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book cover for The Mad Wife

The Mad Wife

A Novel

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Pub Date Nov 04 2025 | Archive Date Nov 11 2025
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark

Description

From bestselling author Meagan Church comes a haunting exploration of identity, motherhood, and the suffocating grip of societal expectations that will leave you questioning the lives we build—and the lies we live.

They called it hysteria. She called it survival.

Lulu Mayfield has spent the last five years molding herself into the perfect 1950s housewife. Despite the tragic memories that haunt her and the weight of exhausting expectations, she keeps her husband happy, her household running, and her gelatin salads the talk of the neighborhood. But after she gives birth to her second child, Lulu's carefully crafted life begins to unravel.

When a new neighbor, Bitsy, moves in, Lulu suspects that something darker lurks behind the woman's constant smile. As her fixation on Bitsy deepens, Lulu is drawn into a web of unsettling truths that threaten to expose the cracks in her own life. The more she uncovers about Bitsy, the more she questions everything she thought she knew—and soon, others begin questioning her sanity. But is Lulu truly losing her mind? Or is she on the verge of discovering a reality too terrifying to accept?

In the vein of The Bell Jar and The Hours, The Mad Wife weaves domestic drama with psychological suspense, so poignant and immersive, you won't want to put it down. 

From bestselling author Meagan Church comes a haunting exploration of identity, motherhood, and the suffocating grip of societal expectations that will leave you questioning the lives we build—and...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781464236747
PRICE $17.99 (USD)
PAGES 336

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Average rating from 29 members


Featured Reviews

I just cannot. Cannot even stop thinking about this book it was so beautifully written. And I couldn't make myself put it down and go to bed.

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I loved this story about a traditional housewife that struggles with her life after her second baby is born - there were twists I wasn't expecting. Would highly recommend as a book club pick!

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