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.

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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.

Haze and Fox were serial killers, they travelled Europe, lived in luxury and righted wrongs until Haze is pregnant and Fox tells her the have to stop, they have to keep the baby safe.

We meet them now living in a beautiful home with a beautiful little girl but they are miserable.

I expected this book to be a thriller and instead it’s a very poignant look at how a marriage can fall apart when babies, mortgages and losing your passions rains down.

I found Fox a very interesting character and enjoyed his point of view the most.

Haze, for understandable reasons wants more of everything and a return to her best days.

My least favourite part was the ending. Everything was tied up in a much too saccharine manner.

It’s an enjoyable story read but prepare for domestic problems rather than thrills.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review which this is.

This is a delightfully fun, darkly entertaining thrill ride, with shades of the film Mr and Mrs Smith, from Asia Mackay featuring beautiful married couple Hazel (Haze) and Fox who now live in the suburbs with their baby, Bibi. They might appear to be like any other ordinary couple, except for the fact they had previously lived a thrillingly glamorous life as serial killers, getting away with murder, but you might possibly feel for them, as their targets were bad people, perhaps even be viewed as providing a public service? Haze is now struggling with her new life, it's not easy to give up what she used to do, handling the mundane current aspects, so she is feeling the itch, killing someone without telling Fox, and now the police are at their home. What to do?

In a well paced, clear, and engaging story with Haze willing to do whatever it takes to protect her family. There is a dual timeline, past and present, narrative, it is delivered through the perspectives of both Haze and Fox, the nature of their marriage, the misunderstandings, and what it will take to keep them together. Many of the marital issues and being a mother faced are likely to resonate with many readers, perhaps not the need to kill so much. Catching my attention are the well created main characters, the complexities, and their developments, although to be honest it is the offbeat Haze who irresistibly dominates the picture, people who want to do good in the world, in their own way.

There are twists and turns in what is a surprisingly light read given the dark subject matters. Marriage, pregnancy, the suburbs, and being a mother will inevitably bring changes which it has been well documented that so many find difficult to adjust to, and posing a challenge to a person's sense of identity. A great read likely to appeal to many readers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

“A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage” is an entertaining, fast-paced novel that blends dark humor, thriller elements, and heartfelt moments into a gripping story. It follows the lives of a married couple, Hazel and Fox, who have transitioned from a nomadic existence filled with murder to settling down in the quiet suburbs with a baby. The story is told through dual POV, though the narrative leans more heavily on Hazel’s perspective, allowing readers to dive deeply into her thoughts and motivations.

From the very first page, I was hooked. The couple’s chemistry and personalities are so incredibly likable that it’s impossible not to root for them, even given their dark past. What’s especially captivating is how the novel explores their attempt to quit their murderous habits cold turkey. The way each of them handles this drastic life change is both hilarious and surprisingly relatable. The miscommunications between them, while typical of any relationship, are cleverly heightened by their unique circumstances and provide plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

The novel’s quirky tone and offbeat humor make it stand out. While it’s thrilling and at times suspenseful, it also manages to be light-hearted, which is no easy feat for a story about former killers. I found myself rooting for Hazel to somehow find a way to balance her dark urges with the demands of suburban motherhood. Her character is endlessly intriguing—a fierce, unapologetic woman who is navigating life in a new and unfamiliar way.

Fox, on the other hand, is a refreshing take on the “book boyfriend” trope. He’s caring, supportive, funny, and has a genuine softness that contrasts with their past life of crime. He’s the type of partner many readers will fall in love with. But for me, Hazel steals the show. She’s eccentric, loud, and utterly confident. Despite her limited social circle, she’s a “girl’s girl” through and through, and her unapologetic nature makes her an unforgettable character.

Overall, I would highly recommend “A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage” to just about anyone. It’s a perfect mix of quirky humor, thrilling tension, and relatable relationship dynamics. Whether you’re in it for the laughs, the thrill, or the character dynamics, this book has something for everyone. It’s a wildly entertaining ride from start to finish!

Hazel and Fox are a handsome couple, married with a baby girl. Hazel and Fox are not your normal married couple as they are ex serial killer’s. Before the baby they had a 5 star lifestyle, and plenty of bad men to kill.

When Hazel fell pregnant they gave up murder for life in the suburbs and dinner parties with friends. But Hazel is bored and getting g the itch to kill so when she murders someone behind Fox’s back and the Police come knocking she has to protect her family at all costs. Will this save her marriage or kill it off for good.

Oh this had me intrigued from the off. It felt to me like a bit of Dexter with desperate housewives thrown in and I absolutely loved it. The main characters were likeable and it was just a fun read. The ending was brilliant and I’m hoping that there will be a sequel 🤞

This book was so much more than I was expecting! A really brilliant 5 star read! Highly recommended.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

After leaving their London lifestyle, and five-star travels, 2 serial killers (Haze and Fox) are trying to settle into a ‘normal’ life after moving to suburbia with their daughter. Fox has decided that they will give up their old lives so as not to risk their daughter growing up alone. What follows is a tale of struggling to meet ‘normal’ standards and Haze’s increasing feeling of isolation, whilst thinking that her husband Fox is adapting easily into their new life. This is a unique, dark and fun read. A very enjoyable read, expertly written, with female friendship at it’s heart.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.