The best way to bury your husband focuses around a group women who have experienced domestic abuse at the hands of their partners, as well as the sobering reality that during lockdown, domestic violence reached an all time high.

This book explores the events leading up to their husbands deaths, including childhood trauma from abusive parents, then follows onto the female friendships that are formed from this.

I did enjoy this book - however I think I would have liked a bit more from the characters and a bit more development on the friendships. I found I had guessed the ending about 60% of the way through the book and I also would have maybe liked there to be an epilogue to help conclude the story of these women and what they had achieved with their freedom. However, there were definitely some page turning moments that had me gripping the end of my seat - I found myself wanting them to get away with it!

On average, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime, and 2 women a week are killed by a current or former intimate partner in the UK where this book is set. In a note addressed to the reader, Alexia Casale explains that she wrote The Best Way to Bury Your Husband as “…a way to confront a truth that otherwise seems too much to bear”. This black comedy takes place during the Covid Lockdown, a period which saw the femicide rate double in England.

Trapped in their homes with their abusive husbands, four women take desperate measures to defend themselves, and their children, and in doing so are faced with a dilemma. Sally finds a temporary solution using a tarp, kitty litter and gaffer tape, while trying to avoid the prying of her watchful neighbour. Samira tells curious family members her CoVid stricken husband is self- isolating in the garage. Ruth lights a bonfire in her backyard, while Jane makes a desperate phone call to an old friend. Fate brings these women together and The Lockdown Ladies Burial Club is born.

The premise of the story may be (deliberately) absurd but the characters and their emotions as they suffer at the hands of their partners feel all too genuine. The women all effortlessly evoke sympathy and compassion, each are representative of real life circumstances, and Casale provides thoughtful insight into the different dynamics present in relationships marred by domestic violence. Sally, as the primary narrator, and club instigator, is an appealing lead, but I really liked the way in which each woman made a distinct contribution to the story.

There’s some suspense in the novel as the women struggle to keep their secrets, with each coming fairly close to being discovered at different times. I was definitely on their side, and I actually thought their plans to explain their husband’s absence and dispose of their bodies was pretty clever, even if far fetched. While there are not any high stake twists in the novel, there are some surprises including a rather delightful, if somewhat macabre, revelation at the end.

Casale achieves her aim “to make people laugh - and then think”. Written with humour and compassion, The Best Way to Bury Your Husband is an entertaining and thought-provoking novel.

The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale. This is a very funny book about a very unfunny subject. 4 women murder their dickhead husbands and come together to make sure none of them get caught for it. I think this was wonderfully written and more people should write funny books on not funny subject. Obviously it can be quite heavy going but Alexia has highlighted domestic abuse in such a positive light. I loved all 4 of the women and my take away from this is don’t ignore it.

Loved this one. The pacing is brisk, with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Yet amidst the suspense, and laughs the author never loses sight of the emotional core of the story, crafting moments of genuine tenderness and vulnerability that resonate long after the final page is turned. A great all rounder.

Written by an expert in domestic violence, this was a humorous story about four women who managed to kill their husbands in self defence all in the same week. The women’s stories are all a bit different, but ultimately they need to get rid of their husband’s bodies!.
Team leader and the first to have this problem Sally, has to come up with ideas and they all discuss it. Ruth, Samira and Janey are all great characters in themselves! I think my favourite would have to be Edwina, the very stern neighbour, who could freeze you with a look!! A stippler for the lock down rules, her curtains constantly twitched as she policed the nearest houses!! She certainly made me laugh, but the situation the ladies found themselves in, brought out lots of funny moments and very funny comments!!
This is a must read!!
Many thanks to Penguin Uk, for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.

A hard hitting but heartbreaking read side to side with some comedy moments.
The story as a whole as mentioned above is traumatic and needs trigger warnings, unfortunately in real life, victims can’t escape, but a fantastic story with character development and a feeling deeply for their plight. I just reviewed The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale. #BuryYourHusband #NetGalley

An unusual but enjoyable read about friendship, revenge and problem solving. Funny, heartbreaking and thoughtful, a group of women support each other after finding each other after dealing the ultimate revenge on their violent husbands.

I really enjoyed this dark comedy about 4 very different women who inexplicably come together during COVID times to work out how to bury their abusive husbands after they are driven to the brink. Although it was written in a funny style, there was a very serious message behind the book. There were a couple of little twists in the story which I did guess quite early on, but this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Four women in abusive relationships bond over the plan to bury their dead husbands while in lockdown. Sally and the gang are a great bunch of ladies who bring light to what is a very dark subject. The storyline is far fetched, but only so as it is women (as the author points out!) But it is entertaining and the characterisation is on point. You feel for their plight and it is heart warming. I felt it got a little slow in the middle, but I'm glad I stuck out to the end.

3.5 stars,

This read can be very triggering in the beginning, it is SO relatable in so many ways especially if you've grown up with an abusive parent, it's insane. I would check trigger warnings before reading this one 100%, I did enjoy this though and I enjoyed how the main characters became better versions of themselves throughout due to no longer being held down by people that were no good for them :)

I really enjoyed reading this book. Despite it being quite dark it had a numerous side ro it aswell and it did identify some real issues!
The friendship of the wives and their friendships keep you going throughout this story!

Fabulous from beginning to very end!!

Sally didn't mean to kill her husband but she did. To her amazement, she's not the only one with the problem of how to get rid of a body during lockdown, and a group will definitely come up with more options that a single person!

I have to say that the title of this one was the first thing to draw me in but the writing kept me there. What a read! So much going on and, although there are lots of giggles along the way it raises awareness of some serious issues and the author's words at the end are very readable. Just as I thought it was all done and dusted, along came something else which made my jaw drop! A terrific book about life during lockdown and one which will keep you glued to the pages until the very last page and also give much food for thought.. Five stars, no doubt about it - and a novel I'm very happy to recommend.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

I loved this book. Dark, with a humourous undertone but identifying real issues. The story drew me in straight away, some slightly unbelievable elements but these added to the humour.

The friendship element of the story held my heart and I was cheering the wives on throughout.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

This book hits on some very real and difficult topics (check for trigger warnings), and whilst the story is fictional, the statistics provided in the author notes at the end are sadly not.
There is some wonderfully wicked dark humour throughout which I particularly loved.
It's a very solid 4 star read for me, and I'd happily read more by the author.
I didn't give 5 stars as I guessed a couple of things before they were revealed, and I'd have liked the narrative to have continued throughout the book from the other's viewpoints too occasionally.
With thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

I wasn’t at all sure what to expect from this book but it was excellent. Four women are stuck at home with their abusive husbands during lockdown. They find themselves driven to extreme measures to keep themselves and their families safe. The problem then is what to do with the bodies? This book uses dark comedy to shine a light onto a very difficult subject.
The women were all amazing and I loved the dynamics between them. Sally is the main focus of the book and she is the driving force behind the women coming together. We really see her as a person and how she has arrived in her situation after twenty three years of marriage. The role that lockdown played in her being driven to breaking point was very clear too. Her relationship with her children felt very real especially how she had tried to protect them from what was happening. I loved the daily song that her son messaged her and how that became the soundtrack to her taking control of her life.
Although Sally is the principal character, all of the other women are vividly portrayed and they each have very reasons for being in the situation that they find themselves. They are all from very different backgrounds and the author does a brilliant job of showing how women from all walks of life can find themselves in an abusive relationship. I also really enjoyed the cameo role of Eileen, the nosy neighbour who is always watching for people breaking lockdown rules. There is definitely more to her than first appears.
The plot is extremely implausible which the author acknowledges but it is still a brilliant read. There are some wonderful comic scenes but the section where they put their carefully laid plans into action has real tension. The author doesn’t let the women get away lightly either. They are all very conscious of how their actions will affect others especially the families of their husbands.
This book walks a very narrow road between comedy and the very dark side of abusive marriage and I think that Alexia Casale has judged this perfectly. The introduction and final notes are also an important part of the book and show just how strongly the author feels about this subject.
Huge thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am afraid that I didn't really like this book. However I think it was my own fault for requesting it ,I see other readers enjoyed it ,and I hope it does well, and it is just me.

I am not going to lie, I was drawn to the book title first but then I read the story and I stayed for it. I loved how gripping and realistic it was. There isn’t much books out there that mention or even acknowledge covid-19 so I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was adjacent to our current setting.

All in all, an interesting and fascinating read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this arc in exchange for my honest feedback.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

4⭐️

A cracking and eye opening novel! 🔥

⚠️ Please be aware that I will be talking about triggering topics in this review.

What an enjoyable read! Casale has articulated a purposefully hyperbolic and far fetched dark comedy to talk about and raise awareness of domestic violence. I think this method was engaging and really outlined the importance of reaching out to others and uniting together, and how difficult this can be, when you’re being controlled, beaten or abused.

This book was hilariously executed to provide courage and demonstrate how there is brightness ahead after getting out of a violent or controlling relationship - although, murder maybe isn’t the best option to get to that point!

This read, although fictional, embodies the harrowing and horrifying world that we live in and focuses on four woman in the same neighbourhood during the Covid Lockdown, who have been victims of domestic violence for countless years. When they are pushed to their breaking point and a coincidence occurs, the women find friendship in each other.

The characters were incredibly likeable (except the men) and I really loved Sally’s character. Trapped for twenty three years by marriage and children and then intensified by a full blown National Lockdown, you couldn’t help but sympathise with the situation she was in. I thought her character was hilarious and loved the relationships she formed with the other women. Casale has made the characters exceptionally diverse and I think that it was very important to highlight that domestic violence can happen to any one, regardless of religion and race. I also have to shoutout Edwina, who was just wonderful!

I enjoyed the multiple POVs and short chapters, but I think the different POVs could have been more consistent. I also liked the plot. It was incredibly far fetched, but also very impactful. The authors note at the end was utterly heartbreaking. 💔

A huge thank you to @vikingbooksuk, @penguinukbooks, @netgalley and @alexia.casale for this ARC. The Best Way to Bury Your Husband will be published on the 14th March 24.

I buddy read this with @sweetieslittlelibrary and we both liked this book. ☺️

This review was quite tough to write and I’m not sure I’ve sold it very well, but I highly recommend you check this read out!

⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️

----- 5STARS-----
A hilarious but dark and necessary thriller about four women who kill their husbands in acts of self-defence against domestic violence. This is set in the backdrop of the COVID lockdown which would usually steer me away from reading it. However, this adds to the complexity of covering up murder.
I absolutely adored the shared strength and pain this story showed. It showed a group of women trying to find happiness after decades of hidden abuse whilst also trying to cover up their husbands death.
I strongly recommend this to any who are looking for a dark humour read which also tugs at your heartstrings and fills you with so much love for a tight knit group.
I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this!
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND ALEXIA CASAEL FOR SENDING ME THIS ADVANCED READER COPY
Publication Date: 14th March 2024