Book Review—My Wife the Serial Killer by H.J. Garbett

A wickedly sharp suburban gothic with dark humor, emotional depth, and one unforgettable killer.

A a Glance

Sometimes, the premise alone sells the book. A cop married to a serial killer? You have to know how that’s going to play out. I requested this ARC on NetGalley after seeing several buzzed-about posts on Threads—and I’m so glad I did. What followed was a delightful mix of dry wit, domestic mayhem, and deadly secrets.

The Premise

Gareth Donoghue is a police detective. He’s also married to Fran, a sharp-tongued, cool-tempered woman with a very active… extracurricular hobby. Fran is a serial killer—something Gareth remains oblivious to for a good portion of the novel.

Oh, and they live with Mep, a dramatic cat on his supposed deathbed who might just be the best supporting character of the year.

Gareth is loveably clueless, a people-pleasing cop who texts in acronyms and is investigating the very disappearance his wife caused. Fran, meanwhile, is wickedly funny, perfectly deadpan, and brilliantly twisted. Their dynamic is what carries the story—equal parts hilarious, disturbing, and weirdly wholesome in a completely dysfunctional way.

What I Loved

This book absolutely nails the tone. It’s a balancing act between domestic dramedy and suburban horror, and H.J. Garbett pulls it off with style. The writing is witty and engaging, filled with sharp dialogue and enough one-liners to keep you chuckling through the body count.

Favorite quotes:

“A bad plan is better than no plan at all.”

“You can't exactly ask Siri where's the best place to hide a dead body.”

Beyond the laughs and absurdity, the book manages to weave in emotional resonance too. The subplot involving Fran and Gareth’s fertility struggles adds a surprisingly tender layer to the otherwise twisted plot. It’s a reminder that life, even when messy (and murderous), still beats with hope and vulnerability.

Tropes & Themes

☠️ Morally gray characters

💔 Secret pasts

🐈 Cat companion (Mep is a legend)

👫 Ride or die dynamic

🕵️‍♂️ Cop married to a killer

🏡 Suburban gothic

😈 Dark comedy

💉 Fertility, marriage, and emotional realism

😱 Shocking twist at the end

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy twisted tales of domestic life with a high body count and even higher sarcasm, this book is for you. My Wife the Serial Killer is clever, chaotic, emotionally layered, and just the right amount of unhinged.

A perfect palate cleanser when you’re craving something a little murder-y but still heartfelt.

Read if you liked: Verity by Colleen Hoover, You by Caroline Kepnes, How to Kill Your Family, or The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter.