First of all I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think for a debut novel this was done really well and can see a lot of future potential for this author. It wasn’t the cover and title that had me wanting to request this book because I can’t say no to a female killer story.

There was a lot of dry and twisted humour which helped to add some depth and helps to add some light to heavy themes (not just murder). I didn’t expect the book to be a dual POV but it worked for the story it was trying to tell.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The plot centers around Fran, a social worker for foster children who has endured a traumatic and turbulent past. When she murders her neighbor—an act that is both premeditated and impulsive—it sets off a chain of events that slowly unravels her carefully maintained façade. Her husband, Gareth, a detective known for his unwavering moral compass, senses something isn’t right and initiates the investigation—unaware that his own wife is responsible for the crime. As Fran becomes fixated on another target—someone from her past who shaped her trauma—Gareth is caught in a conflict between his duty and his love for her.

The book immediately caught my attention—first with its striking cover and intriguing title, then with a synopsis that promised a gripping, twist-filled story. I was genuinely excited to dive in. However, I found the first half of the book difficult to get into. The pacing dragged, and more than once I found myself tempted to DNF (which is rare for me). That said, I always try to give a story a fair shot, and I’m glad I stuck with it.

The second half definitely picked up. The tension increased, the plot began to move at a better pace, and I found myself much more engaged. Still, even with the improvement, there were moments where the narrative stalled and I struggled to stay fully invested.

What kept me reading was the dynamic between Fran and Gareth. Their relationship—especially Gareth’s emotional vulnerability paired with his sense of moral duty—added depth to the story. It’s refreshing to see a male character who isn’t afraid to show emotion without it being portrayed as a weakness. Gareth did veer into “people pleaser” territory, a lot, but his motivations were understandable. Fran, on the other hand, was a compelling character in her own right: impulsive, morally complex, and clearly driven by both love and a twisted sense of responsibility. Her psychopathic tendencies contrasted sharply with Gareth’s inner compass, and that push-pull dynamic was a highlight.

Another standout character was Angus. His socially avoidant personality mixed with his quiet loyalty made him an unexpected favorite. The fact that he pushed himself out of his comfort zone for the sake of others added a layer of emotional nuance I didn’t expect.

Ultimately, while I wouldn’t call this a perfect read, it had enough strengths to make it worthwhile—especially if you're a fan of morally gray characters, slow-burn plots, and dark psychological tension. It gave me similar vibes to the Mindf*ck series, which I really enjoyed, so if you're into that blend of crime and romance, this may be your kind of book.

I’d recommend it if you enjoy:
• A strong female lead with dark edges
• Murder and morally gray choices
• A cat-and-mouse dynamic
• Police procedural elements
• Emotionally complex relationships

My Wife, The Serial Killer is a darkly clever, genre-blending debut that walks the tightrope between psychological thriller, domestic drama, and satirical black comedy. H. J. Garbett offers a unique voice and an offbeat narrative that’s as unsettling as it is entertaining.

Told through the alternating perspectives of Gareth—a weary, conflicted detective—and Fran—his enigmatic, vengeful wife—the novel explores a marriage under extreme strain, with secrets and suspicions lurking in every conversation. As Gareth begins to suspect that Fran might be more dangerous than he ever imagined, the story spirals into a twisted dance of love, deception, and moral ambiguity.

Fran’s morally grey choices and sharp, almost chilling logic make her both magnetic and terrifying, while Gareth’s internal conflict adds emotional weight. Their dynamic is compelling, even if their arcs don’t offer much in terms of growth—what’s fascinating is the slow unraveling of their bond and the descent into a kind of shared madness.

The tone shifts frequently, blending dry humor with bursts of psychological tension and eerie imagery. This stylistic choice adds flavor but may not work for every reader; at times, the shifts can feel jarring and uneven. The middle section, in particular, slows down and loses some momentum, though the narrative still delivers sharp lines and well-placed twists.

If you're looking for a fast-paced, high-action crime novel, this may not be it. But if you enjoy morally complex characters, an unusual tone, and thrillers that play with form and genre, this one is worth picking up. It may not land every punch, but it definitely leaves a mark.

My Wife the Serial Killer is a sharp blend of thriller, dark comedy, and emotional drama. From the opening pages, it’s gripping and full of clever twists. Told from both Gareth, a conflicted detective, and Fran, his vengeful wife, the story explores trust, trauma, and justice in a very unconventional marriage. Fran’s morally grey choices and Gareth’s internal conflict make for a compelling dynamic, even if things slow down a bit in the second half. There’s not a lot of growth in the characters—but that descent into darkness is oddly satisfying. A few issues could’ve been solved with better communication, but the blend of humour, suspense, and emotion kept me hooked. Definitely worth a read if you like your thrillers with a twist.

My Wife, the Serial Killer is a strange, darkly humorous ride that feels like it’s trying to balance thriller, satire, and domestic drama all at once—and sometimes it pulls it off, sometimes it doesn’t. The premise alone is enough to hook you: a husband realizing his wife may be far more dangerous than he ever imagined. There's something refreshing about the book’s offbeat voice and dry wit, and I did enjoy the morally murky vibe and slow spiral into madness.

But while the story had its moments—some sharp lines, eerie imagery, and a few well-paced reveals—I couldn’t help feeling like it was a bit uneven. Some sections dragged, especially in the middle, and the tone occasionally shifted so suddenly it pulled me out of the narrative. I didn’t always feel fully invested in the characters, which made the stakes feel a little muted despite the high-concept plot.

Still, it's an entertaining and unconventional read that doesn’t quite deliver a knockout punch but leaves an impression with its originality. A solid one for fans of quirky psychological fiction—just go in knowing it’s more of a slow burn than a blood-spattered thrill ride.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for granting the request for the ARC of this book. This one surprised me, and I really enjoyed it.

The novel is written from the perspectives of Gareth, a detective, and his wife, Fran, a social worker for children. When their next-door neighbour, O’Neill, goes missing, Gareth is tasked with investigating the disappearance. Gareth’s boss casually mentions that it should be a quick kill (pun intended) as deaths and disappearances of elderly people are not uncommon in the area. However, the investigation takes a dark turn when he discovers that O’Neill was murdered. What Gareth didn’t expect is his wife being the main suspect.

Fran has no regrets for taking matters into her own hands, as their neighbour was one of the people who caused a tragedy years ago without any remorse or accountability. I found Fran’s character compelling and found myself rooting for her when her reasons came to light.

The novel incorporates dark humour, with Fran repeatedly trying to convince the reader that she is not a psychopath. The early sections of the book are humorous, but the later part becomes emotionally charged as the plot unfolds. The author effectively balances the humour and emotional depth, creating a well-rounded and engaging read.

Overall, this is an entertaining and thought-provoking thriller that is definitely worth picking up.

Themes:
- Morally grey/unhinged female protagonist
- Secrets
- Detective husband
- Killer wife
- Dark humour

I was so intrigued with the title of the book that I just had to read it. I'm so thankful that I did because this was a type of romance novel that is a little out of the box. Following the marriage and love between a police constable and his serial killer wife, and all of the messy details which are bound to follow.

The pros in the novel were so hilarious and insightful into each of the main characters psyches that you really felt like you were looking through their eyes at the same problem in the center. Their perspectives were so very different, and yet they're constant desire to get back to each other was touching.

Will the police officer have the moral compass pointing towards his duties as an officer or as a husband? Will the serial killer wife be able to cover her tracks enough that she won't be a suspect?

Right from the very beginning you have so many questions as a reader. I got sucked right in
I will definitely be recommending this book to others who are looking for a interesting , entertaining and ultimately enjoyable read.

"My Wife, The Serial Killer" by H. J. Garbett is an absolutely chilling and utterly addictive read! Garbett masterfully crafts a dark and twisted narrative that will keep you guessing with every turn of the page. The suspense is expertly built, and the psychological depth is truly captivating. If you're looking for a thrilling, unique, and unforgettable suspense novel, this one is highly recommended!

I had such high hopes for this book. I was disappointed that it reminded me of another book I read. Overall, the book was ok. The story follows Fran, who murders her next-door neighbor. Her husband, Gareth, is a detective who is trying to find out what happened to the missing neighbor. The story just seemed to bounce around.

This was a quick read for me! I enjoyed the duel pov between husband and wife. I also enjoyed the random internal comments she has! This story started a little slow but picked up the farther you got in the book! I wish there was more to the backstory but enjoyed the golden retriever husband that would do anything for the women he loves!

I really, really loved this book! The first half was funny and witty and had me laughing out loud, and the second half had me on the edge of my seat. The ending was perfect – and I loved the cat! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy. A fabulous read.

Entertaining from the first sentence, My Wife the Serial Killer is a comedy-horror-thriller that explores that dreaded feeling that perhaps you can't trust the person you love, and maybe you never truly knew them. My Wife the Serial Killer doesn't just focus on the strained marriage of Fran and Gareth, but looks at both their lives from different points; Gareth is stuck in the present, wanting to be more ambitious and firm but too cautious to rock the boat, not entirely convinced he knows what his future should be. Fran is trapped in the past and her childhood trauma, letting it consume all aspects of her life in order to enact vengeance. But will vengeance actually give her the peace she craves?

Hooked from the start, MWTSK does start to peter out about 2/3 of the way through - a lot of the things that happen could have been resolved with (yep, you guessed it) ✨communication✨ - however, Garbett hooks you back in with a back story and a final ultimatum that really tests how strong a relationship can be. There's not a huge amount of character development, and any found goes in a very dark direction, but sometimes it's a nice change to see someone become their worst self - we can all aspire to be murdering psychopaths 🥰

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for ARC access!

🩸 Bookish Thoughts
I absolutely LOVED My Wife, the Serial Killer. I did immersive reading this round, and I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed this as much without the audiobook. The narration brought so much life to the story. I went in expecting a dark humor horror vibe, but it surprised me with so much more.

The first half had me laughing out loud, and Fran’s inner monologue was everything. I adored how much she loved her husband Gareth, and their relationship felt genuinely cozy. Also, shoutout to the cat. And when she threatened Gareth’s coworker for stealing his lunch? Iconic. 🥹

Then things got more emotional. We already had Gareth’s POV early on, but in the second half, we really got to sit with him, and I loved it. He absolutely adores his wife, and his anxious, slightly awkward inner world made him so easy to connect with. He’s quirky, sweet, and honestly kind of adorkable. And when the reasons behind Fran’s choices came to light, it wrecked me. The balance between hilarious and heartbreaking was done so well. I wasn’t prepared to be this emotionally invested, but here we are. I loved the ending, and this is definitely one I’ll be rereading. Easily one of my favorite dark humor reads.

📌 What To Expect
• Killer wife
• Detective husband
• Morally gray FMC
• Dual POV
• Marriage of secrets
• Crime cover-up

📖 Final Score: 5 stars
🎧 Audio Score: 5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
📅 Pub Date: June 17, 2025
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

Funny, witty, and a murder book, sign me up.

I think there was some bits missing towards the end, as the first 2/3 gave a lot of context that really explained why Fran did what she did. She was someone I actually wanted to know more about, but I think I was just as in the dark as her lawyer. Simultaneously, the switch from Gareth was a bit shocking and unexpected. While it was a welcome swap, some insight into his mindset would have been useful.

The last chapter was a good and very interesting insight into one of the characters, I really enjoyed that.

3.75 🌟
The story follows Fran who has unalived her next door neighbour and uses humour as her coping mechanism. I can related to the latter! Fran’s husband, Gareth is the detective investigating the case of the said neighbour’s disappearance, oblivious to the fact that the murderer is his own wife.
The first 50% follows dark humour and Fran’s funny monologues. I liked how unhinged and unapologetic she was. Gareth’s POVs were a bit more slow and I didn’t have any firm opinions about him until the very end.
The last 50% gets a bit dark and depressing as we see Fran’s past and what motivated her to unalive her neighbour. The past felt a bit anticlimactic and a lot of development happened off paper. I wanted more of Gareth’s and her relationship towards the end but I guess they are one of those couples who do not need many words to communicate. I loved how protective they were of each other and the ending was perfect!!!

ARC provided by NetGalley. My opinions are based solely off my reading experience.

📖 ARC Review | My Wife, The Serial Killer by H. J. Garbett
📚 Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy.

A detective husband. A serial killer wife. Recipe for disaster? Absolutely. But also? Wildly entertaining.

This darkly humorous thriller had me genuinely laughing out loud at the sharp, witty moments—while still keeping me hooked with all the secrets, blurred moral lines, revenge plots, and marital tension simmering beneath the surface.

It’s clever, chaotic, and unexpectedly funny in the best twisted way. If you like your thrillers with a side of humor and a dash of domestic dysfunction, this one’s for you.

Okay, this is my first time reading a murder in such a light hearted way. There’s always first in everything- Anyways, Fran killed someone, she didnt plan to kill him. Not now, not yet but the intrusive thought wins when a perfect chance is laid right in front of her. She’s not a serial killer okay? Because serial killer only counts when you kill 3 people and above.
Gareth on the other hand is just some detective at a local police station. Maybe the only case he got is a missing cat until someone calls in and reports a missing person. Little did he know the disappearance of an old man is somehow pointed to her wife.
It's such a psycho for the way Fran kills people. I love her personality tho. She's such a sarcastic bunch and paired with our soft hearted, nerdy like Gareth, they were like a cute couple. And despite the killing and mystery, the awkward humor makes any serious moment light hearted. Overall, I like it especially both of our main characters. And the crime case is enjoyable too. Also, I have to give credit to the epilogue because it was so creative!

Thank you netgalley and storm publisher for this advance copy! What an interesting title and premise! I would always love a good murder story, definitely would recommend for mystery lover.

Whoa. I wasn’t sure where this book was going. And I can’t for sure say I know what actually happened at the end. But it kept me guessing every page and I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love when authors combine comedy with something that is inherently dark and in this case, a serial killer wife.
I thought the initial premise of this book was really interesting.I loved that the writing was really easy to read (always a positive point).
But personally I couldn't connect with the characters specially Gareth which made it a little hard for me to stay invested throughout the book.
Overall although this book didn't quite work for me I'm definitely going to check this author's future works out.

2.5/5