The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives: A GMA Book Club Pick
by Elizabeth Arnott
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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 theyΒ 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,Β 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.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780593952993
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Elizabeth Arnott
- Publisher
- Berkley Books
- Published Date
- March 3, 2026
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 320
- Physical Info
- 1.4 in H x 9.1 in L x 6.2 in W (1.09 lb)

Beverly, Elsie and Margot have become close friends because they are all wives of muderers. This is a suspense filled mystery. I recommend it all readers who enjoy a good mystery!
The book is very interesting and has a lot of twist and turns. Nice read with good characters. I was stunned at who the killer ends up being
I almost put this book away before finishing. I could not relate to the characters or the era. I decided to keep reading and eventually I was hooked. Give this book a chance you will not regret it.
Iβm giving The Secret Lives of Murderersβ Wives four stars. Itβs a great, quick read that kept me engaged the whole way through. The pacing is strong, and the character development is solidβyou feel invested without it dragging.That said, I wouldnβt rate it higher than four stars. While the mystery is compelling, the plot twists land more in the βgoodβ range than truly memorable. Iβd give the twists about three starsβI think there was room to push them further and leave more of a lasting impact or deeper reflection.Overall, it delivers exactly what it sets out to be: an entertaining, well-executed mystery. Not groundbreaking, but a good, solid read.
Nadia is a suburban mom of two girls, the wife of a man who loves her and who she loves, as much as she can. Nadia is also a psychopath and an assassin for hire. She has mastered her secret life and is for the most part, happy. A wrench gets thrown into the works when she is offered a job that has her shocked and confused.This novel is very fast moving. Nadia is full of energy and so is her story. She keeps herself under control but killing bad people and we come along for the ride. The story is told from her point of view only (finally, a book from one perspective) and she goes from cool and organized to confused and slightly crazed. I love that we get to see all the little details about how she manages her family and her job, and keeps all the balls in the air. Despite her job, she is a very likeable killer.The writing is well suited to the pace of the story, short on descriptions and focused on the action. While a bit predictable is was nonetheless a fun and engaging read.
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