This was a fun read and had me hooked right from the very beginning of the story. Hazel and Fox live this extravagant life of traveling and going to fancy parties. They are madly in love with each other and share one dark secret… they are both serial killers, that is until they have a child together. Fox is determined to protect his family at all costs, and makes a pact with Hazel that they will stop the killing spree of bad men to protect their daughter. This book is fast paced as we see how they quickly fall into a marriage full of deception and lies, and the aftermath of those secrets. They both resent each other, when the passion of their darkness once brought them close. Hazel feels trapped into a retirement she didn’t want, and starts to question every move Fox does, while Fox feels like everything he does isn’t enough and it all becomes too much for him. Of course one of them slips up and I’ll let you read to see how it all unfolds.
I liked how this book shared the ups and downs of their marriage and internal struggles with POVs from both Hazel and Fox. Some aspects were relatable. The ending I felt was very unrealistic, but that being said I enjoyed the story as a whole. Let’s just say that I read the first 40% on New Year’s Eve and then woke and didn’t get out of bed until I finished it on New Year’s Day. My plans for the day had to be adjusted because I needed to know how this was all going to end. I kept saying I was going to pause after each chapter and just couldn’t.

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay is a stylish, thrilling, and humorous novel. Mackay defies convention in this wildly original and razor-sharp story of marriage, murder, mundanity, and mayhem. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A Serial Killers Guide to Marriage was a fantastic book!

Hazel and Fox are made for each other, and share a love for well, killing.

The couple that kills bad men in their words is heading to suburbia, and suburbia will never be the same.

This is not a graphic book, more a book that doesn't take itself too seriously.

The act of killing is explored.

This was such a fun book that I really enjoyed!

Well-developed characters and a bunch of laughs!

I absolutely loved this book! Haze (what an great nickname!) was a delight to get to know and Fox... well sounds like an absolute one. Just brush aside all of the killing - everyone's got to have a hobby....

Seriously though, the bones of the book are terrific, characters are great and I really liked the quirkiness of the plot. Is it the age old story of marital issues but they way they resolve their issues bring a new and refreshing take on the ongoing issue of communication.

This book had me groped the entire time I was reading, and even though I didn’t much care for Haze and her woe-is-me attitude, I loved Fox and his cleverness.

This does get a little repetitive in the chapter with the characters, especially Haze, always complaining and thinking about how their marriage started out and how it isn’t the same. It slowed the pacing down in some places and a few chapters ended up being a slog to get through. However, those slogs were easy to push through and one of the characters would always do something to get the action going again.

As I mentioned above, Haxe was a little annoying and we couldn’t be friends in real life, but I did end up caring about her and her problems. Even those ones that she created herself.

I thought the voice of the narrative read younger - more like a YA - than an adult and that at times could be irritating but once I was invested in the story, that irritation fell into the background. While I have a few other criticisms of this book, they are all regarding my personal beliefs and feelings and didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book and won’t stop me from recommending it.

It’s a fun book that's an easy and fast read.

Hazel and Fox are not your "normal" young family with a toddler. They were serial killers with the highest morals, killing BAD men that the law was sometimes unable to get to. But when Hazel got pregnant, they decided to leave that past behind them for the safety of their daughter Bibi. But after a few years, Hazel begins to get the itch to kill again. And when the opportunity presents itself, Hazel does. To protect her marriage and family, she has to make sure nothing can be traced back to her. At the same time, she notices Fox has been acting weird and also becomes suspicious of him.

Mark it up to me for not fully reading the description of the book, but I thought it was going to be more like Mr. and Mrs. Smith where they didn't know each other was a killer. I like the new approach to see that they were a serial killer team though. There was a lot of good humor mixed in with the killer story line as well. The one draw back was the ending felt a bit rushed compared to the start of the book. But the ending does seem to leave an opening for following them more deeply in their kills in the future if the author decides to take that approach. It was a very different take on examining the development of a marriage through the eyes of some very extreme character traits. It was a bit edge of the seat to see if Hazel and Fox's marriage would survive or if they would end up killing each other.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Bantam, NetGalley and Asia MacKay for the eARC in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Okay this was a TON of fun. I am a big fan of Butcher and Blackbird and Leather and Lark. This is definitely a lighter version.
I do love when the book is about serial killers who kill other serial killers. Makes me somehow agree with what they are doing :P
Overall, a pretty easy and quick read. Subject matter might not be for everyone, but if you have been intimidated by Mindf*** or Butcher and Blackbird, give this a try!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

I thought the sound like an interesting book, but it really missed the mark for me. I struggled to stay engaged. In fact, I even put it aside couple of times and went back to it, hoping for different results. I'm not sure if it was the fact that there seemed to be way too much over detailing of insignificant events or a pacing problem. I hope things would improve as the story went on, but that didn't seem to be. The storyline, as well as the characters, fell flat. I never really liked any of the characters, which made it hard to care about the outcome.

Two serial killers that find each other and give a shot at “normal” suburban life. I was really enjoying it at first, it was interesting and witty, but then it became more repetitive. The middle dragged and I really did not feel invested in what happened to the characters. I think I expected it to be more like Butcher & Blackbird and it wasn’t. Overall it was ok. 3.5 ish. I would say it was more domestic drama than a thriller.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Haze and Fox used to kill bad men together but decided to stop when they had a baby. Haze struggles to leave that part of their past behind and, eventually, things get complicated. Both Haze and Fox must figure out how to protect their family, but find themselves growing apart in the process and need to find a way to save their marriage.

I’m a sucker for a book written in the killer’s POV, so I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that this one had two. The way they were both dealing with different complications and keeping secrets from each other kept me engaged and eager to find out what happened next.

I really enjoyed Haze’s character with her grumpy attitude and dark humor. Although Haze and Fox are two people that do bad things, I was definitely rooting for them to find their way back to the love they once had.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an eARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

Such unlikely heroes in this book, and yet so very likable. It’s not a spoiler to acknowledge that Haze (Hazel) and Fox, so gorgeous and so in love, are serial killers. After all, it’s right there in the title. Still, they do have a moral code, and backgrounds that conjure sympathy, and they mean to do better, for their little daughter’s sake. Above all, it’s fiction — we won’t be called to testify or sit on a jury for them, free to simply enjoy it, and I did. This was fun to read, witty and suspenseful, and very thought-provoking, with a clear, flowing style and a satisfying, unexpected ending, a pleasure to read and very hard to put down.

Haze and Fox have an idyllic marriage. Wealthy, attractive, a big home in the country, and a darling daughter.

And a penchant for murder.

Haze is the passion, Fox is the brains and organization. Together they are unstoppable.

Or maybe not.

After spending a decade traversing Europe and killing very bad men, the duo is now living a decidedly suburban, boring married couple existence. When they found out Haze was pregnant, Fox was convinced that ending their lives as serial killers was necessary to keep their daughter safe. This leaves Haze without an outlet and to say she's frustrated would be an understatement. When she breaks their vow and kills a man, she's left to cover up her crime on her own. In the process, she learns she also has inadvertently befriended a detective who is very suspicious of Fox.

This is such a clever set-up that uses the ups and downs of marriage as a plot device. The question is really what happens when the honeymoon is over? For an average couple, it might be the pressures of work and finances, for Fox and Haze it is the pressure of repressing their inherent nature.

There are a lot of moving pieces in this book, with multiple plot lines interweaving and connecting and I don't know if I love all of them (Fox's family plot is a weak link, in my opinion). The setup of so many storylines makes the book's first half lag a bit, but it picks up in the second half and roars toward a wild end. Without leaving any spoilers, I'm very curious to see how others will interpret the ending because I'm left with some questions!

* Thank you to Bantam and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! *

My first Asia Mackay novel but definitely not my last! This was fast paced and a really fun read. Sometimes kind and tender, but other times it was dark and disturbing. Excellent blend of passions and personalities.
Thank you NetGalley, Asia Mackay and Bantam Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wow, what a clever story! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this book hooked me from the first chapter. The mix of dark humor and suspense is so well done, and the main character is a great narrator who is equal parts relatable and completely unhinged in the best way. It’s definitely not your typical thriller, but if you like your suspense served with a side of wit and a lot of surprises, this is a must-read! Thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Serial Killers Guide to Marriage is a clever blend of crime and marital chaos, exploring the absurdities of relationships with dark humor. While I enjoyed the wit and unique premise, I wished the humor hit harder, fully embracing the hilarious contrast between a killer’s instincts and the quirks of married life. Entertaining and original, it just needed a sharper edge to truly shine.

*“A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage” is a darkly humorous and surprisingly heartfelt exploration of love, secrets, and the lengths people will go to for those they care about. The show masterfully balances its macabre premise with genuine emotional depth, creating a story that’s as chilling as it is compelling. The characters are complex and well-developed, particularly the dynamic between the protagonist and their spouse, which is both unsettling and oddly endearing. While some plot points feel slightly rushed, the clever writing and sharp dialogue more than make up for it. Overall, it’s a unique and gripping series that leaves a lasting impression.

This was a fun read! I would have finished it faster if it weren’t for the holidays!

Fox and Hazel are your average British suburban couple. They attend cookouts, they take their daughter to daycare and the park, and they’re so blissfully in love. But appearances aren’t what they seem, and this perfect couple has plenty of dirty laundry that could be aired out at any moment.

Together, they’re the serial killer dubbed as “The Backpacking Butcher,” going after terrible, evil men. In their eyes they’re cleaning up society, since the law won’t do it. After the birth of their daughter, however, Fox decides that they should hang up their hats. For Bibi’s sake. Much to Hazel’s chagrin, she agrees, but abstaining from her favorite pastime is like giving up her favorite vice. Now that the source of all her inspiration for art is dry, her life seems monotonous.

But things don’t remain that way for long. As more and more secrets begin to come out, can the happy couple stay loyal to their vows, for better and for worse?

Hazel and Fox are both deeply flawed protagonists. Neither one of them were saints, which i honestly found refreshing.

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay is a delightful blend of dark humor, romance, and thriller elements, offering a unique premise that's both wildly entertaining and surprisingly heartwarming. The story revolves around Hazel and Fox, a married couple who once made their living as serial killers but have now settled into suburban life with a baby. Their past may be buried, but as Hazel starts to feel the itch to kill again, their carefully constructed world begins to unravel.

The novel alternates between the perspectives of Hazel and Fox, allowing readers to see the story from both sides. This shift between voices adds depth and complexity to the narrative, showcasing their differing thoughts, emotions, and sometimes, their complete failure to communicate with each other. It's a testament to Mackay's skill that these moments of miscommunication, while frustrating at times, also add an unexpected layer of humor. Watching them try to navigate their marriage, family life, and their dangerous history was both hilarious and tense.

The mix of dark comedy and suspense gives the book a Dexter-meets-romcom feel, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Mackay strikes a fine balance between lighthearted moments and the darker aspects of their past, making it an engaging and refreshing read. There were moments when I just wanted to scream at the characters to talk to each other, but it only heightened the tension and humor. In the end, the book manages to be both thrilling and oddly relatable, as the characters struggle to preserve their family and their love while also contending with their dangerous instincts.

While the premise is quirky, the novel's ability to combine suspense with humor made it an unforgettable read. Asia Mackay's voice is unique and promising, and I’m excited to see what she has in store for readers in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What starts as a couple’s thrilling international life of killing the bad guys for the better good of humanity (at least in their eyes it’s morally acceptable violence) to having a traditional domestic life with a child, and a promise to do no more killing. What could possibly go wrong?
The story is narrated from two points of view. Fox the husband (a white, privileged trust funder, with a history of killing that’s been covered up by his elite parents) and Hazel the wife (raised in the foster care system, a victim of mistreatment and full of rage). You go back and forth between their past lives to their present situations of trying to keep the family together and safe. As you can imagine, all things lead to lies, secrets and eventually mistrust as things spiral out of control. I mean really, how long can serial killers go without killing? How hard can it really be? You soon find out just how hard it is for this couple.
While Hazel tries to adjust to a normal life of a stay at home mother she meets another mom/Jenny. Although she seems needy and the father is a monster, their kids get along beautifully so they meet up often. Hazel starts finding another way to help women from bad men through the legal system by helping Jenny fight for child support. It’s not the thrill of killing that releases her passion for painting, but it feels like the right thing at the moment. Eventually, Hazel finds out what it means to have another friend after the heartbreak of losing her first and only other friend/Matty.
Fox in the mean time starts finding his replacement for kill thrill through high stakes gambling along with attending AA meetings pretending his addiction is alcohol. He starts staying out late on the pretense of working while meeting up with people we haven’t met in the book. What’s going on? Has he found out about Hazel’s unfortunate break with their promise? Yes, it was inevitable that one of them would. Thus unfolds the second guessing on both their parts. They stop trusting each other and their secrets only tear their relationship apart.
In conclusion: An interesting concept for a story. The middle was a bit drawn out and the ending was not what I thought it would be. It felt a tad unrealistic-yet justified. Overall I did enjoy the concept of fighting the good fight as a public service.

Hazel and her husband, Fox, seemingly have it. A good marriage, financial freedom, and little “hobby”(killing bad guys). However, once their sweet baby girl arrives, just like most married couples, they need to adjust to their new life(big house in the suburbs, mommy and me classes, neighborhood parties and a nanny). In a quest to be “normal” Hazel does something she has never done before, make a friend. Unfortunately for Hazel and Fox, this friend is also a cop. Can Hazel and Fox adjust to the new normal or will it destroy this once very happy couple?
This is not your typical Rom-com, but if you liked Leather and Lark or My Lovely Wife, you’ll enjoy this one.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC. #netgalley
#aserialkillersguidetomarrige