The Hunting Wives

Written by May Cobb

Narrated by Erin Bennett

SOON TO BE A NETFLIX SERIES

A Most Anticipated Novel by The Skimm * Cosmopolitan * SheReads * Frolic * PopSugar * BuzzFeed * Goodreads * E! Online * Betches * Crime Reads * Pure Wow * Book Riot * Bustle * and more!

A Book of the Month Club Selection

“Gossipy, scandalous housewives behaving badly might make this the juiciest read of the season."--Library Journal (starred review)

"Sultry, salacious and utterly unpredictable....You'll devour it."--Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author of Home Before Dark

The Hunting Wives share more than target practice, martinis, and bad behavior in this novel of obsession, seduction, and murder.

Sophie O'Neill left behind an envy-inspiring career and the stressful, competitive life of big-city Chicago to settle down with her husband and young son in a small Texas town. It seems like the perfect life with a beautiful home in an idyllic rural community. But Sophie soon realizes that life is now too quiet, and she's feeling bored and restless.

Then she meets Margot Banks, an alluring socialite who is part of an elite clique secretly known as the Hunting Wives. Sophie finds herself completely drawn to Margot and swept into her mysterious world of late-night target practice and dangerous partying. As Sophie's curiosity gives way to full-blown obsession, she slips farther away from the safety of her family and deeper into this nest of vipers.

When the body of a teenage girl is discovered in the woods where the Hunting Wives meet, Sophie finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation and her life spiraling out of control.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Audio
• Release date: May 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9780593346563

Reviews for The Hunting Wives

[Diana Todorovic Peterson · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

HATED the 2 main characters who were 40+ year old women that felt fine with sleeping with high school boys.

Good twist in the end but definitely not worth the time.

I am uncomfortable with this being put onto Netflix? I understand adult themes, but this is different and not OK.

(Also the adult scenes were so incredibly cringy!!!!)

[kulmona · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This one took me entirely too long to read. I found that I wasn’t reaching for it so I put it aside temporarily. When I eventually picked it up again to finish(more so out of curiosity about the TV series adaptation), I was immersed in this story of a grown-up clique of women and their toxic friendship dynamic.

[jfranklin592262 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Sigh.....I really think I'm going to give up on modern books unless they're written by a handful of writers.

This book had the same problems most modern books have....juvenile characters.....unbelievable scenarios.....and subpar writing. Why do all main protagonist in modern books have to have emotional baggage and some deep issue to work through? Good grief....can anyone be normal and wholesome anymore?!

The main female protagonist...Sophie.....is silly, ignorant, self absorbed, tends toward the quixotic, and has stalker issues. She's a horrible Mother and drinks like a fish!!

While reading this, one really has to ask themselves if this writer has ever had a conversation with an adult female.....all of the women in this book have the mentality of 15 yr olds!

IS This really how she sees wealthy housewives?? As a wealthy Southern housewife myself, I found it offensive. Does she really think sleeping with highschool boys....your friends son at that....is ok?

This book was ok......it could have been leagues better. The plot had potential. The only positive is the fact that it did keep me interested enough to finish it....just to see what happened.

[geauxgetlit · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well, well, well! Nothing like a smash up with Mean Girls and Desperate Housewives! These woman are the quintessential small southern town cougars that you love to hate but can’t help but want to read about! They love shooting guns and like their men young...well except their successful husbands of course!

So sexy and scandalous, and I hated that I loved it so much. Great murder mystery that will keep you on your toes!

[jonez-6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.50

This was a face paced story. I consumed it in pretty much one sitting. But be warned, none of these characters are likeable, and much of the plot revolves around pretty controversial and disturbing actions by these ladies. You also need the usual suspension of disbelief that is needed in these types of thrillers (example: how involved and helpful investigators are willing to be with suspects. Lol). I don't mind unlikable characters or the suspension of disbelief, but I did roll my eyes more than once here and there with this one.

The female characters definitely got away with things we wouldn't allow male characters to get away with without feeling disgusted. I also couldn't help but feel like this read like the diary of a bored, white, suburban, toxic wine-mom needing drama in her life because she hasn't ever really experienced any kind of oppression before. So if you can get past reading about unlikable people getting themselves into unlikable situations...then read on. If this type of thing isn't your cup of tea, you may want to pass. I will say it was a compelling and well paced read though, and the author did thier best to tie up loose ends while serving a somewhat believable plot twist.

[jynell-71874 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What's the last 5 star book you've read?⁠ How do you determine what is a 5 star?⁠ ⁠

For me, it's all about the feelings the book evokes. And wow, The Hunting Wives... I'm still processing my thoughts and feelings..⁠ ⁠ You know you've read a good book when you feel sorry for the family of the villain, who weren't even really characters in the book. But you feel as much a part of the community in which the book is set, that you morn for the losses of this particular group of friends and feel their emotions.⁠ ⁠

The book revolves around a group of 5 friends, calling themselves "The Hunting Wives"... but what exactly are they hunting?⁠ ⁠

Each of the friends has a distinct personality, a moral compass - although some more broken than others... But when a teenage girl is found dead on the property that the women hang out at, all hell breaks loose. Figuring out who the real victims and aggressors are has never been so challenging.⁠ ⁠

At one point I tried to guess the ending, but found that it wasn't possible. The way the author wrote the last 25% of the book was perfect because it kept me on my toes and guessing, kept me drawn in, and left me thrilled.⁠ ⁠ I think I could dissect this book for days, but ultimately, I'm just going to settle on the fact that everyone that enjoys thrillers should read it. I don't want to say too much for fear of giving anything away, but if you've read it, feel free to DM me.⁠ ⁠

Thank you @BerkleyPub for allowing me to read this and give my honest opinion.⁠

[jdy_26 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This book was a quick read, but I hated it so much. If you want to read a book about a bunch of catty women and terrible people getting wasted and half-naked, cheating on their spouses, and driving drunk, this book is for you. Also, can we talk about why this book/author thinks it's perfectly okay for 40 year old women to sleep with high school boys?

[foreigncircus · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Elements of The Hunting Wives were excellent, but I just could not relate to the main character Sophie and her seemingly adolescent crush on Margot. Frankly, since Sophie actually spent two years of high school in this town, it would have made more sense to me if this had been an adolescent crush that she never resolved because she moved away, but the author clearly states she never knew this gang back in the day. He rapid descent into excessive drinking and adulterous behavior were bad enough, but once the high school football players made an appearance, I could no longer muster even a modicum of sympathy for Sophie who just made bad choice after bad choice until the denouement of the novel. The book was very well-written and all of the characters were fully drawn, I just didn't like any of them (except Graham, Jack, and Detective Flynn). Ultimately a frustrating read because of my distaste for Sophie and her actions.