The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives

Name: The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
Price: 49.99 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9780241733622

Elizabeth Arnott

$49.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Viking
09 May 2026

Historical mysteries; Fiction: special features

A gripping period mystery about three women who solve a string of murders in their idyllic Californian neighbourhood. After all, who better to catch a killer than the women who've shared a life with one?

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. Beverley, Elsie and Margot may look like they lead idyllic lives, but behind the false smiles and glittering pools lies the truth- their husbands are some of the country's most notorious serial 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?

By: Elizabeth Arnott
Imprint: Viking
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 240mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 500g
ISBN: 9780241733622
ISBN 10: 0241733626
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 09 May 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Elizabeth Arnott is an award-winning writer and journalist and has written critically acclaimed historical fiction as Lizzie Pook. Her work has featured in publications including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, and National Geographic. She lives in London with her husband and their daughter.

Reviews for The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives

This transported me to 1960s California and introduced me to three incredible female characters, 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. * Emilia Hart *