Fran and Gareth are an interesting couple. He’s a detective. No big deal. She’s a serial killer. Bigger deal. And he’s investigating the murder she just committed. Very big deal.

My Wife, the Serial Killer is a cute little story with a of twists and turns, lots of funny bit, and characters can’t help but like – even if they are you-know-whats. Good debut novel, can’t wait to see what’s next. Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

My Wife, The Serial Killer by H.J. Garbett pulled me in from the very first page. It opens with a bang—Fran Donoghue kills her neighbor—and somehow, I still found myself rooting for her. Her husband Gareth, a detective wrapped up in his job and his own hang-ups, starts to suspect something isn’t right. What follows is a fast-paced, darkly funny story that straddles the line between satire and sincerity, murder mystery and twisted love story.

Fran is the kind of unhinged narrator I couldn’t stop reading. She’s sharp, morally slippery, and—against all odds—kind of charming. Her inner monologue is both hilarious and unsettling, and it pulled me right into her warped version of reality. Gareth, on the other hand, is quieter, more reserved, and emotionally wound tight. As he digs into the disappearance next door, the tension doesn’t just build around the case—it builds inside their marriage.

The dual POV works really well. Seeing both Fran and Gareth’s perspectives gave me two sides of the same slow-motion disaster. And while the story leans into dark humor and absurdity, it’s grounded by real emotional weight. Their struggles—infertility, loyalty, identity—hit harder than I expected, adding surprising depth to a book that could’ve easily stayed surface-level.

That said, not everything landed for me. Gareth’s shift in personality late in the book felt a bit abrupt, and some of the female side characters came across as flat or just needlessly cruel. But honestly? I was too entertained to care much. The mix of murder, mayhem, and emotional punches kept me hooked—and even the grumpy, sickly cat Mit managed to win me over.

My Wife, The Serial Killer isn’t a straightforward thriller or pure satire. It lives in the morally gray, messy in-between—and that’s exactly where it shines. Bold, chaotic, and unexpectedly moving, it made me laugh, squirm, and feel more than I bargained for. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely unforgettable.

This had me laughing out loud from the very first page, it read like how I would react if I was Fran!. I love incredibly dark humour so this story was perfect for me

I adored how the chapters switched between Fran and her husband Gareth ( A Detective).

How would you feel if your husband was investigating a murder that you committed ?.

This had me on the edge of my seat all the way through, it was so twisty and full of shocks that just kept on coming.

It was also full of so much dark humour that it’s now my new favourite book.

( Trigger Warning: Fertility Issues)

My Wife, the Serial Killer is a gripping dark thriller that blends satire, humor, and tense, unsettling moments. The story follows Fran Donoghue, who has just murdered her neighbor, an impulsive act riddled with mistakes that make hiding the crime increasingly difficult. Meanwhile, her husband, Detective Gareth Donoghue, remains oblivious to her actions and relentlessly pursues the case, convinced something is not right with the missing neighbor.

Fran, our morally gray protagonist, is layered with secrets from her past, which are gradually revealed throughout the novel. Despite her dark nature, she remains oddly likable, making it easy to root for her. In contrast, Gareth is rigid and by the book, his persistence setting much of the story in motion. While he feels somewhat flat for most of the novel, his unwavering dedication to solving the case plays a crucial role in driving the narrative forward.

The novel begins with a satirical, humorous tone, but as the story unfolds, it takes a darker and more suspenseful turn. This shift in tone was unexpected but kept me engaged.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

First, let me preface that I was in the worst reading slump of my life when reading this, so take my review with a grain of salt. I enjoyed this book! The character arcs were well done. I didn't feel that invested, which was unfortunate, but I didn't see the ending coming. I loved the concept, and I would read again!

This book is delightfully deranged in all the best way, and I devoured every page. My Wife, the Serial Killer is dark, hilarious, and wildly addictive. Fran and Gareth’s relationship is the kind of beautifully twisted mess that feels almost too real. The humor is razor-sharp, the characters are gloriously messed up, and just when you think you've found your footing, Garbett yanks the floorboards out from beneath you.

A brilliant, bold debut that’s as shocking as it is entertaining. If you like your fiction dark, funny, and a little morally bankrupt, this one’s for you. Can’t wait to see what Garbett does next!

Thank you to Storm Publishing for gifting me this ARC via #Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Look. I didn’t hate it. But I did finish this book the way I finish assembling IKEA furniture—confused, mildly injured, and unsure if it’s actually supposed to look like that.

This read like a cozy domestic thriller… if your idea of cozy is a cup of tea, some light dismemberment, and a husband spiraling into existential dread while Googling “how to tell if your wife is a psychopath” at 3am.

Was it fun? Yes. Was it chaotic? Also yes. Did I scream “SIR, GET A DIVORCE” at least six times? Absolutely.

This was a fun read. I really enjoyed both Fran and Gareth. The opening grabs you and the plot keeps you hooked with some laughs along the way. Just when you think you know everything, the author manages to throw you a curveball. I loved the ending. I will definitely read this author again.

3.75 🌟

A by-the-book police detective married to a serial killer - what could go wrong?

I'll admit I liked the second half of this book a lot more than the first half, as it took a bit for both Fran and Gareth to grow on me. But this book was also unexpectedly heartwarming.

Fran is funny in a crass way, but I was rooting for her by the end. Gareth was driving me a little up the wall. He was such a stickler and kind of dumb for a detective. However, they both seem to have big hearts and are genuinely there for each other in a positive way. Mep was definitely one of the best characters - Fran and Gareth's old, slightly aloof cat.

I liked how the back story slowly unfolded. I would have liked a more conclusive ending. Sometimes, I find ambiguity so unsettling. (OK - most of the time.)

Recommended for fans of revenge stories with sweet spousal relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of My Wife The Serial Killer.

Fran and Gareth have moved to a new neighborhood and they are ready to start the next phase of their life. Fran has killed their neighbor and her husband is the police officer investigating the case.

This had so much potential but fell so flat. The author was trying way too hard to be funny in my opinion and it took away from the story. I also just got bored. I was not a fan.

Thank you Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC.

This was funny, thought provoking and well paced. I liked the “is it domestic bliss or a marriage strained by secrets and issues?” vibe.
Fran’s internal monologues were hilarious but also provoked sympathy and understanding her motives.
Gareth really tried to be both a good policeman and a good husband.

I enjoyed the British pop culture references and mannerisms.

This a was really good debut. I finished the last third of the book with the audiobook in tandem and the narrators, Imogen Church and Matthew Biddulph, did an exceptional job bringing Fran and Gareth to life.

Thank you Storm Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC! When Fran decides to murder her new neighbor (not her first) who would think this unassuming social worker would have it in her? Along with her cop husband this story weaves dark humor and the unhinging of all involved into a great story. Really enjoyed the dialogue they have with themselves as this really made the characters more fun and lively. Even the cat seems to have attitude problems! Fun read!

✨ Happy Release Day! ✨

𝕄𝕪 𝕎𝕚𝕗𝕖, 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕒𝕝 𝕂𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ₕᵤₘₒᵣ ₐₙd ₘyₛₜₑᵣy

𝙁𝙧𝙖𝙣 𝘿𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙜𝙝𝙪𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙧. 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮, 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚, 𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩. 𝘿𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙝 𝘿𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙜𝙝𝙪𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙧. 𝘽𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨… 𝘼 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠, 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙜𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜… 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙝 𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩.

🐈‍⬛ Thank you so much to @netgalley for this fun ARC! This book started off quickly and captured my attention right off the bat. If you love mystery/thriller mixed with dark humor then you will love this book!

#darkhumor #netgalley #unhingedfmc #mysterythriller #funnybooks #whattoread

This book was a quick, easy read which is very enjoyable during the summer, after a reading slump, or just when you want to read a book that does take too much effort to understand. I enjoyed the characters personalities; especially Frans, the comedic banter between the wife and the detective as well as the constant references and inclusion of Mep.
Overall I had a very nice time reading this book and would recommend. I rate it a 3.50 but can not to half stars on here so I have rounded up to a 4.

“You think we can rely on the justice system for people to get what they deserve?”

Gareth is a recently promoted detective sergeant, living with his wife Fran and cat Mep (who I fell in love with more than anyone I have to be honest). They’ve just relocated to a new neighbourhood, and suddenly their neighbour disappears.

Oh yeah, Fran is a serial killer. If the title didn’t give that away.

The dual POV worked great in this book, and the more narration I had from Fran the more I was on her side with her killing spree I have to say. This book had a great humour to it, a great story and of course the best character - Mep. I really enjoyed it, it made me laugh a lot and was a light hearted thriller with a serious underlying story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Wife, the Serial Killer by H.J. Garbett

Fran and her husband Gareth have recently moved into a new home with their aging cat Mep. Fran is a social worker, and Gareth is a detective. They seem to be the perfect couple, but how well do they really know each other? Uh, not very well at all, it seems! 🤣

The book starts with Fran killing their neighbor. We learn that this was not her first murder. Gareth is assigned a wellness check on their neighbor. He senses that something is not right, even though everything appears to be in order at the neighbor's house. Well, other than the fact that the neighbor is missing. He keeps investigating after being told to stop and eventually gets the case opened and looked into by the department. A husband investigating a murder that his wife committed? Pure gold!

I don't want to spoil the book for you, but I will say this... None of the characters are likable at all, and I loved it! Well, I guess Mep 🐈‍⬛️ and Tony 🐶 are likable. 🤣 The dark humor in this book is on point! The verbal sparring between Fran and Gareth is hilarious. I'm more of a fluffy rom-com reader, but every once in a while, I throw a thriller into the mix, and I'm glad to have picked this one.

I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, H.J. Garbett, Storm Publishing, and Net Galley for allowing me the privilege of reading his work. ❤️

Thank you Netgalley & Storm Publishing for the arc of My Wife, The Serial Killer by HJ Garbett. I loved this book so much, as soon as I was done I had to order it.
This book was such a fun surprise! I absolutely loved it. My Wife, The Serial Killer is a darkly, funny, cleverly written story that had me laughing out loud - yes, even while reading about murder I was giggling and jiggling.
Fran, a social worker, kills her next door neighbor (oops) and then starts on her mission of covering it up - starting with making nice with the neighbor across the street by offering to walk their dog that hates her. Meanwhile, her detective husband, Gareth - sweet, sweet Gareth, is the only one that seems to care that the elderly neighbor is missing. He ends up being the one to investigate the missing person case, unknowingly investigating his own wife’s crime.
I loved the author’s writing style. The story is sharp. The alternating POVs between Fran & Gareth kept the story moving and made the characters even more entertaining. Their inner thoughts? Hilarious. Honestly, the characters made this book, each one had a distinct voice and such delightfully dark quirks.
If you enjoy domestic thrillers with a big splash of dark humor and characters who toe the line between awful & endearing, give this one a try. I loved this so much.

This was a very compelling read that had a perfect mixture of humour and darkness. It kept me gripped throughout.

Thank you for the advance copy of my wife, the serial killer by H.J Garbett, pub date is the 17th of June Fran Donoghue has just killed her neighbour. Detective Gareth Donoghue ( and husband to Fran) has a terrible feeling about his missing neighbour the characters are brilliant and you can visualise them in your, Fran is my favourite but I wouldn’t want to cross her . I loved this book so much I flew through the pages, dark in places and the humour in is second to non and the ending was top notch. I highly recommend this gem of a book.

First and foremost, thank you so much to Storm Publishing, Net Galley and H.J. Garbett for the opportunity to read an ARC copy of My Wife, The Serial Killer in exchange for an honest review!

My initial thoughts prior to reading the book was that the synopsis and the cover were signs for an interesting story filled with dark humour. Which was indeed the case! The first paragraph by Fran also caught my attention and kept me hooked for a bit.

However, there were some things that did make it harder for me to stay engaged in the story. The biggest thing was the acronyms used for the police force in the UK. (To be fair though, I did not consider the setting of the book being there when I started reading and though this was distracting at first once I did some google searches I was good to go and was engrossed in the story again.) It also had a slow start but once you hit the 40% mark, everything started picking up.

Aside from this, the plot itself definitely piqued my interest, there were so many close calls for Fran that made me giggle. She was definitely a witty character. And there were so many moments where I thought, “yep, this is what’s going to get her caught.” Also, her husband being the detective and not seeing the signs had me both baffled and amused because he was so insistent on taking the case. The true stars of this book were Beryl and her Shih Tzu, Tony. Heavy emphasis on Tony, his moments made me giggle.

I would definitely recommend this story to thriller readers, who love a little dark humour! My overall rating for the book was a 4 star read. I could definitely see this being a film or tv show in the future.