The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives is one of those titles that both intrigues and leaves one skeptical about what to expect.
Set in 1966 Southern California, author Elizabeth Arnott strategically references popular songs, fashion and events of the era to set the scene, which takes some edge off this thriller. The three main characters are, indeed, the ex-wives of infamous serial killers now incarcerated.
Their husbands’ notoriety has made the women’s lives difficult; they have few friends and the relationships they do have are mostly misguided. None of the women had a clue regarding the dangerous, and gruesome, lives their husbands led away from home.
Bev is the only one of the three with children; she believed he was the family-man he projected to her and those in their circle. Brash Margo’s husband was former would-be-politician. Elsie works as a clerk at a Los Angeles newspaper (with aspirations to be a reporter). Each man was convicted of horrifically killing multiple women. It’s not entirely clear how the ex- wives met but they do form a bond as victims in their own right.
When several young, local women are found murdered, Bev is the first to suspect there’s a connection; one that’s soundly dismissed by the police. Law enforcement is convinced gangs are involved; Bev is certain one man is responsible. This is when she and her friends begin their own investigation.
The engaging, well-paced narrative leaves one wanting to double check that windows and doors are locked at night.
The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives
Four Bookmarks
Berkley, 2026
312 pages with acknowledgements
The Blue Page Special 