
Member Reviews

Wow! This was a blow through in one sitting for me! I’m typically more dark thriller reader but this was a nice in between palette cleanser! I loved the banter, so many times I was laughing out loud. It had a slight Mr and Mrs smith vibes and I loved it. Loved the writing, loved the characters and them trying to navigate life around family and their blood lusts. Highly recommend. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advance read in turn for my honest review.

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage is a darkly humorous and clever novel that subverts traditional romantic tropes with a twist of sinister wit. The characters are quirky and memorable, and the story’s satirical edge keeps things fresh. Some moments feel a bit uneven, but overall, it’s a fun, provocative read.
I’d give it 4 stars. Perfect for those who enjoy dark comedy and sharp social commentary.

Two former serial killers try to bury their past as they settle down and become parents. Fox is thrilled with becoming a dad and settling into suburban life but Hazel is struggling with the boredom of motherhood. When the opportunity comes for another kill she takes the chance but things are a little different this time. Filled with dark humor, short chapters, and several twist this book was a quick read for me!

Fun domestic popcorn thriller, but very typical for the average thriller reader. Nothing you haven't seen before, but it does have a good fusion of humor in the writing

“I wasn’t smashing the patriarchy. I was killing it. Literally. One by one.”
I love both Haze and Fox’s characters. I thought this was a perfect mix between romance and comedy. I truly was surprised by the ending and did not see it coming. Overall, really enjoyed this read.

If you thought murder couldn't be funny, think again. An absolute riot! I could not put this down. If two serial killers got married and had a baby I know how it sounds but trust me. This is dynamite. An incredibly fun and dark thriller. It has my jaw on the floor. This is the most original thriller I have read In a long time. Do not miss this!! A must read of 2025..

Even though this book was about murder I feel like it was very lighthearted and a fun read. This wasn’t gruesome and focused more on the art and skill of killing rather focusing on the gore and deaths. This book reminded me a bit of Mr and Mrs Smith. Enjoyable overall.

A fun fast read with plenty of dark humor and suspense. Can't wait to see what comes next from Asia Mackay.

This book is wild! I really enjoyed reading A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage. The book is fast paced and characters are so interesting. It was very suspenseful, and I truly did not know what was going to happen. I could not put it down - I'm pretty sure I read it in one sitting it was that good! I would highly recommend!
Thank you to the author, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for providing a copy to review.
4.5 stars rounded up!

"𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 '𝘔𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴' 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴."
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It kept bringing me flashbacks of the movie "Killers" with Katherine Heigel and Ashton Kutcher. 😅
I really liked the vigilante serial killer couple, and the fact that she ends up befriending a cop is hilarious LOL
I also really enjoyed the narrators - they really brought a lot to the characters for me!
Thank you to @ballantinebooks and @netgalley for the ebook in exchange for this review! ❤️
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Just finished the audiobook version of this title and absolutely LOVED it. A light and fun, despite the title, look at how keeping secrets can get one into trouble. . It kept my attention throughout and the twists keep me entertained. I will be looking for more from this author.

This book hit all the right notes with me in combinations I never would have imagined. I love girl-power narratives, relatable parenting moments, thriller aspects, and dark humor. I never would have guessed all of those things could be rolled into one book and work so well! It might be a little scary that I find these serial killers so relatable, but they’re solid likeable characters. This book just sucked me in from the beginning and wouldn’t let go because every aspect of it is something I look for and enjoy in a book. What an experience!

This was such a fun read!! I can’t wait to read more by this author! Thank you to netgalley for the chance to read this advanced copy

You know your reading list is getting heavy when your palate cleanser is a book about serial killers.
Hazel and Fox are like any other suburban couple with one exception—they are (reformed!) serial killers. The couple met and bonded over a shared passion for hunting down and killing bad men (think Dexter but as a duo), though that was before they married and had a baby. Now they've moved past all that in order keep their family safe and, importantly, away from suspecting law enforcement. Everything is going just swell for Hazel, even if she is a little bored, and, okay, struggling to make new mommy friends, and, maybe, just maybe, accidentally killed a man. Happens to the best of us.
This gave me exactly what I was looking for! It was fun and a little twisty with a satisfying good-for-her (them?) premise. Despite heavier topics (murder, sexism, misogyny), it was a pretty light read. I'd especially recommend it to fans of Julie Mae Cohen.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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#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!