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?

Details

ISBN13: 9780241733639
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 320
Edition:
Publication Date: 10 Mar 2026
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Publication City, Country: London, United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 23.1(H)x15.1(L)x2.3(W)387
Weight (gm): 387

Author Biography

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

As if Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote a crime novel. Beautifully written, with twists that had me compulsively turning the pages * Emilia Hart, bestselling author of SIRENS *
A sultry period thriller with a big, hopeful heart * Abigail Dean, bestselling author of GIRL A *
An utterly addictive thriller with important things to say about women and the power of female friendships. This book is an absolute killer * Elizabeth Macneal, bestselling author of THE DOLL FACTORY *
This is more than a crime novel; it is a story of womanhood and friendship under unthinkable circumstances * Charmaine Wilkerson, NYT bestselling author of BLACK CAKE *
A wickedly feminist whodunnit for fans of Richard Osman and Nita Prose * Sarah Penner, NYT bestselling of THE LOST APOTHECARY *
Scandalous, shocking and seriously addictive, but also an urgent and important read * Emma Stonex, bestselling author of LAMPLIGHTERS *
Sun-soaked and sinister, gripping and glamorous, this 1960s-set mystery is Lessons in Chemistry with Californian serial killers. Wickedly clever - loved it! * Ellery Lloyd, NYT bestselling author of THE CLUB *