The Shocking Truth: Who Really Killed Abby In The Hunting Wives? (Book Vs. TV Series Ending Explained)

The murder of Abby Jackson is the central, gripping mystery of The Hunting Wives, but the identity of her killer is one of the most significant plot twists in modern psychological thrillers, made even more complicated by its recent adaptation. As of December 2025, fans are buzzing about the dramatic differences between the original novel by May Cobb and the intense Netflix series, where the true culprit and their motive are completely divergent, challenging everything the protagonist, Sophie O'Neil, thought she knew.

To get to the bottom of the explosive secret in the wealthy, competitive community of Mapleton, Texas, you must first decide which version of the story you are following: the literary world of May Cobb’s bestselling book or the high-stakes drama of the streaming adaptation. The answer to "who killed Abby" hinges on this distinction, proving that sometimes, the most solid alibi can hide the darkest truth.

The Full Cast of Characters and Key Entities

To fully appreciate the twists and turns of this East Texas murder mystery, it's essential to know the key players involved in the scandal surrounding Abby Jackson’s death. This list covers the major characters from the TV series, which provides the most current context for the story:

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• Sophie O'Neil: The protagonist and a former big-city writer who moves to Mapleton, Texas, and becomes obsessed with the titular group. She is played by Brittany Snow.
• Margo Banks: The glamorous, powerful, and enigmatic leader of The Hunting Wives club, who takes Sophie under her wing. She is played by Malin Åkerman.
• Abby Jackson: The teenage victim whose murder in the woods sets the entire plot in motion.
• Graham O'Neil: Sophie's husband, who moves his family to his hometown of Mapleton. He is played by Evan Jonigkeit.
• Jed Banks: Margo's husband, a prominent figure in the community. He is played by Dermot Mulroney.
• Callie Baskin: A member of The Hunting Wives, often seen with Margo. She is played by Jaime Ray Newman.
• Jill: A key member of the social circle, whose role and fate differ drastically between the book and the series.
• Brad: Abby’s teenage boyfriend and Jill’s son (in the book) or a key figure in Margo's secret (in the series).
• May Cobb: The award-winning author of the original 2021 psychological thriller novel, which is set in the piney woods of East Texas.

The Novel's Shocking Conclusion: Who Killed Abby in May Cobb's Book?

In May Cobb's original novel, The Hunting Wives, the mystery of Abby Jackson's death unfolds with a classic, devastating plot twist that directly involves one of the central members of the elite social circle. The book’s ending is a masterclass in misdirection, initially pointing the finger at several suspects, including Sophie O'Neil, whose past conviction for a DUI makes her an easy target for the local police investigation.

The definitive answer in the novel is that Jill killed Abby Jackson.

Jill’s Motive: The Unwanted Pregnancy

Jill’s motive is rooted in a desperate desire to protect her family’s reputation and future. The key details are as follows:

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• The Pregnancy: Abby was pregnant and refused to get an abortion.
• The Father: The father of the baby was Jill’s own son, Brad.
• The Cover-Up: Jill, fearing the scandal would ruin her son’s life and their family’s standing in the privileged Mapleton society, confronted Abby.
• The Murder: The confrontation escalated, and Jill shot Abby to death in the clearing where The Hunting Wives often practiced shooting.

This resolution establishes Jill as the cold-blooded killer, driven by the intense social pressure and the dark underbelly of East Texas elitism. The book concludes with Jill being arrested, bringing a form of justice to the tragic murder.

The Netflix Series Plot Twist: Margo Banks' Deadly Secret

The Netflix series, which premiered in 2024, made a significant and dramatic change to the plot, completely altering the killer's identity, motive, and the overall final confrontation. This is a common practice in adaptations, designed to surprise even those who have read the book and to give the television series its own unique, fresh stamp.

In the TV series adaptation, the person who killed Abby Jackson is Margo Banks, the glamorous leader of The Hunting Wives.

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Margo’s Motive: An Affair and an Abortion Cover-Up

Margo’s motive in the series is arguably more complex and darker than the book’s, centering on a desperate attempt to conceal a scandalous personal secret that would destroy her life and reputation in Mapleton.

• The Affair: Margo was having a secret affair with a teenage boy named Brad, who was Abby’s boyfriend.
• The Blackmail: Abby discovered Margo's affair and threatened to expose the devastating secret to the entire community.
• The Abortion: The series also introduces a layer where Margo had a secret abortion, which Abby also knew about and threatened to reveal.
• The Confrontation and Murder: To silence Abby and protect her reputation, family, and social standing—which was everything to Margo—she shot Abby. Margo confesses to the crime when she is finally confronted by Sophie O'Neil, who has been tirelessly investigating the case.

The series ending is a thrilling and dangerous confrontation, where Sophie risks her life to expose Margo, who had a seemingly "rock-solid alibi" from the beginning of the investigation. The revelation that Margo, the most powerful woman in the group, is the killer, flips the entire narrative on its head and provides a shocking conclusion for viewers.

The Impact of the Two Different Endings on the Psychological Thriller Genre

The decision to change the killer from Jill in the novel to Margo Banks in the TV show is a fascinating case study in adapting psychological thrillers. It ensures that both the book and the series offer a unique and compelling experience, maintaining the suspense for two different audiences.

Topical Authority: Exploring Themes of Privilege and Obsession

Regardless of who pulls the trigger, both versions of The Hunting Wives expertly dissect the dark themes of obsession, privilege, and the lengths wealthy women will go to maintain their perfect facade in a small, judgmental town. The core entities and themes that drive the plot are consistent:

• The Hunting Wives Club: More than just a social group, the club is a symbol of elite power and secrecy, where bad behavior and indiscretions are hidden under the guise of target practice and martinis.
• Sophie O'Neil's Obsession: The protagonist’s move from Chicago and her subsequent obsession with Margo and the club is the catalyst for her deep dive into the murder investigation, ultimately costing her dearly.
• The East Texas Setting: May Cobb’s choice of the "piney woods of East Texas" provides a backdrop of gothic Southern charm and hidden corruption, where old money and social standing dictate the rules.

Whether it’s Jill protecting her son’s future in the book, or Margo covering up a scandalous affair and abortion in the series, the murder of Abby Jackson serves as the ultimate indictment of the Mapleton elite. Both endings deliver a high-stakes resolution that is true to the psychological thriller genre, leaving the audience breathless and wondering how far they would go to protect their own secrets.