Went into this thinking it was a cozy mystery, aka not super high expectations, but I was kind of bored? The last quarter of the book was probably the most exciting, if you choose to make it that far. I felt like it had too much detail in some parts, and then not enough during the parts I wanted to know about. It just lacked something in the mystery department, like I wanted more but I can’t seem to articulate what.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Capri Sanzio, the granddaughter of a murderer known as Overkill Bill, has always believed in her grandfather’s innocence. When a copycat killer strikes San Francisco, she decides to investigate the murders in an attempt to clear his name.

Thoughts: I really loved the unique premise of this one! Capri makes her living running a tour company specializing in San Francisco’s dark past, which was such a great backdrop for this mystery. With her personal ties to a previous serial killer as well as one of the victims of the present day copycat killer, there were many secrets to be uncovered and suspenseful twists. The characters were fun and lent a lighthearted vibe to the story. Overall, this was a fun and creative take on a cozy murder mystery! A note on the audio: Narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker. This one is very fun on audio, and I really enjoyed Stephanie’s narration!

Read this if you like:
🗺️ ghost tours
🗺️ murder mysteries
🗺️ family drama
🗺️ history

This is a cozy mystery with a dash of romcom and a bit of a true crime novelization.

Capri is kick ass with a passion for true crime and its ties to her families. Her career makes it simple for her to jump into the investigation into the death of a family member.

It avoids some of my least favorite mystery tropes and creates strong, well developed women and protective men who don’t smother or patronize.

The added layer of the serial killer ties to her family give the book another dimension beyond just a murder hobbyist getting involved in an investigation.

I’m hoping this is the first of a series.

When you’re the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer and have had to live with that stigma all your life, you may as well embrace it and start a business giving serial killer tours. San Francisco has a storied history of serial killers and Capri Sanzio taps into that fascination with the tours she leads. Capri has always believed that her grandfather was innocent, but has honored her father’s adamant insistence that she let the past stay in the past. When a copycat killer starts mimicking her grandfather’s crimes, and one of those victims is her ex mother-in-law, Capri has no choice to but to revisit the past and to investigate these new murders in order to protect her family.

With the plot hook of the main character’s relationship to a serial killer, you’re solidly focused on both past and present mysteries. It does get bogged down with too much wordiness and too much technical detail in spots, which does slow the pace of the story a bit. Ultimately though, this is a fun cozy mystery that will keep you entertained.

This book felt a bit genre defying. It was set up as a cozy, with the granddaughter tour director deciding to find out what really happened with her convicted serial killer grandfather. But it was also a bit more thriller with the current murders, done in the same manner as her grandfather had supposedly used. Add in a feeling of a true crime book with the inserts about actual San Francisco killers, San Francisco films and literature, and you have a really overflowing book. The only drawback I felt was that for awhile the search to clear the grandfather got completely forgotten and then quickly wrapped up at the end with less attention that I felt it deserved. But overall, this was a fun book to read and I would definitely go on a serial killer's tour of San Francisco!

This book totally captivated me, oddly enough near the middle and less so at the beginning and end. I thought Capri was a great main character and I loved the background history we learned with both her and Todd’s families. The business of running a tour of a city based on its serial killers is so interesting to someone who studied criminal justice and loves true crime! Although I loved all these things, I found the reveal of the murderer to be a little lackluster in comparison to how elaborate and in-depth the other details of the book were. Not that it felt rushed but more like there were no other viable options. I did enjoy this a lot but it was slightly above an average read looking at it as a whole novel rather than focusing on my favorite pieces.

First thank you to st Martin’s press/Minotaur books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis: Capri is the granddaughter of a famous serial killer in San Francisco so who better to run a tour company of serial killer locations than her. She has always believed her grandfather was innocent but never really pursued it. Now a copycat killer is on the loose and she is a suspect because it hits very close to home. Will she figure it out before she is arrested or murdered and why are they copying her grandfathers style?

What I liked: this is a wonderful debut novel and really enjoyed the mysteries and humor in the story. Capri is a great character. She is fierce, funny, and fearless and willing to do whatever it takes to protect those that she loves. She also does what is right. She grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and married into a very wealthy family. She divorced after being cheated on but still remains close because of her daughter. I loved how she would be the voice of reason with the family especially as they thought just about themselves. The mystery itself took some good twists that I enjoyed.

The nice twist is you are treated to two mysteries with her grandfather case too. This one was really interesting with the history and investigation she does. I don’t want to spoil anything but was really impressed with how she handled both mysteries. I can’t wait to see what she writes next. I know I will be reading it.

"In Michelle Chouinard's clever mystery The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco, the granddaughter of a serial killer shows readers another side of the beloved city.

Welcome to San Francisco, a city with killer charm.

The chill of a San Francisco summer can be deadly. No one knows this better than Capri Sanzio, who makes her living giving serial killer tours of the city. Capri has been interested in the topic since she was a kid, when she discovered she's the granddaughter of serial killer William 'Overkill Bill' Sanzio. She's always believed in his innocence, though she's never taken the leap to fully dive into the case.

But now an Overkill Bill copycat has struck in San Francisco. And Capri's former mother-in-law, Sylvia, just cut off Capri's daughter's tuition payments. Needing cash, Capri wonders if this is the time to exonerate her grandfather. The case is back in the news and the police will be looking to understand the past to catch a present-day killer. Capri could finally uncover the truth about Overkill Bill - documenting the process with a podcast and a book - and hopefully earn some money.

Before Capri can get very far, the cops discover the copycat's latest victim: Sylvia. Capri soon finds herself at the heart of the police's investigation for an entirely different reason. She and her daughter are prime suspects."

I'm just saying, wouldn't debunking your grandfather when you do serial killer tours kind of put a dent in your business?

Book Review
The Serial Killers Guide to San Francisco
By Michelle Chouinard

Tropes
✅ New to me author
✅ Amateur investigator working an old police file with a family connection
✅ Serial killer tours
✅ Secrets buried in family’s past
✅ A potentially innocent man wrongfully imprisoned
✅ Copy cat killer
✅ Scandal, fraud, affairs, Socialites and prostitution

Main Character
Capri- tour host, granddaughter of a serial killer, enjoys sleuthing in her off hours
Morgan- Capris daughter, student and suspect
Ryan- Hacker friend and colleague
Heather - BFF and business partner
Phillip - ex FIL
Petito- Local police investigator with the potential for more?
Sylvia- ex MIL

Thoughts
Murder She wrote but with a millennial twist- podcasts and texts and a convenient disregard for following the letter of the law make this a read a perfect cozy mystery to snuggle up with on a crisp fall day.
The inclusion of myths and facts about the criminal history of SF (people and places) add to the authenticity of the current murder mystery under investigation.

Thanks to @netgalley @minotaur_books for my digital copy in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.

This was a really cool concept. The romanced fell flat and felt forced to me. But the idea of a serial killers granddaughter being plagued by copycat murders was enthralling. She was trying her best to clear her "murderous" grandfather's name.

This story was so much more than I expected. I absolutely adored Capri. I was swept up in the mystery. The characters are interesting. It kept me guessing. The reveal stunned me. And the ending left me smiling.

𝒮𝑜𝓁𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝓊𝓇𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈, 𝒹𝑜𝒹𝑔𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒸𝑜𝓅𝓈, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓇𝓊𝓃𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶 𝒷𝓊𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈—𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓀𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝒻𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒶 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓁𝓎?

This was such a fun and gripping read from start to finish! Even though I was so stressed for the FMC as she inserts herself into the dangerous investigation, I understand her need to protect her daughter. I was pulled right into her life as she was working to solve the copycat murders, especially when things get personal with her ex-mother-in-law’s death.

The story keeps you guessing the whole time, and it’s full of twists and turns. Plus, the idea of her turning the investigation into a podcast is so timely and fun since I used to really enjoy true crime. If you like true crime with a bit of dark humor and a fast-paced plot, you’ll love this book. It's hard to put down once you start!

Finally, I loved the emphasis on being respectful to victims of these crimes over the monster as I find it hard to stomach how some idolize or romanticize them. Capri’s focus on the victims was refreshing and even though this was a work of fiction it translates well!

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and to this incredible author for the ARC. All opinions are 100% my own.

This started off so good and super intriguing. The premise isn't really anything new or unique to me. I've read stories like this but on a much darker scale (for example, The Hunter's Daughter), but I was excited to give this a shot when I saw that it was a cozy mystery. Now, I feel like I need to start this by saying that every time I've dabbled with cozy mysteries, they've all fallen flat for me. Unfortunately, that was case here. The further I got into the story, the more it started to drag. I got to the point where I wasn't eager to pick it up to continue reading. I kind of didn't figure out how things were going to go, but I was close and it was a bit underwhelming. I don't know if this makes sense, but the writing was also a lot of telling instead of showing, and that got to be a bit much after a while. Overall, I feel like this is a very niche read that people will love, but it just wasn't for me.

A tour guide who's grandfather was a suspected (and convicted) serial killer, must figure out a way to prove she and her daughter did not kill her ex-mother-in-law. Capri Sanzio has made a living out of serial killers. She runs a tour company focused on true crime in the San Francisco area. She is also the granddaughter of William "Overkill Bill" Sanzio, who was tried and convicted of murdering 3 prostitutes in the 60s. Capri is trying very hard to prove that her grandfather was innocent when her ex-mother-in-law turns up dead, murdered in the exact style her grandfather was infamous for. This after a body was found a few days before, murdered in the same way. Capri gets roped into the investigation so that she can prove that she and her daughter, Morgan, are completely innocent.
I will say that I although I enjoyed this novel, I pretty much had it figured it out by the second murder. I would almost call this a cozy mystery. Entertaining nonetheless.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this e-arc.*

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard offers a dark yet fascinating exploration of the city’s notorious history. Chouinard blends true crime with a travelogue, guiding readers through the sinister landmarks linked to infamous killers. The book’s strength lies in its vivid descriptions and the intriguing way it connects each location to real-life events, making it both informative and chilling for true crime enthusiasts.

However, the book occasionally feels disjointed, with the narrative sometimes lacking cohesion between chapters. A more structured approach would have made the experience smoother, as the shifts between historical recounting and personal reflections can be jarring. That said, for readers interested in both San Francisco’s geography and its dark history, this book offers a unique perspective.

A huge thank you to @stmartinspress, @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the advanced copies in exchange for this review!

I REALLY enjoyed this book!

As many know, I'm typically a romance reader, but every so often I get the itch to dive into some murder mysteries or thrillers! And I was SO excited for this one!

I was lucky enough to get both the book and audio ARCs, which @snemethparker KILLED, by the way!

🔪 Murder Mystery
🚌 True Crime Tours
🔪 Family Legacies/Dynamics
🚌 Who Dun It?!
🔪 Surly Detective
🚌 Black Mail
🔪 High Society / Old Money vs New Money

THE SERIAL KILLER GUIDE TO SAN FRANCISCO will be available on 9/24/24!
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A riveting mystery that combines historical intrigue with contemporary suspense. The writing is atmospheric of San Francisco which made for a great setting. The story is compelling with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and the blend of past and present crimes was intriguing.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you Netgally, St. Matins press and Michelle Chouinard for the ARC of The Serial Killers Guide to San Francisco.

This was a super fun and interesting who done it book. I enjoyed the research into an old murder tangled in a present murder. The characters were interesting and all had a role to play. I did not see any of it coming and was surprised. I hope to see more about Capri and the detective in more books.

If you’re looking for a light murder mystery with splashes of interesting information about San Francisco this is your book!

I really enjoyed this one! I liked how the story followed the current timeline while the main character also was exploring her family’s past. I liked the characters and the setting. I recommend!!

I had such a blast with this book! The blend of mystery and San Francisco’s eerie charm created an incredibly engaging read! Capri Sanzio is a fantastic protagonist—imagine running serial killer tours in a city as steeped in dark history as San Francisco, all while trying to clear your infamous grandfather's name! Her backstory as the granddaughter of the notorious William 'Overkill Bill' Sanzio adds a fresh twist to the mystery genre that I found absolutely fascinating.

The setting was spot-on and added so much to the experience. I loved how the book dives into San Francisco’s darker past, with intriguing details about landmarks like Alcatraz. Capri’s tours, which blend history with the macabre, sounded like something I’d love to go on! It was great to see how the author incorporated these elements into the plot, making the city itself almost like a character in the story.

Capri herself is such a compelling character. I felt like I was right there with her, unraveling clues and navigating personal drama. Her determination to clear her grandfather’s name, while dealing with the fallout from her former mother-in-law’s actions and the new murders, was both gripping and relatable. She’s smart, funny, and easy to root for.

That said, there were times when the story felt a bit cluttered with side characters who didn’t always get enough development. A few potential suspects popped up but then disappeared without much follow-up, which left me a bit confused.

If you enjoy a good mystery with a touch of humor and a unique setting, I highly recommend it. I’m definitely curious to see if there’s more to come in this series or from this author.