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Member Reviews

I really wanted to love this one. The premise—a wife who's a killer and her detective husband who's on the case—sounded so juicy and full of dark humor. And for a while, it delivered! The chaotic voice of the main character, Fran, and the scene-stealing antics of Mep the cat definitely had me chuckling.

But then, the fun just sort of faded. The pacing got sloppy, the tone became a bit of a mess, and the momentum from the beginning was completely lost. I kept waiting for a satisfying twist or an emotional moment to really hook me, but it never came.

I'm torn because the writing itself was solid and it had a lot of heart, but the execution didn't quite live up to the promise of the blurb. While it wasn't for me this time around, I'm open to giving it another shot down the line.

*A little behind on my review with NetGalley!

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It was incredibly catchy and made me laugh a lot, which I valued in a thriller-type of book because they do not tend to be my preferred genre. Overall it was fin and i enjoyed it, but it did take me a little bit to connect with the wife,

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This book was really not my cup of tea (pun intended).

The humor, the pacing, just wasn't for me. I also didn't enjoy either main character. I would have DNF'd, but I got it as an ARC, so need to keep my % up.

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I was hoping for a wild, darkly funny ride, but while the setup—wife turned murderer, detective husband cluelessly investigating—is clever, the fun kind of fizzled out halfway. Fran’s chaotic voice had a few giggle-worthy moments, and Mep the cat steals every scene, but by the middle the pacing dragged and the tone got messy. I kept waiting for that satisfying twist or emotional hook that never fully landed for me. Still, if you're into quirky, morally gray characters and don’t mind uneven execution, there are bits here that can entertain.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy of My Wife, The Serial Killer by H. J. Garbett.

This story follows a police detective who finds himself in the shocking position of being married to a serial killer. What I loved about this book was how it blended humor with suspense, making it both captivating and fun to read. Garbett creates scenarios that make you pause and consider how you’d react if faced with the same moral dilemma, which added a unique layer of engagement.

Overall, this was an entertaining and thought-provoking read that stood out with its mix of dark comedy and crime.

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The story itself is good and i loved the dying cat. Unfortunately, the execution didn't quite live up to the premise. Still, it was an entertaining read that I flew through.

It had humor, heart, and solid writing, but it just wasn't for me personally. The book started off strong with an intriguing plot and fast pacing. However, as it progressed, the momentum slowed, the plot lost its spark, and it began to drag.

The blurb held so much promise, but ultimately, the execution and delivery fell a bit short for me. Too bad, it could have been perfect, cozy book that I would absolutely love.

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I plot of this book hooked me immediately but unfortunately didn't live up to its expectations.

Fran and Gareth's neighbour mysteriously disappears and Gareth just so happens to be the detective investigating the murder that his wife has committed.

It started off stronger than it ended. I found it quite slow after in initial bang and then I lost interest pretty quickly. I found myself struggling to pick it up to continue. The characters were a bit confusing in their personalities and Gareth was so bland.

Unfortunately not a hit for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC

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a slow build but worth seeing it through so don't give up early! I dont want to say much because I dont want to give anything away. If you love unhinged women you will vibe with this one.

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I was quite fond of the dark humor in this book..if you are seeking something a little different than your average thriller this is the book to pick up.

This book explores the illusive grey area between what is right and wrong and how far you would truly go for the ones you love.

This book is described as a Dexter meets Schitt's creek thriller and I think that pretty much sums up the vibe of this read! I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Thank you Storm Publishing and H.J. Garbett for this amazing this ARC 😊

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My Wife, The Serial Killer is a wickedly funny, darkly clever debut that had me hooked from the opening page. Fran Donoghue is not your typical thriller protagonist—she’s sharp, unfiltered, and just unhinged enough to make you laugh while simultaneously making you nervous. Her inner monologue is deliciously entertaining, especially as she cheerfully justifies plunging a knife into her neighbour while reminding us she’s definitely not a psychopath.

Told in dual POV, the story alternates between Fran’s gleefully skewed perspective and her husband Gareth’s. Gareth, a detective devoted to his wife and their eccentric cat Mep, slowly begins to suspect that Fran may be hiding more than grief and infertility struggles. Watching him piece things together while Fran cheerfully digs herself deeper into trouble creates a brilliant cat-and-mouse tension—with the added twist that the cat might just be rooting for Fran all along.

What makes this book shine is its balance of dark humour and domestic suspense. Garbett doesn’t shy away from serious themes—infertility, loyalty, and the messy realities of marriage—but weaves them into a thriller that’s as funny as it is unsettling. While Gareth’s POV can feel slower in places, Fran more than makes up for it with her magnetic presence on the page. The supporting cast (especially the scene-stealing Mep) adds both comic relief and emotional weight.

With unexpected twists, laugh-out-loud moments, and a finale that lingers, My Wife, The Serial Killer is perfect for readers who like their thrillers with equal parts edge and wit. Imagine Dexter colliding with a small-town dramedy, and you’ve got Garbett’s razor-sharp debut.

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I don’t read thrillers often but this one called to me. It had the dark humor with thriller mixed in and I loved it. What a great book. Can’t wait to read more from the author.

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really easy read even though I have not been enjoying thriller/murder mystery novels as often I found this one to but quite entertaining!

Thank you Net Galley for this digital ARC copy!

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This book had it all - dark humor mixed with a thriller. Couldn't put this book down. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it for someone who likes to find the humor in places you usually don't expect it to be. Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me early access to this book.

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This thriller hooked me right from the beginning with its bold and unsettling premise. The tension builds steadily, blending dark humor with chilling suspense in a way that makes it both gripping and oddly entertaining. The characters are layered, and I enjoyed how the story explored the complicated dynamics of love, trust, and secrets.

There were moments where the pacing slowed a little, and a few scenes could have gone deeper, but overall the writing kept me invested and eager to see how it would all play out. The twists were satisfying without feeling forced, and the ending tied things together in a way that felt earned.

A strong 4 stars

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I actually enjoyed the suspenseful parts of this novel, although by the end I was not as invested as the story, mostly because I realized that the MC was not even a serial killer. In order to be determined a serial killer, I believe you have to kill more than 3 people in a relatively short span of time, and this woman's murders happened 7 or so years apart? At least the first and second. Also, her husband, who's POV we get throughout the novel as well, was kind of a loser. Instead of simply talking to his wife about his suspicions, like a normal person and loving husband would do, he immediately turns her in. That's pretty shitty, and I didn't really like that their relationship seemed to be on the rebound by the end.

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Dark, twisty, fast paced and a mix of humour - what a ride! I would buy this truly - thank you to Netgalley for the ARC

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A dark, twisty thriller that is full of laughs. This book was fast paced and hard to put down. I read it in a day. Can't wait to read other books from this author.

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I really enjoyed this and flew through it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

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Don't go in expecting a huge plot twist Yk the killer and the reasons why pretty early on . The reveal is more of a drawn-out “how is this going to end" moment that makes you question certain characters. The characters are “redeemable”, (Not to me tho) but I couldn't like the male lead (Gareth) later on. The FMC (Fran) is a total badass, though and I loved her.

I personally disliked the ending, but I understand why the book couldn’t end the way I wanted. Ending Thoughts: a total mixed bag of emotions. If you like morally grey characters and stories that make you think as well as the mindfuck series, give it a shot.

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This was such a good take on a murder mystery book. A murder mystery where the narrator is the murderer? And the husband is working the case? High anxiety! Loved the dialogue and the writing. The cat was an awesome addition (so relatable lol)

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