The Best Way to Bury Your Husband

A Novel

By: Alexia Casale

Narrated by: Ambreen Razia, Ayesha Antoine, Bea Holland, Imogen Church

A dark comedy about four women coming together to heal the damage their husbands have done–and hide their bodies once they’ve killed them

When Sally kills her husband with a cast-iron skillet, she’s more fearful of losing her kids than of disposing of a fresh corpse. That just wouldn’t be fair—not after twenty years of marriage to a truly terrible man. But Sally isn’t the only woman in town reaching the brink. Soon, Sally finds herself leading an extremely unusual self-help group, and among them there are four bodies to hide. Can they all figure out the perfect way to bury their husbands . . . and get away with it?

First to join is former nurse, Ruth, who met her husband as a single mom. Now her son is grown and her husband’s violence builds by the day until an attack on the stairs leads to a fatal accident—for him. A few doors down, Samira’s last straw comes when she discovers her husband is planning a campaign of violence against her eldest daughter, who has just come out. Janey, Sally’s best friend, has just had her first child at forty-two. Sleep-deprived Janey needs a hero to slay the monster in the fairy tales she whispers to her daughter each night . . . and as her husband’s violence escalates, it might just be her.

Together, fueled by righteous anger but tempered by a moral core, the four women must help each other work out a plan to get rid of their husbands for good. Along the way, Sally, Ruth, Samira and Janey rediscover old joys and embark on new passions in work, education, and life. Friendship and laughter really are the best medicine—and so is getting away with murder.

©2024 Alexia Casale (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A darkly comedic story with hijinks that will leave you torn between shock and horrified laughter. Casale has tackled a heartbreaking topic with the dexterity and nuance it deserves. I don't condone of murder, but I would like to join the Lockdown Ladies' Burial Club now, please!”
—Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

“The Best Way To Bury Your Husband is poignant, funny, and warm, but also dark, searing and downright heart-breaking. Beautifully written with a perfect blend of humour, pathos, and important, hard-hitting messages.” —Andrea Mara, bestselling author of No One Saw a Thing

“Warning: You won't sleep until you've finished this book. It's utterly unputdownable. Tense, funny, moving, and strangely cosy at the same time. Casale writes about domestic abuse with clarity and urgency, and yet with humour, farce, and warmth. You'll weep as these four survivors find solace and homecoming as they share their stories (and tips on dismemberment). Not to be missed. Read it now!” —Holly Bourne, bestselling author of How Do You Like Me Now?

Easy listen

The characters are good, and though the plot is wildly implausible, it makes sense within its own world. I can't hold it against the story itself, but I was bothered by the author's note about "MVAWG" at the end. For one, reducing millions of abusers and victims to one acronym as if they're all the same bothers me. For another, the author talks about 'men' as if ALL of them are like this and 'women' as if all of them are victims. What about mothers who abuse children? What about fathers who abuse male children? What about the fact that men are almost always bigger and stronger than women, making it just plain easier for them to be controlling and abusive whether the woman has those same tendencies or not?? Abusive people abuse those weaker than them, whether physically or because cultural beliefs make it easy for them to get away with it. The fact that that's usually men doesn't make all men evil.

A Great Book!

Really well done. Appreciated the Author’s Note at the end. I recommend this story! Loved the characters.

Didn’t want it to be over!

It was such a tough subject matter but it was handled so well. It was the right amount of humor and respect. I suspected the plot twist but that didn’t stop me from audibly gasping when it happened!!! Such a phenomenal story from beginning to end!

The complexity of the characters was so intriguing.

I loved the whole story from beginning to end. the friendships that are made through adversity.. Also the hope and encouragement that the women shared with each other.

A good book to open dialogue with others regarding DV

I appreciate the difficult topic that is addressed in a way that makes it accessible to converse with others in a healthy way. It's not an easy conversation to have with others and it's certainly not easy to tell yourself you have been a victim of any violence, but this book is a good way to reassure others that they matter and have value and that getting help is a viable option rather than staying until it's too late.

Strong women

Great story of women’s empowerment. It is very heavy on domestic violence so trigger warning.

Amazingly poignant!!

Not just funny but enlightening and entertaining; it’s a sad truth that must be told and this author chose a very interesting and enthralling way of doing so! A great read!

I didn't want to stop listening

This was a well written book set in the time of covid lockdowns. In case you're wondering, there wasn't anything political about it. The whole thing was about a group of women who end up developing close friendships as they try to help one another figure out how to get rid of their husband's body. I found it to be funny and entertaining and the narration was spot on.

The storyline!!!!

Nailed it! Informative, sensitive, heartbreaking, funny & ear catching! Absolutely loved where this book started and where it ended!

SO GOOD!

Triggering, funny and endearing. Loved the narrator, loved the characters and how detailed each individual journey was written and developed, but especially loved how it captures the dynamics of abusive situations and why it's so hard in most cases for survivors to be believed (IYKNK), with a magnificent ending

The author's notes raising awareness was the perfect finish to this dark comedy. *raises a champagne glass and toasts*