Official Review: The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti

Post by **bookowlie** » 01 Jun 2015, 23:40

Not my go-to music, but it would make good background music for a movie or miniseries.

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 10 Jun 2015, 00:49

Sounds fun. This guy Giorgio sounds like his the main attraction in this novel, or even the mastermind behind all this. Can't wait. Great review.

Post by **bookowlie** » 10 Jun 2015, 09:28

Leon Durham wrote:Sounds fun. This guy Giorgio sounds like his the main attraction in this novel, or even the mastermind behind all this. Can't wait. Great review.

These people committed horrible crimes, but there is something funny about it since some of the behavior was so over the top for that time period. I always pictured women in the 1930's as being preoccupied with cooking, cleaning, vacuuming, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for their kids, etc. I guess Philadelphia wives were a different breed.

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 10 Jun 2015, 16:04

I'm almost scared to say that I think you're right. Good point.

Post by **bookowlie** » 11 Jun 2015, 09:38

Leon Durham wrote:I'm almost scared to say that I think you're right. Good point.

Maybe women have always been a little wild all through history.

Levi · Post by **Levi** » 11 Jun 2015, 09:50

Matrimonial mavens of murder, nailed it!! That's a real head turner
Possible subtitle: The misguided moxy of mariticide

Post by **bookowlie** » 11 Jun 2015, 10:07

Ha ha ha - I love the word "mariticide"! It makes me think of maritime, and women drowning their husbands. Hey, there's a sequel...a book about women who drowned their husbands to inherit the yacht!

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 16 Jun 2015, 02:12

* escapeartist

This is the first time I heard of the word mariticide. What does it mean. I don't know what it means. But it's provocative...

* bookowlie

A sequel? - Shaking my head; taking a drag - Poor husbands...

Post by **bookowlie** » 18 Jun 2015, 09:28

Leon Durham wrote:* escapeartist

This is the first time I heard of the word mariticide. What does it mean. I don't know what it means. But it's provocative...

* bookowlie

A sequel? - Shaking my head; taking a drag - Poor husbands...

Ooh, there's no sequel.

I was just making a joke. Actually, I shouldn't make jokes about it, since this book is based on a true story involving multiple murders.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 18 Jun 2015, 09:34

I'm roughly 25% into this book & I have to say I am not at all liking the writing style ... way too 50 Shades for my liking. Anyway, I've started so I'll finish it but it's really not my cup of tea at all.

Post by **bookowlie** » 18 Jun 2015, 09:39

Hi Fran, I didn't find it that way. I thought of it more as one of these true crime style books, where the Assistant D.A. is trying to fit the pieces together. I didn't find the book overly sexual in content. It has strong elements of greed and corruption.

-- 18 Jun 2015, 12:28 --

Hopefully, you will enjoy the book more as you read further.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 19 Jun 2015, 10:11

@bookowlie
I finished it but no, I didn't especially like it & I will not be recommending it.

I honestly felt the story sufficiently fascinating & intriguing and there was absolutely no need to go tabloid & take it into the realms of what I call 50 Shades territory. I was disappointed that the author felt he had to be so gratuitously vulgar and quite unnecessarly sensationalist.

It could have been a gripping courtroom drama simply be sticking with the facts.

Post by **bookowlie** » 19 Jun 2015, 10:27

Sorry to hear the book wasn't your cup of tea. I thought it was well written and I loved it. I didn't think it was in the realm of "50 Shades territory" in the slightest. The only thing I didn't care for was a twist that at the end that didn't seem realistic. However, the book is based on a true story, so what I didn't feel was realistic may have really happened.

It's interesting how different people have different perspectives about a book. I belong to an in-person book club and some people will love a monthly selection, while others not so much. It's still interesting to hear everyone's opinions.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 19 Jun 2015, 12:47

I've got my paperback copy from amazon, and I fully intend to read it for the BotM discussion.

Offhand, I haven't read much real-life crime, nor much fictional crime (John Gresham, et al?). But I'd imagine there'd have to be a balance between the facts and human interest. I'm intrigued... just how wicked were these wives, I wonder?

I'll definitely be sharing my thoughts.

Ealasaid · Post by **Ealasaid** » 19 Jun 2015, 13:12

I very much enjoyed the book. I did find a few things far-fetched and would be interested to know what exactly was fiction and non. However, I disagree that the book entered 50 Shades territory. Disclaimer: I have never read the 50 Shades series; however, I have heard and read enough about it to be pretty certain that this book did not come close to entering that realm. Others' opinions do vary, and that is why I cannot wait to discuss this book next month.