This book left me feeling a little confused about how I felt about it. I enjoyed the story, but felt it lacked something and I can’t put my finger on what. It may have been some pacing issues or just my own lack of connection. But the plot is pretty juicy.

This was very entertaining with lots of dark humor and witty banter, but there was something off about the overall execution. The characters weren’t fleshed out, they seemed so surface level.. It was fun though and a great debut novel!

I normally devour thrillers, and this one was no exception.
Fran Donoghue? Iconic. She's chaotic, dangerous, dryly funny, and somehow still completely lovable even while disposing of a body. The opening chapter had me hooked, and it only got wilder from there. Watching her navigate marriage while hiding a murder from her detective husband was equal parts suspenseful and absurd. I loved her inner monologue.

Gareth was frustratingly oblivious at times, but it weirdly worked. And that cat? AAAHH
If you love thrillers with an unhinged female lead, emotional undertones, and laugh-out-loud moments (even in the middle of a murder cleanup), this book is a must-read.

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

A serial killer wife and detective husband....what could possibly go wrong? It was a little slow in the beginning but it does pick up at about the 40% mark. It was a little dark and a little humorous which I really love.

It is a pretty quick read which makes it nice. I would recommend this book for sure!

Thank you Netgalley & Storm Publishing for allowing to read this ARC.

Unrestrained, chaotic, and utterly binge-worthy, this book had me captivated from the very first page!

Although the book is rich with hilarious dark humor that had me laughing out loud, I also deeply appreciated its exploration of the complex nature of family dynamics. The development of the characters, Gareth especially, was highly enjoyable.

3.5 stars. I'm on a streak of slightly unhinged books lately, and this definitely fit that category - but was also enjoyable. I've never read a character quite like Fran, a self-declared almost-but-not-quite serial killer. She was a bit psychotic but I enjoyed her inner monologues. The contrast between her and her detective husband was interesting and added a layer to the story as he tried to track her down.

This was dark but still managed to be funny, and I flew through it. There was a noticeable tone shift in the second half of the book - I appreciated that the author was trying to explain a bit more about the motive, but the execution was lacking a bit. The ending did catch me by surprise in true thriller fashion.

I was surprised to learn this was a debut novel - it was well-written and kept me engaged and wondering what would happen next. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When there’s a serial killer who kills for the “right” reasons I can’t help but cheer for them at the same time I feel a bit queasy doing so. The relationship between Fran and Gareth felt authentic and sweet. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Fran Donoghue has just murdered her neighbor, and honestly, you’ll probably think he deserved it. Meanwhile, Detective Gareth Donoghue, her husband, is trying to piece together what happened and uncover the mystery behind this disappearance. As Gareth digs deeper into the case, he starts to wonder if the person he loves could be the one responsible.

I got an advanced copy, and the first half of this book was both witty and sarcastic…exactly the kind of sharp humor that kept me flipping pages and fully hooked. It’s clever, darkly funny, and Fran’s inner dialogue had me smirking one minute and gasping the next.

But once we hit the second half, the tone shifted. It got darker and slower and I felt myself losing focus. The punchy wit and quick pacing faded, and the story drifted into heavier territory. I appreciated the intent behind the darker turn, but it didn’t land for me the way I hoped. The ending wasn’t quite what I wanted either.

That said, one bright spot in the later chapters was the cat! Seriously, that feline stole the show. I’m always all in for a great animal character, and this cat carried every scene he appeared in.


This is a super quick and easy read. If you’re into dark comedy wrapped in a domestic thriller, especially in the first half, you’ll probably enjoy it. Just know the tone gets heavier later on, and the ending may not wrap things up as you expected.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

After a wife murders her despicable neighbor, her detective husband’s investigation into the missing man unearths far more than he bargained for in this darkly comedic thriller.

This cleverly plotted novel is fast-paced with well-drawn characters and just the right level of emotion. Though the book is a little creepy at times, there’s little on-page violence or gore. It’s funny and disturbing in the best possible way.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Oh, how I loved this book! Fran and Gareth are one of my favourite couples. He's a detective, and she's a serial killer. When their neighbour dies, truths come out. The whole book I was waiting to see if their love could survive what they go through.
These characters are quirky, flawed, real, and so likeable. I found myself rooting for them the whole time.
I cannot wait to see what H.J. Garbett writes next.

I am so glad I was given the opportunity to lead this book. Fran is such a character. Her humour is on point. There is an element of sadness in this story. It is honestly a great book. Covers several genres! I was quite gutted when it finished! I read it in one sitting!

This was quite a letdown! I was initially interested in this because of the blurb - a husband who is a detective and his wife is the killer? Count me in. Unfortunately this did not live up to its potential. The only saving grace, and barely one at that, are the bits of dark humor sprinkled throughout the story. And also the old cat, Mep. The husband completely lacks a backbone for 80% of the story and for lack of a better descriptor, is a huge wimp. Mild spoiler ahead: you're telling me that this detective, who gets extremely offended when someone "uses the lords name in vain", helps his wife get revenge by the end of the story? Please. I know this is fiction, but I'm not buying it. The wife, Fran, has to be the dumbest killer of all time. She made so many bad choices. And also, the men she's seeking revenge on are definitely bad people and deserve a dose of karma, but I expected them to have done MUCH worse things for her to be so hellbent on taking them out. Don't get me wrong, they're still terrible men but it was not what I expected. This was a mess and a half and I probably wouldn't recommend it. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed the concept of this book and the writing was good. However I found the time jumping a little confusing in places. But as a debut novel it is a very strong start.

I loved this one. I really enjoyed the characters and this definitely took some unexpected turns throughout the book. I pretty much flew through this in a day and really enjoyed it. I would love to get the audiobook for this and listen to how the characters would be portrayed and the subtle undertones of lightheartedness mixed with seriousness that I felt the story was portraying.

This debut thriller has a bold premise: what happens when you realize the person you married is a murderer?

The setup has promise but I found myself wishing for a prologue had offered insight into the protagonist’s backstory and motivations. Without that foundation, it was difficult to connect with her or understand the choices made.

The standout for me was the side characters. Mep the cat is a quiet scene-stealer (as cats tend to be), and Beryl the neighbor brings just the right dose of nosy comic relief—because let’s be honest, we’ve all had a Beryl on our block.

There’s a dry, dark humor threaded through the book that some readers will love, and while the plot doesn’t go as deep as I hoped, it offers a quick, quirky thriller with a sharp satirical edge.

My Wife, The Serial Killer by H. J. Garbett is a razor-sharp, pitch-black thriller that brilliantly blends domestic suspense with dark humor and a fresh, subversive twist on the crime genre. From the first page, the novel pulls you into a bizarrely compelling narrative that’s as unsettling as it is wildly entertaining.

The premise alone is irresistible—a man slowly comes to suspect that his seemingly perfect wife might be hiding a deadly secret. What follows is a deliciously twisted tale of paranoia, denial, and marital dysfunction that constantly keeps you guessing. Garbett has a gift for turning ordinary moments into quietly chilling scenes, infusing the story with tension while keeping the tone witty and original.

The characters are particularly well-drawn—flawed, fascinating, and full of surprises. The dynamic between husband and wife is especially intriguing, full of uncomfortable truths, sly manipulation, and moments of grim hilarity. It’s a story that explores love, trust, and the lies we tell ourselves, all wrapped in a page-turning thriller with a wicked edge.

My Wife, the Serial Killer by H. J. Garbett is an entertaining, offbeat thriller that blends dark humor with moral values. At the heart of the story is a marriage under pressure—mostly because one half of the couple has a kick for vengeance. But rather than descend into grim true-crime territory, Garbett leans into the absurdity, delivering a sharp, witty narrative filled with chaotic energy and a surprisingly tender core.
The dynamic between the morally grey couple drives the plot: their banter, their questionable loyalty, and their chemistry keeps you hooked. As if Dexter had the quirky dysfunction of Schitt’s Creek—morally gray and marital mayhem.
It’s not a heavy read, but that’s part of the charm. Garbett manages to keep things suspenseful without sacrificing the humor, making this a perfect pick for fans of thrillers who don’t mind laughing at the mess—and moral ambiguity—along the way.

My Wife the Serial Killer by H.J. Garbett is a darkly hilarious and twisted thriller that follows the story of a man who begins to suspect that his charming, beautiful wife might be a serial killer. As bodies start piling up around them, he’s forced to question not only her past but also how far he’s willing to go to protect her—or stop her.
I found this to be wildly entertaining, with razor-sharp wit and a protagonist who’s as unhinged as she is unforgettable. I was immediately drawn into the story thanks to its dark humor, fast pace, and a lead character who’s delightfully off-kilter in the best way.
The novel strikes a brilliant balance between comedy and suspense, making it feel fresh and addictive. The pacing is quite steady and engaging throughout—perfect for a binge-read. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.
If you’re a fan of Bella Mackie’s writing style or enjoyed the twisted thrill of the Mindfck series by S.T. Abby, then you’re absolutely going to love this book. It shares that same blend of morally grey characters, clever narrative turns, and a story that keeps you grinning even as bodies pile up.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys thrillers with a darkly comic edge and a fierce, complex female lead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC copy—I’m so glad I got the chance to read this early!

This book is PERFECT for Brynne Weaver and S. T. Abby lovers. Funny and witty, impossible to put it down.

I had SO much fun reading it, and the characters are so realistic and lovable. Fran is so funny and Garrett is the cutest. I love them. I have not much more to say that I recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book seems so promising. A serial killer wife, detective husband, and marketed with Schitt’s Creek style humor, but it just really felt flat. A lot of the story timeline did not add up (they switched phones on accident one day but the husband was still getting work calls?) & it just seemed like it really really tried to be this edgy book… the “humor” I guess was there? But like a man writing a sarcastic woman just didn’t sound like anything real? The “twists” weren’t twists at all?
Overall, this just wasn’t for me.