A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay was a wild and fun ride! It mixes dark humor with suspense in a way that I didn’t expect but really enjoyed. The main character, Hazel, is so unique—she’s tough, witty, and trying to juggle her past as a serial killer with her current life as a wife and mother. The balance between crime and comedy was spot on, and I found myself laughing one minute and totally engrossed in the tension the next. The book dives into the messiness of relationships, but with a very twisted lens. If you're into thrillers that are both smart and quirky, this is definitely worth the read!

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review it if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to listen and review it if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review, please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media: The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

This was a super light and funny book. Haze and Fox are married, and trying to get on with thier "normal" lives, after being serial killers for so many years. It's giving the comedic Mr and Mrs Smith. I loved this and devoured it to be honest. It has lots of twists and turns and was a really enjoyable read.

A couple that kills together, stays together, but what happens when they have to stop? A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage follows married couple and ‘retired’ serial killers Hazel and Fox as they try to live a normal life for the sake of their newborn daughter, Bibi. However, after years of hunting down and slaughtering the ‘bad men’ of Europe, the sleepy streets and quiet life of their leafy suburbia just doesn’t seem to cut it and quite quickly their world begins to implode.

ASKGTM is a fast paced and gripping story which will definitely keep you turning the pages and there are plenty of twists along the way to leave your jaw hanging for a moment or two. Told from multiple POV’s (including text messages) it really does keep you on your toes throughout.

I loved the premise of this one, the concept of serial killers stopping when a big life event happens has always intrigued me but I felt ASKGTM just didn’t do the storyline justice. While I did enjoy the book, I was left wanting more and I would have loved a little bit more back story and depth.

I switched between the audiobook and kindle and found that the narrators, Georgia Tennant and Kyle Soller did a fantastic job at bringing the story to life. Narrators often make or break a book and I have been known to DNF a book because of this but these two were the absolute perfect match and they really portrayed the sarcasm and humour which was laced throughout the book.

Perfect for those who are looking for a fun little popcorn thriller that will keep you engaged until the very end!

3.5/5 ⭐

Thanks so much to Headline Books for my #GIFTED copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I wasn’t sure what to expect picking up this book with it being a mix between domestic fiction and thriller with Fox and Haze struggling to adapt to life after BeBe resulting in secrets, love, lies and murder. Fox and Haze are two very complex characters with troubled pasts and a solid relationship until they start to hide things from each other then we see how dark they can really become. I enjoyed the dark humor, especially the sharp and witty personality of Haze. The two narrators were great and having a different voice for each helped separate the points of view well. Hopefully the ending leaves the chance for another book, as it could be fun to see how they handle a complex case and juggling in the new unit.

Favourite Quote:
“I still wasn't totally sure how we'd ended up here. I didn't know what I wanted. I just knew it couldn't carry on like it was. He didn't get to let me down so spectacularly and not tell me the truth about why.”

*A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage* by Asia Mackay is a darkly humorous and thrilling exploration of love, secrets, and the struggle to leave behind a violent past. Hazel and Fox, a seemingly ordinary suburban couple, share an extraordinary history as former serial killers. Parenthood and domestic life have dulled their once-dangerous spark, but when Hazel's murderous instincts resurface, their carefully constructed facade begins to crumble. Mackay masterfully balances suspense, wit, and emotional depth, creating a story that is as chilling as it is entertaining. This novel is a unique and gripping take on the complexities of relationships and redemption.

Thanks so much to Headline and Headline Audio for my advanced copies of this ebook and audiobook in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed this. I loved the main characters Hazel and Fox, and their strange but solid relationship. Their history was crazy, the way they met, and how things progressed with them was weird and fun to read about.

The narrators on the audiobook were really good too, and there were a few times I laughed out loud, some of Hazel’s one liners were funny.

I wasn’t sure of the ending, but I hope there’s a second book, I really want to know how they get on now things are a bit different.

This book surprised me in how enjoyable I found it. I found the voice to be quite engaging despite being pretty typical for the genre - though this isn’t a genre I read often so may be less engaging if you’re more used to it. The dark humour kept the book entertaining and I really enjoyed Hazel’s narrative. I was not a fan of Fox’s POVs, which I found to be weaker and his plot points less interesting, with his explanations for the very major miscommunication plot feeling subpar. This may have been because the POV is mostly Hazel’s and his side was more for breaking up the story a bit more, but it took me out of it rather than helped me appreciate the story more. While the ending was probably a bit more “happily ever after” than I thought I wanted, looking back I’m surprised to have enjoyed it as much as I did. Overall, it was a nice read to turn my brain off for a bit.

I love a serial unaliver book and this one was really great. It’s got some dark humor, a suspenseful plot line, betrayal, twists I didn’t expect and I highly recommend it.

I requested this book after seeing it on netgalley because I thought it would be perfect for a little skit about my wedding and was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

It truly was just so great and just a really fun read. 4.5 stars

Completely unputdownable… Oh my word so many twists… Had me actually gasping out loud… Brilliant… I would give this more than 5 stars if I could. I could not put it down.

4.5 stars. As others have said, this has strong Mr & Mrs Smith vibes, and Hazel and Fox are serial killers who happen to be husband and wife too. Fox has put a ban on their killing and moved them to the suburbs after the birth of their daughter Bibi, and Haze is now in her words “Bored. So. Fucking. Bored”. When Haze breaks the ban by killing a bad man who tried to attack her, she then has to keep it quiet from Fox - who has his own secrets going on. Add into the mix is Haze’s new friend Jenny, a hot mess who has her own issues that Haze decides to try and help with (not entirely altruistically).

Because neither Fox or Haze talk to each other about this, of course the misunderstandings continue and leads to an interesting resolution at the end. Can’t say any more without spoiling…

Overall this was a light, funny and enjoyable read that I’d recommend. There’s a certain amount of suspending of belief at the end with how Jenny reacts, but Roll with it and you’ll be OK.

I received an ARC audio version of this book via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

The dark humour in this book sucked me right in from the prologue! I absolutely adored this book and found it HILARIOUS!

Nice short and snappy chapters which switch between the POV of our main characters Haze and Fox. Also between the then and the now which gives us an insight into how they got to where they are now. I absolutely adored both main characters and they were so very likeable and relatable.

The narrators for the audio book done an absolutely fantastic job and captured the humour and sarcasm perfectly. This book had me laughing out loud and I just want everyone to go read this one!

To sum it up… this book was just right up my street! Dark, twisted and hilarious! An easy 5 stars from me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Enjoyed this so much.. Witty, clever, sometimes sad and uncomfortable, a deep dive into marriage, parenthood and identity. I would highly recommend this audiobook.

3.25 stars

Hazel and Fox were brought together by their shared love for killing people who they deemed worthy and reaping the rewards. When their daughter was born it was decided (albeit by one party) this part of their lives would come to an end and they would relax into family life. It’s a been a few years and the dullness of suburban life is weighing on Hazel and the urge to murder is coming back with a vengeance, and she breaks the one rule they’ve built their relationship on: they don’t kill without telling one another.

This is a feel-good thriller if there ever is was one and it had me laughing out loud A LOT. I highly recommend the audiobook, the female narrator in particular was fantastic.

Hazel is a great main character, if you put the murder aside her general affect is actually very reminiscent of Fleabag so I’m here for that! I love the holier than thou attitude she has towards other mums she’s forced to be in close proximity to and her general disdain for monotony. I also found I really related to her (again, if you put the murder aside) as someone who also doesn’t want to talk to other parents but loves their kid enough to put up with it. This book follows both characters as they spiral in different ways while fighting their urges and struggling to come to terms with their new realities. I didn’t like Fox but his character was very clear and I think him and Hazel had great chemistry.

I was all in for the first third or so of this book and then I started seeing more and more plot holes that were hard to ignore. I also felt like the plot was a bit erratic and it really would have benefited from another good edit. The second half of the book was a lot harder to follow and I think maybe there were too many ideas competing with each other. I am interested in reading more from this author as I think there’s definite potential to do something fun with the genre.

I absolutely loved this funny, dark tale of love, marriage, parenting and female friendship. The narrators were perfection and I laughed out loud a surprising number of times given the subject matter!
Witty, clever, sometimes sad and uncomfortable, I devoured every minute. I’ve read other reviews that suggested the ending was unsatisfactory but I’d strongly disagree, it was absolutely just right. Hard to say too much without spoilers but this is an audiobook I would highly highly recommend. Georgia Tennant was SO good, I listened right to the end - so here are the rainbows 🌈 and fluffy bunnies 🐰🐰

This is not your typical suburban thriller. Imagine "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" meets "Dexter," but with a healthy dose of dark humour and a surprisingly tender heart. Hazel and Fox are a fascinating paradox - ruthless killers turned doting parents. Their struggle to reconcile their past with their present is both gripping and unsettling. The story unfolds at a breakneck pace, keeping you guessing until the very end. The dual narration perfectly captures the inner turmoil of each character, adding another layer of depth to this already complex narrative. If you're looking for a thrilling read that will challenge your perceptions and leave you breathless, look no further. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories that delve into the darkness of human nature while exploring the enduring power of love and family.

I really enjoyed this book. Kept me guessing the whole way through and was really interesting to have the POV of both main characters. Would definitely recommend! Engaging and had me drawn in from the word go. Loved both narrators styles.

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay and narrated by Georgia Tennant and Kyle Soller was a very clever written book which covered so many topics. It was funny and exciting, very fast-paced and taking unexpected twists and turns throughout, it was a roller coaster ride!

This audiobook. had me laughing out loud several times whilst listening to it, It was an excellent dark comedy and I loved it!

The Narrators Georgia Tennant and Kyle Soller were excellent and they were fun to listen to.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Headline | Wildfire for my Arc.

“I wasn’t smashing the patriarchy, i was killing it, literally, one by one.”

This book is about a couple who kill men that get away with sexual assault & domestic violence & honestly, I support their wrongs.
But they now have a toddler so they live a “normal” life.

The narrators did such a great job at bringing the characters & the story to life. The way we can hear the stress and spiralling of the characters just made it so entertaining to listen to. Highly recommend the audiobook!

Hazel was such an interesting complex character who had a really rough childhood & so when she has a daughter she is fiercely protective & wants to give her the best life possible. Her battling her inner demons to be able to give that normal life to her daughter & the way she spirals when her life becomes complicated had me hooked to read just one more chapter because I was rooting for her.

Fox who had his own family issues growing up also struggles to manage and balance everything going on in his life as he does whatever he can to protect his wife and daughter.

Despite them both growing distant & out of sync & begin to keep secrets as their lives spiral out of control, they still do everything in their power to protect their daughter. I actually loved that about them. It made them so interesting & nuanced.
That they can kill without remorse but still will do everything including stopping doing what they love & changing the lifestyle they live for her.

The tension & build up to the ending had me on my toes. I did not know which way things would go & I was pleasantly surprised by the ending.
Honestly I want a sequel to see what they will be doing next.

If you love complex character driven stories & shows like criminal minds then I highly recommend picking this one up.

Fox and Haze are a married couple like no other you have ever known. On the outside, they appear as upstanding citizens living in the suburbia, away from the hustle and bustle of London. They have a young daughter and their life seems perfect.

However, they are ex-serial killers. Think of them as Dexter meets Mr & Mrs Smith – they only kill bad men who really deserve it. They don’t go for women, children, and innocent people.

When Haze fell pregnant, she thought that they could carry on with their lifestyle, only with the baby in tow. Fox, on the other hand, had other ideas. He decided that they should stop and become ‘normal’ for the sake of their child. Then, when the child is an adult, they can go back to what they were doing before.

Haze agreed, although, unwillingly. It’s been over two years since their last kill. She’s a bored housewife/ artist, but she hasn’t painted for a while. Killings were her inspiration, and because they don’t kill anymore, she feels she can’t paint anything worthwhile.

Then, Haze kills a man (she says it was self-defense) and disposes of the evidence. She keeps things away from Fox and hopes he won’t notice.

But Fox is keeping secrets of his own. He is away a lot in the evenings, and the couple start to bicker a lot.

Then, Haze befriends Jenny, a single mum, who turns out to be a police detective (!), who in her spare time likes to solve cold murder cases. How will it all pan out?

You have to listen to this one for yourself.

I really enjoyed this. It offers a satirical view of marriage and becoming a parent. I loved Haze’s little quips and her lack of understanding about day-to-day social situations and interactions.

It was safe to say that Haze was struggling with the pact she’s made with Fox. She wanted her old life back, but it wasn’t possible, as she was now a mother. Towards the end, I found Haze’s voice a bit whiny – all I wanted for her was to talk to Fox and sort it out!

I am not saying that Fox was a saint – far from it. He was keeping so many things away from his wife, because ‘he wanted to keep them safe’.

The ending wasn’t what I expected either and I will say no more on the matter!

Thanks to Wildfire for approving my NetGalley request to listen and review this title.