Thank you to Wavesound from W.F. Howes Ltd and NetGalley for a free ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The book is not, as the blurb and title would suggest a dark, domestic comedy but instead a jumble of thriller, action, crime and confusion which lends itself to an unenjoyable reading experience.

The dialogue is stilted and at times it felt like the author had googled 'out of date Australian slang' and sprinkled it in at random points.

Filled with twists, gore and horror, the Hitwoman's Guide to Reducing Household offers an intriguing viewpoint into the double life of one suburban mum, Olivia.

Seemingly a successful PR company owner, with a loving and supportive husband and two beautiful daughters, Olivia seems to have it all. When a freak accident reeks havoc on her perfect life, Olivia's past and present begin to violently collide, leaving her fearing for her life (and relationships).

Proving that motherhood doesn't have to mean the end of being able to hold your own in a range of situations, this kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing as to how things would end.

Excellently narrated in the audiobook version, this bittersweet thriller looks deeply at relationships and highlights how toxicity isn't only caused by what you can see.

This is a very entertaining, lighthearted, Australian based story. Superstitious, kick-ass Olivia, comes up with some ingenious ways to get revenge on a criminal gang who have wronged her family. The story is full of action and mayhem, and there are some dark scenes/violence, but on the whole, the story has a comedic vibe. The book is well written (a surprisingly good debut) and the audio has been well cast and narrated - I can see this being made into a movie. Many thanks to NetGallery and W.F. Howes audio books for allowing me to get an early copy of this book - really appreciated.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wavesound From W.F. Howes ltd for the ARC

I found the concept fun and interesting, but unfortunately the book didn't resonate with me. I thought the fmc was a bit annoying and the story too outlandish. I didn't feel engaged in the story and fell out quickly.

This was not quite what I was expecting. Looking at the cover I expected a darkly humorous, tongue-in-cheek story about a housewife trying to move on from her former employment as an assassin.
It was definitely dark, and while it can’t be described as funny, it was pacey and very entertaining. Olivia served in the military, then went on to a short but lucrative career as a hitwoman for a rather unpleasant Spaniard. Following an attack of conscience after one too many kills, she’s settled down to family life as a working mum, running her own business and raising two young girls, alongside her stay-at-home husband (quite possibly the world’s most patient and understanding man. When one of their daughters is killed in a hit-and-run accident, however, Olivia sets out to exact revenge in her own special way. This is complicated by her karmic concerns and an ex-employer who doesn’t approve of retirement or loose ends (aka former employees).
While Olivia is pretty adept at getting herself out of a lot of holes, she also seems pretty accomplished at digging herself into them, and as the story progresses, you can only wonder where it’s all going to end.
I really enjoyed Mark Mupotsa-Russell’s debut, which gets the full five stars from me, with a big thank you to NetGalley and WF Howes audio for the audiobook ARC, expertly narrated by Casey Withoos.

Let me just say that "The Hitwoman's Guide to Reducing Household Debt" was a wild ride that both captivated and unsettled me. I dove into this audiobook not entirely sure what to expect, but as soon as I met Olivia Hodges, I was hooked. Olivia is a character unlike any I’ve encountered before—a former hitwoman trying to reassemble her life in the laid-back, hipster community of the Dandenong Ranges, yet constantly haunted by her dark past.
From the outset, the story plunges into a tragic event that sends Olivia spiralling back into her old ways. I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster as her family faced a tragedy at the hands of a small-time criminal gang. Mupotsa-Russell doesn’t shy away from the shocking circumstances that bring about Olivia’s wrath. He balances the dark elements of the narrative with moments of humour and wit, which makes the story not only gritty but also oddly entertaining.
Casey Withoos delivers a remarkable narration that brings Olivia's character to life in vivid detail. Her performance perfectly captures Olivia's conflicting emotions as she grapples with the urge for revenge and her life as a mother and a wife. Withoos’ voice shifts from the tension and determination inherent in Olivia’s quest for retribution to the softer, more vulnerable moments she shares with her family. It made each twist and turn hit that much harder.
What struck me as particularly intriguing was Olivia’s unique approach to revenge—she’s not just going in with guns blazing; instead, she allows the universe to do its work through the inherent flaws of her enemies. Watching her manipulate situations so that greed and ego lead to their demise had me on the edge of my seat. It’s a clever twist that not only keeps the action fresh but also ties back into the themes of karma and accountability.
That being said, reader discretion is advised—there’s quite a bit of violence and strong language. Still, there’s something addictive about Mupotsa-Russell’s writing that kept me turning the pages (or well, in this case, pressing “play” to continue listening). The balance of hard-hitting scenes with lighter, more humorous moments creates a dynamic listening experience.
Overall, "The Hitwoman's Guide to Reducing Household Debt" is an exhilarating blend of retribution, dark humour, and a mother's fierce love for her family. It was a captivating addition to the revenge genre; the book somehow managed to make you root for a hitwoman seeking justice while questioning the cost of that justice.

I listened to the audiobook presentation of this very gritty, dark, in your face tale of possible karma, but definitely retribution. The author doesn’t hold back on the violence. This is an excellent audiobook addition to the retribution genre, with here a mother tragically pulled out of her ‘AA of the hit women recovery’ meaning she has the skills to deal out justice. People are going to die, but who ultimately pays the price. Thank you to Wavesound from W.F. Howes Ltd and NetGalley for the ARC, the views expressed are all mine, freely given.

First of all, how great is that cover!! Love the bright, vibrant colours on a book that is so dark. A great debut novel that had me entertained from the very beginning. Whilst being a dark, it was also a lot of fun but very emotional. Full of action and drama, this is an author to watch out for.

Olivia is a business woman, mother and wife with a dark secret. When tragedy strikes her family, she knows that she must once again become that Olivia. Before she met her husband, Olivia worked for a Spanish crime syndicate as a hit woman. She moved to Australia for a fresh start but she seeks revenge on those that dare to harm her nearest and dearest.

What sparks Olivia’s wrath was shocking and tough to read, and did bring me to tears. There is quite a lot of violence and bad language that even for me was hard to read. But a highly addictive and fun read none the less.

Thanks to Wavesound WF Howes for the chance to listen to the audiobook.

When a job that started as a trauma response became a source of trauma itself, Olivia walked away. Then a tragic accident triggers a chain of events that brings her face to face with her past.

Entertaining yet deadly, humourous yet harmful, tragic and triumphant, think Janet Evanovich X Guy Ritchie.

Cover had me hooked as soon as I spotted it. A very fun dark read/listen. If I hadn’t secured a copy with NetGalley I would have ultimately purchased this in any case as it’s defo my vibe. All the important things are there, plot, premise, good characters, twists in all the right places. I would have called it a pallet cleanser between two tough reads but that was just coincidental, this is a great book. Book club friends plan to do this on audio