The dark humor and energy for this book were on point for me! From the very start, I loved Fran's banter! The characters being so complex especially when it came to morality was a breathe of fresh air. I love thrillers and though it didn't have the normal style of resolution, it was all very realistic in a way. It isn't your typical who done it or your normal resolution, but it had me on the edge of my seat.

I was hooked at the beginning of this. Im down for feminine rage reads, and Fran's humor and paranoia created tension and levity all at once. Her husband, Garrett, is the straightest of straight arrows and honestly, dude is boring. As we move through the story, they kind of switch places. Fran fades into the background and becomes a shell of herself, while Garrett decends into a desperation that makes him more interesting. Angus fell flat for me and seemed like a convenient scapegoat. The trial portion of the book was so slow, I nearly DNF'D it, but I wanted to know the ending. The pacing was a bit off, but the banter and Fran's internal monologue were pretty interesting. It was OK, but not my favorite.

2.5 rounded up…. I really liked the concept and the author did a great job of drawing you in. But there needed to be some bigger twists and surprises given that we had most of the information up front. I know there were a few “big twists” the author was going for but none of them wowed me….. it was just so slow by the time we got to those reveals I didn’t really care all that much. All that being said though, I do think this book would make a fantastic film

2.5/5⭐️ Not bad, not great. Not a genre I typically gravitate towards. Was a bit slow and difficult to get into in the beginning but really picked up during the last ~30%. May sound silly but felt a bit disconnected from the characters/setting given the use of British English/slang that’s not in my everyday lexicon. Otherwise, enjoyed the wittiness and dark humor that H.J. Garbett included in the writing.

Spoiler alert:
I think the author missed the opportunity for Fran to find out she was pregnant while in prison. To me, it felt like the writing kept alluding to this happening so was a bit disappointed when it didn’t come to fruition, as it could have added another layer of complexity to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC of this book!

My Wife, The Serial Killer is a dark comedy crime novel. It tells the story of Fran Donoghue, a woman who suddenly kills her annoying neighbor. Her husband, Gareth, is a detective and starts to suspect what she did. The story is funny with many sharp jokes.

The book shows the story from both Fran’s and Gareth’s points of view. Fran’s thoughts are full of dark humor and strange logic, while Gareth’s side shows his struggle as a police officer who loves his wife but must find the truth. This makes the story interesting and adds a lot of tension. Besides the crime and humor, the book also talks about serious things like problems with having children, trust, and identity, which makes the story deeper.

Some parts of the book are slower and less exciting, especially at the beginning. Also, some twists and the ending may feel easy to guess. The other characters in the story are not always very well described. Sometimes the slang and quick changes between scenes can be a bit confusing.

If you like crime stories that are funny and have complicated characters, you will enjoy this book. Fran is a strange but funny character, and Gareth’s feelings add emotion to the story. It is a smart and funny thriller, but if you want a very fast and surprising story, this might not be the best choice.

This is a crazy dark comedy, Gareth is a police detective his wife, Fran, is a would be serial killer, would be because you need three kills to qualify as a veritable serial killer and at the beginning of the book we have just one grisly murder of an elderly neighbor and Fran cleaning up the crime scene. Gareth is sent to look into the disappearance of the neighbor after his neighbor's carer is concerned, she hasn't seen him. Gareth's colleagues think it is a straight forward disappearance but Gareth suspects foul play, unwittingly investigating a murder where his wife is the perpetrator. Gareth had no inkling his wife was a killer. The story is far-fetched and the humor is not for everyone. The pacing is uneven and drags at first, whilst Fran's portrayal as an unhinged woman was intriguing Gareth's character didn't seem believable, he seemed oblivious to so much. They also have an elderly cat, Mep (short for Mephistopheles), who is a scene stealer at times. The POV alternates between Fran and Gareth, Fran's dry dark humor is fun. I would have liked the other characters to be fleshed out more, Beryl, the nosy neighbor, Angus, Fran's hoarder 'brother' and Gareth's police colleagues, who seemed too generic. The premise was quirky and promised more than was delivered. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Brilliant! A tongue-in-cheek treat of a read! Loved, loved, loved this one. I very highly recommend it to everyone. Just wow and deserving of five fabulous stars!

My Wife, The Serial Killer by H.J. Garbett is a twisted, fast-paced domestic thriller that manages to be both suspenseful and darkly hilarious. The premise? A woman might be murdering people and her husband, who happens to be a detective, is starting to put the pieces together. (spoiler we know its her from the first chapter) I liked seeing into her thought process and clever scheming.

The tension between duty and loyalty is so well done. Watching a husband on the force quietly suspect his own wife while trying to keep his world from unraveling was such a unique angle. I liked how all the pieces started to come together and we started to see the why of everything. The narration is sharp, full of dry wit, and balances the absurd with the emotional surprisingly well.

There are a few moments where the pacing lags or certain plot points could’ve used more depth, but overall, this was a refreshing and bold take on the domestic thriller. This book definitely kept me entertained. If you’re into morally gray characters, clever writing, and stories that keep you guessing with a smirk on your face this one’s worth your time.

PS. Mep is the best

Thank you, NetGallery, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

this book was a sort of suspense book but i don’t think the stakes were very high, and you knew from the beginning who the murderer was so really the only suspenseful aspect was whether or not she would go to jail for it. i enjoyed it but it did slow down for me at some points. there was this weird underlying subplot about gareth and the cat having these odd health conditions and then they both just got better out of nowhere. i thought something was going to happen with that but it never did.

Fran is not a serial killer. She has actually only murdered two people… and they deserved it.

This story kicks off right after she’s murdered her neighbor and as a reader you don’t really understand why, yet. However, I couldn’t help rooting for her from the get go. I’m a firm believer in supporting women’s rights… and wrongs.

Everything is smooth sailing until her police sergeant of a husband is tasked with solving the disappearance of his neighbor. Sadly for Fran he is hellbent on turning every stone in this case.

This book is hilarious and had me gasping and laughing out loud at times. It is incredibly fastpaced and you just want to keep reading to find out what else is gonna happen. I felt at times that you were kept in the dark a tad bit too much as a reader. It was to keep the suspense but the revelation didn’t always reveal everything leaving too much up to the imagination.

However, this was a solid four star read and was incredibly entertaining. I flew through it and enjoyed every second.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm publishing for gifting me this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, HJ Garbett, and Storm Publishing for the eARC. I absolutely loved this book—it was quirky, dark, and unexpectedly funny all at once. The unique characters and their distinct narratives kept me hooked. A wonderfully offbeat must-read!

I was instantly intrigued by the concept of this book. It’s a fun read (despite the serial killer theme!) full of dark, twisty humour. The first half is such a quick read as the plot is fast paced and twisty. It slows down in the second half, and I would have liked a bit more about Frans history to keep me intrigued.

Overall, a quick, enjoyable read, perfect for a holiday

This book was so much fun! It seems strange to say that about a story of a serial killer, but it's true. The book has been described as a blend of Dexter meets Schitt's Creek and that is spot on.

Fran and Gareth are the perfect couple. She has a meaningful job helping children in foster care, making sure that others don't suffer the same way she did. Gareth is a determined detective. In a new home, trying for their first child, everything is right in their world, until a neighbor goes missing.

Gareth's detective instincts tell him something isn't as cut and dried as an old man wandering off but he has no clue that his wife has killed the neighbor and disposed of his remains.

Fran can't stop killing and Gareth can't stop following his gut to find out what's going on. Obviously, this can't end well.

My Wife, the Serial Killer is dark, twisty, and I laughed out loud multiple times. The snark and sarcasm of the main characters is strong and perfection. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC.

While the concept of this book was super interesting I had a little bit of trouble starting out as it almost felt a little “and then this happened and then this” but i will say i struggle a little with world building so I stuck it out and I’m so glad I did!
Dark humour, unapologetically flawed mc, murder and so much more awaits you.
They had it coming and she doesn’t let the fact it’s dangerous stop her

3.5 stars!

This cover caught my eye right away!

Fran Donoghue has killed her neighbor, and most would say he deserved it. Her husband, Detective Gareth Donoghue, starts to worry when he discovers the neighbor is missing. As the story unfolds, it becomes a darkly humorous tale about love, marriage, and murder, leading to an unexpected conclusion that surprises Gareth.

I was all set for a fun and quirky murder mystery, and the first half of the book certainly delivered—keeping me thoroughly engaged. However, the second half felt a bit drawn out, and I found my interest waning.

In the beginning, Fran was a fantastic character, full of life and confidence. But as the story progressed, she became somewhat confused and lost her spark, making her less compelling.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, though a bit inconsistent and, dare I say, predictable at times. But let’s be honest: that cover is a showstopper, and the concept of a villain cohabitating with a law-abiding citizen? Now that’s a recipe for delicious chaos! While the execution may have fallen short of its potential, it doesn’t mean it won’t resonate with you. So, give this book a chance!

If you’re a fan of morally ambiguous characters, closet serial killers, and tantalizing murder mysteries, this one might just pique your interest. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you, Storm Publishing, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

My Wife, The Serial Killer by H.J. Garbett is a thriller that combines dark humor with a fast-paced narrative. The story follows a husband uncovering his wife’s secrets, presenting an intriguing premise with concise prose. While the plot can be predictable at times, Garbett's character dynamics and plot twists add interest. It is suitable for readers of psychological thrillers. Rating: 3.5/5 stars. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

My Wife the Serial Killer by H. J. Garbett is exactly what the title promises—and yet it still manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. Even though you know who the killer is, the suspense builds in clever ways, and the twists kept me guessing. The ending genuinely caught me off guard. That said, if you’re squeamish, be warned: the murder scenes are very descriptive and not for the faint of heart. A dark, gritty, and gripping thriller with a sharp edge.

Gripping from the first page, this thriller hurtles forward with relentless tension and razor-sharp twists. Every character hides a secret, and just when you think you've figured it out, the truth shatters everything. It's a masterclass in suspense that leaves your pulse pounding until the final line.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Immensely readable and perfect for the summer - there is some seriousness, but it is countered by a lot of humor, the action flows, the main characters are very likeable. It's a very fun why-dunnit. I only have minor quibbles with the final stretch, but overall, a great read.

If you love dark humor and chaotic domestic suspense—think “Dead to Me” or the Finlay Donovan series—this one’s for you. The story follows a husband and wife duo; Gareth is detective thrown into a murder investigation… while his wife, Fran, (unknowingly to him) may have a few deadly secrets of her own. 👀

The writing is sharp, funny, and totally addictive. Every time I sit down to read, I find myself reaching for my Kindle and devouring as much as I can. Who would’ve thought a book about a serial killer spouse could be described as silly—but here we are, and I’m loving it.

It’s been the perfect read to snap me out of my reading rut! 📚🖤🔪