The Best Way to Bury Your Husband

What a read this was!
A really horrendous but sadly not unusual topic and yet at times i was truly laughing out loud.
This would make such a brilliant film.
A crazy unbelievable story line which made for fabulous reading.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.
A huge five stars from me.

Despite a serious underlying subject the book is full of dark humour.
Sally is living with her husband during the covid lockdown. One day she is pushed to breaking point and with a skillet in her hand she bashes her husband’s brains in. The only problem is how on earth does she get rid of his body and continue with her life.
But Sally isn’t the only woman with this issue. As it turns out there are other women in town who have the same problem following their husbands demise.
The author has used the lockdown to create a riveting read. She has been creative in bringing the women together and body disposal. I’d class this book as a must read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an ARC

The Best Way to Bury Y0ur Husband is a great mystery-style novel which explores experiences of abuse and domestic violence, coupled with new found friendships and communities during lockdown in the United Kingdom. This novel was an emotional, hard hitting story interwoven with good levels of comic relief and dark humour which made this novel an enjoyable read.

We begin the novel with the protagonist Sally murdering her husband. The novel is told from her perspective, but delves into the perspective of three other points-of-view of different women in a similar scenario. Casale does a great job of showing the varying perspectives and experiences of those experiencing domestic violence, exploring how anyone can become a victim and the things that can help.

I felt that the main characters were unique and loveable in different ways. I grew attached to them and was constantly rooting for them throughout the novel. Casale also tackled their problems really well, not conjuring up too many flaws in their plan or the idea which you may question otherwise. The characters also grew nicely, especially Edwina, the neighbour, who I thought had some of the best and thought provoking lines.

Personally I really enjoyed this novel, and could not see many flaws in it. While it could be mildly predictable at points, I felt it was more importantly telling the stories of women who suffer in domestic abuse situations, especially during lockdown and the importance of community. What I would say is that I fear many readers would be put off from picking up this novel due to not wanting to relive the lockdowns. While I was not picking it up at every moment for this reason, I would seriously recommend this to people. It was a great representation of life during lockdown regardless, and provides further insight into the lives of those who suffered the most with the situation.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is wanting to read a thought-provoking novel and understand the experiences of others during that difficult time. I will certainly be recommending it as a read to my book club when it is released.

“For too long I let a small man steal my joy and potential.”

I really, really enjoyed this book; it was dark, twisted and very funny. But even in the darkness, there is a huge amount of light - it is the story of women reclaiming their freedoms and strength. One thing was abundantly clear through the whole book: Alexia Casale put so much love and thought into writing.

Will be ranting and raving about this one and making sure everyone I know knows about the publication date!

Thank you to Net Galley, Penguin UK and Alexia Casale for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review- all opinions stated are entirely my own!

Per my 5 star rating, I loved this book! Extremely well-written with just the right kind of dry humour which had me giggling to myself throughout the book. Honestly I don’t have the words to describe just how well Alexia Casale’s writing just FLOWS- the pages flew by and the characters felt so real and inspired a genuine care for them.

Other than the humour and excellent writing, I would honestly say my favourite part of the book was the story of how these women came together and formed such strong beautiful friendships. Girls support girls and we love to see it! The instances of domestic abuse are extremely well handled in the book, though of course due to the subject matter these areas may still be quite difficult for some to read.

Though some may be put off by the Lockdown setting, I really felt this was well-handled by the author. Despite it being such a tough time, we also can’t forget the more bizarre aspects of Lockdown (the pasta, flour and egg shortages for example) which you can look back on in amused disbelief. I often found myself laughing at the mention of these.

Overall, I throughly enjoyed this book and actually see myself purchasing a physical copy once it’s released!

The Lockdown Ladies' Burial Club - the nickname the protagonists in this book give themselves - just surprised me (in the best possible way).
While there is definitely a strong current of despair threaded throughout this novel, hope is beckoning enticingly in every page, even the more grim ones. I did not think I could relate so closely to an experience of Lockdown I have never even remotely lived through, but the narrative style envelopes the reader in the lives of these 5 women even before you get to know them properly, let alone by the time you get to like them.
There's danger lurking in every corner, behind every page. The final chapters were read while I was holding my breath (so so well done with the suspense!), and the end is simply perfect - including the author's note disclaiming just how improbable the events narrated are, yet how close to life and frequent the protagonists' situations were.
The dark humour (the blackest I've probably ever read) landed gracefully, and while I might not have giggled while reading this novel, I have definitely snorted derisively a fair few times.

Absolutely amazing book !!!! Gets straight to the point and every character you can actually sympathise with and have the understanding of why they had to do what they did!!

Based on the fact that most DV victims are women, this novel has an underlying message that was profound and really hit home. The scale of abuse that was hidden during the lockdowns of the covid pandemic was really rather frightening - so to have a humorous take on this dark statistic is a great way to bring greater prominence to the topic that is rarely discussed in this way.

The main character Sally finds herself in an unplanned situation. It was highly coincidental that 3 other local women had similar outcomes from their own DV incidents, but it brought home the similarities between their horrendous situations.

Absorbing, well-written and ultimately tinged with sadness that people are being treated so badly by the very people who are supposed to love them. A poignant yet warm and amusing tale of four women who become friends in the most unusual of circumstances.

An excellent thought provoking read, which I would highly recommend. 5*

The minute I saw this book I thought I would love it and I absolutely did, a superb story, well paced and well plotted.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the review copy.

I have loved every single book from Alexia Casale so I was very excited about this. Admittedly The Best Way To Bury Your Husband was less quirky then I initially expected but I forgot that when it comes to storied this author has layers. It’s never just A to B or one type of genre.

I don’t read a lot of adult contemporary fiction and it’s a sign of how much I adore this author that I read an ebook ARC of this book (when this triggers my migraines) and I pretty much never read ebooks.

The Best Way To Bury Your Husband isn’t out until March 2024, which is ages away but I recommend you pre-ordering it now. It’ll be worth it, I promise.

So, what can you expect with The Best Way To Bury Your Husband?

Great characters obviously, the story is told predominantly from Sally’s perspective with a handful of chapters introducing the other characters as you find out what brings them all together. While not everyone has as time dedicated to them, all these women are believable and read as real people.

The humour is dark but there are some very funny moments that had me chuckling. Given that this is a story about domestic violence during the pandemic that’s not the easy to manage. I really liked the little things, like Sally making friends with her plants and naming them. Also, Edwina is one of my favourite people, though probably not is she lived next door to me.

I definitely recommend The Best Way To Bury Your Husband.

Sidenote: I would strongly recommend reading both the Author Note and Afterword in this book.

Breaking Point…
The story of a woman on the edge and what happens when she is simply pushed to breaking point. There will be no turning back but she suddenly finds herself in a bizarre state of solidarity when she discovers that, remarkably to her mind, she is far from alone. Tense and emotional, bathed in empathy and understanding, and laced with an incredible vein of dark and delicious humour that carries this tale through to the denouement.

5*

I would like to thank Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, the reason I wanted an ARC of this book was because I was intrigued by the piece of pie on the front cover and the contrasting green. The title was intriguing, quirky to say the least.

I picked up this book and I consumed it. I want to put into words how clever Casale is but it is incredibly difficult to do. This book is set in lockdown in the UK and unlike other books that have been set in lockdown (Wish You Were Here - I am looking at you), this book does not escape the reality of the COVID lockdown. In fact, Casale uses it to her advantage.

I think the most important part to this book is not the incredibly quick wit, the strong plot or the deep complex characters but actually it's because of the editor notes that sort of 'sandwich' the book. These are so clever. People refuse to talk about these issues but Casale is so intelligent. She uses this inconceivable idea to bring people's attention to things that just aren't discussed. Casale's background has helped her delve into the thoughts and motives by all the characters involved.

As a woman in my late twenties, I have always been set in the mindset - why don't they just leave? Surely, you wouldn't stay there. This book has opened my eyes to the true complexities of domestic violence. This book doesn't try to glorify domestic violence but instead it engages the reader through extremely clever dark comedy and reminds the reader of what is happening out there.

I'm going to leave this review on a quote that is inside the author's note: on average, a woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK.

This book deserves all the glory it is going to receive in March 2024.

With thanks to #NetGalley and publishers for an #ARC of #BuryYourHusband.
Sally is married to Jim, a controlling and violent man. As lockdown occurs Sally and Jim's relationship deteriorates-to death.
A dark humour take on domestic violence, the author, a journalist with a background in domestic violence, brings us back through stages of their life while Sally attempts to dispose of her Husband's remains.
This book is an eye opener into life with domestic violence, and brings in other stories as well. It feels wrong to say I enjoyed this book, however it uses dark humour to bring laughs to an otherwise highly stigmatised subject. As huge must read from me.

A very, very clever way of highlighting an horrific reality by using dark humour. At times I was laughing out loud but the reality of domestic violence was always bubbling under the surface. The characterisation was excellent, the women were so different but each of them was so interesting and their unlikely friendship was heart-warming. A really good read and highly recommended.

It is no easy feat for any author to tackle the sensitive topic of domestic abuse. However, I am pleased to report that Casale has executed this task flawlessly, providing her own unique take on the subject matter. With the added element of lockdown, this story feels all the more real, though it may be triggering for some readers.

The author's writing style flows effortlessly, and as Sally's story unfolds, it is fascinating to watch her support network grow. The plot is multi-layered, with unexpected twists that I did not anticipate!

Despite the serious nature of the story, Casale manages to incorporate humour into her writing, making it a truly enjoyable read. I am eager to read more from her in the future.

This book is without a doubt a well-deserved five-star read for 2024!

I read this in one sitting on holiday, and thought it was great. I thought it was great! 5 women who are brought together during a lockdown, for a worrying reason. They're all being locked down with their abusers during lockdown and have finally cracked and...well, killed them, but...then what? How do they cover their tracks? A tense book, wondering if or when their murders will be revealed but also, a tale of how much female friendship will withstand and how far they'll go to protect each other. I DID see a twist coming but loved this regardless. Humorous and dark in one!

As a fan of a good crime book I couldn’t resist this title – but the book that awaited me far exceeded my expectations. From the outset it was clear that The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale would expertly balance humour and darkness.

The book sees four women trapped in abusive relationships, with the added strain of lockdown each one snaps and kills their partner. The topic is treated with such dignity and respect from the beginning. We see four experiences each of which are very different, but it puts the power in the hands of the women and brings them together in a really beautiful way.

Humour is at the core of this book and even though, on paper, that may seem like it would trivialise the topic it actually feels more empowering. In their darkest moments, our protagonists find light and freedom. I loved every second of their journey in discovering themselves and by the end of the book, you truly do love each of the characters.

The criminal parts of this was brilliant. The way they puzzled out how to get away with murder was genius and I was rooting for them the whole way through. The dynamics of the group brought enough tension to keep it entertaining and bring the humorous side to it as well. You’re kept guessing and will find yourself also pondering the best ways to get away with murder.

This was such a surprising read in so many ways, but beautifully empowering. Funny, tense and poignant – I highly recommend giving this one a go. It doesn’t matter if ‘crime’ isn’t usually your thing; this book defies genre. Undoubtedly one of my favourites of the year, this is well worth giving a go.

Thank you to NetGalley, Viking and Alexia Casale for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

A most enjoyable read of dark humour. Very funny although set in a background of domestic violence,
Brilliant.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this book.

It was a great holiday read and whilst it covered some very dark and intense topics it was such a funny read too.

The author got a good balance of light heartedness and seriousness.

It was a little obvious, I guessed about the cherry tree! But overall a wonderful read.

I was drawn to the title of this book, and so glad that I read it as I absolutely enjoyed this book.

This was an unexpected heartwarmer! I knew it was a dark comedy- hinting at the dark truths of lockdown. Domestic violence was massively impacted by lockdown and so many more women became victims. This book addresses this and them a way of fighting back. A comical tale about four women who each carry a dark secret.

As the author notes, in the UK a woman is killed by a man every three days and yet DV is still in the shadows.

This darkly funny and yet ultimately hopefully book pulls back the curtain on what is the violent reality for many women. Set in the midst of COVID, Casale captures the isolation and danger of lockdowns for victims of DV..

This is a page-turning, warming tale of female friendship and solidarity. Unusual and brilliant. Loved every word.

I started reading and didn’t stop until I reached the end. Brilliant, funny, thought provoking and also desperately sad, this book covers all emotions and sometimes all at the same time. As a teacher and librarian I have always strongly believed in the way good story telling can get a message across quickly and painlessly ( something essential in further education at times!).
Congratulations to Alexia Casale for not only knowing her subject inside out but in being able to write a very readable and entertaining novel. Thank you Netgalley et al for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This book immediately grabbed my attention, I was almost late to a lecture because of it! I read it in my break, as soon as I got home and managed to finish it in one day. The short chapters and multiple perspectives helped with the quick read.
My heart broke and repaired itself and broke itself all over again with each woman's story. This is such an important topic and one far too many people have first hand experiences with. I will be recommending this to anyone and everyone who will listen to me when it gets published, thank you for letting me read!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, I did not want to put it down! Full of funny bits and sad bits as well, this book covers a number of emotions and I felt them all! The author had clearly done a lot of research and this came across through the story. The story covers 4 women through domestic violence and Covid, who all find themselves in the same situation. Although this book is dark humour, I also found it really though provoking and it had me thinking what I would do in the same situation.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this ARC.

When I started to read this book, I hadn’t really expected the title to be quite so literal! Having never experienced domestic violence, I thought it might be difficult to relate to the situations, but every character is so different and defined, with just one thing linking them, that it was difficult not to feel empathy.
I loved the black humour in this novel and Sally, as the central character, was someone you’d love to have as a friend.
This book was a treat and I hope it’s read by men, as well as women.
Thank you to the publishers and to #netgalley. This is a definite recommendation.

What happens when four abused wives kill their husbands during lockdown? This amazing book. Sally never meant to bash his head in with a skillet but it broke the cycle of abuse and made a grand start to the rest of her life. When she meets other woman dealing with a similar issue they form a group of determined woman. Who refuse to let their husbands ruin any more of their lives, they band together and decide how to explain the disappearances, the body removal and their emotional and physical needs to live on. With Edwina the covid rule master watching they work together to build each other up and put their husbands down under. Absolutely brilliant, rooting for the ladies from the beginning and the ending was PERFECT

This was such a fantastic read! It is a magnificent example of comedy about a sensitive topic done well. You never would expect the topic of domestic abuse being treated so respectfully in a comedy about murdering their husbands. I loved the women's flourishing friendship and was on the edge until their plan came to fruition! Super recommended!

This is a dark, clever, funny and extremely thought provoking book. I very much enjoyed it, the characters were great, the writing was fantastic, and it really highlighted some topics that need to be discussed in today's society more than ever. This is a brilliant way to try and get people talking about domestic violence, and really highlights some of the issues that women in particular face on a daily basis, but even more so with COVID restrictions that have been in place in the last few years. Everyone needs to read this, it will both leave you laughing and smiling, but also sad and reflective. The authors note at the end is also excellent and really drives home the point of this fantastic novel.

An incredibly dark and witty story that focuses on the theme of domestic violence without making light of it. Key themes of female friendship and empowerment, revenge, and dark humour. 5 stars.

Such a serious topic and still I found. myself laughing often throughout this book. Highly recommend it!
Thanks to NetGalley, the editor and the author for the opportunity to access this copy.

What a book this was - I enjoyed it immensely! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Despite a serious and true underlying topic which was prevalent during the Covid pandemic/lockdown and which sadly continues today, the book is full of dark humour and had me chuckling in parts at the unbelievable storyline and the problems the female characters of this book face because of their husbands.

With themes of domestic violence, the uncertainties of the pandemic, the power of female friendships and the safe, secure disposal of human bodies, this was a great read!

Well-written, had me gripped and was easy to read through to the end. A huge five stars from me!

I loved this book! So full of dark humour and wit whilst also covering some very heavy subjects. I did guess all of the twists and turns but it didn't change my reading experience - 100% recommend.

One of the best books I have read this year!

This book covered so much and in such a brilliant way. Be prepared to cry and laugh along with these truly inspirational characters.
I felt humbled to read their storylines and to look back at the covid pandemic in such a way. Highly recommend!

On the surface this black comedy touches a nerve, but I think it also highlights an incredibly important issue that affects so many people.

A small group of women are struggling even more than usual with their husbands during lockdown and, one by one, they each have a body to dispose of.

They become friends and have to come up with an elaborate plan to make sure their husbands are treated as missing. Their relationship is wholesome and even Edwina, the nosey neighbour and stickler for COVID rules, is likeable.

I predicated the ending, but thoroughly enjoyed the novel and can only give it the full 5 stars. I can honestly see it becoming a film, which is something I would definitely want to see.

I loved this book! One to keep an eye on for 2024 for sure! Thank you for allowing me to read an ARC on Netgalley!

“On average, a woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK: in the vast majority of cases, that man is a current or former partner. At the start of Covid lockdown, the femicide rate doubled - in the first three weeks, fourteen women were killed where a man was suspected of, or charged with, the crime”

Alexia Casale’s “The Best Way to Bury Your Husband” is a dark comedy that highlights the struggles of domestic abuse. This book follows four women who accidentally murder their violent husbands and the attempts to cover up their crimes.

I felt a little guilty for enjoying this so much. It’s a very emotive subject, but this book is amusing, light hearted and focuses mainly on the friendship and camaraderie between the women. I really got behind Sally and her companions and I warmed to all the characters, especially Edna, and I was desperate for them to succeed. It made me laugh, it made me cry, the suspenseful scenes made me anxious for them.

A big well done to the author. A tricky subject to tackle as a comedy, whilst still raising awareness and compassion for a very real societal issue.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for my advanced copy.

This is everything I want in a book!
Hauntingly funny, completely mesmerising and should totally be turned into a TV show. I wouldn’t trust anyone who doesn’t give this 5 big fat stars.

Somehow Casale has managed to take a very dark subject and make it hilarious without actually reducing it to just something funny. It is not an easy balance to strike and due credit should be given to Casale's deft story-telling for keeping it both serious and darkly funny. She hold's no prisoners and I think part of the reason this book will resonate is because many women will recognize the thinking processes that the various women go through.

I think that it should also be noted that the author captured female friendship very well. This is essentially the equivalent of giving a girl in a bathroom a sanitary towel but for how to deal with a dead body, that just happens to be your husband/father. I appreciated how author showed how the multiple situations that lead to the bodies developed and the illustration of the many ways that men (toxic ones) will strive to control the lives of the women in their family, be it their wives or their daughter.

Solidly a five star read, and one that I will be happily recommending to friends.

Thank you to the author, publishers Viking and NetGalley UK for access to this as an advance reader’s ebook. This is an honest and voluntary review.

These four new friends bond over their unusual shared problem. Each of their abusive husbands is dead, and they need to figure out how to dispose of the bodies.

Told with warmth and humour this book is still an importantly frank and uncompromising look at domestic abuse. Set during lockdown it’s the most effective use of the pandemic as a plot device that I have read. Highlighting the horror that lockdown was for people in abusive relationships who were required by law to stay behind the closed doors that his their abusers, and in a time of high stress that only worsened their situation.

The author does an excellent job of presenting four different experiences of abuse, and showing the common factors. The different, but related reasons the survivors felt like they had to stay. The impact on the children, and on the women themselves. The plotting and characters make this a gripping story while the all too realistic situations the main characters live through make it a difficult but essential read.

This has everything a good book should have in my opinion! Humour, great characters and warmly written as it deals with vulnerable issues. A great read- I look forward to more from the author!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.