Ordinary Wife: The true story of America’s forgotten serial killer
By Gregg Olsen.
By Gregg Olsen.
How does someone become one of America's most notorious serial killers while appearing to be the perfect wife?
That unsettling question lies at the heart of Ordinary Wife by Gregg Olsen and Morgan Olsen. Drawing on court transcripts, prison records and Lyda Trueblood's own statements, this meticulously researched true crime account explores the life of a woman whose charm concealed a chilling pattern of murder.
Before I even opened the book, the striking cover immediately caught my attention. Its understated design perfectly suits the story, hinting at the ordinary appearance behind such extraordinary crimes.
The story begins in Idaho in 1920, when Lyda Trueblood's husband suddenly falls violently ill after she places flypaper on the porch of their boarding house. His death would become just one in a series of suspicious tragedies that followed Lyda, including multiple husbands, a brother-in-law and even her young daughter. As the evidence slowly mounted, so too did the questions surrounding the woman at the centre of it all.
One of the book's greatest strengths is the depth of its research. Rather than simply recounting the crimes, Gregg and Morgan Olsen build a detailed portrait of Lyda herself, examining the events, relationships and decisions that allowed her to evade suspicion for so long. The use of original source material gives the story an authenticity that makes it all the more compelling.
What I found particularly fascinating was how the authors balance the historical context with the criminal investigation. Early twentieth-century attitudes towards women, marriage and justice become an important part of the story, helping to explain how someone like Lyda was repeatedly able to escape scrutiny despite the number of deaths surrounding her.
The pacing is equally well handled. Although readers may already know the outcome, the gradual unveiling of each death, investigation and courtroom revelation creates genuine suspense. Rather than sensationalising the crimes, the authors allow the facts to speak for themselves, making the story even more disturbing.
Lyda herself is an endlessly intriguing figure. Charismatic, manipulative and remarkably calculating, she remains difficult to fully understand, and that uncertainty becomes one of the book's most compelling aspects. The authors never attempt to excuse her actions, instead presenting the available evidence and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
Thoughtfully researched and gripping from beginning to end, Ordinary Wife offers a fascinating insight into one of America's lesser-known serial killers while painting a vivid picture of the society that allowed her crimes to continue for so long.
Thank you to Elke and the team at Storm Publishing for including me in this book-tour!
