This book was so good. I really liked how the story came together and how it ended. I liked Gareth's transformation as a person, a husband and detective. Mep was the cutest fictional cat and loved reading about him. I had no idea what to expect going into this book as I had never heard of this author before but I am so happy I was selected to read this. I look forward to seeing what the author does next. Thank you #stormpublishing and #netgalley for this opportunity.

Wasn't so sure about this book at first took some time to get into it but once I did i enjoyed it read it in 2 days as needed to know what happened next

Fran and Gareth are married - Gareth is a police detective and Fran is a serial killer. He is looking into a crime that she committed. This was entertaining and a great debut novel!

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

This book fell very flat for me. I was hoping for something slightly goofy and enjoyable. Instead I couldn't stand the MC, which usually means I will not like the rest of the book.

this was a good book, intense and very interesting
the plottwists were crazy!! I loved the writing and character development

This was such a fun quick read for me and a fantastic pallet cleanser! 3.75 and here’s my reasoning because she was sooooooo close to being a 4!

I’m an avid thriller, murder, mystery girl. I love it all.
Mep ( the cat lol ) 10/10 probably my favorite character of the entire book loved seeing him pop up here and there!
The book was super entertaining and what you would expect out of this genre except where it fell flat for me was I predicted the ending about 60% of the way through.

The dark comedy literally killed it, pun intended there. Kept the book upbeat and moving.
Banter was 4/5 I enjoyed it!

Pacing was ok, i tend to be a quick reader and the book read quickly so for me it wasn’t a turn off but I can see how it may be for others.

Big thanks to Storm Publishing and netgalley for the advanced copy!

This was a fun idea for a novel, but unfortunately the execution (see what I did there?) wasn't there. There were some moments that made me chuckle but overall, the storytelling was pretty bland. I still don't understand how Fran was even caught. There was clearly no evidence that actually pointed to her, since Angus ended up taking the fall for her crime. It just didn't make sense. Fran wasn't likeable enough for me to look past the plot holes.
The idea was hilarious, but it didn't deliver for me.

Thanks for the opportunity to read!

This was so much fun!!! Absolutely adored this book! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for early arc

The concept of this book is so interesting and I was very excited to read it. I’m sad to report that it fell a bit flat for me.

Let me start by saying that I enjoyed the overall plot of the book. I thought that the premise was intriguing and the first ~10% had me hooked and I thought that the ending was pretty well done. The characters pretty much all suck (except Mep), but I think the unlikable characters made it more interesting.

Unfortunately, it fell off for me after that. The writing style did not resonate with me at all. This book is supposed to be funny. The jokes are very dry and sarcastic and did not work for me personally.

There is also a lot of context that I think would have made me as a reader more invested to learn about early in the novel that is missing until the last few chapters. It’s treated like a sort of reveal even though it is hinted at so much that it just feels frustrating that it’s being withheld for minimal payoff.

The biggest killer here? This book feels so slow. It felt like we were crawling to the next plot point, which made me really struggle to focus and care about the book.

Now with all that being said, I do think that most of my issues with this book come down to personal preference. I think if you don’t mind a slower paced book and you enjoy dry humor, this would be a great one to try. I can see why people would really enjoy this, it just wasn’t for me.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: My Wife the Serial Killer by H.J. Garbett
Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)

This was a fast-paced, easy read — the kind of book you can finish in one or two sittings without feeling like you’re trudging through it. The plot moves quickly, and the writing is accessible, which I appreciated.

Now, full disclosure: I love unhinged women in fiction. There’s something endlessly compelling about characters who shed the constraints of what’s expected and just... go feral. So, I might be a little biased. That said, while the titular character gave glimpses of that unhinged energy, I found myself wanting more — more chaos, more depth, more unraveling of who she is and why she became that way.

The male main character (MMC) felt a bit undercooked for me. I was hoping for more psychological complexity or even a descent into madness of his own, but he never quite got there. I kept waiting for him to match her energy or at least reflect it in some twisted way — but it didn’t happen.

Spoiler warning
As for the ending... I would have never forgiven that man. Not in a million years. That part left me a little frustrated — I wanted retribution or at least more reckoning. Instead, it felt like a door closed without a satisfying slam.

In short: it’s a solid, bingeable read, especially if you're into morally grey characters and dark domestic thrillers. I just wish it had leaned more into the unhinged and given us a deeper psychological dive.

From the very first page, I knew I was in for a wild ride with this one - and I was certainly right! This story alternates POV between Fran, a not-quite-but-almost serial killer (only by number!) and her detective husband who, unknowingly, is looking into her case.

I FLEW through the first half and could NOT put this down! I really enjoyed both characters perspectives and the writing style was quick and addictive! I couldn't help but facepalm at nearly everything Fran did, but other parts had me laughing out loud at the absurdity of it! I often find legal thrillers to drag a bit, but not this one! I was truly back and forth over whether Fran would be found guilty or let off the hook.

Unfortunatey, the end fell a little flat for me. I could see what Garbett was going for, but the characters just weren't developed enough for it to fit. Without giving too much away, Gareth was too much of a rule follower and Fran's brother playing too small a role up until the ending for it to feel believable. Had it been set up earlier, I think it would have packed a bigger punch. And speaking of development, wth happened with Edith? Why is she barely mentioned but clearly plays a huge role in Fran's motivation. I feel like this was dragged out the entire story but we never got a clear picture of what really happened, making it harper to sympathize with everyone.

Overall, I enjoyed this one but some of the plot points felt underdeveloped and incomplete. 3.75/5 rounded up to 4. Thanks so much for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy
DNF @ 15 percent
It was a nice premise with so much shock value in the beginning but it fell off for me and i really don’t know how to pick it back up because there’s no development in the plot and the character work is still flat.

My Wife, the Serial Killer is exactly as crazy as the title sounds, and I loved every second of it. It leans into the madness with zero hesitation and hits the perfect balance between dark humor and 'ohmygod she really just did that?' moments. the ENTIRE time, I was like: 'yes girl, commit crimes and be cool about it!'

My queen Fran: she’s SO smart, so quick with the comebacks, always two steps ahead, and just a delight to be in the head of even when she’s doing deeply questionable things. and MEP!! the cat. if anything had happened to him, I would've absolutely lost it. Mep's health was my priority, even with everything else going on.

I was living for the station drama - every character in that building was terrible, and it was so satisfying to watch things spiral the way they did. Gareth finally getting his moment was sooo satisfying. I didn’t feel bad for any of Fran’s victims - they had it coming.

Gareth’s sudden switch-up was weird, though. Like, he went from 'Fran could never hurt anyone 🥺' to 'she definitely murdered that man and I’m calling the cops.' HELLO? it felt a bit out of nowhere. I get it, the evidence was there, but the shift was jarring. idk maybe his moral compass kicked in late?

The epilogue from Beryl’s pov was chef’s kiss. I loved that old lady so much. 🥰 It was truly a delight and wrapped things up in such a solid, satisfying way.

3.5 stars*

My Wife, The Serial Killer is exactly what the title promises: unhinged, darkly hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt. H.J. Garbett delivers a sharp, well-paced debut that blends domestic drama and dark comedy into one wildly entertaining ride.

Told through dual perspectives, the novel explores a marriage full of secrets, tension, and unexpected tenderness. The characters are quirky and memorable, their dynamic both funny and emotionally layered. Even the grumpy household cat adds a surprising amount of charm and depth to the story.

With brisk pacing and short, binge-able chapters, it’s the kind of book you’ll race through in a single sitting. Garbett’s writing is witty and engaging, full of laugh-out-loud moments and chaotic turns that keep the energy high throughout.

That said, some readers may find the story more character-driven than twist-heavy. While there’s emotional weight and clever plotting, certain elements-like some character arcs or the final reveal-could have been explored a bit more deeply. Still, the overall experience is fun, fresh, and wholly original.

Clever, chaotic, and oddly charming-My Wife, The Serial Killer is a killer debut with bite.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fast paced, definitely entertaining! I loved the character development and questioning my own sanity (in a good way) it was so much fun and really well written! Highly recommend omg

*My Wife, the Serial Killer* is a wildly entertaining, darkly humorous ride that doesn’t take itself too seriously—and that’s exactly what makes it so much fun. H.J. Garbett blends absurdity with sharp wit to create a twisted, unpredictable story that had me laughing out loud while simultaneously questioning everyone’s motives.

The plot is as ridiculous as the title suggests, but in the best way. The characters are delightfully eccentric, and the story moves at a brisk pace that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you enjoy dark humor with a side of chaos, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC—I thoroughly enjoyed the madness!

Thank you NetGalley and he publisher for the opportunity to review ARC.

This book is pretty hilarious. A cop and a serial killer wife. Oh did I mention the cop investigated his wife’s murder? I liked the concept and the story line. It was just missing a “kick”.

But it was still solid 4 stars for me!

My Wife the Serial Killer
Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)

My Wife the Serial Killer is an engaging read that blends suspense with psychological drama. The premise is intriguing and immediately pulls you in—what happens when someone discovers that their seemingly normal spouse harbors a deadly secret?

One of the strengths of the book lies in its plot. The story unfolds with enough twists to keep you turning the pages, and I appreciated that Fran’s actions had a clear motivation. She wasn’t just killing for the sake of shock value—there was a backstory and emotional logic behind her behavior, which added depth to her character.

However, while I enjoyed the journey, the ending felt rushed. After such a strong build-up, I was hoping for a more fully developed conclusion. It wrapped up too quickly for my taste, leaving me wanting a bit more resolution or reflection.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and H.J. Garbett for the advanced copy of this book.

I’m giving it a solid 4.5/5. I absolutely loved it! I've always loved morally gray characters, and Fran was a standout. Her relationship with Gareth was sweet, it reminded me of my spouse and me (minus the murders, of course).

I rarely laugh out loud while reading, but this book had me cracking up, especially during the bathroom scene with Darren. I cackled the entire time!

I did figure out the ending pretty early on, but that didn’t take away from the enjoyment.

The story delivered great dark humor with genuinely lovable characters. I could easily see this being adapted into a limited series.

Thanks again, and congratulations to H.J. Garbett on a fantastic book!