifying crimes of their ex-husbands. All three exes are convicted serial killers.

The three women have a great friendship, born out of trauma, feels believable and deeply human. These three don't merely survive; they begin to investigate when a new string of murders emerges, trusting their unique insights to help, and perhaps even prevent more tragedy. The premise that these women, with intimate knowledge of a killer's mind, might be uniquely positioned to catch another, is both clever and haunting. Their personal histories give them a frighteningly useful perspective.

Engaging, Character- Rich Thriller, and Elegant Writing! 3 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book will be released 3/3/26.

[Beth Boulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives was such a fun and unique read! I loved the mix of dark, serious moments and lighter, almost cheeky ones. The setting in the 1960s really added something special, even if a few of the references felt a bit forced at times. The trio of women each so different yet connected by tragedy. It’s both mysterious and heartfelt, showing how friendship can grow out of the darkest circumstances. I could totally see this as a TV show! Overall, an entertaining and clever story that kept me turning the pages.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three women whose spouses were convicted killers band together to catch a serial killer in The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives. Set in 1966 California, the book focuses on the three spouses, with their ex-husbands all in prison for their crimes, as they come to grips with their exes’ pasts, reliving the moments when they were caught and the public outcry to the wives’ lack of knowledge. But when several women are found killed in their community, the women rely on their past experiences with their husbands to try and identify a likely suspect. This is a slow and melancholy examination into the psyches of these women, with an emphasis on their emotional journey rather than on their investigation into the new murders. For this reader, I would have preferred the opposite, and I just couldn’t get invested in the characters nor the plot, and it was tough to get through. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the 1960s, a time when women were expected to be silent, submissive, and plain stunning. The story plunges us into an era where domesticity was the default and ambition was practically a crime for the female population. One's worth was measured by how well the house is kept and how pretty you looked beside your husband (frustrated sigh and a dramatic eye roll). And yet, this backdrop works. It delivers that nostalgic historical fiction vibe which invites readers to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

At the heart of the story are three women, each nursing wounds from an extremely traumatic past and grappling with society’s judgment. Their connection - all their husbands were convicted of murder. That shared tragedy becomes the unlikely glue that binds them together. But instead of wallowing, they rise. They reclaim their narratives, support one another, and find purpose in helping others.

It’s a tale of redemption, resilience, and the quiet power of female solidarity.

What I Loved:
• Fast pacing that kept the pages turning and the tension simmering.
• The setting - no smartphones, no filters, just raw human drama in an old-school world.
• Strong female leads who refuse to be defined by their husbands’ crimes or society’s expectations.


What Didn’t Work for Me:
• Third person narrative - I struggled to emotionally connect with the characters at times. It felt like watching from a distance when I wanted to be inside their heads.
• Sexism trope overload - Yes, it’s the 1960s, but the constant reminders of gender inequality felt repetitive rather than revelatory.
• Missing that mind-bending thriller edge. I craved more twists, more psychological depth, more gasp-worthy moments.

Ratings Breakdown:
❥ Setting - 5⭐️
❥ Character Building - 4⭐️
❥ Writing Style - 3⭐️
❥ Message - 3⭐️
❥ Overall - 3⭐️

Final Thoughts: This book is a compelling weekend read with an irresistible title and a premise that hooks you from page one. It’s got murder, mystery, and a trio of women who refuse to be victims. If you enjoy stories that blend emotional healing with suspense and a dash of retro flair, then this one’s worth your time.

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Australia, and author Elizabeth Arnott for the advance copy. As always, my views are my own- straight from my thriller-obsessed brain and feminist heart.

~JaNnA~

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The three women, Beverley, Elsie, and Margot, forge an unexpected friendship, which meets in California summer of 1966. They have one dark secret, which is that all were married to famous serial killers. Now they try to make lives of their own out of what the public contempt and the guilt of their husbands' actions entail. They are beginning to walk cautiously into self-discovery through reflection now that a wave of new murders is jolting the area.

The sacrifices and stringing of lives have the book as its centrepiece: Beverley is always critical and controlling, trying to whip her chaotic family into some sort of order and shielding her children from their past. Respect and independence are what Elsie wants; she is fighting for her place in a testosterone-driven newsroom. Margot is like some glamorously bold figures who receive equanimity on her courageous journey to self-definition from the shame that she absorbs. Therefore, what they live through together would provide a protective environment for them in vulnerable periods. These women's intense, funny, and real lives are overlaid by the influences of family, friends, and the community, while society's stereotypes add to the burden.

The book raises issues of confidence and betrayal, identity against image, and the consequences of public opinion. Arnott deals with guilt by that of the accused and that of society, which is implicated in it. The women's troubles with stigma correlate to current discussions on victimhood, mental health, and aid for the marginalized. It is set against a California of the 1960s, with all sunny waylaid by a darker underbelly, making for great tension between what seems and what is.

Arnott's writing is clear and engaging, but she doesn't romanticize. Instead, she balances the harsh realities of the crimes with intimate moments. The narrative shifts between the three women's perspectives, providing a textured understanding of their emotions and enhancing suspense and depth. The tone alternates skillfully between sadness and wit, reflecting the women's complex experience. The increasing tension provides a gripping reading experience.

On a personal level, the book captures the journey of living after horror without sensationalizing it, offering points of empathy for readers. These women's stories offer both heartbreak and a glimmer of hope, allowing readers to ponder how they find life and love in a culture that stigmatizes and excludes them.

Arnott has a way with creating 1960s California, presenting its action-packed moments with snippets of cheerier times. It depicts women struggling to heal, stressing how costly, complex, and hard it entails, while at the same time indicating the strength that comes from connecting and facing hard truths.

Ultimately, it is a story that makes you reflect on unforeseen consequences, the strength of female friendships, and finding one's voice in the hardest of times. Readers are challenged to consider societal judgments and how life goes on for those who survive the unthinkable.

[Josephine Baynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a joy to read. The idea of diving into the story of the wives of murderers is unique and for all this is a story of fiction I personally think it discusses very important areas that do not get discussed enough. It expands the problem we see daily were the victims (usually female) stories are always lost as the media focus is on the (usually male) murderer. This book beautifully opens up this discussion as part of the plot seamlessly which I hope means many people will read it without having to seek out this type of information. It expands the discussion to the other women in the murderers lives, which are also judged (victim shamed) and their situation is not discussed without huge prejudice to the thought that they are as bad as their partners who committed the crime, because how could they not have known and how could they not have done something to stop them. This leads the reader to think more about domestic abuse situations and how these partners are ultimately the first victim. All of these important issues are so cleverly intertwined with the plot, which is a wonderful who-done-it in it's own right. This is well worthy of 5 stars for all the added important issues as well as a perfectly plotted out and delivered murder mystery. I hope this author continues with these characters as they were well rounded and I would love to know what happens to them next.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to net galley for gifting me an arc of this book in return of an honest review 🥰

I got drawn into this book due to the title sounding like a reality tv show! It definitely didn’t disappoint.

It has a fast paced feeling following 3 strong female leads. With a strong message of women working together and making a difference, for other women.

I loved the twists and turns - I loved the characters infact I wish we had MORE of them and their personalities coming through!

Definitely one to get excited for 😍

[Cosywithblaise · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 reach for. Instead of the police swooping in as heroes, it follows three very different women — all of whose husbands were serial killers. Wild, right? And it really is, but it’s also so much more than that. It’s delicate, moving, enraging, and deeply empowering all at once.

What I loved most is how it shines a light on gender-based violence and the way society has historically treated women — especially in the 1950s and 60s, when women’s rights were almost non-existent. It also touches on the civil rights movement and how race, class, and privilege shaped whose stories were told. The book subtly but powerfully shows how your economic standing could influence everything — from how much newspaper coverage a crime received to how many resources the police dedicated to finding victims. The force, too often bogged down by prejudice, rarely saw women — particularly poor or marginalised women — as worth saving.

The pacing did feel a little jumpy at times, like there were so many brilliant ideas that didn’t quite have enough room to breathe. It’s still incredibly strong, but those moments sometimes took away from the realism of the story.

That said, the characters completely made it for me. Each woman felt so distinct and fully realised — their voices, their fears, their ways of coping with trauma were all so individual. One turned inward, another fought back, another rebuilt quietly but fiercely. I loved them all for entirely different reasons, and by the end, I felt protective of each of them.

It’s one of those stories that stays with you — messy, painful, and powerful — reminding you how much strength it takes for women to survive what the world throws at them.

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stylish and engrossing thriller, this terrific murder mystery hits all the right notes, starting with a premise that is both tantalizing and original.

We all know that murderers’ lives have been commercialized, sensationalized and documented far more thoroughly than the lives of their victims. But what of murderer’s wives — those invisible voices, victims themselves, brutalized in ways that leave a trail both obvious and psychologically complex.

In this clever story, we will meet Beverly, Margot, and Elsie: three wives whose husbands have been indicted for vicious and unimaginable serial killings. The women spring to life as they tell us their terrible stories — and band together to solve a new and terrifying stream of senseless killings.

Set in sunny California in the swinging sixties, our heroines are an evocative mixture of women of the times— culturally minimized, coiffed and confused, they are in turn self-identified as beauty objects; insecure housewives; and blazing, pent-up, just-let-me-prove-myself feminists.

As the murders stack up, suspense and suspects build, and the danger level rises, the author keeps things moving briskly — right up to a beautifully-rendered ending, which (although this reader did guess the eventual twist) was as harrowing as it was entertaining.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

** four and a half shiny stars

[Keisha Frantom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beverly, Elsie, and Margot don't seem to have much in common, other than the fact that they were all married to serial murderers. Beverly is a stay-at-home mother who lives in a nice house with her two children. She is bothered when people look away and pretend she doesn't exist. Elsie tries to hide her true identity and works as an assistant to the newspaper editor, wishing she were a journalist. Margot doesn't care what people think and continues to date and attend parties. Most people have shunned them, thinking they knew what their husbands were up to, so the women become friends and spend time together. In the summer of 1966, someone is killing young women, and Beverly, Elsie, and Margot think they can solve this mystery because of what they know about their husbands. Can three wives of serial murderers track down the killer before the police? Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lumley Little Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a compelling read! This book did an excellent job at exploring the struggles many women faced in the 1960s and reminds us of the lengths that some women were driven to just in order to be acknowledged by the men in their lives.

Through the experiences of three women who were married to famous killers, we witness the connections that can be forged through shared trauma. The three women all have distinct personalities - and they struggle to understand each other sometimes - but what unites them is their drive for justice and for the protection of women.

The story has a good pace throughout, though the first half is definitely slower as it establishes the backstory of each of the characters and what has brought them together. The last 25% is a whirlwind of tension and mystery as the hunt for the killer ramps up to the conclusion.

A thoroughly enjoyable read!

[Debumere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to have garnered a fondness for stories about housewives in 60s America and this one lived up to my expectations. Three friends, each tied by their own experience of having a murderer for an ex-husband, band together to try and solve the latest serial killings of young women. This was thrilling. Honestly, I was not expecting the serial killer to be who it was, plenty of red herrings had me second guessing all the way through. I really enjoyed this, it wasn’t a ‘cosy’ thriller but an exciting one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK - Viking for this ARC.

[Jenn]

DNF. This one just isn't for me. But I gave it a go.

[lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley
Rating 3.5 ⭐

The premise was very strong and I enjoyed the story and characters overall. I think the distinction between the three main ladies was good. Would have loved perhaps more on how they met etc but I really enjoyed their dynamic. Also the 1960s setting really worked well for the book but again I just wanted more.


I think at times more detail would have been great especially early on in fleshing out the characters more
The pacing also was slow early on which meant it took me a while to get into the book.
I didn’t predict the plot but also didn’t feel any massive shock.

But overall I would say it was enjoyable

[Of Paper & Planes · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ review to come ✨ 4.5⭐️

[Maddie Marriott · Rating 4 out of 5]

3:25am finish — obviously could not stop reading this!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. This was an enjoyable read, it felt like it took a while to really get going. I liked the setting and it was a lot more light hearted than you expect for a book about a serial killer!

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This was fun and very unique.

This both serious murderous moments as well as lighter moments. It was very interesting and sometimes confusing. The seriousness was for the crime happening, but the lighter facade was for the we-have-to-keep-up-appearances. And I think that can give you a lot to think about.

There were some references that felt a little forced, I get that was done to emphasize the era this story takes place in, but I think there were more natural ways of getting that message across. They felt like very strange and choppy reminders that I didn't need.

I liked that this ensemble cast of characters have very little in common, the one thing really connecting them is murder.

This was fun, I did want some more oomph at times, but I still had a good time. And I think a lot of people will have a good time with this as well. I also think it could be translated to a movie or tv show very well. I can totally picture it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that has a very intriguing plot line that I have not read about before. It was amazing to see how my expectations, on how the story might pan out with the characters we are told about, were exceeded.

Amazing plot line that touches on a subject that no one really speaks about; how the crimes of criminals effect also their loved ones, and how they feel the hopelessness of replaying events to see if they could have helped prevent the events that the next victims were met with. On top of that we are given a brilliantly thought out mystery that had me on the edge of my seat at the end!

The read flew by and I would totally recommend it to fans of mystery and thrillers!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a year ends and a new one is about to begin, we start to think about what we want to achieve during this new year. We want to set goals that can inspire and motivate us. I guess one of my goals next year will be to get everyone I know to read this book. That’s how much I loved it!

I can’t remember what caught my attention first: the cover or the title. Maybe both at once but it was the premise that really told me I should like this book. “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”...say less. I’m already interested.
But once I read the book, I realised it was even better than I expected. It being set in 1966 played a part because it was harder for women to be listened to back then but they were judged very easily. However, I feel it was frustrating to realise the book could have been set in the present time and not much would have changed. But I understand the choice and it added a super interesting flavour to the story. Especially Elsie’s.

We got three main characters who bonded over going through the same traumatic event. Beverly, Margot and Elsie found out, in different ways, that their husbands were murderers and that obviously changed their lives forever. However, while that event made them have something very unique in common, they’re still very different as individuals. They’re also coping with what happened in different ways and that shows us a brief analysis of how to deal with trauma and how people grieve the life they lost. It’s sprinkled all throughout the book.
But this is also a mystery and that part was so good too. The three ladies didn’t know what their husbands were up to so they want to help other women now, since they feel they failed the ones whose lives were taken by the men married to them. It’s very common to feel that sense of guilt, even when we’ve done nothing wrong, and it was depicted really well in the book. Because each of them dealt with that in a different way. What they all had in common was that they hated being in the dark once, so they now craved knowing what was going on. They wanted all the answers and no one would stop them when they tried to find them.

This book of course is about friendship. Not just for our three protagonists but we also explore how others deal with loneliness. It’s also about empathy because these women got no empathy from others. And yet, rather than using that as an excuse to have no empathy themselves, they still care. They care a lot. More than the police or the media.
Speaking of the media, we get a lot of that through Elsie. She wants to be a journalist but it’s 1966 so she’s stuck being a secretary or an assistant. But because she’s still working at a newspaper, we get to see how this kind of news is approached. How the media uses these tragedies and we get that common conversation point of knowing all about the murderers but no one even remembers the victims’ names. They are so dehumanized and lies are written too so it can lead easily towards victim blaming. While Elsie allows us a good look into this, it’s a scene featuring Beverly that really highlights this issue and it made me so mad…because it’s realistic. My heart broke for Beverly.

And that’s the thing too. Anyone reading this book will care so much about these women and what they’re going through. Even without the social commentary, we would care. But the way that commentary was introduced all over the story was the cherry on top. Frustrating, because of its realism. But I love good social commentary in a book and I have no complaints about how it was done here.
There are other things commentary wise I would love to analyse more (and I will once the book is out) but I rather keep this as spoiler free as possible for now.

Back to the mystery, it was really interesting. There is something about the way the book is narrated that adds a tiny bit of confusion but in a good way. It makes us want to discover what’s going on and who’s behind all this even more. It was hard to put this book down.
And of course, I got to a point when I thought I knew who the killer was…and was wrong once again. I love that I was and had not even gotten close to guessing right. That’s more fun to me and it shows it’s a well written mystery.

This could be my favourite book I read this year. While I kept reading, I felt that way but was also terrified the ending would ruin it. And it didn’t. It was a perfect ending.
And I say I would recommend it to everyone because I feel it’s one that can work for so many people. This genre isn’t always for everyone but this book is, in my opinion.

Thank you to Penguin General UK and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and Elizabeth Arnott for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really enjoyable book, made more enjoyable by the serious look it takes at what it is like to navigate the world as a woman. The story follows the three POVs of Beverley, Elsie, and Margot, three women who developed a friendship through their similar pasts of being married to serial killers. When it seems like a new serial killer is targeting women, the three of them band together to hunt him down.

Without accepting that women must take on paranoia-levels of anxiety to exist, I resonated with the presentation of how easily men manipulate women's societally programmed need to be nice, to be accommodating, to be quiet. While all three of the main characters had different experiences with their husbands, it made my gut wrench that two of the women had been targeted by their husbands either in or barely out of childhood. While I have seen some describe this book as 'light' to read, I found myself bogged down by the reality that this is truly how predators think and act in real life.

As the three of them learn to understand the mind of a serial killer, they reminisce on how their husbands would have periods of intense anger that they would take out on their wives in sudden, explosive punishment. After which, they would mysteriously disappear and return placid, calm, and even loving. This manipulative cycle is not unique to fictional serial killers, but is something that real women experience daily. These men hate themselves for not being able to perform sexually, for being small, for having sickness within them, and this blame is always pushed onto someone else: onto women. While the majority of this book is a procedural thriller that is generally not too tense, the parts that ruminate on angry men, why they are what they are, and how they make it women's problem, felt chillingly real.

The three women felt like truly distinct characters, and I enjoyed how they each had their own internal wounds to tend to. They also approached the investigation in different ways, which helped to keep the story fresh and to distinguish their unique personalities. There is no single way to be a victim, no single way to be a woman, and I liked that the story offered three very different versions of how women react to trauma, without highlighting any as right or wrong.

The final 15-20% of this book was certainly the most exciting, with the typical twists and turns of a thriller novel there in plenty (and well done, too). I would tend to agree with other reviewers who have said that the rest of the book is comparatively slow, and that there is a noticeable lack of tension in the rest of the story. However, the main section of the book gradually uncovers more details about the three husbands of the main characters, building up to showing how each woman discovered that her husband was a serial killer. While not direct tension, as we obviously know that all three women survived their husbands, I found these narratives extremely compelling, and they added a lot of dark pressure to the story as a whole.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and while I think that it at times plays into a very paranoid view of the world (I say this as someone who is not a man), I loved that it actually had something to say about femicides and toxic masculinity. I would recommend this to any thriller fans, particularly anyone who feels that thrillers lately have gotten a little lazy or formulaic. I think you'll enjoy this one.

[BansheeBibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am extremely grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the privilege of reviewing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

What a wonderful combination of historical fiction, twisty thriller, crime procedural and women's fiction!

The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives follows three women - Beverley, Elsie and Margot - who have formed a loyal friendship based on a very unique premise: they were each once married to a man who was convicted of being a serial killer.

Set in the summer of 1966, this story unfolds with the backdrop of a time in history that was rife with social and political upheaval. The dawn of space exploration, antiwar protests, the post-Kennedy political era, womens' rights movement, the Richard Speck murders and a host of musical and pop culture mentions all help set the unique scene for three women trying to gain a foothold in a man's world.

Beverley is a stay-a-home mother trying to provide stability for her two children while feeling judged by those who believe she knew her ex-husbands dark secrets. Elsie struggles to hide her true identity while trying to prove that she is more than just a secretary at the newspaper where she aspires to be a journalist. Spitfire Margo pretends to carry on as usual with parties and love affairs but keeps her pain buried just beneath the surface. Life seems to be moving forward until the bodies of young women start turning up dead and the three women have a dreadful certainty that there is a new serial killer at work. Determined to use the skills they learned at the hands of their husbands, the three women decide to take it upon themselves to profile a killer and solve the crime.

This book is a wonderful thriller and mystery that you'll think you have figured out until the very end. I absolutely loved the setting and thought the author did a brilliant job of transporting the reader to that very specific summer of '66 in southern California. There were some unique British-isms in there that threw me a few times but the character work is really exceptional. The three main characters all have very distinct personalities and I felt like I got to know them and feel their personal struggles with grief and survivor's guilt.

This is a very empowering, feminist view of the real struggles faced by women during this time. This was a year, not so very long ago, when women were not considered equals and were suppressed by a variety of patriarchal institutions. It was refreshing to read a book where the female characters didn't need a man to come and save them in the end.

It would be a mistake to try to pigeonhole this book as just a thriller or just historical fiction. This is an engrossing, multilayered tale that I think would be outstanding as a television miniseries or on the big screen. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid are likely to love this one. 4 stars

[Taylor M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐ rounded down.
This was a fast-paced, well-written mystery that I think would be perfect as a beach or airplane read. It follows the lives of three women, who happen to have husbands incarcerated or known for being serial killers, while they attempt to pinpoint the suspect in a string of murders. What this story lacks in a convincing ending, it makes up for with a very quick plot and interesting characters. Arnott has a writing style that feels apt for the 1960s era and also lends a very cinematic quality.

Bit by bit, we get to better understand each woman as the story progresses, which really hooked me in. I wanted to know more and more about their personal lives and what their reasonings were for not recognizing the monster they lived with. I think Arnott did a really great job at showcasing the struggles of domestic abuse victims as well as women living in controlling households. Their stories felt very authentic, and each maintained their own unique voice. Another aspect I really enjoyed was the emphasis on naming and knowing the victims. While this is fiction, victims of crimes are readily forgotten while perpetrators' names live on. It was nice having a bit more of the focus being on the murder victims, but also the 'wives', as they too were victims of their husbands.

The biggest issue I had with this book was the final twist at the end. I never felt like I was 10 steps ahead of the author and knew the ending, which was great. However, when the twist did happen, it almost felt like all the wind was knocked out of my sails. My enthusiasm tanked. It stopped feeling believable, and there were a few issues I had with the reasoning. Additionally, by the time the biggest amount of action is happening, we only get two chapters to watch it play out. Yes, the book does benefit from being shorter, but that meant the scenes towards the very end of the book ended up being rushed. I also did not love specific "chapters". Without giving too much away, they were almost framed like breaks in order to chunk the story into parts (or perhaps they were more like additional tidbits to keep a reader invested?), but they did not feel like they were necessary at all. I feel even less so that way, having finished this book.

Regardless of how picky I am for thrillers/mysteries, I think this was a highly enjoyable read. The story was fresh, and the pacing was great. I don't have a great comparison to make, as it felt very unique to the genre. Pick this up if you like mysteries that can be devoured in a couple of sittings and enjoy true crime.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.