A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage

The witty and gripping new thriller introducing your new favourite murderous heroine: Lalla Rook.

'Lalla Rook is ruthless, unapologetic and shamelessly murderous, you're going to love her' Gillian McAllister

‘A wickedly dark and hilarious debut … witty, wise and wildly entertaining’ Alice Feeney

'Deliciously dark, clever satire. Lalla Rook is a genius creation. I absolutely loved it!' Shari Lapena

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There’s a dead body in my living room.

I’ve not called the police because it was I who stabbed him. Seven times in all. The truth is, it’s surprisingly difficult to dispatch someone with a vegetable knife.

In case you’re wondering, the dead man is not my husband. I do resent our pitiful sex life and his woeful lack of ambition, but I wouldn’t murder him for it. Not yet, anyway.

Right now, I have far more pressing concerns: scheming to get my daughter into the perfect school; buying my dream home in Hampstead; and disposing of a corpse.

A woman’s work is never done. I’ve created the perfect life – and I’ll kill to keep it.

Praise for A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage

‘Scintillating … a sardonic social comedy cunningly disguised as a psychological thriller' Sunday Times, Pick of the Month

'This satirical thriller is the perfect antidote to the winter blues' Guardian

'The most wildly entertaining novel you'll read this year: suspenseful but funny, shocking yet stylish' A. J. Finn

‘Big Little Lies meets Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ Booklist

‘A blackly comic delight … sharply sardonic and unputdownable’ Financial Times

‘A witty, propulsive debut with an anti-hero you can't help but root for’ Mirror

‘Hilariously dark, refreshingly honest, and highly entertaining’ Woman’s Weekly

READERS LOVE LALLA ROOK

‘This one is a wild ride, but in the best way possible … What a main character!!!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Perfection to read … such a good ride’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An incredibly fun read! A one-of-a-kind main character … I honestly couldn’t get enough of her. Twisty, sharp, and wildly entertaining’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Witty and wild … an unforgettable female protagonist finding her own way through some very bad days’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Totally chaotic and that's why I adored it … chock full of twists and turns’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

M K Oliver grew up in Liverpool as one of five children and went on to a degree in English Literature and Philosophy. He has spent most his career as an English teacher and Headteacher, working in a variety of schools in in London and the Southeast and is now dedicated to writing full time. He completed writing courses at CBC, Faber & Faber, Golden Egg Academy, and the Royal Court Theatre. He is married with two children, and raised his family in Muswell Hill, where this book is set. He is already at work on a second book featuring Lalla Rook.