Serial Husbands

by Travis Warman

Junction City, Kansas seems peaceful. Michael Denton and Ryan Hayes are the dependable couple on Chestnut Street, always helping, always watching. But behind that calm exterior is a secret life. For years, they have quietly removed predators who slip past the justice system, documenting each act inside a hidden dark-web archive called The Ledger.

When a teenage girl goes missing, the town floods the streets to search. Detective Kayla Schultz refuses easy answers and starts building a timeline that will not stop tightening. Michael and Ryan see the chaos as cover, and make a choice they think will keep them invisible.

Instead, it becomes the decision that begins to unravel everything.

As suspicion spreads and small contradictions surface, their routines crack, their safety nets fail, and The Ledger itself warns that silence is no longer enough. In a suburb built on trust, the kindest faces can hide the darkest truths.

ARC / BETA COPY

About the author

Travis Warman, PharmD, is a pharmacist, veteran, and novelist whose storytelling is shaped by resilience, honesty, and belonging. Raised in Silicon Valley by his father and grandmother, he found escape in books and began writing in his twenties, later returning to create his debut novel The Quiet Man. A leader in pharmacy, he grounds his creative work in themes of secrecy, transformation, and chosen family, reflecting both personal struggles and a belief that every reader deserves to feel seen. His style is immersive, detailed, and adventurous, offering stories that fuel curiosity while holding fast to truth.

Reviews

[Konrad]

I made it 31% of the way through this book before I decided to DNF it. I enjoy thrillers and thought the premise sounded interesting, especially since it focuses on two gay men. In reality, this felt more like a police procedural than a thriller, and one of the protagonists is a female detective. I don't enjoy books from a law enforcement perspective, so this wasn't for me, and I thought the main story was going to be from the gay couple's perspective.

[Zachary Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. The pacing was really good. It was a detailed story that I didn't get lost in.

Hope there is a second book!!

[Lucas OchoaGarcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had a hard time between a 4 star and 5 star but what set it apart was the urge to see where this story goes. I absolutely would love to see the next part to this story.

Character development was fair. I hope the future books go more in depth with the people set up in this book. I do appreciate the reality of what queer folks have to face in the real world and how uncomfortable it can be.

The story did not go where I thought it would which was a pleasant surprise. Each turn made me want to read more. I also appreciate the short staccato chapters that would bounce from character to character or shift through the days. Kept me interested. Overall, great read for the start of 2026.

[Sam arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal. I’m not usually one to read this genre (usually romance novels) but it peaked my interest with having lgbtq+ main characters and an investigation. This book quickly made it to my all time top 10 favorites, and I’ve read a lot over my 33 years of life.
The flow kept you wanting to go back for more with a few twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting but absolutely made the novel richer in content and world building. I’m absolutely going to be reading this book a second time, and looking forward to more.
Read this book. But have time to sit with it. I made the mistake of starting it during the holidays without a lot of free time at once.
I limited my comments so that I would not include any spoilers. There is so much more I’d love to say.

[J.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serial Husbands grabbed me immediately, placing queer characters at the center of a dark, twisty thriller. The story is tense, unsettling, and addictive, with a procedural thread that kept me on edge and a lead perspective that made the stakes feel real and urgent.

The relationship at the heart of the book is complicated and raw. I was invested in every messy choice they made, even when it made me uneasy. The pacing took a moment to hit its stride, but once it did, the tension never let up, and the ending slammed into a cliffhanger that left me wanting more. Dark, daring, and unapologetically uncomfortable.

A big thank you to the author for the opportunity to beta read!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read of 2026!! I need to give a massive THANK YOU to author Travis Warman for the opportunity to be a beta reader for his book, Serial Husbands! Being that it’s still in the development phase I can’t delve into the plot like I normally would in reviews but I highly recommend checking out the description to get an idea of what to expect!!

Travis concocted a fantastic story here. He has plans to make this a series and I absolutely see the potential! From the settings, to the conflicts brewing in the background and eventually reaching a boiling point, to the characters, they all contribute to a groundwork that I see acting as a brilliant jumping pad for future installments!

It combines classic genres that I absolutely love. Police procedural, mystery, thriller. A real tour de force when it comes to thinking about what’s right and what’s wrong, and whether or not the characters may be getting in over their heads. I’m looking forward to returning to this review in the future to flesh out more of what I loved about this story! Until then, believe me when I say that this is a book you’ll want to seek out once it’s published!! Put it on your to read list now!

Also, not sure if it may change in the future but I love the current cover!! It's perfect, in my opinion!

Thank you again, Travis!

[River Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serial Husbands was a fantastic read! I was hooked from the start and found each of the main characters to each have their own unique voice that really added to the story being told. At first I thought it would primarily focus on the gay couple, so I was surprised to have another perspective, but found it quite riveting to read from so many sides of the situation. I also love the omniscient narration style of this book.
I am someone who loves to try and piece together the foreshadowing and mysteries in the books I read and love when a book can surprise me, Serial Husbands achieved that, which makes it an instant favorite. The tension builds, crests, and calms in multiple arcs that kept me on the edge of my seat for most of the novel. Which is exactly what I want from a thriller.
I highly recommend checking out Serial Husbands if you love gritty noir thrillers that will keep you guessing at every turn.

[Jessica Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never had the chance to be a beta reader for a book but am thankful for the opportunity to give honest feedback on this book.

The story really took me by surprise with how quickly it pulled me in and left me wanting to read "just one more chapter". I too, like other readers was surprised the viewpoint was not just the 2 main characters but I feel like the story really developed different important aspects of the story with multiple viewpoints.

I think the thing that stood out to me most was the relationship between the 2 main characters and their passion and dedication to one another. It is true love but not all happy and positive which I like in my stories because let's be honest a relatable love story is much more realistic than a fairy tale.

Overall a great storyline that pulls you in quickly with the main characters and the mystery surrounding the entire story. Definitely some fun twists and turns along the way. Can't wait for the 2nd book in this series!

[Margaret Jett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn't my usual read. I tend more toward those in romance. This, however, was worth a deviation. The story is engaging, suspenseful, and entertaining. I though the story flowed well-quick, but not rushed. I am very much looking forward to book 2...