Asia Mackay has crafted a darkly comic, adrenaline-pumping thriller that somehow manages to combine suburbia, parenting, and murder in a way that feels fresh and wildly entertaining. *A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage* takes readers on a cheeky, blood-soaked ride while exploring the surprising complexities of marriage, family, and identity.

Hazel is a truly standout protagonist. Her razor-sharp wit, relatable frustration with suburban monotony, and undeniable flair for...well, murder, make her both captivating and oddly endearing. You can’t help but root for her as she tries to juggle being a wife, a mother, and, deep down, a woman with an itch for vigilante justice. Her husband, Fox, brings a balance to the chaos—his calculated demeanor and unexpected embrace of fatherhood add depth to the narrative. Their dynamic as a team-turned-tension-filled-partners is a fascinating thread throughout the book.

The suburban backdrop juxtaposed with their violent past makes for a hilariously absurd setting, and Mackay’s writing deftly switches from laugh-out-loud funny to edge-of-your-seat thrilling. The plot twists come fast and furious, and just when you think you’ve got things figured out, another layer of deceit or betrayal is peeled back. It’s also refreshing to see a thriller that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering high stakes and genuine suspense.

What sets this story apart is its unique blend of dark humor and heartfelt moments. Mackay cleverly explores how one reconciles the person they used to be with the person they’ve become—a theme that will resonate, even if you don’t have a stack of bodies hidden in your past.

This cheeky thriller is perfect for fans of sharp, unconventional stories that deliver both humor and thrills. If you’re ready to laugh, gasp, and question your own moral compass, this one’s a must-read.

I throughly enjoyed the book however I didn’t love the execution of the book. Both characters were unlikable to me

THIS BOOK WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FREAKING GOOD!

It made me feel all the emotions and I gasped so many times. Every twist was SPOT ON and I never saw them coming!

The story really captures the ups and downs of marriage in any case... even if you are not a serial killer. Hazel and Fox’s relationship is relatable to all with a lot of dark humor sprinkled in.

I also loved how the author introduced all the parts of the book... the marriage advice versus Hazel’s was hilarious and such a delight and a fun way to demonstrate transitions within the storyline.

Overall, this book was fun, hilarious, shocking, emotional, and so freaking amazing. I can’t wait for more from this author.

Haze and Fox were lucky to find one another. How often do two serial killers find love and a mutual goal of ridding horrible men from the planet?? Everything was perfect until Haze got pregnant.

This multiple POV story with flashbacks narrates the trials of this couple 2 years after they stopped killing cold turkey. They are dedicated and loving parents to their 2 year old daughter but they’re both struggling and neither one knows. The strain on their relationship was so palpable even though I’m not a serial killer married to a serial killer who’s not killing people. This was so stressful for me- it was one of those books where I wish someone I knew had read it and had said- “keep going it’ll be ok”- so that’s my message to you- keep going, the end is so great!

Thanks to @asia.mackay @netgalley and @randomhouse for this #advancedreaderscopy -pub date was 3/14/25

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

#2025bookchallengebook33of100
#aserialkillersguidetomarriage
#netgalley

This thriller is definitely on the lighter side, which is a bit unusual for me since I like a dark thriller, but man oh man was it such a fun read! If you liked Dexter, Mr. And Mrs. Smith, and a bit of dark humor, this book is for you! I could not put it down, I needed to know what was going to happen next! Asia Mackay is officially an auto-buy author for me now!

This was a fun novel about two serial killers who are made for each other - Hazel and Fox. We get POVs for both characters, and I enjoyed being in both of their heads. Overall a fun novel!

Buckle up, because Asia Mackay's A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage is a wild ride through the most unconventional of "till death do us part" scenarios. This isn't your average rom-com; it's a razor-sharp, darkly hilarious thriller that asks: what happens when two former serial killers try to settle down into domestic bliss?

Meet Hazel and Fox. They're married, they have a baby, and they used to have a penchant for eliminating Very Bad People. Now, they're navigating playdates and PTA meetings, but the murderous itch is proving hard to scratch. When Hazel breaks their pact and old habits resurface, their suburban dream threatens to unravel in a spectacular, blood-splattered fashion.

Mackay masterfully blends laugh-out-loud humor with heart-pounding suspense. The story zips along with crackling dialogue, unexpected twists, and a deliciously twisted premise that feels both outrageous and utterly compelling. It's Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets dark domestic satire, with a dash of something wickedly original.

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage is a thrill-a-minute read that will leave you gasping, grinning, and questioning everything you thought you knew about love, marriage, and the suburbs. It's audacious, addictive, and darkly delightful. You won't be able to put it down.

📖I was instantly grabbed by the title of this book. It was more of a fun thriller than a suspenseful one. I did enjoy the ease and flow of the story.

Two former serial killers settling down and starting a family together, trying to live a normal life. Laying low and adjusting to a mundane routine doesn’t work out so well! Once a serial killer always a serial killer!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia McKay

This story is told from the perspectives of the husband and wife duo of Fox and Hazel, shifting between past and present timelines. Interspersed throughout are magazine articles about Hazel’s art and text messages she sends to her late friend Matty’s phone. Fox and Hazel first meet and fall in love over murder. Once they accidentally become parents, they “agree” that murdering is no longer an option. But apparently secrets are still on the table.

The monotony of daily life begins to strain their marriage, and Hazel makes a deadly mistake that she keeps secret from Fox, making the strain in their marriage much worse. Hazel isn’t alone in keeping secrets as Fox has some of his own, which causes Hazel quite a bit of paranoia. The things she does are a bit implausible and how it plays out at the end isn’t much more believable, but it wasn’t bad.

(I really do like Fox and Hazel when they are happy together.)

Overall this was a solid thriller, but not one I’ll think about again.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

I went into this expecting a dark and funny thriller, but the story shifted early on to be much more about the evolution of the characters marriage after parenthood. As the characters drifted apart through miscommunication and changing identities the thrillers aspects definitely took a backseat. I didn't finish the book because of the change in tone, and as a new parent I just wasn't in the headspace or mood to continue on this way. I think this is more for someone who wants a character driven story about relationships rather than a thriller about married serial killers

Thanks to Netgalley and Bantam for this e-arc that I chose to read and review

Darkly funny and undeniably original, this twisted take on domestic life imagines what happens when a pair of reformed vigilante killers try to settle into suburban parenthood. Hazel's snarky narration is entertaining, especially as her restlessness grows and the tension between knives and nappies starts to crackle. The premise is clever, and the satirical edge works—up to a point.

Where it starts to lose momentum is in the execution (pun slightly intended): the tone sometimes wobbles between cheeky thriller and earnest domestic drama, making it hard to fully buy into either. Still, for fans of macabre humor and antiheroes trying to adult, this is a quirky, chaotic ride that offers something different—just maybe not a book that lingers long after the final page.

With razor-sharp wit and a wicked sense of irony, Asia Mackay returns with A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage—a genre-defying thrill ride that blends domestic life, deadly secrets, and unexpected laughs into one brilliantly twisted narrative.

In a world where love and murder walk hand in hand, Mackay dares to ask: What does it really take to make a marriage work—especially when one of you is a trained killer? With her signature blend of black humor and pulse-pounding suspense, Mackay crafts a heroine who is as lethal as she is relatable, navigating the complexities of partnership, parenthood, and past lives she just can’t quite bury.

This novel is both a sharp satire on the expectations of womanhood and a genuinely gripping thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. Mackay’s prose is fast, funny, and fearlessly feminist, delivering a story that feels like Mr. & Mrs. Smith collided with Killing Eve, then sat down for a couples’ therapy session.

A bold, compulsively readable tale of secrets, sacrifice, and spousal survival—A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage is not just a story about staying together; it’s about staying alive.

Perfect for: Fans of sharp-tongued female leads, subverted domestic thrillers, and stories that are as hilarious as they are haunting.
Rating: ★★★★★

Hazel and Fox, former serial killers, marry and live lavishly. When Hazel becomes pregnant, they try to spice up their suburban life with playdates and “Mommy Friends.” But Hazel misses the thrill of murder. When she gives in to her murderous urge without Fox, their old and new lives clash, risking everything.

This narrative bears a striking resemblance to the film “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” However, I found the plot to be rather implausible and somewhat challenging to complete.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine - Bantam for the advanced copy in return for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed the parallels between Haze and Fox trying to be the perfect parent & spouse. Both are keeping secrets that could destroy their marriage, and have underlying fears that their marriage will be their downfall, either individually or collectively. The characters, even the side ones, all struggled with something and no one had a perfect picture life…at least not one without the cracks starting to show under their disguise. This was just a fun read overall!

Thank you to the publisher Bantam for providing me with an advanced copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an entertaining read with a very different storyline. Well written, with nicely developed characters. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

Mackay’s writing is witty and dark, and the tension between Hazel and Fox is palpable. The dynamic of their relationship, grounded in their shared past and the dark secrets they are trying to keep buried, adds layers of complexity to the plot. Fox’s unwavering commitment to fatherhood contrasts with Hazel’s growing restlessness, and the tension between them escalates as Hazel acts on her murderous instincts without consulting Fox, setting off a series of dangerous events.

This was a unique book! I love a thriller and think that the FMC in this was written well. I like the nuance and dark humor. It was a cool book if you like criminal minds etc!

I had high hopes for this one, but it fell flat for me! The plot sounded fun, a murderous couple with a wife that “cheats.” However, I feel like the couple was so distant from one another (I mean.. even considering them being murderers) but it just didn’t really capture me and was so boring.

I think I will be only one of a few that says this, it feels like it would be very popular, especially during the summer for a beach read!

DNF - I attempted to start this book and it just did not hold my interest. This may be a book I come back to in the future but for now even the audio did not hold my attention.

Hazel feels trapped in her new motherhood role. Forced to live a new life on the straight and narrow and do everything for their baby; Hazel and Fox have put away their jet-setter lifestyle. They have also committed themselves to no more killings. Until one fateful night when Hazel is confronted by a man and defends herself, forcing her new life and old life to collide. She was never the one hiding their murders, that was always on Fox - but she can't let him know she broke her promise. I found A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay to be an entertaining thriller. There were totally relatable moments about marriage and parenthood and others that were more far-fetched with the murders and crime but overall it was a new concept and I would recommend this book. I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.