The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives

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

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.

From the publisher

Penguin Random House/Berkley | Mar 3, 2026 | 320 pages | ISBN:9780593952993 | Thriller

1. Beverley, Elsie and Margot have each reacted in very different ways to the discovery that their husbands were killers. Which of the women do you most relate to in that sense? What do you think you would do in the same situation?

2. Beverley has a complex relationship with her mother. How much do you think one's upbringing informs their choice of romantic partner?

3. Elsie is attempting to climb the ranks in the newsroom but finds herself battling sexism and snobbery. Have you ever experienced prejudice at work? Did it make you more determined to succeed, as it did Elsie?

4. Beverley is unable to fully let go of her ex-husband even though he committed terrible crimes. Do you understand why she felt connected to him?

5. The book is set against a backdrop of police misconduct and prejudice. Do you think our modern society's general opinion of the police has changed over the years?

6. Throughout the novel, Beverley worries that her son, Benjamin, might have inherited the same "rotten core" as his father. Where do you stand on the nature vs nurture debate? Is 'evil' something that is inherited, or learned?

7. Margot insists on partying her way through the echoes of her husband's crimes. In your experience, how important have you found humor and escapism to be in dealing with difficult circumstances?

8. The novel features lots of music references from the 1960s, from the Rolling Stones to Dusty Springfield. Are there any songs that you would add to a The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives playlist?

9. At one point, Margot comforts Beverley by telling her: "We cannot keep bad people from doing bad things." Do you believe this is true today? What do you think about the sense of responsibility Beverly felt?

10. Are there any likable male characters in the novel? Do you think the women could be accused of disliking all men?

11. Do you think the families of the murderers in The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives are treated fairly by the press and the general public? Were you surprised that Elsie, Beverley and Margot didn't completely retreat from the public eye?

12. How much do you relate to the passage "Being a murderer's wife gifted Elsie something-a layer of armor that, until then, she'd been lacking"? Do you think we can be made stronger by the most traumatic things that happen to us? Have you had that experience?

13. Did you judge Beverley, Elsie or Margot at any point in the story? Did your opinions of them change as the book progressed? Did you have a favorite character in the novel?

14. Beverley, Elsie and Margot are all very different, but their friendship is incredibly strong. Do you think our differences can make us closer? What did you admire most about their friendship?

Book Club Talking Points:
This book makes you immediately want to ask, what would you do? It digs into the lives of women married to men who've done the unthinkable, and it doesn't give easy answers. You'll end up talking about loyalty, denial, guilt, and how well we really know the people we love. It's suspenseful, but it's also layered and uncomfortable in the best way.

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"Arnott plays scrupulously fair with readers, seeding the narrative with well-disguised clues, but the novel's real appeal lies in its convincing evocation of the '60s and its tender depiction of the bond between its leads. It's a winner."-Publishers Weekly