Publication date: 14 Jan 2025 (Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Audio (Wildfire) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!)

Rating: 4 stars

'A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage' turned out to be an unexpectedly fun read that skilfully combines dark humour with relatable, complex themes.

Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

From the start, the enticing prologue and engaging, conversational writing style effortlessly drew me in. I devoured the dark humour and sardonic tone, which brilliantly lightened the tale of two ex-serial killers battling their murderous urges. 

"when the worst had happened repeatedly, it was hard to expect goodness in people."

While the character-driven storyline might not resonate with everyone, I found the complexities of Hazel and Fox's strained marriage refreshingly raw and realistic. Additional themes of loss, depression, sexual assault, and privilege further enriched the story, adding depth and relatability that kept me invested. The only drawback was that the deep dive into both characters led to a relatively mundane start and some concepts being rehashed a few times. 

This all shifts around halfway, with several twists and turns escalating the tension in the story. It became increasingly hard to put this book down as I was eager to see how the story would be wrapped up. Sadly, the ending was a bit of a stretch, offering a resolution that was more convenient than believable. Still, it tied up the story nicely enough, so I won't complain too much.

"Familiarity breeds contempt."

The main characters, Hazel and Fox, are impressively well-crafted, with rich backstories that greatly influence their actions and growth. Even Hazel, who I did not find likeable or relatable due to her snide, manipulative and fiery nature, remained interesting because of her troubled past and authentic struggles as a mother, wife and friend. I also found myself rooting for Fox because of his toxic family dynamics and his efforts to mend his relationship with Hazel. The narrators, Georgia Tennant and Kyle Soller, brilliantly brought these characters to life and enriched the listening experience with natural, emotive vocal variety, along with sound effects. Other characters nicely drive various aspects of the storyline but did not stand out to me beyond this, as they felt one-dimensional.

Absolutely loved listening to the audiobook version of this book, Hazel and Fox are such a non standard couple, there are many humorous moments in the book amongst the dark ones!
Georgia Tennant has an amazing voice and it’s a pleasure to listen to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Audio for letting me review this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

This is on me as I don’t think these dark romantic comedies are really my thing. I did enjoy the female mc but the male mc fell a little flat for me unfortunately and the romance didn’t feel authentic.

A Killer Couple…. Literally.
Hazel and Fox, a seemingly ordinary suburban couple with a baby, have a dark past—they’re retired serial killers. Once living a glamorous life filled with murder, they gave it all up when Hazel became pregnant. Now settled into domesticity, Hazel begins to miss their old ways. When she impulsively kills someone behind Fox’s back, it attracts police attention, threatening their new life. Hazel must navigate the chaos to protect her family, but her actions might either rekindle their bond—or destroy them entirely.

What a Great read. I am so grateful I was able to listen to this story, especially with it having a dual POV. The narration for both spouses made the story come alive. The writing style was fast paced and felt like I was listening for only minutes instead or hours.
If you like a story that keeps you engaged and on your toes this is the one for you.
The twists given throughout the story raise the stakes for Fox and Haze new domestic lifestyle and I was here for it every step of the way.

Haze and Fox met in an interesting way - over a murder. They team up, marry and kill bad men - until the arrival of daughter Bibi. The book is packed full of secrets and lies...are they both as happy without killing as they tell each other?

I listened to the audiobook, and I absolutely loved the narrators. Georgia Tennant has such an easy voice to listen to, with great intonation and accents.

A fairly lighthearted serial killer novel, with lots of giggles, lots of relatable parenthood stories. A great audiobook that brightened up my cleaning time!

Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith!
I really enjoyed the premise of the book, a couple who bonded and connected over their love of murder (only targeting people who deserve it!) and now find themselves in a new stage of life as suburban parents, raising a daughter and suppressing their passions.
What a fun and enjoyable listen to this dark humour thriller set in a suburban setting. However, I did feel like it dragged on a bit, and the ending felt a little too convenient.
Rounded up from 3.5 stars

Hazel and Fox were made for each other.
Both shared the love of travelling the world, chase bad people and unalive them but Hazel got pregnant and priorities had to change.
Now they live in the suburbs and while she spends her days taking care of their daughter, Fox works.

But was the thrill of the kill the only reason they were perfect together?

I really liked that we get to see both POV's.
On one hand we see Hazel questioning herself and her new life and on the other, Fox keeps trying to reignite the spark between them, hiding some secrets himself.

The thing is... it doesn't take long for one of them to make a mistake.

I had the chance to listen to the audiobook and not only the narration is very good, it's very fast paced, easy to follow and quite funny at times.

If you like books with a twists, you're in for a treat.

Actual rating 4.5.

Well this was fun! Murderous married couple both go a bit mad after promising not to kill anymore after having their daughter - but can they keep their promise or might they end up killing each other?!

This felt really different to the usual slightly comedy crime/vigilante books I’ve been reading, mostly because of the couple aspect and the fact that they were both keeping all these different secrets from each other which made it feel like there were a few different storylines going on. They’re very entertaining, if not always likeable characters, especially Hazel who obviously got my back up immediately after saying how fast her metabolism was as my belly was spilling out over my trousers whilst reading 🤣 I loved how she was so unapologetically wealthy and glamorous, but even despite that still wanted to help other women by clearing out some bad men (her bloodlust may also have something to do with it).

It’s just a very sharp, addictive and unexpected read, and there were quite a few twists I didn’t see coming as we went along, which is always a great sign! I’d definitely recommend the audiobook too, as the dual narration was great and kept me hooked! Think Mr & Mrs Smith meets How To Kill Men and Get Away With It!

I was so excited to read A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay.

I was ‘sold’ on the blurb: Hazel and Fox are an ordinary married couple with a baby. Except for one small thing: they're ex-serial killers.

I thought it was a fun comedy thriller mashing up parenthood, relationships and killing! I think that this is ripe for a TV adaptation and would find an audience with fans of Murder Mindfully, Mr & Mrs Smith, Dexter, etc.

It was expertly narrated by Georgia Tennant; Kyle Soller.

I can’t wait for Asia Mackay’s next book!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Headline Audio, for making this e-Audiobook available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This crime drama has got Netflix written all over it. I’m sure it’s going get picked up and made into a series pretty soon. The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Georgia Tennant who is perfect for the story.

Theblack comedy uber glamorous serial killer novel has to be taken with a pitch of salt but has some very enjoyable moments in there and a lot to say about the mundanity of parenthood and married life . Married couple Fox and Hazel got had a mission to rid the world of bad men . Now that they have a baby they’ve put a stop to their killing spree and live quiet middle class lives -but they can’t scratch the itch for killing.

Haze meets new friend Jennie at a baby group; she is downtrodden and when she tells the couple about her ex partner and what a bad man he is they want to wreak revenge.
3.5 stars rounded up.

Best book for the year so far.

Some thing(s) I liked:
✅All the main character including BeBe and Felix.
✅Fox and Haze's love/ respect for one another. I don't want to say couple goals but #couplegoals?
✅Good fun.
✅Well written.
✅Love the afterword and how Mackay let's her children help name the characters. That is probably the best idea I have ever heard and I'm going to start doing it too <3

Some thing(s), not so much:
⭕Very little to be honest, perhaps that it was entirely unbelievable but as I don't read fiction for it's real life scenes, it's a very minor point because everything else is so well done.

Looking forward to reading more by Mackay.

January’s hottest thriller is about to hit the shelves!!

I absolutely love a comedy thriller and one that combines relationships, parenthood, and murder has my name written all over it! I thought that this was perfection. It had me laughing in all the right places, tense and on edge where I should be, and generally wrapped up in both the characters and the environment. There are definite Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes (although at least 27 billion times better!), but Mackay just really hits the nail on the head as she explores the intricacies of marriage in relation to navigating bringing up a young child, with the added complexity of a couple formerly out to rid the world of unsavoury characters. There are so many different angles to this story and it would definitely make an absolutely gripping TV series. I felt an immediate connection with Fox and Haze, meaning that I was wholeheartedly rooting for them, their marriage and their ability to continue to get away with murder throughout. Mackay builds suspense organically and the narrative is peppered with moments of fraught tension and exciting action, all served with a delicious side of wit. I lapped this book up and whilst I was racing to the finish because I couldn’t get enough, I also didn’t want it to end. I really hope that Haze, Fox and Jenny return in another novel!

I enjoyed how the novel is told in the present, with chapters from the past scattered throughout. This really helped to build a full and deep perception of both Haze and Fox, plus their relationship. They are kindred spirits and clearly meant to be together, so there’s an element of romantic comedy within these pages. However, the humour and lightness of some of the themes does not mean that Mackay shies away from exploring the darker and more serious. For example, there’s toxic parent-child relationships, abusive partnerships, and mental health issues, that all form part of the wider narrative. This helps build tangible layers to both the characters and the plot, which in turn helped continually forge my connection with them. I came away from the novel feeling like I really knew the main characters.

I was very fortunate to be granted early access to the audiobook too, which was a fantastic listen! Georgia Tennant and Kyle Soller really breathe life into all of the characters, but make Haze and Fox their own. All of the humour translates perfectly from the page and I found myself laughing out loud with my headphones on! If you are a fan of audio, this is definitely one to skyrocket to the top of your TBR.

An enjoyable read, funny and thrilling! I listened to the audiobook and it was wonderful. I loved hearing about their relationship, the ups and downs. The book wasn't what I expected but found it entertaining.

i thought this book had so much promise from reading the blurb but sadly it just didn't live up to expectations.

I enjoyed listening to it but kept finding myself waiting for something that just never appeared.

I liked Hazel and her best friends relationship but her relationship with Fox was just not believable. I took an instant dislike to him and I can't exactly say why. he just rubbed me the wrong way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC of this title.

This was a well produced audiobook and I enjoyed the voices used for this. I also really enjoyed the plot in this and there were some really fun side characters too. I liked that it was dual pov from both partners perspectives but it did start off a little frustrating as the female main character was depicted as being a serial killer due to her traumatic childhood (won't go into further detail as that would spoil) and the male main character was a stereotypical rich kid kicking back at the controlling parents by being a serial killer.... hmmm.. this aspect felt very much a "safe" choice and also leans into some unhelpful stereotypes that I would have preferred not have seen. However, as the storyline progresses and you learn more about each character it becomes less of an issue as they become more nuanced. Another aspect I found a little tricky to navigate initially was the lack of communication trope heavily leaned on to provide the plot to have little hidey holes. However, even this seemed to work itself out and become a non issue as the story picked up and the twists and turns took off. Some of the twists were actually great and although I thought I new how it would end.. I had no idea how they were going to get there so it was a really fun time. It also had some depth to the plot and the characters that I initially hadn't expected. This with the unique and interesting writing style makes me want. to read more from this author.

I think this book is ideal for readers who like having an idea of the ending but don't necessarily want to see how they are getting there. I also think that people that like a low key mystery element, main characters you want to slap whilst routing for them completely, and side characters that bring the comedy will thoroughly enjoy this.

I would give trigger warnings for talk of suicide and assault for this title.

Well this wasn't as all as I expected.

I expected this to be a non substantial book but I couldn't stop listening. It was a great palette cleanser. Just gory enough to peak my interest but light enough to want to hearanother chapter....and then another chapter....and another....

I really hope that there will be a sequel as I think it would lend itself to one very nicely.

Massive thanks to Headline Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was totally unexpected and not what I thought it was going to be but I totally loved it! What a ride and one that I would very much like to get back on and have another go. Would I have felt the same had I read the physical book rather than listened to the audio version? I don't know but I actually think the brilliance of the narrators made this book more enjoyable; they were excellent.

From the very first words, I was hooked; I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved the pacing, I loved the sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek moments ... actually, I loved everything about it and made every excuse to listen to it. It certainly made my Christmas Day preparations more enjoyable especially peeling the sprouts!!!

Absolutely recommended especially the audio-book and I look forward to reading/listening to more of this author in the future and so much thanks go to her, Headline Audio, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this really enjoyable book.

I really enjoyed this book! I look forward to reading other books by this author. There were so many twists in this book I didn’t see coming. But then again I rarely can figure books out. I would definitely recommend this book!

I really enjoyed this fun and fresh take on a couple losing the honeymoon period and slumping into parenting. Will suit fans of Dexter, the Radleys and Mr and Mrs Smith. A satisfying ending that wasn't quite as predictable as I would have expected. Thank you for my review copy - all views my own.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story and I really enjoyed it, I wasn't quite sure at first but I got into it and wanted to keep listening.
It's a totally different concept, which really worked!!
I liked the story of the killings but also the regular family problems and of course Hazes friend Jenny!
The characters were all good, I think I would have liked to know more about Jenny's ex but it wasn't lacking.
It made me laugh out loud of times. Definitely worth a read.
I liked the narrators - I liked that there was a man and woman for the main characters. It worked.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.