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.

Awful!
Terrible, unlikeable characters (apart from the toddler daughter, she seemed cute) with an even worse plot.and storyline.
The phrase bad man was used so frequently it became laughable. Surely there was another term that they could think of instead?!

The couple that kills together, stays together. Or do they? That's pretty much the premise of A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage. Meet Fox and Haze Cabot, a beautiful young couple living the suburban dream with their young daughter, Bibi. All is not as it seems however, as the couple have a secret; they are serial killers. 🗡🗡
I've seen this book likened to the film Mr. and Mrs. Smith. For me, it brought to mind my favourite serial killer (if one can have such a thing), Dexter Morgan, if Dexter had a wife who helped him with his kills. 🗡🗡
This was a fun read, darkly humourous and very entertaining. Told from the POV'S of Haze and Fox, the story unfolds along dual timelines, past and present. There isn't an overabundance of characters to confuse the narrative, and the story moves along at a steady pace.
I enjoyed it immensely. 🗡🗡
Thanks to Headline Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

Dexter on steroids! 🖤 A perfectly balanced combo of grit and humor.
Characters that come alive on pages that turn themselves.
Unique, entertaining, engaging.
🤌

Prepare to be both terrified and utterly charmed by Asia Mackay's latest masterpiece, A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage. This thriller dives deep into the twisted yet strangely romantic world of a couple who redefine the concept of marital bliss with a deadly twist.

Both Fox and Haze are former serial killers who decided to hang up their murderous ways when they welcomed their child into the world. Now, they're trying to navigate a more wholesome life, but old habits die hard. Their dynamic is captivating and complex. Their shared past creates a bond that is both dark and unbreakable. Mackay's brilliant writing captures the tension and dark humour in their attempt to lead a normal life. The story delves into their struggles as they grapple with their instincts and the desire to provide a stable environment for their child.

What sets this thriller apart is its unique perspective on the classic cat-and-mouse game. Instead of fleeing from the law. Fox and Haze are two steps ahead, crafting alibis and dodging suspicion with an ease that's as thrilling as it is chilling.

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage* is a rollercoaster ride of emotions with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Haze and Fox are serial killers who met through their shared work passion and got married. They are the dream killing team until their daughter Bibi is born and the whole dynamic changes. Fox is insistent that they have to leave their old lives behind and start afresh for the sake of their daughter. Haze reluctantly agrees but finds it harder than she thought to stay away from her old career. When she accidentally strays into her old lifestyle, she has to find a way to stop Fox from learning about it. But, once you've started to kill again you just can't stop. Great book, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I found the premise of this book intriguing, making me think back to my time rooting for Dexter in the tv series.

Written from a dual perspective, I enjoyed this novel. However, I wasn’t quite as gripped as I’d hoped and found the ending satisfactory at best.

(I did laugh out load at the Champagne delivery, as this has happened to me)

Haze and Fox are serial killers who have got away with it. They meet in Paris when Haze is attacked and Fox saves her. The meeting of great minds takes them around Europe of a killing spree of bad men.
When they decide to settle in England with their baby daughter to become normal, life is hard for them to settle without killing.
When Haze befriends a fellow Mum she has no idea she is a Police Officer on maternity leave.
Will they make it?
Read the book as its well worth seeing the ups and downs of their marriage as well as wondering will they get caught?