How to Read Asia Mackay's Books
If you love high-stakes action laced with sharp domestic comedy, Asia Mackay is an author you need on your radar. Mackay excels at placing highly capable, slightly chaotic protagonists in situations where they must balance lethal professions with the absolute mayhem of parenting. Currently, her bibliography is divided into two distinct, highly entertaining series. Both are best enjoyed in order of publication, which mirrors their chronological timelines.
Recommended Reading Path
Because Mackay's series follow the developmental milestones of her characters' children alongside their professional escalations, reading them in order is highly recommended to capture the full character arcs. Here is the quick-glance reading order for each of her series:
The Alexis Tyler Spy Series
- Killing It (2018)
- The Nursery (2019)
The Serial Killer's Guide Series
- A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage (2025)
- Self-Help for Serial Killers (2026) (Also published under the title Not Like the Other Parents)
The Alexis Tyler Series: Espionage and Sippy Cups
The Alexis Tyler books are what put Asia Mackay on the thriller map. The concept is wonderfully simple yet brilliantly executed: what happens when an elite undercover assassin for a top-secret branch of the British Secret Service returns from maternity leave? The result is a hilarious, action-packed blend of spycraft and diaper blowouts.
1. Killing It (2018)
In her debut novel, we meet Alexis "Lex" Tyler. She works for Platform Eight, a highly covert assassin division. After taking time off to have her baby, she returns to the office only to find that her colleagues doubt her capabilities. To prove she still has her edge—and to secure a promotion—she takes on a high-risk mission to take down a dangerous target. Lex must use all her training, plus some creative modifications to her baby gear (like converting a stroller into a tactical surveillance station), to pull off the job. It is a laugh-out-loud feminist spy thriller that was runner-up in the Richard and Judy "Search for a Bestseller" competition.
2. The Nursery (2019)
Lex Tyler returns in this high-octane sequel. This time, the stakes are even higher as she is tasked with rooting out a traitor within MI6. While tracking down suspects through a dark-web assassin marketplace, Lex is also dealing with the chaotic transition of her daughter entering nursery school. The book ramps up the suspense while keeping Mackay's signature humor intact, highlighting the struggle of balancing office politics, deadly threats, and toddler tantrums.
The Serial Killer's Guide Series: Suburban Noir
After a short break, Mackay returned with a brand new series that shifts the focus from government-sanctioned spies to domestic, retired serial killers. This series trades standard espionage for dark comedy and suburban satire, following a couple who are trying to live normal lives despite their bloody pasts.
1. A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage (2025)
This novel introduces Hazel and Fox, a happily married couple living in the quiet suburbs of London. To the outside world, they are normal, sleep-deprived parents. However, they share a dark secret: they are retired vigilante serial killers who used to spend their time traveling the world and eliminating individuals they deemed deserving of death. Now, with a baby in tow, they are trying to keep their homicidal urges in check and blend in with the local parent associations. It's a dark, funny exploration of marriage, modern parenthood, and the temptation to relapse into bad habits.
2. Self-Help for Serial Killers / Not Like the Other Parents (2026)
The sequel finds Hazel and Fox facing new challenges as their child grows. Between managing school runs, facing off against judgmental "school gate" parent cliques, and dealing with a midlife crisis, the couple's domestic routine is threatened. When a botched hit leaves them feeling vulnerable and a dangerous group comes looking for them, they must work together to protect their family. Readers should note that this book is published under two titles: Self-Help for Serial Killers in some regions, and Not Like the Other Parents in others. Regardless of the title on the cover, it is the direct second installment in Hazel and Fox's story.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive into Asia Mackay's books, here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of her writing:
- Distinct Series, Similar Vibes: While the Alexis Tyler spy books and the Hazel and Fox books are set in different universes, they share Mackay’s trademark dark humor, sharp pacing, and focus on the chaotic intersection of deadly professions and parenting.
- Start at the Beginning: In both series, the character growth is heavily tied to the age of the protagonists' children. Starting with the first book in either series is crucial to appreciate the running jokes and character development.
- Check the Titles: Keep an eye out for regional title differences, particularly for the second Hazel and Fox book, to avoid accidentally buying the same book twice under different names.