Book details
- Author: Elizabeth Arnott
- Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Suspense
- Publication date: 09/04/2026
- Format read: eBook
- Source: NetGalley
Short verdict
The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives is an engaging and easy-to-read mystery set in the 1960s, following three women whose lives are linked by an unusual and unsettling connection: their husbands were serial killers. While the novel provides this dark context, the real focus is on the women themselves and how they navigate life with the knowledge of what their husbands were capable of.
At a glance
What worked:
- A unique premise centred on the wives rather than the killers
- Strong atmosphere of 1960s society and its expectations
- A compelling final act where the story accelerates and answers begin to emerge
- A satisfying twist that adds real impact to the ending
What didn’t:
- I would have liked a little more backstory about the relationships between the characters, particularly how some of the connections developed
Final thoughts
The novel follows Beverley, Elsie and Margot, three women whose lives intersect through their shared experience of being married to men capable of terrible acts. Rather than focusing on the killers themselves, the book explores how these women recognise the “signs” and how they navigate the social expectations placed on them.
The tone and structure reminded me somewhat of The Thursday Murder Club series — accessible, character-driven, and gently paced while still building toward a satisfying conclusion.
While I did wish for a little more background on the characters and their relationships earlier in the story, the final quarter of the book becomes much faster-paced as the answers begin to unfold. By the end, the story delivers an enjoyable and well-crafted resolution.
Rating
Disclosure
Thank you to Penguin General UK – Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business and NetGalley for providing a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.