Ordinary Wife: The true story of America’s forgotten serial killer

by Gregg Olsen, Morgan Olsen

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen and his daughter Morgan Olsen, the gripping true-crime story of America’s Lady Bluebeard—a seemingly ordinary wife accused of poisoning husband after husband, who very nearly got away with all of it.

On a hot August afternoon in 1920 at Blue Lakes Ranch in Idaho, a new bride set out three saucers of flypaper on the boarding house porch. By nightfall, her husband was on the floor of their canvas tent, clutching his stomach in agony. Within days he was dead.

Lyda Trueblood was everything a wife should beautiful, charming, an excellent cook. Men fell for her easily. They also died easily around her too—poisoned by arsenic. One husband, then another, then two more. Her brother-in-law. And, then there was her two-year-old daughter—whose death no one could ever fully explain.

Six deaths in five years, and a 1921 trial that made Lyda Trueblood a national sensation. But what turned a Missouri farmer’s daughter into a methodical killer—and how did she elude justice for so long?

Drawing on court transcripts, prison records, and Lyda’s own unflinching statements, the Olsens go beyond the lurid headlines to reveal the woman herself—calculating, charismatic, and chilling to the last.

Acclaim for Gregg

“Novelist and true crime author Olsen (The Amish Wife) paints a heartbreaking portrait of a woman haunted by her narrow escape from a serial killer... As in Olsen’s previous works of nonfiction, there’s plenty of rigorous research on display, but it’s his empathetic consideration of what happens to high-profile victims after news cameras stop rolling that sets this apart... It’s moving stuff.” Publishers Weekly

“An unflinching look at the aftermath of unimaginable trauma and a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for strength and healing.” Oprah Daily

“Prolific true-crime author Olsen offers another exemplary narrative of unimaginable trauma that packs an emotional punch.” Booklist

“Olsen will scare you and you’ll love every minute of it.” Lee Child

“Wickedly clever! A finely crafted, genuinely twisted tale of one mother’s capacity for murder and one daughter’s search for the truth.” Lisa Gardner

“Out of the Woods is Olsen’s most important work... I’m grateful to Olsen for his patience, compassion, and talent. He’s gone into a dark, inhumane place to offer us a powerful story that should have influence well beyond the arena of true crime.” Dr. Katherine Ramsland, award-winning author of The Serial Killer’s Apprentice and Confession of a Serial Killer

“Vivid, powerful, action-packed... a terrific, tense thriller that grips the reader.” Midwest Book Review

“Tight plotting, nerve-wracking suspense, and a wonderful climax make this debut a winner.” Crimespree magazine

“Out of the A Girl, a Killer, and a Lifelong Struggle to Find the Way Home, is a heartbreaking tale... Olsen take readers through the aftermath of what it actually means to have survived the unimaginable... An honest story at what it means to be a survivor. A story of trauma and survival that will send true crime devotees through a roller coaster of emotions and leave them shocked to their core.” Associated Press

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 27, 2026

About the author

Throughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.

The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.

In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.

The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.

Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).

Reviews

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Notorious Press and NetGalley for the ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

As a true crime fan, I really enjoyed Ordinary Wife. I was already familiar with Lyda Trueblood’s story, but Gregg Olsen and Morgan Olsen did a great job digging much deeper into the case and bringing all the details together in a way that kept me interested from beginning to end.

The authors paint a chilling picture of a woman who appeared to be an ordinary, devoted wife while leaving a trail of suspicious deaths behind her. The courtroom details, historical context, and firsthand records made the story feel even more unsettling. Even knowing the outcome, I found myself completely invested in how everything unfolded.

If you enjoy well researched historical true crime that goes beyond the headlines, this is definitely worth picking up. It was an engaging and fascinating read that gave me a much deeper understanding of a case I thought I already knew.

[Cindy Neighbors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gregg Olsen’s Ordinary Wife delivers a gripping and meticulously researched account of Lyda Trueblood, a woman whose unassuming appearance hid the dark reality of a calculated poisoner. Set in the early 20th century, Olsen traces Trueblood’s grim path across the American West as she systematically eliminated husbands and family members using arsenic, driven primarily by greed and life insurance payouts.

What makes Olsen’s narrative so compelling is his refusal to sensationalize. Instead of relying purely on shock value, he paints a complex picture of a woman who weaponized societal expectations of womanhood, domesticity, and grief. While neighbors and authorities saw a mourning, fragile widow, Trueblood was actively planning her next move.

The book shines brightest when probing the psychological underpinnings of its subject. It naturally brings readers to ponder the timeless, unsettling question highlighted by one of the book’s most haunting refrains:

"Was a killer born or made?"

Olsen leaves readers to wrestle with whether Trueblood’s actions stemmed from innate malevolence or the crushing limitations and pressures placed on women during an era with few independent economic pathways.

Final Verdict
Ordinary Wife is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts and history buffs alike. It avoids the trap of glorifying its subject, offering instead a sobering look at a dark chapter of American criminal history.

Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the Advanced Digital Copy!

[Rustic_Reads_ Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d never heard of Lyda Trueblood before picking up this book, which is always a bonus when it comes to true crime. I also really enjoyed Gregg Olsen’s book on Amish culture, so I was interested to see him tackle another historical case alongside Morgan Olsen.

The story itself is fascinating. It’s difficult to imagine how Lyda managed to marry, poison and move on so many times before anyone realised there was a pattern. The authors do a great job of piecing together the investigation from historical records and giving a real sense of the people involved, rather than simply listing the facts.

I did find parts a little repetitive, with some details revisited more than once, but it never took away from how compelling the case itself was. It’s one of those stories that’s almost impossible to believe actually happened, and I found myself wanting to know how it would all unravel.

An interesting, well-researched true crime read that shines a light on a case that deserves to be better known. If you’re a true crime reader who enjoys well-researched historical cases, especially ones that aren’t as widely known, this is definitely worth adding to your list.

[Julianne Nanzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gregg and his daughter, Morgan, collaborated and had fun with this case! Aside from your typical wife poisoning her partners MO, Lyda seems to be one of the first to get the idea to cash in on that life insurance, whether it's her spouse's life or brother-in-law?? I truly enjoyed the backend of the detective work - how in the heck are they going to prove serial poisoning way back before technology was around? Well, the reader gets insight into this. Truly fascinating.

Ordinary Wife gets rated 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4) from me. Outside of the detective work and the uniqueness of the time period, this case presents like any other disgruntled, selfish spouse. The last half of her journey and the ultimate legal ending was unexpected, but still didn't drive me to give this book a higher rating. Not at the fault of the story telling of the Olsen's, but just the case itself. If you aren't too familiar with true crime, I think you would enjoy this book more than I would. Readers can expect this book to be published October 2026 - spooky season time!

Thank you to Notorious Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to get my hands on this Advanced Readers Copy!

[Sarah Higginbottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Ordinary Wife by Gregg Olsen and Morgan Olsen. As a true crime reader, I’m always fascinated by discovering cases I haven’t come across before, and I had never heard of Lyda Trueblood, also known as “Lady Bluebeard,” before reading this book. Her story was both shocking and intriguing, and I found myself completely absorbed in learning about this forgotten case.

I appreciated the way the authors explored not just the crimes, but also the person behind the headlines. It’s always fascinating in true crime to understand how someone could appear so ordinary while hiding such a disturbing side, and this book really captured that contrast.

If you enjoy true crime, especially stories about lesser-known cases that deserve more attention, I would definitely recommend this book. It was a fascinating read that introduced me to a case I knew nothing about before.

📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Gregg Olsen, Morgan Olsen and Storm Publishing Notorious Press📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

Lyda was everything a wife in the early twentieth century should be: charming, pretty, and a great cook. She never had an issue getting a man to fall for her. She did, however, have an issue keeping them alive. Four husbands, a brother in law, and her daughter all died of mysterious illnesses. After testing revealed arsenic in her latest husband, she gets convicted and sent to prison. But, her story is far from over. Lyda Trueblood Dooley McHaffie Lewis Meyer Southard Whitlock was forever known as Lady Bluebeard.

I have loved Gregg Olsen’s books in the past so when I saw this one on @netgalley, I immediately requested it! I’ve also listened to podcasts about this case, and found it fascinating. This book was very informative, and obviously very well researched. At times, it did feel repetitive, which made it a little harder to read. But, overall it was captivating and kept me engaged. And believe it or not, the book had a twist, because Lyda’s real life was like a movie.

If you like true crime, definitely give this one a try when it comes out in October!

[Lisa Brooke Reads Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gregg Olsen does it again! Ordinary Wife, co-authored with his daughter, Morgan Olsen, is a gripping true crime story about a seemingly ordinary wife accused of poisoning husband after husband, and who very nearly got away with it all.

I was hooked from the very first page and found it nearly impossible to put down. Gregg Olsen has a remarkable ability to present the facts while developing the people at the center of the story, keeping you completely invested. Each chapter pulled me deeper into the investigation, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

If you enjoy well-researched true crime that reads like a suspense novel, this is one I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.

All reviews reflect my personal opinions.

[Keeley Ribchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read several of Gregg Olsen’s books over the years, I went into Ordinary Wife with high expectations, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
This is a fascinating true crime story that shines a light on a case I’d never come across before. The historical setting, courtroom details, and extensive research really bring the 1920s to life, while the writing keeps the pages turning. Despite the depth of detail, it never felt slow or overwhelming.
I especially enjoyed seeing Gregg Olsen collaborate with Morgan Olsen on this one. While If You Tell is still my favourite of his books, Ordinary Wife is another compelling and well written true crime read that uncovers a forgotten case and keeps you invested from beginning to end.
A thoroughly enjoyable read for true crime fans and one I’d happily recommend. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Tiffany Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
As a true crime aficionado I have not heard much about Lyda or “flypaper Lyda” the modern Typhoid Mary This book is fascinating in watching a woman of means not so slowly make her way through multiple husbands, professing her innocence in a time of budding forensics.
The story is an easy read, not muddled up with facts or long winded stories, but gets the job done with good back info, public opinion and scrutiny as well as personal accounts from those close to the case and people involved.
I enjoyed feeling like perhaps I still don’t have even half of the entire story, and wishing Lyda had cashed in somehow on telling her tale in the end. Overall great true crime tale of one of the female serial killers you probably didn’t know existed.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gregg is one of my favorite authors when it comes to true crime books and this one was a great read! I had never heard of this case so I relied on the book to give me every bit of information and the full story and that’s exactly what it did. It was easy to follow and had a great pace so I didn’t find myself bored and distracted as I read. This was such an interesting case that I honestly feel like I was writing a fiction book most of the time - I can’t believe everything that happened because of this one woman. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six deaths in five years, and a 1921 trial that made Lyda Trueblood a national sensation. But what turned a Missouri farmer’s daughter into a methodical killer—and how did her life end?

Rather than simply recounting the crimes, Olsen places them within the social expectations of women in early 20th-century America, creating a richer portrait of both the killer and the era. The writing reads as much as a gripping mystery as a true crime book with meticulous research and rich attention to detail. As a true crime TV lover, this book was perfect (and a great distraction from psychological thrillers)!

[Kelly Faulconer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently immersed myself in Gregg and Morgan Olsen's “Ordinary Wife”, and it proved to be a truly compelling journey into the darker American history.

This isn't just another true crime account; it meticulously unpacks the astonishing real life saga of 'Lady Bluebeard,' a notorious figure from the roaring 1920s. The very notion of a female serial killer operating with such audacity in that era is sensational!

They don't just tell the story, they reconstruct the investigation and trial, similar to a high quality docuseries. You genuinely feel as though you're right there as a witness!
5 stars!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ordinary Wife: The True Story of America’s Forgotten Serial Killer” by Gregg Olsen and Morgan Olsen is a fascinating true crime read that’s as compelling as it is unsettling. The authors did an excellent job bringing this forgotten case to life, weaving together the facts into a story that reads like a thriller while remaining respectful of the real events. Their writing is engaging, well-researched, and kept me invested from beginning to end.
If you enjoy true crime that digs beyond the headlines and explores the people behind the case, this is one I’d definitely recommend. A chilling, well-told story that proves sometimes the most ordinary people hide the darkest secrets.

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another excellent true crime read by Gregg Olsen and also Morgan Olsen this time. All about the woman poisoner who killed multiple husbands after getting hitched and talking them into life insurance. Arsenic from fly paper was her tool, something many kept for flies, but not in the quantities that Lyda (many last names) did. Known as Lady Bluebeard and Arsenic Lyda, among others. She even killed the brother of one of her husbands that she couldn’t stand, who had lived with them. She had quite a life, all told. Was it all because her parents refused to let her marry the first man she fell in love with, or was there another reason behind it all?

[Lori Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received as an ARC through Netgalley to read and review, this is an honest review.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for the pre - approval to read this book.

This is my first time reading a true crime novel and Ordinary Wife is a wild trip to understand the complex mind of Lyda Trueblood - a strong willed woman of her time that could beautifully evade any sort of logic as the bodies of her husbands piles up. There's a sophisticated method to this woman's tale that makes Lyda both a complex, emotional puzzle and absolutely bone chilling to have existed in the first place.

A good, decent summer read.

[Lisa Carrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Storm Publishing and NetGalley, for the ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Masterclass in Historical True Crime!

I absolutely loved Ordinary Wife. Gregg and Morgan Olsen have written a brilliant book that is both incredibly detailed and fast-paced. It is a rare treat to find a historical true-crime book that manages to include so much fastidious research without ever slowing down the narrative.

The story of Lyda Trueblood is fascinating, and the authors bring the 1920s to life perfectly. I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put it down. Highly recommended for anyone who loves deep-dive investigative journalism written with the gripping speed of a thriller!

[Mike C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyda Trueblood. A woman who would do anything not to make it ahead. This was a very interesting look into the life of woman through the ‘20s that allegedly killed multiple husbands and it’s rumored she killed her own child. It’s always interesting to read about killers and how they think. But the way this was written to emphasize the time and how women and crime were viewed then. Something very different and the fact that she left a lot of mystery even after incarceration is very creepy. This one was especially interesting because I’m from an area that it’s said she spent some time.

[Anya Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The astonishing true story of Lyda Southard, one of America’s most infamous female serial killers. As chemist Earl Dooley and Deputy Sheriff Val Ormsby begin connecting a string of mysterious deaths, the investigation uncovers a shocking pattern that finally brings Lyda to justice. Yet even prison, an escape, and even more marriages couldn’t stop her from reinventing herself. It’s a fascinating true crime story that reads like fiction, filled with twists that are almost impossible to believe.

[KDRBCK]

Ordinary Wife by author duo Gregg Olsen and Morgan Olsen is published by Storm Publishing.
The general fiction, mystery - true crime story is literally unputdownable.
I didn't know America had its own Lady Bluebeard in the golden 20ties.
Lyda Trueblood leaves a path of devastation behind. She's like a hurricane and the author duo Father and daughter managed to paint a picture I'll not get out of my head soon.
I loved the pace, the erzählweise, the suspense. A true gem, 5 stars.

[Kiwi1331 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to #netgalley for this advance readers copy.

I usually like a true crime book however this one seemed to keep going in circles, repeating the same narrative. It got a bit boring going over and over the deaths every few pages with no new information.

It was interesting to read how she murdered her husband’s and eventually getting arrested.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true crime story of Lyda, who was married 7 times and convicted of killing one of her husbands, although the number suspected was actually 4, along with her young daughter.
Crimes occurred in the early 1900s, so Olsen tells the story through newspaper articles and trial records.
Great read.

[Lisa E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have listened to a podcast on this book and I have to say that enjoyed the book more! I have read several books by Gregg Olsen now and it's always a great read!