The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives: A GMA Book Club Pick

By: Elizabeth Arnott

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld, Karissa Vacker

GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK ∙ 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.

The secret lives of murders’ wives

The suspense was good, the story just ok, it was not believable, with the affair etc

twists and turns

What a fabulous concept. The wives of three murderers become friends and detectives. What goes on in the mines of the wives? What goes on in the minds of the murderers? What goes on in the minds of the neighbors

Plot

Loved entire read and so many twists. Well written You won’t be disappointed Highly recommend.

Disappointing version of what could have been an interesting story

Uninspired story spiced with too much repetitive feminist rhetoric. I chose this after hearing the author interviewed about her university thesis on the wives and families of serial killers. The interview was interesting but the book was a disappointment.

Enjoyable

Was predictable however, I still enjoyed it. Narration was awesome!! Overall it was a fun read.