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The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
- Author
- Elizabeth Arnott
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Publish Date
- 5 March 2026
- Run Time
- 9 hours 11 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Rating
- 4.0 (1 review)
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What to expect
Brought to you by Penguin.
You’ve heard of the men who kill, but what about the women who loved them?
It’s a baking hot summer in 1960s California and three women have formed an unlikely friendship. From the outside, Beverley, Elsie and Margot lead idyllic lives, but behind the false smiles and glittering pools lies the truth: their husbands are some of the country’s most notorious convicted killers.
Amidst neighbourhood gossip and pointed fingers, the women are fighting to forge new paths for themselves. Wide-eyed Beverley is raising two young children under the long shadow of their father’s crimes. Bookish Elsie is determined to make a name for herself in the patriarchal newsroom, while Hollywood party-girl Margot has a penchant for an early morning margarita – anything to quieten the shame of her ex-husband’s deceit.
But when a string of local killings hits the news, the women – underestimated and overlooked – are hurled into an investigation of their own. After all, who better to catch a killer than those who have shared their lives with one?
Glamorous, gripping and utterly addictive, The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives is a celebration of women - their friendships, courage and resilience - and what happens when they dare to break free of the mould that society has set for them.
'AS IF TAYLOR JENKINS-REID WROTE A CRIME NOVEL' Emilia Hart, bestselling author of SIRENS
© Elizabeth Arnott 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Critics Review
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As if Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote a crime novel. Beautifully written, with twists that had me compulsively turning the pages
Emilia Hart, bestselling author of SIRENS
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A sultry period thriller with a big, hopeful heart
Abigail Dean, bestselling author of GIRL A
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An utterly addictive thriller with important things to say about women and the power of female friendships. This book is an absolute killer
Elizabeth Macneal, bestselling author of THE DOLL FACTORY
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This is more than a crime novel; it is a story of womanhood and friendship under unthinkable circumstances
Charmaine Wilkerson, NYT bestselling author of BLACK CAKE
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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A wickedly feminist whodunnit for fans of Richard Osman and Nita Prose
Sarah Penner, NYT bestselling of THE LOST APOTHECARY
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Scandalous, shocking and seriously addictive, but also an urgent and important read
Emma Stonex, bestselling author of LAMPLIGHTERS
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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, NYT bestselling author of THE CLUB
User Reviews
Book 4.0
Narration 5.0
-
4.0 5.0
Such a good story and I loved the narration. Really enjoyable
hollier 2026-09-14
Details
- Author
- Elizabeth Arnott
- Narrator
- Karissa Vacker, Saskia Maarleveld
- Duration
- 9 hours 11 minutes
- Release Date
- 5 March 2026
- ISBN
- 9781405982917
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Genre
- Historical crime and mysteries, Narrative theme: love / relationships
- Rating
- 4.0(1 review)
- Narration
- 5.0(1 review)
Synopsis
Brought to you by Penguin.You’ve heard of the men who kill, but what about the women who loved them?It’s a baking hot summer in 1960s California and three women have formed an unlikely friendship. From the outside, Beverley, Elsie and Margot lead idyllic lives, but behind the false smiles and glittering pools lies the truth: their husbands are some of the country’s most notorious convicted killers.Amidst neighbourhood gossip and pointed fingers, the women are fighting to forge new paths for themselves. Wide-eyed Beverley is raising two young children under the long shadow of their father’s crimes. Bookish Elsie is determined to make a name for herself in the patriarchal newsroom, while Hollywood party-girl Margot has a penchant for an early morning margarita – anything to quieten the shame of her ex-husband’s deceit.But when a string of local killings hits the news, the women – underestimated and overlooked – are hurled into an investigation of their own. After all, who better to catch a killer than those who have shared their lives with one?Glamorous, gripping and utterly addictive, The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives is a celebration of women - their friendships, courage and resilience - and what happens when they dare to break free of the mould that society has set for them.'AS IF TAYLOR JENKINS-REID WROTE A CRIME NOVEL' Emilia Hart, bestselling author of SIRENS© Elizabeth Arnott 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
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