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

What a super fun book! It's not my typical genre, as I tend to read darker books, but this worked well as a palate cleanser for me.

Hazel and her husband, Fox, have been going through some marriage problems.

Hazel grew up hard and fast. Her coping methods are a bit more violent than most...ok a lot more violent. She channels her anger into killing bad men and creating art.

Fox seems like the perfect man for her... He enjoys the same extracurricular activities as she does, but is cautious and methodical. They're a match made in bad guys' nightmares. They are happy together, living the bloody dream.

And then she gets pregnant. And he decides their safety and ability to be there for their daughter is of utmost importance and they will do nothing to put it at risk. His decision weighs heavy on Hazel, as do many aspects of suburbia.

We hear both Hazel and Fox's points of view. And one of the things I enjoyed most about this novel was when I reading Hazel's perspective (especially during the first half), I whole heartedly understood her and agreed with her. But then I would read Fox's POV and I would see where he was coming from and I agreed with him too. I was on both of their sides\rooting for them as a team.

As other stressors are applied, secrets pile up and life begins spiraling out of control, they start questioning whether their new(ish) normal can work. Towards the late middle of the book, Hazel did start to try my patience with her complaining. And personally, I found the ending a bit unbelievable, but all in all, this was a satisfying read and I've already checked out this author's backlist.

Favorite Quote:
...when my time came, I’d look him straight in the eye and say, “What? What’s your problem with anything that I’ve done? This world was filled with so many shitheads, I couldn’t just sit around and wait for you to smite them all with lightning. I’ve been a good soldier, I’ve worked hard. Now give me a fucking halo and let me enjoy my retirement.”

Thank you to Bantam, Netgalley and author for the ARC!
Pub date: 1-14!

First book of 2025 done! Haze and Fox are a serial killer couple who are forced into retirement after having their daughter Bibi. They give up killing to pursue a peaceful suburban life, but it begins to strain their marriage. Haze isn't able to keep her urges at bay and does everything in her power to protect her family after killing a man.

This was super fun and entertaining and I loved the banter between Haze and Fox. Serial killer couples and vigilante justice are both tropes I love and this delivered on all aspects. I loved how this story touched on the struggles of motherhood and the difficulties of feeling disconnected from your child and losing your identity outside of being a mom.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the e-arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy. A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage follows Haze and Fox as they navigate married life with a toddler. To the public eye, they are a normal family in the suburbs. There is one thing that separates them and that is the fact that they are serial killers. I thought that it was an okay story. I found myself struggling to be interested in the beginning, but once I got further in, I didn’t want to put the book down. I did like the ending of the book.

I would honestly say a 2.5 on this one for me. I loved idea of it & the reasoning behind the killings, but for whatever reason I was not drawn into the story. There's huge miscommunication all throughout the book and the characters are not extremely likeable. Maybe Jenny...she's like the one character. It also feels very whiny. Overall, it just felt meh. The last 10% of the book was the best and I actually really enjoyed those pages. A book focused on the trio's activities would probably be pretty good.

"A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage" was an interesting twist on your not so typical serial killer story. I was very excited to read this book because it seemed different. In your normal serial killer book, most people attempt to make the "killer" mysterious, shrouded even. In this book, you are looking at the actual people and delving into their thoughts, feelings and daily lives while they try valiantly to keep their pasts buried and their marriage alive. It was a an interesting perspective and I will read more by Asia Mackay!

The story of two serial killers, who fall in love, have a baby and stop their killer hobby... but do they? 🤭

Absolutely loved this book - a must read! I will be recommending this book to everyone. 🤣

There was a lot going on. Dual POV and timelines, but very easy to follow! Very short chapters - love it!! I felt like the characters when reading this, and I throughly enjoyed the storyline.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the Advance Reader's Copy.

If you're looking for a comical novel about serial killers, this is it! Hazel and Fox find love through killing bad guys, but after they have a baby, they decide to put a pause in their murderous hobby. But will that be enough? I had loads of fun reading this one and would definitely read a sequel (should there be one).

Haze and Fox are your average serial killers trying to adjust to their new lives as parents. They made a promise to each other that they would not kill without one another. Will someone break that promise? Who will it be?

I thought it was interesting that they met and decided to kill together. It was in a way a knock off version of Chucky and Tiffany from the movie The Bride of Chucky but these guys aren't as sadistic. I did think that Fox was kind of a controlling jerk. I could see where he was coming from, but I just felt like he thought he was better than Haze. Haze didn't strike me as the mom type at first but eventually I could see that she loved her daughter. I think some of the plot could have been better, but I didn't hate it.