This book had the makings of being the new Mr. & Mrs. Smith but with vigilante serial killers, and while the premise sounds great, the execution could use some work.

This book is Dual POV (great!), told in 2 timelines (okayyyyy) and each POV jumps back and forth throughout each chapter and at that point it became more difficult to follow than it was fun to read.
Also the whole marriage is built around them romanticizing the life they had prior to Hazel getting pregnant and whole they seems to enjoy being parents, they also resent it and let it lead to a giant gaping hole filled with miscommunication and pining for the life they left behind which makes the characters (Hazel especially) unlikeable.

The end provided the reader closure and a HFN ending but do I believe for a second these 2 aren't going to just fall back into the same patterns. Not really. So I guess I loved the idea of this and ended up feeling let down by the whole thing.

This was an entertaining read from start to finish. I don't know how I could relate to the characters - a pair of serial killers who kill bad men, but I did. And then Fox, Hazel's husband, forces them to go into retirement because of having a baby, but Hazel absolutely hates the life they now lead - full on, boring suburbia. And chaos ensues, because Hazel is a bit of a selfish chaos agent. I loved the characterizations, but sometimes, they fell flat, especially for her husband Fox. And sometimes things seemed a little too good to be true. Still, I loved reading this and all the little plot twists that developed.

This book drew me in and it did not disappoint!

She likes to kill bad men. Then she finds her Mr. Right who also likes to take out all the Mr. Wrongs. A match made in heaven (or maybe hell) no? But then the honeymoon phase ends with a baby. All couples give up something when they have kids—for most it’s their pre-pregnancy bod and fake leather pants and crop tops—but for this couple it’s serial murder. I guess no couple really is exempt from the hardships of child rearing!

Told from a dual POV and alternating between then and now, this book has quick chapters and witty banter that makes it a binge-worthy read. I particularly enjoyed the art descriptions between chapters they gave some insight into how the world viewed Haze’s graphic (and increasingly more disturbing) artwork. All in all this book is a fun take on a unique couple’s entrance into parenthood and how they deal with their life changes. For some it’s whose turn is it change the diaper but for this couple it’s whose turn is it to choose the bad man to maim and murder—to each their own?

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book—enjoyed getting a chance to read and review ahead of publication date.

I’m taking another trip to Outlier Island with this one. The synopsis sounded like it would be my jam, but I struggled to connect.

Fox and Haze-what cool names! Especially for a serial killer duo ridding the world of scum. We’ve seen this basic premise before, but it still holds the promise of a fun ride. They’re living on a globe trotting high until pregnancy puts the brakes on life as they know it. Both are in agreement that their baby must become the top priority. For Fox it’s clear that means retiring their knife wielding ways. Haze reluctantly follows his lead, but struggles both to find an outlet for her rage and to create art. She’s drowning in boring suburbia. Both are hiding how much they are floundering without the outlet killing provides. Both are holding onto damaging secrets.

What will happen when someone slips up?

Will miscommunication cause their careful life to implode?

The characters have a lot of potential, but they aren’t quite developed enough. I felt like they came up short and made it difficult to connect with. There are articles and texts between the chapter that slow down the momentum and didn’t add enough to the overall plot to justify them being there. These breaks didn’t work for me. I’m a huge fan of dark humor, but it only works when it fits the scenario and the character that’s delivering those cutting one-liners. The humor here felt inconsistent for the character portrayals. I didn’t buy it.

More development and a tighter pace would’ve worked wonders here.

I liked this one, but I didn’t love it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for providing an Advance Readers Copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Okay, so this book's main characters aren't psycho- or sociopath serial killers. They're more vigilantes who have tasked themselves with taking out bad men to make the world safer for women.

While A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage (which I received for free to review) is about a couple who kills together, it's also about what happens when the honeymoon is over. It's about what moms (and dads) have to sacrifice when a baby comes. And it's about the importance of communication in a relationship.

Essentially, Haze and Fox live a comfortable suburban life with their toddler daughter. But before they had a baby, they were a husband-and-wife killing team. However, they've given up that life in order to protect their daughter. However, Haze is getting restless, and Fox's parents have reappared in his life, and Haze's new friend, who is a police detective, is getting suspicious of Fox. What can Haze and Fox do to keep the spark alive and protect themselves?

This was a fun read, and I'm sure your book club would enjoy it, too, especially because of the broader messages it has about marriage.

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage is published by Bantam and is available to purchase on January 14, 2025. I received a free e-ARC from the publisher.

"Dexter" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" meets "Revolutionary Road".

4.5 stars rounded up.

At first glance, Hazel and Fox's love story sounds totally ordinary: they met, fell madly in love and got married. Except that they are two serial killers who started their life together maintaining their now shared hobby of offing bad men. But then Hazel got pregnant, and now that they have a baby, they have given up their bloody past-time for a quiet life in the British suburbs. And if that sounds too picture-perfect, it's because it is - in fact, it is driving Haze up her suburbian walls with resentment und unfulfilled bloodlust. With their marriage on the rocks, Haze's somewhat accidental (though let's face it, totally provoked) killing of a man could be the straw to break the camel's back - so she decides to hide it from her husband. But when the police start sniffing around, Haze realizes that her impulsive action could have endangered her entire family.

Books about serial killers seem to be all the rage these days. Some of them are well-done and tongue-in-cheek (think "This Girl's a Killer"), while others take themselves way too seriously (such as "My Darlings" and the soon-to-be-released "Serial Killer Support Group"). Thankfully, this book - somewhat more original in its concept of a serial killer couple, though that too has been done before, albeit a few years ago and unsatisfyingly, in "My Lovely Wife" - falls into the first category.

Full of dark humor and smart twists, and told from both Fox and Haze's POV which makes the reader relate to both, "A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage" was a joy to read. Though they are serial killers, you cannot help but root for them and their marriage (it helps that they are vigilante killers essentially making the world a better place, just like "Dexter"). The ending was not entirely unpredictable, but felt very fitting and satisfying for this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage" is slated to be released on January 14, 2025.

My husband and I knew we were meant for each other when we both ordered garlic bread on our first date! For Hazel and Fox, it was the same. Well, except replace the tasty garlic bread with brutal murder! I loved that Fox kept a spreadsheet to track everything regarding who they killed. This spoke to my detail oriented record keeping heart. I didn't like when he and Hazel started keeping secrets from each other. But, as a good sign, that is when things started going sideways for them! I also didn't like how the book dragged in the middle. It felt like the author knew how to set up her characters and where she wanted things to end, but wasn't sure how to fill the gap or how to get them from one place to another. Despite that, the ending was a darn good one and I almost wonder if we might get a sequel or novella to catch back up with this killer couple?

Serial killers who are married. That is CRAZY!!!! I knew I was going to love this book, it gives Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes and I was here for it. Haze and Fox are everything, they love they have for each other is amazing. Haze’s childhood was not the best but all that changed in college, she became an artist, she lost her best friend, and she started killing bad guys, Fox was also the same except he comes from a rich family but he was a little off, and started to also kill bad guys, all vigilante style. They met in the most coincidental way and the rest is history. Now they are parents and thing EVERYTHING changed. But Haze doesn’t feel satisfied, she feels like she’s losing herself, and while Fox wants her to be more careful for the sake of their little family, Haze is keeping secrets and so is Fox. They both want to be there for each other but the secrets between these two is WILD. The ending was not expected and I LOVED IT!!!

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage is a different type of thriller that will leave you both entertained and maybe slightly disturbed. A suburban married couple who moonlight as serial killers – is inherently absurd, yet the author delivers it with such wit and style that it's impossible not to get swept up in the twisted tale and I could not stop reading. Hazel and Fox are a rather dysfunctional duo. Their "day jobs" as seemingly ordinary neighbors provide a sharp contrast to their gruesome nocturnal activities. The author builds tension, keeping you guessing about their next move and wondering how long they can maintain their facade. I just kept on reading, not wanting to stop. If you enjoy dark humor, twisted thrillers, and books that push the boundaries this is one you’ll enjoy. Thanks to NetGalley for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published January 14, 2025.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay is a first person dual-POV thriller about a serial killer couple. Hazel and Fox have a beautiful daughter, a luxurious lifestyle, and a trail of bodies between them. Their days of killing predatory men are supposed to be over but Hazel has grown tired of the monotony and wants things to go back to how they were. Meanwhile, Fox’s rich parents want him back for the sake of appearances after his brother's divorce.

A major theme is feminine rage. Hazel is an artist who mostly depicts scenes of women getting revenge on the men who hurt them and others and we get descriptions of some of those paintings. Hazel had been in the foster care system for most of her childhood and we get some allusions to what she went through while being bounced from house to house and the anger she has from all the times men have preyed on her. She’s also convinced that Fox is cheating on her because their relationship has gotten stale, which leads to her ‘cheating’ by finding a new target without even consulting him.

Fox and Hazel’s marriage is on the rocks by the time the book opens. We see how they met (while Hazel was killing a different man) and how they are perfect for each other (they both love killing people) but Fox is more restrained. One thing that tipped them over the edge is how careful Fox is in the wake of them having a child, Bibi, and how that takes away any kind of excitement that could keep Hazel happy. Fox is also keeping secrets as he tries to figure out what his parents do and do not know about the years since he's seen them. Hazel, for her part, isn't really communicating her needs either, and seems to struggle to understand that their marriage has changed since having a baby.

Hazel and Fox are not likeable protagonists and I think the big draw here is how dysfunctional their marriage is. They built their entire relationship on the fact that they're both into killing people. They have a lot of the same problems many couples who have a toddler at home do while also having this big itch Hazel needs to scratch. When they start keeping secrets, things only get worse. It's a lot like watching a car crash; you know what's coming but you can't look away.

Content warning for depictions of sexual assault

I would recommend this to readers who wanted something like Dexter where a serial killer only kills bad people and fans of books with strong themes of feminine rage

📖: A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage- a standalone

✍🏾 Author: Asia Mackay-new to me author

📅Publication date: 1-14-25 | Read 1-5-25

Format: E-book 334 pgs.

Genre:
*Suspense/Thriller
*Humor/Satire
*Mystery
*Adult Fic
*Contemporary Romance

Tropes:
*Marriage in trouble
*Serial killers
*Family drama
*Mental health/illness
*Wealthy family

⚠️TW: abuse, foster care, SA, murder, depression, suicide, toxic parents

🌎 Setting: London

👆🏾POV: 1st person, dual

Summary: A married couple's relationship is in peril as the wife's thirst for killing leads to a web of lies with her husband as the cleanup man.

👩🏾 Heroine: Hazel "Haze" Matthews-37, an artist

👨🏾 Hero: Nathaniel "Fox" Cabot II-43, a stockbroker with a trust fund

🎭 Other Characters:

*Jenny+ Felix-A fellow mother Haze befriends and her son
*Bibi-Haze and Fox's daughter
*Bill-Jenny's ex-boyfriend/Felix's father
*The Cabots-Fox's wealthy Manhattan parents
*Julian-Fox's younger brother
*Matty-Haze's artist friend


🤔 My Thoughts: I couldn't put this down as it would make a great movie. Haze and Fox reminded me of Mr. and Mrs. Smith but with Dexter tendencies. Their love for Bibi was the driving force as they questioned their love and loyalty to each other. Jenny added a nice counter to Haze, a woman beaten down by the patriarchy-straight white men-and Haze's sense of duty to help her.


Rating: 5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice level 0/5

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine | Bantam, and Asia Mackay for this ARC 🔪! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Haze and Fox couldn't be more perfect for each other. They compliment each other in everything, even their love of killing bad guys. When two serial killers get married and settle down into suburban London, what could possibly go wrong? Other than having to hide the fact that their serial killers, raise their daughter, and blend in to suburbia just like everyone else. But Haze doesn't do well with such a bland life and it isn't long before she's itching to take justice into her own hands again. At least, if she can fit it in between Mommy and Me classes and nap time.

This was a great read and I highly recommend to anyone who likes thrillers or off-the-wall plots.

While this book is entertaining, it falls short as a true mystery or thriller. The protagonist, Haze, is hard to like—occasionally funny, but her boredom isn’t explored deeply enough to feel convincing. Similarly, the dynamics of her relationship lack believability, making it difficult to fully invest in the story.

The portrayal of Haze as a “thoughtful” serial killer feels at odds with her character after the baby’s arrival, creating a disconnect that’s hard to overlook.

That said, this book might appeal to readers new to the genre, as it offers an easy, engaging read. However, for seasoned fans of mysteries or thrillers, it’s unlikely to be a standout.

This was such a fun read!

Two serial killers marry each other. Unlike the Ruinous Love trilogy, this is more of a ”they marry each other and now we get to see what life is like when they have a kid and deal with not killing anymore”—the day-to-day, based on their shared, felonious past.

I loved the dynamic between the characters. I loved the prologue—which also set up the final action scenes of the book. And I certainly hope there will be a sequel.

Enjoyed the read of the ARC of this I was sent, know I rarely give 5 stars as so few books are perfect. From the title, I hoped this would be funnier so that disappointment existed. I found the plot interesting, and it got so much better in the last 1/3 of the book as the marriage seemed to deteriorate and the couple tried to "fix" everything. Really adored how the author resolved things.

What a neat concept!!! Two ex vigilante killers now married with a child but one wants to get back in the game while the other doesn’t!
However this was a SNOOOOOZEFEST.
Told between the two perspectives and multiple timelines this should have been more entertaining than it was. It was just a slow story about a disappointing marriage for way too long before it got into the fun current mess of a situation the characters find themselves in, a. Classic case of great idea, poor execution

I loved the concept of this book and was instantly drawn in to the witty humor and vibrant characters.
I think serial killers is absolutely an interesting topic and something that would get you excited about reading a book right away, but it could easily become too much. The author did a great job of giving us details, while still keeping it light, funny and easy to read.
I felt really attached to both characters and loved that they were both serial killers and husband and wife. It was fun seeing the dynamic between them and watching as they decided to both stop killing, with great difficulty. They both started weaving very tangled webs and keeping lots of secrets, leading to each of them not trusting the other anymore.
The inner monologue we got was absolutely priceless, I enjoyed every bit of it and found myself cracking up at so many points.
I was taken aback by the ending and didn’t see any of it coming, the author completely threw me off track and had me thinking we were going to go a different way. I very much enjoyed being tricked and would never have guessed our characters would be so WILD!
Highly recommend this one and I am so thankful to Asia Mackay and Netgalley for my arc copy, my thoughts are my own.

I have slowly become obsessed with serial killer romance books. This one I won’t lie has left me wondering about how I feel. I think I need to reread it before I can fully decide if I liked it enough to recommend to someone.

Things I liked about this book:
Fast pacing
Likable characters at times
Writing style
Two pov’s, having two kept the confusion factor down
Witty but could be serious

Things I didn’t like:
The main female character at times drove me crazy. Selfish and whiny.

Overall I really liked the book. Is a quick read and full of humor.
Thank to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for a honest opinion.

Hazel and Fox were really fun characters to read about. They were equally interesting and I enjoyed both their POV’s. There was some dark humor thrown in which added to the story. I found the book to be very entertaining and well written. The ending was a little rushed for me, otherwise I would have given 5 stars. This is definitely one I would recommend to other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy.