Book Summary
In The Hunting Wives, May Cobb crafts a deliciously scandalous thriller about Sophie O’Neill, a former Chicago magazine editor who moves to a sleepy Texas town with her husband and young son. What starts as a quest for a quieter life quickly spirals into boredom—until Sophie meets Margot Banks, the glamorous queen bee of an elite clique called the Hunting Wives. Drawn into their world of late-night skeet shooting, martini-fueled gossip, and dangerous flirtations, Sophie becomes obsessed with Margot, risking her marriage and sanity. When a teenage girl is found dead near their hangout spot, Sophie’s life unravels in a whirlwind of secrets and suspicion.
Cobb’s novel is a page-turner dripping with drama, blending Big Little Lies-style suburban noir with the reckless energy of Real Housewives. While some readers may find Sophie frustratingly self-destructive, the book’s addictive pacing and jaw-dropping twists make it impossible to put down. The mix of murder mystery and erotic tension creates a guilty-pleasure read that’s perfect for summer.
Key Themes
Obsession & Self-Destruction: Sophie’s infatuation with Margot mirrors a midlife crisis gone rogue, exploring how boredom and unmet desires can lead to reckless choices. Her psychological unraveling—ignoring her devoted husband Graham and son Jack—adds depth to what could’ve been a shallow drama.
Class & Power: The Hunting Wives’ wealth shields their bad behavior, from drunk driving to affairs with minors. Cobb subtly critiques how privilege lets these women evade consequences—until the murder forces accountability.
What Makes It Unique
Unapologetically Messy Characters: Unlikeable protagonists dominate this story, from Sophie’s pathetic desperation to Margot’s manipulative charm. Cobb refuses to sanitize their flaws, making their bad decisions (like hookups with high school boys) deliberately uncomfortable.
Texas Noir Vibes: The setting—a superficially idyllic town with a seedy underbelly—elevates the drama. Cobb’s descriptions of sweaty skeet-shooting sessions and Dallas bar crawls immerse readers in the wives’ hedonistic world.
Reader Reactions
Fans call it “the most gossip-worthy thriller of the year,” praising its “Real Housewives-meets-murder-mystery” appeal. One reviewer raved: “I hated every character but couldn’t stop reading—like watching a train wreck in slow motion!” Others highlight Margot’s magnetism: “She’s A+ villain material—you’ll love to hate her.”
Critiques focus on Sophie’s poor choices (“I wanted to shake her”) and the rushed ending. Despite this, the book maintains a 4.2/5 average on Goodreads, with 65% of ratings at 4–5 stars. The upcoming Starz adaptation has also reignited interest, with fans eager to see the wives’ antics on screen.
About the Author
May Cobb, an Austin-based writer with an MA in literature, specializes in stories about women behaving badly. Her debut Big Woods won awards for its Southern Gothic tension, and her essays have appeared in The Washington Post and Good Housekeeping.
Cobb’s background in exploring dysfunctional relationships shines here. She’s said the book was inspired by “the dark side of female friendships” and Texas’s small-town social hierarchies. Netflix is adapting the novel into a series, with Cobb as a consultant.
Memorable Quotes
“It wasn’t envy, though; I didn’t want to be her. It was so much more than that. I wanted to be near her. For her to notice me, too. The idea of it took my breath away.”
“We never went all the way. It was just a bit of fun, right?”
Where to Buy or Download PDF of The Hunting Wives
- Amazon (hardcover,Kindle)
- Barnes & Noble (exclusive sprayed-edge edition)
- Book Depository (free international shipping)