Book Description 

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 

This book came out at the beginning of last month, but real life ground my reading and writing to a halt. I’m trying my best to catch up and then keep up the momentum, so here are my thoughts on this book. 

I grew up in Los Angeles, and although I would not be born for almost fifteen years after the 1966 setting, the ambience still felt familiar. There’s something special about vintage Los Angeles and Arnott captures it perfectly. 

The narrative shifts between the three protagonists who collaborate when they conclude that the spate of murdered young women is the work of a serial killer. The police remain unconvinced of this possibility, but who would be better suited to discern patterns than the (former) wives of murderers. 

The mystery was very satisfying because the forensics are all dreadfully rudimentary, so the case is mostly solved by some good old fashioned sleuthing. The three protagonists work well together, but they also stand formidably on their own. 

I would absolutely recommend The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives. This book would make a great series on a streaming network— imagine the bright colors and the soundtrack, not to mention the three protagonists working the case. In any event, I’m going to be keeping an eye out for Arnott in the future! 

I received a digital ARC of this book from Berkley/NetGalley.