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There are currently 22 member reviews
for The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
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Kristen H. (New Bern, NC)
3 Not So Innocent
I really liked the book and it would have been finished much earlier however holidays and other events got in the way. It read in a 1950's style and when I found time to get into the book it really held my attention. The 3 main characters were all quite interesting in the author's development and description of them. I would recommend this book.
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Nathan G. (Somerville, MA)
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
The Secret Lives of Murderer's Wives was an enjoyable read. There are certainly some twists and turns, though I think I had a small inkling about the outcome in advance. While it was difficult for me to tell the main characters apart for a bit, they are clearly distinct individuals.
Beverly, while raising kids, seems to be quite prone to wild imaginings and periods of self blame and doubt (in a way that almost made me cringe). Elsie is undervalued in her position at a newspaper, treated like a secretary. Margot works in a clothing store, just
trying to make ends meet.
They meet regularly together as friends, and then try to guess at things regarding a bunch of unconnected murders taking place nearby.
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Cheryl R. (Jeannette, PA)
Woman Power
Three women who had been married to serial killers come together. They don't have anything in common except their pain. They give each other support and encouragement. But more importantly they use what they learned to help stop a local murderer. Women who have been looked down upon and ignored break free of the norms put on women in the 1960s and stand strong to catch the man before he can attack another woman. As I got to the end, I had to keep reading to see if everyone made it out alive.
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Ruthie A. (Jersey City, NJ)
New type of mystery/detective book!
Three wives of serial killers support one another in the fun and thought provoking novel. There stories unfold as yet another serial killer seems to be on the loose.
My favorite thing about this book is the way we are given insight into the lives of the women who were in the dark as to what their husbands were doing. As they look back for signs they should have seen, things they may have missed, they realize they may have insight that can help find the culprit.
The balance between the mystery/detective work and the women's' stories is perfect.
Despite the heavy subject matter the book reads quickly and is almost impossible to put down! Somehow the author kept it light enough not to be too disturbing. The writing is excellent, way more than the usual detective novels. Looking forward to reading more from this author!!
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Marybeth T. (Bellingham, WA)
Page Turner
I loved this book! A character driven book about three women who develop a friendship through the bonds of their husbands being serial killers. I loved the 1960 time period and the California setting. The three women, Beverley,Margot and Elsie are all great characters and tough women. The pace was fast and it took me until almost the end to figure out who the bad guy was.
I highly recommend this book.
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Erica M. (Chicago, IL)
Unique Mystery
This was a very different way of presenting a murder mystery, as three wives of serial killers try to solve murders that appear to be the work of a serial killer. I did not feel that the character development worked well in the beginning of the book, but by the end, each character played out her role to help solve the puzzle of who was committing the murders. The last quarter of the book was a page turner that made the shortcomings of the earlier chapters worth working through.
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Dianne S. (East Meadow, NY)
A unique friendship bond
Three women, Elsie, Beverly and Margot, create a support group form which friendship and mayhem grows. Their bond is they all were married to infamous serial killers. They all carry the guilt that their husbands committed horrific crimes literally under their noses. Each woman copes separately but lean on each other when no one else can understand their lives. This is the best part of the book. The special relationship between the women, the evolving role of women in the 1960's and how society viewed them.
The book goes somewhat off the rail as they mutually investigate the relationship between the murders of several young women in their neighborhood and the eventual uncovering that a new serial killer is at work. The women, of course, unmask the killer. It is entertaining, though as noted, fantastical.
