Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

3.25 ⭐️'s

This one was a fun read! And I liked the premise of the book!

I think at times the dialogue seemed to be trying too hard and the characters almost seemed forced. I really liked the side character of Jenny and watching the friendship grow and evolve.

I felt the middle of story was a little slow but I really enjoyed the way everything tied up at the end! The last 20% of the book was gripping and I really enjoyed!

It's a fun little take on a romance between married main characters and the struggles that come with marriage and the ups and downs that are inevitable.

This book drew me in on the very first page. I was really looking forward to getting something similar to what I got in Butcher & Blackbird but this was actually quite different. Although I didn’t mind our main characters I never once felt like they were “good” people. Which was okay because their flaws felt like a direct product of how they were raised. I only wish we saw a little more from Fox’s POV. At the end I felt all his explanations were rushed. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book!

Asia Mackay’s A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage had me intrigued from the title alone. A husband-and-wife duo who moonlight as killers? Yes, please! The story follows Fox and Mia, a couple with a deadly hobby that’s managed to keep their marriage alive and thriving—because nothing says “relationship goals” like joint murder sprees. Marketed as satire, it promised humor and sharp commentary, but for me, it didn’t quite hit the mark.

I went in hoping for Dexter-style antics, but instead, I got a slow-burn roller coaster of build-ups that fizzled out just as quickly. Each chapter dangled a juicy carrot, only to snatch it away at the end. I waited (and waited) for that big payoff, and while the finale finally delivered something intriguing, it felt like Fox swooped in out of nowhere with a hasty attempt to tie it all together. “Mmm, what’s going on here?” I asked myself more than once.

That said, I have to admit, I did like the ending. It was enough to bump my rating up to a solid 3 stars. Maybe I wasn’t the target audience for this kind of satire, but hey—I gave it a shot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam Books for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise of a married couple managing to be serial killers. I always thought that would be better done by one person (Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead)

But I felt like the book is bogged down as this isn't an active serial killer couple. They're retired and in suburbia which means we need to hear about what it used to be like when they killed while they're both miserable in the present.

I still absolutely loved Hazel and her rage against misogyny. It was great to see her grow through the book too. Fox, on the other hand, felt flat.

If the concept seems fun to you, you'll probably enjoy the book. Thanks to Netgalley & Bantam for the e-copy.

3.5/5

Serial Killers who kill bad people, is becoming it's own Trope. Yet, There are Authors who can take it and make it all their own. Asia Mackay does that with Hazel and Fox. A Married Couple who just happened to be a “retired” Serial Killers trying to make a “normal” life for their daughter. The writing brilliantly gives us these dark themes while adding humor and heart to the story. They felt real and relatable while being neither of those things. I rarely compare my feeling to that of a Serial Killer. I found myself thinking, “ Same, Girl” to so many of Hazel's thoughts. Probably more than I should. :) JK. I loved the Ending. I can't wait to read more from Mackay.

Thank you to NetGalley, Asia Mackay, and Bantam Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an Honest Review. Thank you for making that so easy.

Such an entertaining and fun mystery - this was a different and unique read compared to others in the genre and enjoyed the story.

She wants to have it all...

...but her husband wants to give it all up. Will their marriage survive?

Hazel, who goes by Haze, had an alcoholic mother and bounced around from foster home to foster home growing up in England. The people she met, particularly the men, at best let her down and at worst tried to hurt her. She found refuge in creating art into which she could channel her many tumultuous emotions, and in killing men who deserved it. Then she met Fox, son of powerful and wealthy American parents who grew up with every advantage and possessed a trust fund to support his lifestyle. He never felt that he fit in to the elite circles in which his family operated, and he too found an outlet for the impulses inside him....he killed those who harmed others. When they met over a dead body (one of her victims, not his), they felt that they had met their soul mates. Soon they were traveling all over Europe, working together to kill those who in their opinion needed killing. Fox had a cooler head in matters, helping to rein in Haze's red-hot rage and keep her safe. All was perfect until Haze got pregnant with their daughter Bibi. Soon they were living in a lovely house in a suburban town, focused on staying away from their killing ways . It is a pact that Haze resents....she genuinely misses the satisfaction and release that the killings gave her, but Fox seems to her to have become a stranger. He seems perfectly fine having given up their unusual (and illegal) sideline, and is hyper-focused on keeping "his girls" safe. Eating non-organic food and risking acts that could get the couple sent to prison and Bibi into the foster system? Equally unthinkable to Fox. But as Haze becomes increasingly unhappy trying to turn herself into one of the local yummy mummies she and Fox have stopped communicating and their marriage is in real jeopardy. When one of them does the unthinkable, is not only their marriage but also their freedom in jeopardy?
This is a darkly funny page-turner that is a sort of mash-up of Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Dexter, likely to appeal to fans of either. The two main protagonists take the reality of how one's life changes when you have a child to new extremes....neighborhood dinners, Peppa Pig and mummy-and-me classes instead of hot sex and exotic travel is, after all, quite a change. The problem for Haze and Fox is of course the same that it is for most new parents, a lack of communication and a suppression of resentments as they try to do parenthood the way they are "supposed to", except that for them they are also giving up a long-standing practice that met their respective needs but happened to be criminal. Haze finds herself making friends with the neediest member of Bibi's playgroup (who just happens to work for the police) and things at home are spiraling out of control. They are clearly heading for a major blow-up and the secrets each has been hiding are about to explode. If a reader can accept the pretty out-there premise of two serial killers marrying and settling down in suburbia to raise their child, then its an entertaining read in many ways. I didn't find Haze or Fox particularly likable, but learned enough about their past to at least explain somewhat why they are the way they are. Readers of Julie Mae Cohen's Bad Men, Jeff Lindsay's Dexter series, and other authors like Jessie Garcia might want to pick up a copy of this latest in the "good kind of serial killer" fiction. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Bantam Books for allowing me early access to a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was expecting this book to be kind of a Finlay Donovan-esque type of book with zany situations and humor, but it was very different and honestly I’m not mad about it at all! I LOVED THIS BOOK. This is such a good look at marriage, parenthood and finding ways to stay ourselves through major life changes. While most people aren’t serial killers, I think many can relate to how overwhelming and all consuming parenting can be and how you lose a bit of yourself in it, for better or worse and also how your marriage can change once you’re not just a duo anymore. I loved that we got both Haze and Fox’s POVs and how you could see the misunderstandings and miscommunications between them happening. I think this is a book that will have people divided with their feelings, but I certainly enjoyed it. When I wasn’t reading it, I was itching to get back to it. I REALLY hope there’s a sequel because I’d love to see these characters again!
Mini spoiler: nothing bad happens to the dog!

CW: murder, violence, suicide, death, mentions of sexual abuse, mentions of child abuse,

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam Books for an advanced digital readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 STARS

Double life, secret identity, dark humor, retired criminals, thrilling

Written by Asia Mackay, A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage follows retired serial killers Hazel and Fox. Married, living together, and raising their first daughter, their life is anything but perfect. Hazel and Fox made a pact not to kill anyone in order to protect their daughter. Hazel fights the urge every day, and it takes a toll on their marriage. Until one day... that pact is broken.

This book made me laugh out loud! It was funny, tense, and oddly relatable! The characters, serial killers aside, experienced marriage troubles like every other couple. They miscommunicated, avoided communication, went through dry spells, and became roommates. This book highlighted pitfalls of marriage in the most entertaining way possible. Mackay did an excellent job of discussing heavy topics in a light way. There were also some parts where Hazel struggled with motherhood. As a mom, I could relate to how she felt at times with what we sacrifice for our kids. Sometimes we lose parts of ourselves to motherhood. Hazel is a strong-willed, resilient, feminist character. There was a lot of depth in her character, and she was definitely my favorite! Fox is a loving, concerned, and devoted father/husband. Don't be fooled! They both have a dark side. However, their dark side consisted of hunting inherently evil men. They were such complex characters. The book was well-paced, and I enjoyed the dual POV aspect of the book. I was obsessed with the quotes in the beginning of each part. I loved the ending and the way the book wrapped up. It was not at all what I would have predicted! If you enjoy dark humor, romance, thrillers, and satire, I highly recommend you read this book!

This is an HONEST review, and all opinions in this review are MY OWN. Thank you so much Asia Mackay and NetGalley for the opportunity to experience these characters early.

Fun and fast-paced darkly comic thriller perfect for fans of Dexter, My Lovely Wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Hazel and Fox are just your typical married couple with a kid. He's rich, she grew up poor. What they had in common was that they used to be serial killers. But Hazel is finding it harder and harder not to go back to her old ways.

If you're like, "huh? unlikeable characters?" it's not really like that as Hazel and Fox only killed people who deserved it.

This dual POV book switches between his and her perspective as she wrestles with guilt and he tries to deal with his very rich, meddling family and figure out what Hazel is up to.

Not the most memorable book ever, but a fun and page turning read.

This was my most anticipated book for 2025. I really really really wanted to love this book, i really tried but i was so bored which is so sad for me cause I wanted to love it. The premise intrigued me so much, it was such a good premise.

It seems this book was just hazel and fox complaining about how unhappy they are and how they love their baby but wants to kill. Their problems were mostly be able to be solved if they just spoke?

The plot was not much of a plot. It didn’t read like a psychological thriller at all. I really wanted to love it, genuinely. I WAS so excited but it fell really short.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House publishing group - Ballantine for providing me with an advanced copy in return for an honest review!

Thank you to #NetGalley and Bantam Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Hazel and Fox have been a serial killing couple who kills serial killers and any other bad men out there. But once Bibi, their daughter is born, Fox suggests they stop their hobby for the good and safety of their family. Hazel begrudgingly agrees, but she’s getting antsy, angry, and bored. Will these two be able to compromise before the other makes a mistake or even worse, kills the other partner?

I loved this book! It was so fun while also pointing out the things women have to give up when they become mothers. It was kind of feminist and I’m here for that!

There was a point where the storyline seemed to have sped up which made the story seem a little disjointed, but I also enjoyed the pacing of this book overall despite that bump.

The character background could have been a bit more thorough for Hazel specifically, but also Jenny. If done right, it may not have slowed down the pacing. Most of the characters could have had a more fleshed out background, but the author gives us just enough to be satisfied. Those and some problematic elements that are a bit of a spoiler were the reasons for my rating. All in all however, I loved it! I kinda hope there will be a spin-off about Jenny or even just a sequel. For a fast read about a serial killing couple and twists that keep coming, read this book!

Life could be messy, unpredictable, unfair and beautiful.


I absolutely fell in love with this fantastic book!

Meet Hazel (Haze) and Fox who used to kill "bad men" together. Not your average couple but they are the picture of perfection together. But when little baby Bibi comes along, it's time to hang up their knives and live a normal life.

This book is told in dual POV's from both Haze and Fox and both in past and present. This wasn't your typical thriller but it worked and the dark humor was excellent. This was my first time diving into a book with dark humor and I absolutely loved it, but I do think that is because the author did a bang up excellent job with writing this book.

I fell in love with both Haze AND Fox! I just loved their characters. This book didn't take me very long to read, because I just couldn't put it down. Yes! It's just that good.

This book will be published January 14th 2025.

My reviews can also be found on GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/brandisbooks.

As always, thank you to both Bantam and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.5 stars rounded up! ✨
You guyssss, this was so good! 🤩
A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by @asia.mackay is releasing in FIVE DAYS! 🔪

When I saw this ARC on @netgalley from @randomhouse, I HAD to request it! The cover is eye-catching, and the synopsis had me hooked: “Hazel and Fox are an ordinary married couple with a baby. Except for one small thing—they’re murderers.” 😏

The story alternates between Hazel and Fox’s POVs, exploring their past and present as they navigate a pact to give up killing after becoming parents. But when Hazel breaks the pact and doesn’t tell Fox… 🫢

I loved how their suburban day-to-day lives intertwined with their dark personal secrets, building toward a conclusion I definitely didn’t expect! 🔪 If you enjoy twisted thrillers with moral ambiguity, relationship drama, and a splash of humor and sarcasm, this one’s for you. (Despite the grisly premise, it’s not a dark read!)

⚠️ Leans more political than I typically go for (I tend to avoid overt political agendas), but it was still easy to enjoy the story overall.
🌶️ Contains strong language, including f-words, but no spice. While sex is mentioned, it’s not detailed.

Releases January 14th, 2025!

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Will be sharing to IG this week on @cocos.book.nook

I think I hated these characters so much that I loved them. Haze was shallow and narcissistic, but such a good mom and willing to do (almost) anything for her daughter. We spent less time with Fox's POV but he was doing things behind the scenes that would have made this a more enjoyable book if we had known about it, I think. I felt like I missed a big chunk of the story. I was annoyed at the lack of communication between Haze and Fox, especially when we learned there was so much more that we didn't know.

I was glad when Haze made a friend and the lengths she went to to help her friend. Without giving too much away, I really like the ending and the future that the characters have planned.

Helga, Bibi, and Sausage were delightful.

Haze and Fox aren't your typical married couple... they're both serial killers. Only now they've had a baby together and need to slow things down a bit.
I really enjoyed this book and would love to see a sequel or two... or more.
The dynamic between the two and their relationships with each other and other people in their lives, like Hazes new best friend... who happens to be a police officer...are all gripping and loads of fun.

Between 2.5-3

I have mixed feelings about this book. I picked it out because the concept seemed fun and it isn't a book I would typically choose. I will say that it was a bit difficult to get into. Hazel's POV was extremely difficult to read because I frankly found her annoying. She was just a bit rude and off-putting, granted she is a serial killer. She luckily had some growth and it was eventually easier to read her POV. Fox on the other hand was super easy to read and he seemed a bit more likable.

The story was a bit slow in the beginning, but gradually picked up. The plot twists were good, but some of the writing felt lacking in the clarity department. I do understand though that this was an uncorrected proof. I don't know if I would read a story like this again, but I am becoming more open to trying new types of books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group.

This was a quick little read that had some good moments. A “light” and humorous at times thriller that felt like watching a little tv show. I enjoyed my time reading it very much!

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage combines the chaotic energy of Mr. and Mrs. Smith with the dark, methodical vibe of Dexter, resulting in an entertaining but somewhat familiar popcorn thriller. While the story doesn’t feel particularly fresh, it’s engaging enough for fans of fast-paced narratives.

The standout element for me was Hazel’s snarky sense of humor, which added much-needed personality and levity. Her chapters were far more enjoyable than Fox’s, whose perspective felt less dynamic by comparison. The inclusion of newspaper articles sprinkled throughout was a clever structural choice that added some texture to the story.

Though it may not break new ground, this book is a solid choice for fans of morally gray characters and readers looking for a quick read with a touch of dark humor.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and PRH Audio for the ARC and ALC.

Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I am upset because I was really looking forward to reading this book.

I did like the narrators for the audiobook though