A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage adds something a little different to the genre - what it you’ve found the perfect man and after years of killing together, he makes you go cold turkey for the benefit of your daughter?
It’s an enjoyable, easy read. Dual narratives provide a 360 view on the marriage, but I found one narrative much more entertaining than the other. The chapters are short and sweet which I enjoyed. There’s quite a bit of the plot which requires the reader to suspend belief, but if you can let that wash over you, it’s definitely worth a read for those who are fans of serial killer fiction.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for tgd chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Asia Mackay for the ARC of this book! I'd give 4.5 stars.

This book tells the story of Haze and Fox, married serial killers that have retired after having their daughter.

What I liked about this book was that, while the couple being serial killers was a big part of the story, it wasn't the only part. The described the monotony of everyday marriage (and the boredom that can come with it) very well. It also gave us good background of the two main characters, and how their lives have brought them to the current time. I felt this added a lot more colour to the story.

I'd only deduct half a start for the ending: while it was a good ending, I think it needed just that little bit more of a lead-up to properly click (can't say more without giving away the ending!)

All-in-all, a very enjoyable read! #ASerialKillersGuidetoMarriage #NetGalley

A serial killer's Guide to Marriage
Asia McKay

This was good and managed to be both very superficial, light-hearted fun and also quite gripping in parts.
I found it easier to suspend disbelief over the frothy bits than I did the contrived coi cadences of the more serious part.
I'd have liked more fun and a bit less gore

I enjoyed the start of this book and got into it quite quickly. I enjoyed the characters (particularly Jenny) but I did find that I started to get bored around 35%. I pushed on and I did start enjoying it again around 80% of the way through. The ending was good and the twists brought the story together. I just found nothing much was really happening in the middle of the story.

I found a lot of the mum discussion very relatable!

Thank you to netgalley and the author for a copy of this arc.

This book is fantastic, the minute I read the synopsis for this one, I had a feeling I was going to love it - and I did. The Serial Killer’s Guide To Marriage is going to be THE book you want to read for 2025, I’m not even kidding.

Haze and Fox are two of the most fantastic characters I have ever read - they are two serial killers who meet and get married and carry on killing … until they have Bibi. They decide to pack away their serial killing tools forever, which turns out to be a lot trickier than either anticipated and the result is wild.

I loved this. Never again will I be able to read about a marriage falling apart because of oh, dirty dishes or mucky clothes, no no no it must be serial killer related. Asia Mackay has ruined me for all books about marriages and I now have rather wild ideas of a new hobby for Graham and I! …I’m just kidding, aren’t I? 😉

This was so good. SO GOOD. I can’t even put into words how much I loved this book because I’m just brimming with the joy of it - which is weird because you know we do see a lot of issues Haze and Fox face and we do see their marriage start to struggle but the book was so unashamed about what it was that I loved it.

I will be pre-ordering a keeper copy for my shelf as this was outstanding. Bravo Asia, bravo!

DNF. I put this book down almost immediately when the writer chose to impart a graphic, tragic assault on the main character in an attempt to give her a back story. I do that with pretty much any thriller I pick up that goes down this route these days. However. I also put this book down because I've read it before. Not this specific book, but one very much like it. If you've read 'How To Kill Your Family' or Samantha Downing's 'My Lovely Husband', you will have read this book before. You'll have read the sarcastic, 'I'm not like other girls / mothers / wives' lead female who likes killing people and has a deep superiority complex that is never once earned within the action of the book. There's nothing particularly new or revolutionary about it, it's been done. If this genre is your jam, go for it, you will probably have a great time. But it's just not for me.

In A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage, Asia Mackay delivers a darkly humorous and gripping tale that explores the unconventional lives of Hazel and Fox, a seemingly ordinary couple who share a not-so-ordinary past: they are ex-serial killers.

Once enjoying a glamorous London lifestyle filled with five-star travels and the thrill of disposing of bad men, their world turns upside down when Hazel becomes pregnant. They trade their high-stakes lifestyle for the suburban life, complete with dinner parties and nursery duties. However, the lure of their former lives begins to resurface for Hazel, igniting a dangerous itch she can't ignore.

When Hazel kills someone behind Fox's back, their carefully constructed life begins to unravel, and the police are soon at their doorstep. In a desperate bid to protect her family, Hazel must navigate the complexities of her past and present, leading to a tension-filled narrative that poses the question: can this act of violence save their marriage, or will it lead to their ultimate downfall?

Mackay's use of a dual timeline adds an engaging layer to the story, drawing readers in from the very first prologue. The characters may be few, but they are well-crafted and memorable, with Hazel and Fox at the centre of a tale that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. I found myself particularly fond of Jenny, whose presence added a unique dynamic to the narrative.

Overall, A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage is a compelling blend of dark comedy and suspense, making it a captivating read that keeps you hooked until the very last page.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel, I was taken with the synopsis but wasn't really expecting to find it as lighthearted as I did. Normally the books I read about murder are detective series or psychological thrillers so it was very enlightening to read about Haze and Fox's history.
A couple who met in Europe as Haze made her first killing and quickly became the couple who loved most after taking a life. Marriage and family life takes centre stage but Haze is bored of surburban life and yearns for the excitement. Can they recreate those heady days or are they set for separation.
A fabulous fairly fast paced read.

This is proper funny and engaging. I really liked the main characters, Fox and Haze, and our supporting female Jenny. (She was actually my favourite. Althoiugh she might have to share that crown with the nanny....)
I do like a book which introduces us to vigilanties / serial killers who kill very bad men. I have had a bit of a run on them lately and it is cheering me up at a time when I am very worried about a very bad man potentially getting reelected to the most powerful job in thew world. (Now there is an idea for a book...)
With sensitive moments and some good dark humour, this is a gripping tale that you won'rt have to take too seriously. I wasn't sure how it would finish - but the ending was perfect and pushed the book up from a 4.5 to a 5 star review from me. I am so pleased I got to read and review it.

Haze and Fox are a the perfect couple with it all, money, good jobs, nice house, lavish lifestyle and are totally in love with each other. Oh and one more thing, they are both serial killers who love nothing more then killing bad guys. However, when they have baby Bibi they give it all up for a perfect family life in the country. Can they live happily ever after without killing or will they kill their marriage and family? Really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and written from both the perspective of both characters. Found them both relatable and could get behind them. Fantastic twist at the end. Would recommend this book.
Thanks to Asia Mackay, Wildfire and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was intrigued by the title of this book and wasn’t sure what to expect but I really enjoyed it. It was well written, nicely paced and the characters were interesting. I enjoyed the story immensely. I would love there to be a sequel to this book. Five stars from me.

A brilliant story which was such a journey. This was fun as well as being serious! Thoroughly enjoyed every moment and then the twist at the end....

This book felt as though it could deliver so much more than it did. It seemed as though it wasn't quite sure where it wanted to sit, a bored mother whinge/killing eve/mr & mrs smith/how to kill your family mash up but this leaves it feeling in my mind as though it doesn't achieve any of these as successfully as the story line promises. That said as an easy going holiday read it will entertain many people.

When Hazel and Fox have to give up serial killing for the sake of having had baby Bibi their whole world changes. It seems especially challenging for Hazel not to be able to carry on with her addiction but is Fox struggling too? And when Hazel accidentally befriends a detective things become even more complicated. Can they really carry on living this 'normal' life?
When I first started reading this book I found the story quite Dexter like and I was worried that it was going to copy the same formula. I needn't have worried. I absolutely LOVED this book. It was suspenseful, humorous and completely engaging. Well done Asia Mackay you have created a spectacular book here!! I think it would also do well adapted for the screen. Brilliant.

Thank you net galley for allowing me to read this.
Overall I did enjoy this book it was full of action and definitely kept me interested.
However I just couldn’t get away from comparing this book to Mr and Mrs Smith film. So for that I’ve scored it half way

A couple that kills together stays together!
An unusual premise but an intriguing story. Fox and Hazel are kindred spirits, sharing the exhilaration of murdering those who harm others. When their life changes following the birth of their daughter, Bibi, the killing spree is put on hold. But can it be suppressed forever?
Fox and Hazel are written as well rounded and regular people. Their relationship is relatable (murder aside) and their struggles with parenting are humorous. A slow burn of a book, but an interesting read.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this arc. A slightly far fetched but adventurous and unusual read which really enjoyed. Parts of it reminded me of Dexter, parts of killing Eve and then others just pure escapist exaggeration. In all I liked this book and how different it was to other fiction I have read.

I adored the concept of this story - Hazel and Fox are serial killers who decide to hang up their knives in order to raise a family. But settling into suburban life is not so easy when you are itching to continue your very particular hobby, Such an original premise and great fun to read.

I devoured this one in a couple of days!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An interesting concept having two serial killers married to each other. I liked the characters and the way they interacted with colleagues and friends. I felt the middle lost some pace, but this picked up again towards the end. I’m still a little undecided about the morality.

Less til death do us part, more let death bring us together. Fox and Haze are perfectly suited for each other, until, the pressures of interfering in=laws, school-gate gossip and trying to quit their addictions cold turkey for the sake of their daughter, the path of wedded bliss is not running smoothly at all.

An entertaining read, ideal for those snatched and sneakily enjoyed breaks in you day.