The Mad Wife

A Novel

By: Meagan Church

Narrated by: Susan Bennett

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

For psychologically-minded listeners

This thrilling novel kept me engaged from the very beginning to the last page. I loved everything about it: the writing style, the character development, the unique storyline, the nostalgia it evoked. The psychological development described here seems to be right on target.

Eye-opening

It was something to see into the life of what was expected of a suburban housewife in the 50s. The book did have my attention the whole way through! Great narration.

life as a mother

The still born baby and how it caused the confusion and after affects to the mother. Sad that she was hospitalized in a mental hospital.

What a riveting tale.

So good. I love the insight it provides into the lives of housewives. The twist in the middle I NEVER saw coming. I couldn’t put it down and finished this in 2 days.

Amazing

What a powerful story. A hidden gem. A must read if you are into women’s issues and psychology. Highly recommend.