Self-Help for Serial Killers

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage #2

by Asia Mackay

In this rollicking sequel to A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage, two (mostly) reformed serial killers discover something more deadly than living in suburbia.

This couple’s midlife crisis is murder . . . literally.

Hazel and Fox have it two children, a beautiful home, and a late-night habit of eliminating people who deserve it. Yet work-life balance is hard when you want to kill bad men but raise good kids.

With a school mum tyrant on Haze's case, and Fox struggling with performance anxiety after a botched kill, things are spiraling. Therapy isn't helping, and bullet journaling has taken on a whole new meaning. . . .

But when they accidentally draw a dangerous group to their doorstep, the couple must pull it together—and fast. Because surviving in suburbia is no longer just a challenge. Now it's a real fight for their family's lives.

And it turns out, self-help starts with staying alive.

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Thriller

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 16, 2026

About the author

Asia studied Anthropology at Durham University, after which she started a career in television. She presented and produced lifestyle programmes in Shanghai before moving back to London, where she worked for Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as Project Manager on their round the world motorbike documentaries.

She started writing Killing It on maternity leave and undertook a Faber Academy course to help her finish it. Asia lives in London with her husband, four young children and two dogs. Killing It is her first novel and was the Runner Up in Richard and Judy's Search for a Bestseller competition 2017.

Reviews

[Christin · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC.**

When I first started reading this book I thought it had potential to be 5 stars! It was gripping from the start. Kind of a Santa Clarita Diet couple meets Dexter vibe. As the book continued I was a little put off by the fact that we are in 2026 and still hating on men so much. I absolutely am for having fun and making jabs at men for fun, but ultimately most men aren’t bad people. There’s mention of an all men’s club and how “poor men need their safe spaces.” There are clubs for all women too. It’s more of a social norm than meant to be a “safe space” for anyone. Also the fact that MC’s only kill “straight white men,” seemed unnecessary. Again it’s 2026, why not take this out and leave it at “they only kill bad people.” It shouldn’t matter race, gender, or sex, a bad person is a bad person. Besides this, the ending wasn't that shocking or twisty. I was hoping for more excitement or shock with the people involved, but it was just like “yeah okay that makes sense.”
Overall this is a book I wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading. It definitely held my attention, but am I going to flat out recommend it to anyone… not likely.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bantam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Self-Help for Serial Killers” by Asia Mackay is a wildly entertaining mix of dark comedy, thriller, and domestic drama that somehow makes marriage, parenting, and murder feel like part of the same chaotic balancing act. This is a sequel, so make sure to check out “A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage” before reading this one.

The story follows Hazel and Fox, a seemingly perfect suburban couple raising their young daughter in an upscale London neighborhood. The only problem? They used to be serial killers who traveled across Europe murdering “bad men” together. They gave up their deadly lifestyle when Hazel got pregnant, but three years into suburban life, Hazel is bored, restless, and deeply unhappy playing the role of stay-at-home mom. When she accidentally kills someone and tries to hide it from Fox, their carefully controlled life starts to spiral, especially since Fox is hiding secrets of his own.

What makes this book stand out is its brilliant premise and tone. It’s dark, twisted, and intense, but also genuinely funny. The story leans heavily into the absurdity of trying to maintain a normal marriage while secretly craving murder, and the humor comes from how relatable many of the relationship struggles are, minus the killing, of course. The book cleverly explores themes like marriage, parenthood, identity, and the sacrifices people make for family, all wrapped in a chaotic web of lies and secrets.

Hazel and Fox are fascinating characters. Hazel is impulsive, sharp-witted, and struggling with the loss of her former life, while Fox is more controlled, trying to protect their family while dealing with pressure from his wealthy and manipulative family. Their relationship is messy but compelling, built on love, shared darkness, and constant deception. Watching them hide secrets from each other and deal with the consequences creates much of the tension and humor in the story.

The dual perspectives from Hazel and Fox work well, giving insight into both sides of their marriage and showing how differently they cope with their new “normal.” The story also includes clever touches like snippets of marriage advice, which add to the satire of trying to maintain a healthy relationship under very unhealthy circumstances.

The pacing is fast and addictive, packed with twists, secrets, and escalating chaos that make it hard to put down. While the middle section slows slightly, the steady stream of reveals and schemes keeps the tension high. The book balances suspense with emotional depth, showing how parenthood and domestic life challenge even the most unconventional couples.

Overall, “Self-Help for Serial Killers” is a smart, witty, and darkly funny thriller about love, secrets, and the complications of settling down when your shared hobby used to be murder. It’s a unique, twisty read that combines domestic drama with psychological suspense; it’s perfect if you enjoy morally messy characters, dark humor, and relationship chaos with a deadly edge.

[Erika Spondike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I requested this ARC not knowing it was a sequel, so I read A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage and was... underwhelmed. The first book dragged. It all felt like a setup to launch into this world on a larger scale. The first book walked so that Self-Help for Serial Killers could run. I enjoyed this much more than the last. Pacing was better. The world felt much more established and secure.

Fox and Haze are your stereotypical white, privileged couple trying to balance the perfect suburban life with their covert killing side hustle. It's fine. This second book ties up loose ends from the first and introduces an international crime organization creatively named "The Corporation", who is hot on Haze and Fox's tail after they unknowingly took out one of their prominent members.

I don't think I see a lot of the humor in this book that others got. There were a few laugh-out-loud moments, but overall, the tone feels much more sentimental and wholesome? There are so many moving pieces about character identity and relationships and secrets and PTSD it's hard to cipher out what is genuine and what is snark. I wish Mackay would pick a lane because at times it feels more like she's writing a Netflix show and not a popcorn thriller.

It's also a very PG thriller, all things considered. Everything always ties up in neat little bows. I was never genuinely worried about any of the characters or their decisions, however frustrating they can be at times, because everything always works out for them and there are no consequences for their actions. Part Four is where things really start to heat up, and I found myself invested in the twists and turns, but at the end of the day, this book isn't reinventing the genre. (Take your pick at which genre, it's definitely not a mystery and barely a thriller).

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Self-Help for Serial Killers by Asia Mackay is a really unique mix of dark humor, mystery, and domestic life. It follows a married couple trying to balance parenting, careers, and a very unconventional past—and present.

This reads much more like a story about marriage and identity than a traditional thriller. There are elements of mystery and action, along with an underlying sense that something bigger is happening, but the focus stays on the relationship and the pressure of trying to maintain a “normal” life.

What stood out most to me was the dynamic between the characters. There’s a clear shift happening—one partner struggling, the other stepping up—and it creates that quiet tension that feels more emotional than suspenseful. It’s less about what they’re doing and more about how it’s affecting them.

The tone leans heavily into dark humor, and that’s where the book really shines. It has moments that are genuinely funny, while still touching on heavier themes like identity, stress, and the reality of trying to hold everything together.

That said, the pacing felt a little uneven at times. There are stretches where things slow down, and I found myself wanting a bit more momentum or higher stakes. The concept itself is strong and different, but it doesn’t always feel fully pushed to its potential.

Overall, this is a character-driven story with thriller elements woven in. It’s an engaging, easy read with a distinct voice—just not one that fully leans into the suspense side.

[Hope Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self-Help for Serial Killers is a sharp, darkly funny follow-up that mostly delivers on the chaotic charm of the first book, even if it sometimes feels like it exists to tee up whatever comes next.

Asia Mackay sticks with what worked. The mix of suburban parenting and casual murder is still ridiculous in the best way. Hazel and Fox remain entertaining disasters, juggling school runs, therapy, and body disposal with varying levels of competence. The humor is still the standout. It leans into that contrast between normal family life and very not normal behavior, and it works more often than it should.

Where this one lost me a bit is in the structure. The middle drifts. There are plenty of fun scenes and sharp moments, but not all of them feel like they are going anywhere urgent. It starts to feel episodic, like we are watching setup happen in real time. You can practically see the author moving pieces into place for the next book.

To be fair, things do tighten up toward the end. The stakes finally show up, the tension clicks into place, and the story remembers it has a plot to deliver. There are also a few quieter moments that give the characters a bit more depth, which helps balance out all the chaos.

In the end, it is a solid second book. Entertaining, funny, and just self-aware enough to get away with a lot. It may not fully stand on its own, but if you liked the first one, you are probably already invested enough that it will not matter much.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy from Netgalley

Fox and Hazel are a crime fighting duo, but whilst their motives are somewhat honourable, their methods aren't exactly legal... and it's hard to teach your kids right from wrong when the world is a mess and you kill people on the side.

This sequel to A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage creates a great juxtaposition of the mundane side of raising children and living family life, with the high octane chase of hunting down bad men, and it does it in a brilliantly fun and silly way. Not going so quite as far as sitcom, there are tense moments as the couple are trying to hide bodies/ weapons/ blood whilst discussing poonamis in a petrol station.

I preferred this to the first as the couple work through these challenges together; though that might be entirely personal as I find stories about tensions in relationships very stressful (something probably to bring up in therapy.) And that also removed the secondary concern I had about the first novel, which was that despite hearing directly from the narrators throughout, some vital plot points were missing. This was a fun read and I'd certainly continue the series if Asia Mackay writes more!

Recommended for any fans of Katy Brent, CJ Skuse, Oyinkan Braithwaite.

Thanks again to Headline and Netgalley for this ARC.

[Anna J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fox and Haze are married and have two young children, a beautiful home and our struggling to have it all. They want to be good parents and bring their kids up knowing right from wrong. Their hobby isn't one most would understand as they take out kill bad men trying to make the world a better place.

Parts were funny as they try and dispose of a body with a baby in tow that has a poop explosion. They try and balance kids activities, home work, with a side hustle of murder while having a healthy marriage. Fox and Haze are both keeping secrets from each other which make them doubt each other. One person has figured out all about their past and knows all of their secrets. Someone is trying to eliminate them and they are trying to stay alive.

It was a fun little cat and mouse chase where they are trying to figure out who is after them and has been watching them. It is a lot about relationships, families, friendships, and found family. It feels more like a mystery with a lot of family drama mixed in.

[Heather Rothery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the palate cleanser that these books are for me. They really are a different type of thriller and I enjoy the satire writing that both the first and this book bring!

Although I did not enjoy this book as much as the first I absolutely loved how it kept you on your toes the whole time. You just had to know how it ended. I just didn't enjoy how it was a repeat of the first. They were lying to each other again the whole time and it just was kind of irritating. Both Haze and Fox got on my nerves the whole time. But maybe that was the point? I'm not sure but I overall a good read. And I liked that you didn't have to read the first to know what was going on in the second but the background is nice.

[BHK · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve already read the first book, then Self Help for Serial Killers totally keeps that same chaotic and darkly funny energy going! I love how Hazel and Fox are out here trying to balance “normal” life…kids, school drama, relationship stress, while also dealing with their very not normal secret life. The contrast is honestly what makes this so fun to read. Hazel and Fox are messy, overwhelmed, and just trying to keep it together. The writing is quick and super bingeable, and I flew through it without even realizing. It’s dark, ridiculous, and somehow still heartfelt in moments, which I didn’t expect but really liked. If you enjoyed the first book, this one definitely doesn’t disappoint. It’s just as wild and entertaining from start to finish!

[lovemyshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying: I LOVED the first book in the series; it was a 5 star read for me. That is why I was super excited to get an early copy of this book (thank you to NetGalley and Bantam!). Self-Help for Serial Killers continued with the extremely loveable characters and the irresistable voice of the author, yet did not deliver on plot. The self-help aspect was not well-executed and too many pages existed between exciting events. I found myself really losing interest 80% through, which is when I should be ripping through the pages. I love the author's writing and will avidly request her next work. However, it may be time to move on from Haze and Fox-maybe a spinoff focusing on BeBe? Now there's a fun idea!

[ReneeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first book in this series and finding it to be humorous and entertaining and I was hoping for the same with this one. This book definitely has the same dark humor and interesting set of characters with a few new players and a new enemy to curtail. While I enjoyed the first book just a tad more than this one, I found this novel to be an enjoyable read with some unexpected tender moments as well. If you liked the first one, or just like dark comedic serial killer books in general, I think you will enjoy this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine | Bantam for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Self-Help for Serial Killers” was a decent but not great story for a fair portion of the book. Haze and Fox struggling to cope with the changes that a new baby brought into their lives, as well as dealing with the fallout from the incident in “Ivrea” made for a good storyline, as did the threats from the Corporation, the Chameleon and Interpol. However, Fox’s midlife crisis and woe is me attitude became annoying after a while. But once he regained his mojo and the focus shifted more heavily toward the threat posed by the Chameleon, the story improved considerably. The book contained some very interesting and unexpected twists. It also had its fair share of humorous moments.

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for the ARC! Overall, this was a very fun read. I didn’t love the first book, especially because I found the characters to be a bit flat, but there was significantly better character development in this book. The plot twists were also a lot less predictable than in the first book. I did think the beginning was a bit too slow paced and the ending tied everything together too neatly, but it was definitely engaging and exciting as a whole.

[Britney Ireland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I extend my gratitude to #NetGalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

I assign this book a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. My experience may have been somewhat hampered by the fact that I did not read the preceding volume in the series. I struggled to become fully engaged in the narrative. While the ending did contain a surprising twist that I appreciated, I found the overall pace of the novel to be somewhat protracted.

Nevertheless, I believe that this book would be enjoyed by other readers.

[Mystyc Metrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazel and Nathaniel Cabot, aka Haze and Fox, are just your average suburban couple, they have a nice house, two children, and normal, unassuming careers (an artist and an accountant). There's nothing remarkable about them, except for the fact that they also enjoy killing people in their spare time. Only people who deserve it, though, men who have committed crimes against women. After a disastrous kidnapping in Ivrea, the two have returned home to Berkshire, where they use the inside intel from their detective friend, Jenny, to vet their victims. They hope to escape the attention of the Corporation, who they ran afoul of in Italy, as well as Interpol agent, Alain Drake, who may not be all that he seems. Unfortunately, their latest victim was an insider at the Corporation, despite Jenny's assurances that he was no one. Haze and Fox don't know who they can trust - is Jenny secretly double crossing them and working for the corporation? Is Fox's therapist, Sally, stealing his secrets? Are the new mommy friends Haze is making at school secretly reporting on them? Or is it just Barry, the neighborhood watch? As the bodies keep piling up, can Haze and Fox really have it all? Told in the dual points of view of Haze and Fox, this is an intriguing story that will pull you in and have you rooting for our unlikely heroes/serial killers. I would definitely recommend this book!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. This is the 2nd book in the series and I did read the first one as well. I recommend reading them in order so that everything makes sense. I am enjoying this series. I find it to have a variety of problems for Haze and Fox to figure out on a personal as well as professional level. I laughed out loud a few times. The murder bits aren't too graphic which makes it easy for me to stomach.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazel and Fox are trying to juggle parenthood, running from a large criminal enterprise, and being normal people. Their kill have landed them on the radar of some powerful, bad people. They’re paranoid of everyone they come into contact with. An unhinged story, where you never know what is going to come next, or who this couple can even trust.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book just based on the same alone but unfortunately didn’t quite live up to my expectations. It was definitely a different take on a classic serial killer story which I enjoyed, but I really had to push myself to finish this one because it overall didn’t grab my attention.

[Michelle Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun installment in this series. I’m really loving all the semi-cozy thriller series that mix murder with humor. I am a big fan of the trio that this series focuses on. They are all delightfully flawed people whose hearts are in the right place . Excited to see what is in store for them next .

[Carrie (literary_cosmos) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rip roaring sequel to 2025's A Serial Killers Guide to Marriage. Self Help For Serial Killers is a high stakes thrill ride. This is dark, gruesome, funny, and realistic. A worthy follow up to one of my favorite books of 2025. I really hope this series continues. It is definitely one of my new favorites.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a really hard time getting into this. Maybe partly my own fault since I could barely remember what happened at the end of the first book. The pacing felt super slow, and I was just not that interested in the story.

[Ronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really hard for me to get into, the pacing was really slow and I struggled to stay engaged. I didn’t realize this is book 2 and I didn’t read book 1, so maybe that impacted my struggle to stay engaged.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

[Amanda Morrissey St.Croix · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley and I did not realize it was a sequel. However, I don’t think my thoughts and feelings would change. I DNF’d 10% in because the premise is so absurd. And I love absurd. I was out after the opening scene.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this writer's work and found this book to be. great continuation of her previous work. Dark, funny and action packed. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read the advanced copy.

[Kristie Kieffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self-Help for Serial Killers is darkly witty, sharp, and utterly unconventional in the best way possible.

Asia Mackay blends humor, horror, and keen psychological insight to create a story that is as thought-provoking as it is twisted. The narrative walks a fine line between satire and suspense, keeping you laughing one moment and squirming the next. The protagonist is fascinating—flawed, clever, and morally complex—which makes the story unpredictable and addictive.

What really stands out is Mackay’s ability to explore dark themes with intelligence and nuance, never letting the shock value overshadow character or story. The pacing is brisk, the dialogue crackles, and the twists hit hard.

If you’re drawn to darkly comedic thrillers with unique voices, biting social commentary, and characters you won’t forget, Self-Help for Serial Killers is a brilliantly twisted ride that will stay with you long after the last page.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is dark, weird, and just the right amount of unhinged.

Self-Help for Serial Killers keeps the twisted energy of the first book and somehow makes it even messier. I loved being back with Hazel and Fox, and adding two kids to the mix takes the chaos to a whole new level.

It fully leans into the dark humor and absurdity, which mostly worked for me, even if a few moments felt a bit over the top. The pacing and short chapters made it impossible to put down!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy!