This was such a fun read - there were so many aspects to the plot that were unexpected and throughly enjoyed. What I loved most about this story is that at its core, the main characters want to find the truth and honor the victims by doing it. Whether it’s the crimes that happened in history that the tours are about, to her grandfathers alleged victims, to the new bodies piling up, Capri wants to hunt down the truth about what happened and make sure everybody knows. I truly loved the way the book wove the past and current crimes together, and how the entire cast of characters played a role in this story. I really enjoyed it and the audiobook and can’t wait to see what comes next!

This was a very different type of mystery than what I was expecting. But it pleasantly surprised me. I was kept on my toes the whole time, and curious about what was happening, and who was really behind the crimes. There’s no way I would’ve guessed the ending, it threw me for a loop (like really, I’m almost wondering if there are hidden clues that I may have missed?). I did have some trouble keeping my attention to the book at times. But, all in all, it was a quick, easy, interesting mystery.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from the publisher and author through NetGalley. However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.

3.25 stars

Capri Sanzio is the granddaughter of notorious Overkill Bill, a San Francisco serial killer. Capri has grown up in the shadows of his murders, but now runs a successful tour company in San Francisco specializing in crime, murder, killers. But now Capri’s ex-mother-in-law has turned up dead, murdered in the style of Overkill Bill. The police suspect her or her daughter Morgan, as right before the murder. Her ex-mother-in-law told her they were cutting off Morgan‘s college tuition.

But Capri knows her and her daughter are innocent and she set for to find out as much as she can about who killed her ex mother-in-law.

Michelle Chouinard is a debut novelist and this book is a pretty good start. The mystery is good and it did seem like it was setting it up for a series.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books through Netgalley for a copy of this book.

Capri Sanzio has a unique view of San Francisco, and she enjoys sharing it with tourists and residents through her tours of the city. She opened her tour business after her divorce, and she’s done well. Her serial killer tour is particularly popular, as it should be. She has special expertise on serial killers, as her grandfather was convicted and imprisoned as William “Overkill Bill” Sanzio.

Capri had studied journalism in school, but she put that aside to raise her daughter. Now her daughter is in graduate school, studying forensic psychology, when her grandmother called her up to let her know she was not going to keep paying for her school. Capri was furious at her former mother-in-law Sylvia for pulling the rug out from under her daughter like that. Her husband’s family was old school money, which Sylvia had always held over Capri’s head while she was married, and now she’s suddenly cutting off her daughter’s education?

Capri decides that now is the time to put together that book on her grandfather she’d always wanted to do. If she can put together some new tours, add blog posts, do a podcast, and write a book about Overkill Bill, she should be able to earn enough money to keep her daughter in school until she gets her degree. Especially when there is a new murder, echoing the style of Overkill Bill.

The original women targeted by the serial killer were prostitutes, and this new victim is not. She was married to a tech millionaire and doing everything she could to breakthrough to the old money elite. She was getting involved with charity events and trying to impress all the right people. Her death was a surprise to her husband, to the police, and to the city. Once again, Overkill Bill is front and center on everyone’s minds.

But when there is a second murder, Capri’s research gets even more personal, as it’s Sylvia who is the latest victim of the copycat. Now Capri is investigating her former mother-in-law as well as her grandfather, and what she finds shocks her. But there is one person out there who knows the truth already, or at least part of it. The killer knows who Capri is and what she’s investigating. Will she be able to find the answers before the copycat runs out of patience and makes her their third victim? Or will she figure out a way to save herself and her beloved city from another murderer?

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco is an interesting perspective on a serial killer story. The intelligent charm of Capri and the people who work with her on the tour guides adds some humor and heart to what is a dark story of deceit, fraud, and old money. The mystery is complex and seductive, and well paced through this novel.

I listened to The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco on audio, with narrator Stephanie Nemeth-Parker spinning a convincing story in the voice of Capri. I thought she did an excellent job of bring Capri and her investigation to life.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but there is a lot going on in this story. I actually wanted to slow some things down and get more details from time to time. I thought this could have been broken up into two books. I would have loved to read the transcripts of Capri’s podcast and maybe some of her blog posts. I would have loved to go on more of the tours, to be with her and her team as they bring the city to life. These details would have slowed down the mystery solving, but I think they would have added rich details. But the book is what it is, and I still really loved listening to it. Capri is a good character, and I hope there are more books about her adventures in my future.

Egalleys for The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco were provided by Minotaur Books and a copy of the audiobook was provided by Macmillan Audio, both through NetGalley, with many thanks.

'The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco' is a solid and fun read. It is a cozy mystery and I like the blend of solving two related mysteries together. However, it can get very descriptive and a little draggy with a lot of pop culture references which I personally do not like and I feel like it takes me out of the story a bit. There are certain phrases that I felt that didn't belong.

It does pick up closer to the end and I did end up enjoying the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press//Minotaur books for an advanced copy.

3.5 stars!
The initial blurb of this book really drew me in — Capri runs a serial killer tour guide company in San Francisco, while being the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer AND there is a seemingly copy cat killer (of her grandfather) — SUCH A GOOD PREMISE!

Ultimately, the execution just wasn’t there for me. I don’t mind a slower mystery story, but the pacing was a little messy in my opinion.

I hope this is the first of a series! I really enjoyed the aspect behind the main character starting her business, and all the family drama that built the plot.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books for early access via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions. I binge listened to The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco this week, and it is a fun cozy mystery set in, obviously, SF. The main character runs serial killer tours of the city. Who knew there were that many related sites in SF? Not me!
Capri, the tour operator, became interested in serial killers when she discovered her grandfather was imprisoned as the infamous serial killer “Overkill Bill” Sanzo. While she has always believed in his innocence, she hasn't ever researched it too much, not wanting to disturb the family of his victims. Almost everyone associated with the case has now passed away - and now a copycat killer has struck, and Capri is thrust into the scene.
If you're looking for a nice read/listen that is just twisty enough to keep the reader engaged and suspecting red herrings, this fun book may be right up your alley. It is available everywhere, as it just published on Tuesday.

This is a little more gritty than a cozy mystery which I loved. I loved the tour of San Francisco landmarks and the true crime stories that were part of Capri’s tours.. Capri as an investigator to clear her name and her daughter’s name kept this book moving perfectly. The Overkill Bill case was the one that really had my head spinning!

The concept of this was so fun! I love the idea of present and past mysteries blending together.

The pacing of this was a bit on the slower side for me personally, but I also didn't realize how much of a cozy mystery this was going to be. So while I didn't love it, I think cozy mystery readers will enjoy it!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

This was a solid murder mystery book. I had a few issues with pacing, and at times the inner dialogue from the FMC was a bit much, so it took me a little while to fully engage with the story. However once I got used to the authors style I enjoyed the book. Capri was a pretty good detective, the police could use her on the force! Lol Of the three murders involved, I guessed who the perpetrator was of the first, but the other two had me going back and forth.
3.75 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur books for an advanced copy.

Thank you to Michelle Chouinard, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

First, I love the cover. Second, I really enjoyed reading this. I liked Capri and found myself rooting for her to solve the mystery of the copycat.

I liked that we got a glimpse into her job and honestly, I wouldn't mind going on one of those tours!

I also listened to the audiobook while reading, and thought the narrator did an amazing job.

A decent light noir (gris?) set in modern day San Francisco. Capri Sanzio is the granddaughter of Overkill Bill, a serial killer from the 1960’s who offed three women before being caught. Capri, a true crime buff, thinks he’s innocent and has been investigating the case.

Her day job is running a company that offers crime tours of San Francisco which pays well enough, but when Sylvie, her ex-mother-in-law, decides to stop paying Capri’s daughter’s tuition at Stanford, Capri realizes she needs to capitalize on her heritage. But then there are two Overkill Bill copycat murders - one of which is Sylvie and suddenly Capri and her daughter are in the police’s crosshairs. The only way to stop this is, of course, by investigating the murders herself.

I got a bit bogged in the middle of this book where there was a lot of confusing (to me, at least) financial chicanery that I got the gist of but didn't quite follow. Once we got away from that, it was a nifty and satisfying plot, though there were really not enough suspects for the reader to get too blown off course and there's a pretty big plot hole (the photos!).

The San Francisco setting felt a bit light to me as a resident of the city. I’ve always appreciated Marcia Muller’s thorough descriptions of city streets and neighborhoods and I was hoping for more of the same, given the title. While some were absolutely on point - the Presidio Heights house and neighborhood are vividly detailed - others - like Capri’s home and office locations are a bit vague. There are some inserts about famous killers in the city tied to specific locations, presumably linked to Capri’s tours, which add some SF-specific spice.

I did enjoy Capri’s dry and humorous narration and her co-workers feel like they could develop into a solid team, so I’m sure we'll be back for more murderous San Francisco mayhem.

Thanks to St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

San Francisco - I'll give you a 25yo photo of me in San Francisco. I went to law school in California (Sacramento to be precise) and spent quite a few weekends in San Francisco during that time... I loved it and I loved my reminiscing with this book as well !
This novel is both creative and immensely enjoyable!
I loved how the city's landmarks and history were seamlessly woven into the story, bringing the setting to life. The inclusion of historical serial killers tied to the city added an extra layer of intrigue, enhancing the atmosphere and mystique of San Francisco. The dual investigations-one focused on a present-day killer and the other on uncovering the truth behind an old crime-were skillfully intertwined. While the police are fixated on the current case, Capri believes there's a link to the past, determined to clear her grandfather's name and uncover the real serial killer.
I appreciated how the author made history and tradition feel ever-present, not only through the city's architecture and events but also through its enduring social hierarchies and class dynamics. ... and let's be honest Sam Spade and The Maltese Falcon get mentioned so I just had to love this one.
A captivating and entertaining read, perfect for mystery and thriller enthusiasts-highly recommended!
I listened to the audio for this book and the narration by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker added to my enjoyment, it was so fun!

If you like what I consider a blow burn mystery then you will enjoy The Serial Killer's Guide to San Francisco.

In my opinion I think the title is slightly misleading, I really expected a lot more to do with serial killers in the book, but you do get a nice little textual tour of San Francisco. The MC, Capri, is fairly likeable, she runs her own touring company in SF that revolves around serial killers. The book starts off interesting with some family drama and Capri's daughter, Morgan, being cut off financially from her grandmother, Sylvia. Then boom, Sylvia is dead. From here it is extremely slow until about 60% of the way through the book. In my opinion there's too much detail about Capri's investigation into Sylvia and why she might have been killed and not enough detail into her grandfather "Overkill Bill" and whether he was truly a serial killer or not.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Capri makes a living giving serial killer tour guides throughout San Francisco, as well as being the granddaughter to a convicted serial killer.
This was a fun mystery that kept me engaged from beginning to end. With a cold case murder and a copycat to capris grandfathers killings, there was a lot going on but it was easy to keep up with. Capri was busy trying to solve 2 different murders, while trying to keep herself out of the spotlight of being a suspect.
I loved the setting of the story and how small crimes would be thrown into it, and give you a hint of history throughout the book.
I do hope that Capri and detective pietro continue their journey into another book!

I was not a huge fan of this. The plot was overly complicated and hard to keep track of all of the characters. I begrudgingly finished it but did not enjoy many aspects. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Overall Rating: 2.5/5 stars

The premise of this book was very promising - a divorced mother, Capri, owns a company that gives Serial Killer tours in San Francisco. Given that her grandfather is a convicted serial killer, her direct ties to true crime makes this an appropriately fitting job.

Capri has always questioned her Grandfather’s conviction, and decides to start a True Crime podcast and book further investigating his innocence.

Within a day of making this decision, her ex-mother-in-law turns up murdered, by a seemingly copycat killer. Capri ends up investigating two crimes from two different time periods, both of which very directly impact her and her family.

As a true crime fan myself, I loved the informative tidbits woven into the narrative.

Now for the things I didn’t like - Capri runs into convenient circumstance after convenient circumstance. A few examples…
- One of her best friends is a lawyer and can provide legal advice
- Her coworker is a tech whiz and can crack passcodes easily
- Her other coworker just so happens to want to start a prohibition tour and talks about hidey holes in houses, which immediately triggers Capri to find a hidey hole in her ex step parents house
- Capri is able to MacGyver her way into said hidey hole quickly
- Nobody, including the police, thought about files being backed up onto the cloud? In a modern day story?

… you get the idea. This made the story feel a little inauthentic to have so many easy to solve problems.

Additionally, I felt like the romance subplot was totally unnecessary. We know next to nothing about the “handsome detective” so this fell flat for me.

Overall, this was an easy to read, somewhat cozy, mystery, but it just felt a little underdeveloped for me.

This off-stage murder mystery has a lot of great things going for it: a strong female MC in her 40s when so many are usually set with younger characters, dual mysteries which may or may not be related, and a city with history. I felt the MC's development was decent but wanted a little more development of secondary characters with major roles (MC's daughter, the detective, the modern-day victims). I sense this might be installment #1 of a series, and I would look forward to learning more backstory and seeing how relationships and opportunities for crime solving work out. Hopefully the authors continues on as I would definitely keep reading.

3.5 stars rounded up because I loved the premise of a serial killer's granddaughter getting caught up in a newer round and in investigating her family's past. I would have preferred things to be a little more on-stage and grittier, but I can see this appealing to a wider range of readers because it wasn't.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.