Fox and Haze are two very normal presenting suburban toddler parents. Or at least that is what they would like you to think. Their secret is that they are serial killers on a hiatus. Fox has made Hazel promise to give up their life of killing bad guys in order to raise their daughter Sabina with two parents and a normal life. However Hazel is getting the itch. The stay at home mom life is not for her and she is getting the itch. Will she kill again? Will Fox help her? Or will the forever be at odds with each other?

Loved this book! I always enjoy when books humanize the bad guy. Sometimes things are not black and white. There is an area of gray and that is definitely where Fox and Hazel land. I loved getting in their heads and learning their "why". The twist and overall ending were a nice little surprise and I felt like everything wrapped up nicely!

This was a (surprisingly) cute read! I was expecting either more gore (given the serial killer-ness) or more spice (given, well, serial killers in love), but it was honestly far less of both. I could see this as a nice book club read for when you want something a little different, as there are several things to touch on re: social class and parenting.

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage was such a fun read. I don’t think it was quite a “thriller” but it had some action and lots of secrets!

Hayes and Fox met overseas and bonded over their mutual love of murdering horrible men. Fast forward, and now they’re married with a young child. They decided to put their love of murder on the shelf, to protect their family and to be better parents. Not surprisingly, Hayes is unhappy and feeling unfulfilled. Enter: lots of secrets and lies 🫢

I loved the dual perspective between Hayes and Fox, and the little breadcrumbs Mackay left for the reader.

A quick, fun read. 4 stars 👏🏻

a fun little romp of a book - what happens when 2 serial killers settle down , get married and have a baby...nothing good apparently. Really enjoyed reading this book and enjoyed the differing POV's between the 2 main characters, especially the fact that they were both keeping secrets and not letting us, the reader, into their secrets until necessary,

I really like the premise and suspense of this novel, there were some moments that dragged but overall it was really great and had a satisfying ending. It's always a good time when women are killing terrible men and getting away with it. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good cheeky thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam/Random House for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
How could you not want to read a book about serial killers giving marriage advice? What a fun story! A little drawn out at times- it probably could have been about 50 pages shorter, but still an enjoyable read.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes. This is a fun and entertaining read.

A good place of keeping you on the edge and humor!

This book is deliciously dark, laugh-out-loud funny, and packed with enough sharp wit to rival its heroine’s knife collection. If you’ve ever thought marriage is hard, but what if you were also a serial killer?, congratulations, this book was made for you.

The protagonist is equal parts deadly and delightful, juggling love, murder, and domestic life like a true queen of multitasking. The humor is razor-sharp, the plot keeps you hooked, and honestly, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t cheering her on.

TL;DR: If you love dark comedy, morally gray women who take no prisoners (literally), and a marriage story with way more bodies than usual, A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage is an absolute must-read.

This book... on one hand, it’s a chilling, edge-of-your-seat thriller about a couple who are serial killers. On the other, it delves into everyday life—the mundane moments that most of us don't think about. What really struck me is how the author weaves these two elements together, constantly shifting between the normal and the shocking, keeping you feeling unsettled and captivated. It will keep you turning the pages.

The book has this uncanny way of normalizing the horrific. One minute, you're reading about the couple's quiet breakfast and the next, you're plunged into the depths of their sinister actions. The contrast between these moments of normalcy and the shocking, often violent scenes, creates a sense of tension that you can't shake. It feels like you're constantly on edge, but also, there's a weird fascination with how ordinary things can coexist with darkness.

Now, Hazel's character absolutely stole the show for me. Her backstory, especially her friendship with Matty, was one of the most compelling parts of the story. Their bond, filled with layers of loyalty, understanding, and unspoken complicity, made me genuinely invested in her. Hazel's artwork, too, was an incredible touch—it was like a window into her mind, hinting at the chaos and darkness simmering beneath her calm exterior. Her backstory, the "why" behind her actions, was gripping, offering insight into the psychological complexities that drove her to this life. It was fascinating to see her inner world unfold, and it felt like the author truly understood how to explore the nuances of her character (just a bit scary, Asia Mackay, considering! LOL)

Fox, while interesting, wasn’t quite as engaging to me as Hazel. He's important, but he didn’t hold the same emotional weight or depth. I felt his motivations were a bit more opaque and harder to connect with compared to Hazel’s raw emotion. Still, his role in the story was crucial, and his presence added a layer of tension and unpredictability.

And then there’s Jenny—her character arc was absolutely one of the highlights. Watching her evolve throughout the book was like witnessing a slow, tense unraveling of someone you thought you understood. The changes she undergoes, especially as she becomes more deeply involved with the couple’s dark world, were absolutely fascinating. Her journey is complex and emotional, and by the end of the book, I found myself reflecting on her transformation long after the final page.

This book isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you're looking for a read that challenges your perceptions, delves into the psyche of its characters, and balances the mundane with the terrifying, this is it. It’s haunting, it’s thrilling, and it’s one of those rare reads that will stick with you long after you’ve finished.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Two serial killers meet and marry and then try not to kill while living in the suburbs raising their child and things don't go as planned. A very different spill on the life of a new mom story with some kind of unexpected twists along the way. An original idea.

Have you ever read a book so cinematic that you could practically see it played out on the big screen?
This is one of those books!

This story was a wild ride—equal parts fun, emotional, and just the right amount of unhinged. It gave me all the feelings from both a male and female perspective. And let’s talk about Haze—she is every woman’s fantasy of unleashing her feminine rage in the most satisfying way possible. She took control, made men pay for their crimes against women, and still managed to be an amazing mom to her tiny human, whom she loved more than life itself. She had it all. She didn't apologize for who she was and she was taking down the patriarchy, one man at a time.

And then there’s Fox. Oh, Fox. The gold standard of men—supportive, accepting, and completely devoted to Haze. Was he perfect? Shrugs. Well, YEA....minus the serial killer tendencies. But hey, nobody’s perfect! Mackay mastered character development, making you root for these "good" serial killers like it was completely normal behavior.

This book gave me Dexter and Hannah vibes. Honestly, if I had a production company, I’d be throwing my wallet at this adaptation. Someone make it happen!

Bottom line? This book was an absolute blast. Read it, love it, and then come Rave about it with me.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing for the ARC.
3.5 stars!

It takes a LOT for me to want to finish an entire book without skipping anything - and I was hooked all the way to the explosive somewhat sarcastically hilarious ending. This is wild and absolutely not what I thought I was about to be reading? I think I thought it was going to be much darker really?

Both Hazel and Fox are characters that you 100% want to be friends with.. even if you might be a little bit scared of them. Vigilante justice for the win!!

I loved the premise of this book. That we meet two killers who settle down in the suburbs for they're growing family. The way you go along with Hazel and Fox's ride into leaving their "hobby" behind to start these new lives. I love dual point POVs and multiple timelines presented here. I felt like I was experiencing all these changes with them and the bits of humor sprinkled in helped keep my interest. It's that type of dark humor I can appreciate. Thanks NetGalley for providing this arc to me. It a minute to get to, but I read it one sitting. THANKS! :)

Thank you to Ballantine Books for an advance copy of A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage!

Hazel and Fox are a perfect couple raising a perfect baby. They’re just like every other couple, minus the fact that they fell in love over a shared interest in killing people. And, just like a lot of other couples - they’re not as perfect as they appear. Hazel is struggling with trading in the murderous life for mom life, while Fox has transitioned seamlessly, missing nothing about their old ways.

While out on a run, Hazel sees a predator and makes her move. Not letting Fox know about her slip up, her life becomes a series of lies to cover up her mistake and soon they are dancing around the truth with each other, and the police after they show up at their door.

I am loving this semi-satire sort of era of thrillers, where reality is definitely suspended and there’s some dry or dark humor sprinkled throughout. ASKGtM had these elements, but it was also deeper than that. There were some very serious moments and quote throughout. Asia tackles extremely tough (and sometimes taboo) thoughts on marriage and motherhood. Sometimes saying things that so many of us have thought but most would not utter out loud. (For the record, I have felt a lot of these things and I have always been very honest about it with my friends and in mom groups on Facebook, sometimes facing backlash or judgement, and that’s just on a small scale, so super kudos for Asia to putting those things in a book for the world to read, whether they are personal experiences or not!).

The plot moved quickly, I was never bored with what was happening. I enjoyed Hazel’s friend, and felt like we got to know a lot about her - character development of ‘co-stars’ can be lacking in thrillers sometimes so I really appreciate this. There were parts of the twists that I figured out and others that threw me for a full loop.

The only downside that I had, which did fade out as the book continued, and obviously ended up not being much of a bother since I gave 5 stars, was that while yes this is a partial feminist rage novel, it got a little too soapbox-y at times. You only have to say men are the devil so many times.

What happens when love and murder go hand in hand? A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage is a gripping, darkly comedic thriller that keeps readers teetering between horror and hilarity. This novel takes a fresh approach to the psychological thriller genre, mixing elements of domestic suspense, crime fiction, and black comedy to create an unforgettable reading experience.
At its core, this book explores themes of trust, deception, and the hidden darkness lurking beneath seemingly perfect relationships. The story follows a woman who suspects that her charming husband might not be who he claims to be. As she digs deeper into his past, she is forced to question everything she thought she knew about love, marriage, and morality. Is she just being paranoid, or is she living with a killer? The tension builds as she navigates this psychological minefield, making for an addictive, fast-paced read.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its use of unreliable narration. Both the protagonist and her husband keep secrets, making it difficult to discern who is telling the truth. This keeps the reader second-guessing at every turn. The author masterfully plays with perspective, ensuring that even the most seemingly straightforward moments are loaded with ambiguity. If you enjoy books where the truth is constantly shifting, this one is a must-read.
The book moves at a breakneck speed, with short, punchy chapters that make it nearly impossible to put down. Twists and revelations are expertly timed, maintaining a balance between psychological depth and adrenaline-pumping suspense. The dialogue is sharp, the humor is dark, and the plot unfolds with cinematic precision, making it a binge-worthy read.
If you loved Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing, you’ll be hooked by A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage. Fans of You by Caroline Kepnes will also appreciate the blend of twisted romance and psychological manipulation.
A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage is a thrilling, unsettling, and surprisingly funny read that will leave you questioning how well you really know the people closest to you. With its fast pace, unreliable characters, and shocking twists, this book is perfect for fans of dark psychological thrillers. Pick it up—you won’t regret it!

A decent, enjoyable book, but the whole time I was reading it I just kept thinking of the movie Mr. And Mrs. Smith.

Thank you to Random House for the digital copy to review.

This was a fun and entertaining read, albeit a bit predictable. Somehow I have read three of these tropes lately (serial killers trying to go straight) and so while they are fun, they are a bit repetitive as there is really only one way for them to go. This one had a slightly different ending than I expected, in a good way. The audio for this was great, the narrators did a good job with this one, and I recommend listening if you can.

You know how pizza is such a good food conceptually that it feels like someone has to go out of their way to make it bad? Well that’s how I felt about this book. Two serial killers navigating the balance between their love of killing and their love for their daughter is the makings of a great thriller. Yet somehow despite a fun premise and a good writing style this story fell painfully flat.

I found myself wanting to DNF multiple times. The first 75% of the book was genuinely hard to read. Then from 75%-85% it was the great fast paced thriller I expected. But then it went straight back to being boring and we got far too much of the “after”.

At the end of the day I would try another book by this author but I wouldn’t recommend this one.

The title and cover art drew me to Asia Mackay's 'A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage' and the last few chapters were well worth the wait! From both perspectives, Haze and Fox palpably portray a struggling marriage throughout the story. The side characters and plot lines are woven throughout the plot in a way that left me theorizing but didn't give anything away. I highly recommend this quick, fun spin on a domestic mystery-thriller!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for access to this ARC.
#ASerialKillersGuidetoMarriage #NetGalley

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. I thought it was going to be filled with drama and suspense, and it was just boring. Nothing really happens until the last 20% and by that point I was just skimming to get it over with.