Official Review: The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:22

I didn't know about those murder cases but I know only the most notorious American serial killers. This novel makes me curious even if historical fiction is not my thing because it seems well developed and offers a depiction of that era, especially its darker corners. Thank you for your great review!

Regard003 · Post by **Regard003** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:24

Now I wasn't really expecting this, when I saw the title I was expecting something but it wasn't this .. this is thrilling. Wow, I'm definitely reading this book. Like seriously, women killing their husbands for the insurance money and fancying themselves in love with the tailor.. ouch

Amy Luman · Post by **Amy Luman** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:27

It seems to me that the only one who really benefited from this arrangement was Giorgio. Sure, the women got the money, but he got much more. Thanks for the review!

Paula Sabol · Post by **Paula Sabol** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:30

Thank you for the great review. Although not normally my type of book given its fast pace and exciting topic I may give it a go. After reading the sample I agree that the book moves at a perfect pace. The author is concise and dosn't wast time or words. I can't wait to find
Tom's twist!

Ekechi Marysally · Post by **Ekechi Marysally** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:37

I almost feel like I've read enough..but I'm captivated and I want to know more..this review will just be a perfect guide throughout the journey.. kudos... Already feel like I'll learn alot

Sou Hi · Post by **Sou Hi** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:38

Thanks for your review. It's quite scary to know that there were real-life housewives who would murder their husbands for the insurance money.

Julius James- · Post by **Julius James-** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:41

Money is the driving force in this book. Each of the women has specific problems. District Attorney has found out something much bigger than he could imagine. Nice review!

Amanda Ramos · Post by **Amanda Ramos** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:48

Just reading the review makes it more interesting.. I can hardly wait to start reading this book! The title did throw me off though I’m not going to lie. How intriguing this will be.

The_ibukunade · Post by **The_ibukunade** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:51

The Wicked Wives” is an intriguing work of fiction based on actual events that took place in Philadelphia in the late 1930’s. A tailor leading women to kill their husbands because of insurance, lol. This book is a good read.

LucksonDaka · Post by **LucksonDaka** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:53

I like the authors thinking about the wives conspiracy to get money for insurance such things happen in our country where wives kill their husbands when they finish building there homes

mungai390 · Post by **mungai390** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:54

It happens every now and then. It may be fiction in writing but people are really conspiring for this insurance money. Even young people getting married to old people to get these insurance benefits

Obichukwuu · Post by **Obichukwuu** » 15 Feb 2022, 09:59

The Wicked Wives is based on the true story if the 1938 Philadelphia murder scandals in which seventeen wives were arrested for murdering their husbands.

Mastermind conspirator Giorgio DiSipio, a stunning lothario and local tailor who preys upon disenchanted and unfaithful wives, convinces twelve of them to kill their spouses for insurance money.

The murder conspiracy is very successful until one lone assistant D.A., Tom Rossi, uncovers the plot and brings the perpetrators to justice.

Liam Mogapele · Post by **Liam Mogapele** » 15 Feb 2022, 10:00

A fantastic novel to read.Never read anything by this author but um ready to finish reading this book.
A story based on true crime conspiracies, wives killing their husbands for money.The title suites the book very well.

Chinazo Anozie · Post by **Chinazo Anozie** » 15 Feb 2022, 10:00

bookowlie wrote: ↑25 Apr 2015, 12:51 [Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Wicked Wives" by Gus Pelagatti. This book will be the July 2015 book of the month!]

4 out of 4 stars
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The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti is a historical fiction novel based on a true story that took place in the late 1930's. The author first heard about these crimes when he was eight years old and overheard his mother gossiping. After a career as a trial attorney, he becomes interested in writing a fictionalized account of these notorious crimes.

A bunch of Philadelphia housewives individually conspire with a local tailor, Giorgio DiSipio, to murder their husbands for the insurance money. Of course, the tailor takes a cut of the money. Initially, Lillian Stoner’s mother-in-law implores the D.A.’s Office to investigate her son’s death. She thinks his symptoms were not pneumonia and suspects that her philandering daughter-in-law had a role in his demise. As the deaths of other married men start piling up, 1st Assistant District Attorney Tom Rossi digs further to discover if they were murdered and if there is a link between the cases. What he finds is much bigger than he could have ever imagined.

Each woman’s backstory is described in detail, so that you understand their motives. While money is the driving force, each of the women has specific problems. For example, Eva had a gambling problem and owed a lot of money to a mob bookie. In addition, most of the women are having an affair with Giorgio and some are even in love with him. There is a large cast of characters, yet the author manages to weave their stories together seamlessly. I had no trouble remembering who each person was and their individual story.

All of the characters are well-drawn and interesting. Most of them aren’t likeable, but I was spellbound by their depravity and lack of conscience. Boris Feldman, aka the Rabbi, is a particularly entertaining character during the interrogations and courtroom scenes.

The Philadelphia setting serves as a colorful backdrop. You will experience dirty politics, which this city has had a long reputation for, bribery, and prejudice against Jews, blacks and Italians. The author paints a detailed picture of the local shops, restaurants, cars, and the general flavor of the 1930’s era.

The story moves at a rapid pace in the first part of the book. Two of the women are introduced and their husbands die in the first few chapters. I was sucked in right from the start. The pace slows down as the plot switches gears to the arrests and trials. Still, the story is no less engaging during these scenes.

There is one major twist at the end that is fairly shocking. I thought the way Tom realized this twist didn’t seem realistic. I wonder if his suspicion actually happened that way in real life.

I think the author would have benefitted by using a different title than The Wicked Wives. The title makes the book sounds like a cheesy romance or a chick-lit story about witches. This is an excellent story that should appeal to both men and women. A different title might attract a wider group of readers.

This book deserves nothing less than 4 out of 4 stars. I loved every minute of this riveting story. I recommend this book to any adult who likes to read a well-written, absorbing tale. It’s much more than just a juicy crime story. It’s simply one great book.

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The Wicked Wives
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This book definitely sounds like one to read. It seems fast-paced which is something i really like.

Kanika Tandon · Post by **Kanika Tandon** » 15 Feb 2022, 10:12

This book is right up my alley. Plot is based in true story but it seems like a 60s suspense movie where anyone and everyone is a suspect. A story full if lies deciet suspense murder philandering characters sounds engrossing enough for me to check this book out. Congrats on BOTD.