The Mad Wife cover art

The Mad Wife

A Novel

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The Mad Wife

By: Meagan Church
Narrated by: Susan Bennett
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About this listen

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 stop listening.

©2025 Meagan Church (P)2025 Recorded Books
Domestic Thrillers Historical Fiction Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Marriage War
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This book was amazing, could not stop listening, Historical fiction and just a easy listening.

Absolutely FANTASTIC

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I nearly stopped listening, it was mundane and soporific but I think it needed to be to reflect her experiences and the tone of the tale. I'm really glad I finished, I enjoyed the twist and ending. I'm appalled at how women were dismissed, quietened and overruled back then. Their 'ordinary' was stifling. I may listen again as an 'ambiance' read and I'm glad I finished it.

It was dull but it needed to be

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Totally moving and relatable. Atmostpheric
Beautifully narrated. And very sad.i so so enjoyed this listen/

Superb

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Really enjoyed this book. Very thoughtful and well written. Good characters. Definitely one of the best books I’ve listen to this year. Intelligent and poignant.

Excellent story and writing

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Loved the story, its twists and turns. Loved the audio recording , worked very well.
Loved the writer's inspiration in writing the book.

captivating

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