Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 10/01/2024
Published by: Wildfire
ISBN: B0CN1L2GWB
Publication date: 14 Jan 2025 (Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Audio (Wildfire) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!)
‘A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage’ turned out to be an unexpectedly fun read that skilfully combines dark humour with relatable, complex themes.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Romance:
Narration & Audio:
From the start, the enticing prologue and engaging, conversational writing style effortlessly drew me in. I devoured the dark humour and sardonic tone, which brilliantly lightened the tale of two ex-serial killers battling their murderous urges.
when the worst had happened repeatedly, it was hard to expect goodness in people.
While the character-driven storyline might not resonate with everyone, I found the complexities of Hazel and Fox’s strained marriage refreshingly raw and realistic. Additional themes of loss, depression, sexual assault, and privilege further enriched the story, adding depth and relatability that kept me invested. The only drawback was that the deep dive into both characters led to a relatively mundane start and some concepts being rehashed a few times.
This all shifts around halfway, with several twists and turns escalating the tension in the story. It became increasingly hard to put this book down as I was eager to see how the story would be wrapped up. Sadly, the ending was a bit of a stretch, offering a resolution that was more convenient than believable. Still, it tied up the story nicely enough, so I won’t complain too much.
Familiarity breeds contempt.
The main characters, Hazel and Fox, are impressively well-crafted, with rich backstories that greatly influence their actions and growth. Even Hazel, who I did not find likeable or relatable due to her snide, manipulative and fiery nature, remained interesting because of her troubled past and authentic struggles as a mother, wife and friend. I also found myself rooting for Fox because of his toxic family dynamics and his efforts to mend his relationship with Hazel. The narrators, Georgia Tennant and Kyle Soller, brilliantly brought these characters to life and enriched the listening experience with natural, emotive vocal variety, along with sound effects. Other characters nicely drive various aspects of the storyline but did not stand out to me beyond this, as they felt one-dimensional.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Were you impressed or frustrated by how Hazel handled things?
I admit, I was impressed by how Hazel manipulated Jenny and threw her off their trail. However, everything changed when the extent of Fox’s behind-the-scenes cover-up was revealed – it really made Hazel seem like an amateur!
Q: Were you convinced by how the story was resolved?
I was not convinced! It felt far too convenient, and I questioned the plausibility of certain aspects. While I’m glad Jenny wasn’t killed, I can’t help but wish for a different resolution. Perhaps Fox’s brother could have used their family influence to come to the rescue, or Hazel and Fox could have framed someone else with the wealth and lifestyle they had.
Q: Do you think it’s possible to be completely honest at all times in marriage?
I can’t speak from personal experience, but I genuinely think it’s possible. However, it can be challenging, especially since our instinct often leans towards shielding the people we love from painful truths.
Q: Can you recommend a similar read for those who enjoyed this book?
I recommend How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent. It’s another thriller with dark humour that touches on male predatory behaviours.
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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