The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives: The must-read new crime mystery and GMA Book Club pick – the perfect holiday thriller

Elizabeth Arnott

Mar 2026 · Random House

About this eBook

Escape to 1960s California with the gripping and glamorous new crime mystery that sees an unlikely trio team up to solve a string of murders - the perfect page-turning holiday read for fans of Big Little Lies and The List of Suspicious Things.

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK
A MARIE CLAIRE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2026

'As If Taylor Jenkins-Reid wrote a crime novel' Emilia Hart, bestselling author of Sirens

'Lessons in Chemistry with Californian serial killers. Wickedly clever - I loved it!' Ellery Lloyd, bestselling author of Reece Witherspoon Book Club pick, The Club

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. They 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, Beverley, Elsie and Margot are fighting to forge new paths for themselves. 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?

Readers LOVE The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives:

'A highly intelligent, feminist whodunnit' Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things

'Mad Men meets Zodiac: a sultry period thriller with a big, hopeful heart' Abigail Dean, bestselling author of Girl A

'Gripping, unsettling, and totally binge-worthy. If you love true crime with a psychological twist, this one is a must-read.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Keeps you hooked from the very first page to the last, with twists and tension that never let up.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'A stylish and engrossing thriller, this terrific murder mystery hits all the right notes' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Felt like the love child of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Richard Osman.... Brilliantly plotted, full of surprises and driven by complex female characters, this was such an enjoyable read' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Moving, enraging, and deeply empowering' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'So addictive I couldn't put it down.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

About the author

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.