The Lockdown Ladies' Burial Club - the nickname the protagonists in this book give themselves - just surprised me (in the best possible way).
While there is definitely a strong current of despair threaded throughout this novel, hope is beckoning enticingly in every page, even the more grim ones. I did not think I could relate so closely to an experience of Lockdown I have never even remotely lived through, but the narrative style envelopes the reader in the lives of these 5 women even before you get to know them properly, let alone by the time you get to like them.
There's danger lurking in every corner, behind every page. The final chapters were read while I was holding my breath (so so well done with the suspense!), and the end is simply perfect - including the author's note disclaiming just how improbable the events narrated are, yet how close to life and frequent the protagonists' situations were.
The dark humour (the blackest I've probably ever read) landed gracefully, and while I might not have giggled while reading this novel, I have definitely snorted derisively a fair few times.

At times this book is ridiculous, but that's to be expected, what a ridiculous situation.
It's also warm, funny, emotional and incredibly brutal about the realities of domestic abuse.
Using the covid restrictions perfectly yo mask actions, it's a clever story.
Whilst as a whole it entertained me, it definitely gave me pause for thought, for those in a marriage/partnership similar to the ones described.

Sally has been in an abusive relationship for over 20 years, and without realising it has reached her breaking point during lockdown. Not knowing where to turn when the worst (or best) happens, she accidentally finds herself with a new support network of women in the same situation - all needing a way to get free of it...

This is a brilliantly satirical examination of a very serious and real issue. I loved the relationships that developed during the book, and enjoyed the plot even more. A really excellent read!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

A mystery about domestic abuse set during lockdown featuring an interesting set of characters. Although the premise was heartbreaking, I would not term this novel as a thriller. Well done to the author for highlighting an important societal issue.

I was hooked on The Best Way To Bury Your Husband right from the start. I loved every moment and finished it in less than a day because I couldn't wait to find out what happened in the end. This book made me both laugh and cry. It might seem unbelievable that four women living close by would all end up killing their husbands at the same time, but that doesn't make the story any less engaging. I was cheering for these women as they came together to find the best way to bury their abusive husbands. It broke my heart to hear their stories and see how the abuse affected their children, self-esteem, and futures.

The Best Way To Bury Your Husband is a mix of humor, darkness, heartbreak, and entertainment. But what's even more important is that it opens up a conversation about violence against women and girls. This book has a lot of truth in it, and Alexia Casale handles it wonderfully. She doesn't claim to have all the answers, but she wants to use humor to get people talking about how we can tackle this problem.

I will definitely recommend this book to all the women I know, and to anyone who will listen. It's not just entertaining—it also has the potential to start discussions about domestic violence, its effects, and how we can support women and prevent more pain and tragedies.

“For too long I let a small man steal my joy and potential.”

I really, really enjoyed this book; it was dark, twisted and very funny. But even in the darkness, there is a huge amount of light - it is the story of women reclaiming their freedoms and strength. One thing was abundantly clear through the whole book: Alexia Casale put so much love and thought into writing.

Will be ranting and raving about this one and making sure everyone I know knows about the publication date!

I don’t want to give anything away other than the basics, what happens when you’ve just had enough? Enough of the abuse , enough of the pain & enough of the constant heartbreak? And what happens when you realise you’re not the only one who’s had enough? What do you all do? Dark humour, themes of domestic abuse (the writer handles these well & doesnt romanticise them unlike a certain CoHo and a book that rhymes with I mends with buzz…. Brilliantly written & incredibly enjoyable.

The Best Way To Bury Your Husband is a very well written mystery novel with heartwarming found family/friendships. The author also delves into more serious topics such as domestic abuse and violence, which being coupled with dark humour makes you feel the emotions of the characters. A very enjoyable, emotional and fast paced read.

“Sally never meant to cave her husband's head in with a skillet. Or at least she didn't until suddenly, she did.

But Sally isn't the only woman in town being pushed to breaking point. When coincidence brings four strangers together, a surprising solidarity is formed.

So can they find the best way to bury their husbands - and get away with it?”

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin General UK and Alexia Casale for the opportunity to read this ARC, all opinions are honest and my own.

I was lucky enough to be given the arc to this book from NetGalley and boy am I glad to have been able to read it! Honestly this book is in my top reads of the year so far !
Although the story is a sad heartbreaking one of four women in different stages of life all struggling within a relationship plagued with domestic violence, coming to breaking point during the Covid lockdown and cross paths with each to eventually building deep friendships and truly understanding and supporting one another, with lots and lots of sad dark times I still found myself laughing threw out the story sally the main pov had such funny dark humour sometimes even shocking me with some things she said. It’s definitely a must read and I found the 4th wife shocked me maybe I’m a little slow on the uptake but my heart fluttered when I stubbles on who it was.
Some people my be thinking this books not for them with the mention of lockdowns but please I implore you to read not only will you giggle you will want sisterhood you will think about relationships and the consequences love (violence in a relationship) can sometimes have and how woman can be affected .

A fast=paced, almost satirical novel about four women, all in abusive relationships, all kill their husbands during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

Alexia Casale includes a note to say that she works with domestic abuse charities and that she wrote the book in response to her work and the huge increase in femicide during the lockdown. I can't fault her reasons for wanting to highlight this terrible aspect of our society. Unfortunately the book just didn't work for me. I can absolutely suspend my disbelief if the non plot aspects of the book make up for the somewhat fanciful premises but The Best Way to Bury Your Husband just didn't do that. I found the characterisations lacked depth and there was a lot of 'telling' and not much showing so I was never really gripped.

The plot was pacy and it did clip along with several surprises but, ultimately, it wasn't a great read for me.

Domestic abuse and dead husbands. All I can say is when she finally cracked & accidentally killed him with her Granny’s skillet I felt that he totally deserved it.
Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors but really how many people in your neighbourhood have actually killed their husbands. Too many to count in this street.

Unfortunately not for me.

Thank you NetGalley &Alexia Casale for an advanced copy of this book.

The Lockdown during the Covid pandemic was a very unique time. We all were all forced to live in bubbles with limited social distancing and forced to spend to all our time at home. It brought about many challenges. It’s unimaginable what those living in abusive relationships had to go through during the Covid Lockdowns.

In The Best Way to Bury Your Husband, the story centres on Sally, who one morning snaps and bashes her husband across the head with a skillet, a culmination of years of abuse. She then has the issue of how to bury her husband…..

As the story unfolds we meet other women in the same town in the same predicament as Sally. They come from different worlds but form a very real friendship, which is absolutely lovely to read. I just wanted them all to go on and lead the lives that they’d always wanted to. There are some incredible laugh out loud moments with dark humour.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Penguin, for making The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Four women. Four less than model spouses. Four breaking points....

And four impromptu "gardening" sessions...

Book Review 📚

The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale - 4/5 ⭐

I don't know what to say. Was I sad? Yes. Angry? Yes. Laughing? Also, yes. This book had a bit of everything in. The writing was amazing and I feel the author pulled me and made me feel as though this book was living through me? It felt as if it was actually about me and I find myself relating to so much. Wow. Just wow. Thank you Alexia - you're a literary genius.

Characters - we focus mainly on Sally and her point of view, but we also have some POVs from a few other ladies within the book. Loved them all, there was something different about each one of them yet also something familiar. They all came together during lockdown (as most did) and created the "Lockdown Burial Club". But, Edwina. What a nosey so-and-so she is, but yet I couldn't help but love her?! Again, Alexia done well with her!

The story itself was felt quite deep. It showed how strong friends and families are and what we are capable of doing in order to protect them. It's focuses on abuse and domestic violence, so there are definitely some triggers for some people. I was angry, I was happy, I was sad and I was just overwhelmed with how awesome the story was. I am so glad I had a chance to read this book, it will forever be a book that pops up in my mind.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

The Best Way to Bury Y0ur Husband is a great mystery-style novel which explores experiences of abuse and domestic violence, coupled with new found friendships and communities during lockdown in the United Kingdom. This novel was an emotional, hard hitting story interwoven with good levels of comic relief and dark humour which made this novel an enjoyable read.

We begin the novel with the protagonist Sally murdering her husband. The novel is told from her perspective, but delves into the perspective of three other points-of-view of different women in a similar scenario. Casale does a great job of showing the varying perspectives and experiences of those experiencing domestic violence, exploring how anyone can become a victim and the things that can help.

I felt that the main characters were unique and loveable in different ways. I grew attached to them and was constantly rooting for them throughout the novel. Casale also tackled their problems really well, not conjuring up too many flaws in their plan or the idea which you may question otherwise. The characters also grew nicely, especially Edwina, the neighbour, who I thought had some of the best and thought provoking lines.

Personally I really enjoyed this novel, and could not see many flaws in it. While it could be mildly predictable at points, I felt it was more importantly telling the stories of women who suffer in domestic abuse situations, especially during lockdown and the importance of community. What I would say is that I fear many readers would be put off from picking up this novel due to not wanting to relive the lockdowns. While I was not picking it up at every moment for this reason, I would seriously recommend this to people. It was a great representation of life during lockdown regardless, and provides further insight into the lives of those who suffered the most with the situation.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is wanting to read a thought-provoking novel and understand the experiences of others during that difficult time. I will certainly be recommending it as a read to my book club when it is released.

Filled with dark humour, The Best Way To Bury your Husband is a page turning read, featuring the Lock Down Ladies Burial Club.

'Then I went and smashed Jim's head in with Granny's skillet'.

Synopsis
Being abused for years by her husband, Sally had finally had enough and fought back, smashing her husband's head with Granny's skillet.

Now comes the book title, what is the best way to bury your husband?

Thinking she was alone in this matter, she meets three other women who were also being abused, and all fought back: creating the Lock Down Ladies Burial Club.

We follow Sally and the other women to come up with plans in how they'll figure out this problem, building friendships and family along the way.

Thoughts
This book covers a topic that is very real for women across the world. I enjoyed seeing the women get their lives back and doing the things they loved, living and laughing without fear of what their husbands would do (while also making plans to bury their husbands).

'On average, a woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK... At the start of the Covid lockdown, the femicide rate doubled'.

Edwina, Sally's neighbour turned out to be a sly horse and I enjoyed watching their friendship grow as well.. with a little twist at the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for this ARC. This review is voluntary.

The Best Way To bury your husband is a well written mystery which deals with the themes of abuse and found friendships set during the pandemic, although there are serious themes within the book there was also alot of dark humor within the story which made this book an enjoyable read which often had me laughing along with the characters.

The book is mostly told from Sally's POV however as we get introduced to the other 3 women we get to see from their POVs some of what they had been through and what lead them to the situations which brought them together to create the Lock down Ladies Burial Club.

Throughout there is a strong sense of family and friendship and what a person is capable of doing when pushed too far in order to protect the ones they love and keep them safe.

Although I enjoyed the book and would look forward to reading more from this author i did however feel at times that it was a bit predictable.
I was a bit disappointed when the 4th member of the group had been introduced as I had considered it a possibility but hoped it wasn't however it goes to show you really don't know what can be going on in the lives of people you thought you knew.

As for Edwina -Sallys nosey neighbour- I have to say I liked her from the start and my suspensions about the tree turned out to be true. That being said I was happily surprised by the friendship they formed.

Part of me wishes there will be a follow up book set in their future which follows each pov at the end of the lock down and where they are now and how they begin to move forward with their lives or if they got caught.

I highly recommend this book and am grateful for Netgalley and the publishers for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Final rating 3.5*

Despite a serious underlying subject the book is full of dark humour.
Sally is living with her husband during the covid lockdown. One day she is pushed to breaking point and with a skillet in her hand she bashes her husband’s brains in. The only problem is how on earth does she get rid of his body and continue with her life.
But Sally isn’t the only woman with this issue. As it turns out there are other women in town who have the same problem following their husbands demise.
The author has used the lockdown to create a riveting read. She has been creative in bringing the women together and body disposal. I’d class this book as a must read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an ARC

What a read this was!
A really horrendous but sadly not unusual topic and yet at times i was truly laughing out loud.
This would make such a brilliant film.
A crazy unbelievable story line which made for fabulous reading.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.
A huge five stars from me.