I enjoy picking up a book where I don’t know what to expect, and it’s even better when the book I’ve selected doesn’t match my expectations -- but in a good way. From the title, I supposed this book would be all shiny concept, heavy on clever plot, no emotional engagement, but probably funny. It does have a shiny concept, but the concept (as it should be), is just the kick off. Heroine Capri (like the car, the pants or the island) Sanzio, granddaughter of a serial killer, makes her living giving – you guessed it – serial killer tours of San Francisco. She’s been quite successful, and the patrons only infrequently ask questions about her grandfather, who was known as “Overkill Bill.”

Bill got his moniker because he used three methods to kill each of his victims (as Lenny on Law & Order might put it, he used a belt and suspenders). Her grandfather is long dead but when a copycat murder occurs, Capri latches on to it for several reasons. One, she thinks she might do a podcast about the new crime (along the way, hopefully exonerating her grandfather), and the reason she needs to do the podcast is that her ex mother in law has cut off grad school funding for her daughter. Then, the grandmother herself is killed in the exact same manner. Now the eyes of the police are on Capri and possibly her daughter, making her investigation even more important.

The family pulls together in the wake of the grandmother’s death. She was an unpleasant socialite who had been a difficult mother-in-law but Capri is still of the strong opinion that she didn’t deserve to be murdered. The unexpected part of the novel comes in after the set up. Capri’s family pulls together after it all goes down. We, as readers, get to know her daughter, her ex-husband, and her former father in law.

Capri’s doggedness also leads her to uncover many unpleasant realities about her ex mother in law’s life, things that her family was completely unaware of. The tale of corruption and fraud she winkles out is really straight out of an old Rockford Files episode. Meanwhile, the cops are on her ass and she’s worried for her daughter.

The tours she runs are sprinkled throughout the book, lending the story authentic atmosphere and a flavor of San Francisco - a city that’s been home to killers, sure, but is also beautiful and historic. The little factoids about killers were often familiar to me (I did run a crime bookstore for decades) but they might be new to the reader. This wasn’t really a light read but it was a fun one, with a tricky plot at the center. It was far from all high concept but instead returned to straight up mystery trope territory. I very liked Capri and hope she makes another appearance.

The granddaughter of a convicted serial killer gets pulled into a case involving a copycat killer, or is she a suspect? Capri Sanzio believes her grandfather was wrongly convicted but doesn't know if that's anything she can prove. The copycat case(s) hit close to home and she may be able to at least solve those, if for no other reason than to clear her name. There are many suspects, and a sometimes confusing case of white collar crime that may serve as the motive, and Chouinard moves things along quickly. The true joy of this book is the City of San Francisco as a character. Capri's day job is giving "true crime tours" of San Francisco and her descriptions add a lot to this book. I"'m not sure if this will evolve into a series, but if it does, I look forward to it. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks St Martin's for the gifted copy

3.81 stars.

I started The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco after DNFing not one but TWO different audiobooks because I couldn’t get into them. This one did the trick and hooked me right away. It’s a super quick and enjoyable cozy mystery. While the mysteries aren’t ground breaking, the quirky characters and their relationships with each other kept me hooked. It gave big “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advance For Murderers” vibes — both are cozy mysteries set in SF that really bring the city to life. I'm hoping this turns into a series because I'd love to see what happens next for Capri and her potential suitor (who I won't mention by name to avoid spoilers!). Overall, I’d recommend this one if you enjoy cozies and/or love reading books set in SF.

This one works really well on audio as well. The narrator's voice is appropriately emotional and I really liked her different male voices. The old man voice in particular is really effective. It was easy to tell it apart from other male dialogue without being overly exaggerated or caricatural.

Overall ratings
Exact star rating: 3.81
10-pt star rating: 4
5-pt star rating: 4

Attribute ratings
Characters: 3
Atmosphere/Setting: 5
Writing Style: 3.5
Plot/Pacing: 3.5
Intrigue: 4.5
Logic: 3
Enjoyment: 4

4.25 stars / This review will be posted on BookwormishMe.com and goodreads.com today.


San Francisco has so much history and is such a perfect place to set a murder mystery. This novel by Michelle Chouinard is a riveting look into the high society of San Fran and the dark underbelly.

Capri Sanzio is quite well associated with murder. Her grandfather was an infamous serial killer convicted and sentenced to life in prison back in the sixties. While Capri believes he was innocent, her father has always slammed that door shut. So when a copycat murder occurs, and Capri’s ex mother in law goes missing, she’s thrown right back into the history.

Only Capri’s connection to the past killer and her connections to the copycat murders bring her and her daughter onto the suspect list too. Capri decides to finally investigate what’s been stewing in her brain for decades - who really was Overkill Bill? More importantly, who has decided to copycat and throw her into suspicion now?

Really fun novel. So much embedded history about San Francisco’s history. I loved Capri’s best friend’s description of the wealthy as ‘puff adders’ and how they’d do anything to maintain their images. The many twists will keep you guessing about the actual murderer until the end. Easy and quick read. Definitely recommend for a chilly fall night by the fire (or a summer day in San Fran!)

I really enjoyed this mystery. It had a great hook and I listened to it in one day, I just couldn't put it down.
There was moments that really had me thinking I figure out the mystery and in the end Whoa! Was I ever surprised!

This was a middle of the road cozy mystery to me. I absolutely love cozy mysteries because of their direct storylines, cute characters, and easiness of reading (there are a ton of other things, but those are the ones I can think of right now). This definitely had really good characters and a super interesting back story. The story was kept pretty light didn't go too dark so it definitely fell straight into the cozy category.

Unfortunately, where this book falls flat is the writing. There were sections of massive information dumps instead of small bits of information fed to the reader over time. There was an entire chapter of our main character just going through a desk full of evidence and that's where the book kind of lost me. It was just so much information shoved at the reader. I kept pushing through and, again, the ending felt cheesy and just a giant villain explanation dialogue. It was kind of just annoying to read in that way. If information had been trickled to the audience, I can see this book getting closer to a four star.

⭐️Cozy Mystery
⭐️Takes place in San Francisco
⭐️Amateur Sleuthing

This was such a fast read as the mystery of who done it unfolded perfectly. I liked the granddaughter of a famous serial killer took it upon herself to relook at her grandfather murders to see if he was innocent or not and look into new murder.

✨ Review ✨ The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard; Narrated by: Stephanie Németh-Parker

Thanks to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

I needed an easy, fun listen for a car trip and this understood the assignment.

This book is operating on multiple levels of a sort of thriller with true crime themes happening.

First Capri Sanzio runs a tour company in San Francisco, spotlighting historic sites associated with serial killers.

Then we find out that she got into this because her grandpa was a convicted serial killer known as Overkill Bill. Because she's always suspected he was innocent though, she sets out to document his story to try to uncover his innocence.

Then a copycat killer mimicking Overkill Bill strikes, and Capri becomes interlaced into the investigation.

I loved how she's doing work in the world of true crime and then also became immersed in it in her real life as well. The layers of this made the book so much fun to listen to.

The setting in San Francisco also aligned with my interests, and I loved that the book took us all around SF and even to Alcatraz, as Capri leads tours and investigates crimes!

The book is light (though heavy in the discussions of violent deaths and other crimes), easy to follow, and was a whole lot of fun for a trip!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: thriller/mystery
Setting: San Francisco
Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
Pub Date: Sep 24 2024

I loved this book! Such a unique premise and the multiple mysteries to solve while they all converged kept me captivated and entertained throughout. Easy 5 stars

Unfortunately this one fell a little flat for me. I think with the title and cover I expected a little more humor and fun, but it felt drawn out at times and when it started going deeper into tech and insider trading I started to get bored. I did enjoy the little tour bits between chapters and wish there had been a bit more of that!

Capri, inspired by a lifelong belief that her grandfather is innocent of the killing spree he was imprisoned for, started out studying journalism to learn investigation techniques and ended up with a business giving serial killer tours in San Francisco about other cases she’d studied.

Her daughter Morgan, for similar reasons, is perusing a degree in forensic psychology. At least she was, but after a surprise late night phone call from her Grandmother (on her dad’s side) her main tuition money is being immediately cut off without good reason.

Desperate for money, Capri is considering her friend’s advice to do a podcast/book combo about her grandfather’s case.

When a copycat killer strikes, the interest increases.

The main difference being where the original killer targeted sex workers, the new one is after socialites. And when victim number two is the mother in law that just cut off Capri’s daughter’s tuition, the two become prime suspects.
Now she’s not just trying to clear her grandfather’s name but theirs as well.

I enjoyed the bits between chapters, the ones that felt like you were taking a tour by reading them.
In fact, I wished it had been more about the tours, and less about tech companies and insider training because those parts lost my interest and made the story feel slower.
I also would have liked more about the original objective spread throughout - trying to prove her grandfather’s innocence - because the last 10% of the book where he was the focus was my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and smp for the arc
3 1/2 ⭐️

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 336 / Genre: Murder Mystery
Release Date: September 24, 2024

The granddaughter of convicted a serial killer, Capri Sanzio now gives tours around San Francisco highlighting the city’s most famous serial killer haunts and hideouts. But deep down, she always believed he was innocent. So when a copycat killer strikes, she takes it upon herself to investigate both the new murders and the old ones and hopes she can use what she finds to help clear her grandfather’s name.

With such a fun title, I thought it would be a bit more humorous or maybe a more unusual take on what serial killers think and do. It wasn’t either if those things. But it is a decent murder mystery with a nice twist at the end.

Thank you @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for my gifted copy.

This is overall a solid book, I just feel like it is too drawn out at times. The aspects of cyber crimes being the root cause of problems was boring and not well suited for a book. Especially one that the appearance is so what it is. I wanted more from it overall. There wasn’t as much serial killer as there was family being awful. Then at the end when she falls for the cop, it felt so sudden because half the book is her thinking he’s working against her. She also makes a lot of stupid decisions. There is also the flatness of a wide array of characters. I feel like personality was missing. It was an easy read, but to me not worth more than an average amount of stars. Thank you for the opportunity to read this early !

Having lived in the San Francisco area, I'm always drawn to authors who set their stories there. Chouinard, known for her procedural series featuring Jo Fournier, introduces a new sleuth in the form of Capri Sanzio, a tour guide specializing in San Francisco's darker history. Capri's grandfather was imprisoned for brutal murders, and when her ex-mother-in-law, her daughter's college tuition benefactor, is found killed in a similar manner, Capri feels compelled to investigate. Will delving into her grandfather's past help or hinder the police? And how will it affect her relationship with her father, still grappling with his father's incarceration? Chouinard's professional experience shines through in her portrayal of diverse characters and their motivations. Her lighter touch, evident in Capri's wry musings, adds depth to a serious subject. This book is a must-read for mystery book clubs.

Full disclosure I received this ARC from netgalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an unbiased review.

The plot of this book is seamlessly laid out. Readers will not find a hole they can put their finger in as they enjoy this wonderful murder mystery while learning a great deal about the history of San Francisco. Capri is the storyteller and she makes a captivating one. She is a fierce investigator as she puts herself out there to solve the murders. It is a story that even at the end you will be wishing for just a little bit more.

4/5 stars

Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced reading copy!

What a fun and quick cozy mystery! The premise was super clever and entertaining from the start. The mystery itself was entertaining and pretty well-done. I was a bit disappointed by the end as a whole, but I overall still enjoyed this one! Capri was an enjoyable MC and the supporting cast of chaotic characters was really fun to read. I was nervous this was going to turn into a typical podcast/true crime knockoff, but it strayed away from that and kept at something a little more unique, which I was thankful for. Overall, a fun fall read! I would definitely read more of this author in the future.

SYNOPSIS -- Capri Sanzio has always been fascinated with serial killers, so much so that she makes her living giving serial killer tours of San Francisco. The fascination likely started as a kid, when she found her that her grandfather was infamous William "Overkill Bill" Sanzio. When an Overkill Bill copycat pops up in the city, killing Capri's ex-mother-in-law, Sylvia, Capri takes this as an opportunity to find the killer AND prove her grandfather's long-questioned innocence. Suddenly, Capri and her daughter are prime suspects in the case she's trying to solve, and as the stakes get higher, Capri gets even more and more desperate for the truth.

Thank you NetGalley and Michelle Chouinard fo the chance to read this ARC!

The granddaughter of the infamous serial killer, Over Kill Bill, has turned her dark family legacy into a career, leading tours of San Francisco's most infamous serial killer sites. However, when a copycat killer emerges decades later and murders her former mother-in-law, Capri, feels driven to investigate both cases. This entertaining and informative murder mystery, gives Riley Thorn and Finlay Donovan vibes, offers a captivating narrative that seamlessly balances suspense and engagement, leaving the reader anticipating the author's next release.

Thank you so much Minotaur Books, St. Martins Press, and Michelle Chouinard for the eARC of The Serial Killer’s Guide to San Francisco. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

True crime/mystery fans: Stop what you’re doing right now and immediately go add The Serial KIller’s Guide to San Francisco to your tbr. It’s that good! 🤩 This novel seamlessly weaves the story of fictional serial killer, Overkill Bill, with facts about real famous serial murders in the San Francisco area. I’m not exaggerating when I say I couldn’t put this one down!

To be honest, I’m not the type of person that’s usually drawn to novels about murder. I initially requested the book because I thought the cover was cute 😂. If your vibe matches mine, please don’t let the phrase “serial killer” throw you off. This book is written in such a way that the historical asides about actual murders add to the plot without things becoming too gruesome. You’ll also learn some really interesting facts about San Francisco along the way!

I felt like FMC, Capri Sanzio, was super relatable (minus the being a granddaughter of a serial killer part 🫠). I loved reading about her juggling her roles as a mom, business owner, and an amateur detective as the mystery of the novel unfolded. She felt like a real person, which is my absolute favorite type of character to read about.

As for the mystery, I refuse to give anything away. Let’s just say the characters pop off the page and the twists and turns will have your mind in overdrive trying to figure it out whodunnit. This was easily a five star read for me! I can’t wait for the second installment!

In the pages you will find:

🔪 Unsolved murders
🗺️ Facts about notorious serial killers
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Complicated family dynamics
💰High Society
🕵️‍♂️ A handsom detective
🚫 No romance
🤝 Workplace friendships
🤯 A shocking ending

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book has a very unique concept, a great mystery, and fun and exciting characters to keep it all going! I absolutely loved Capri, and really enjoyed the ride!

This book was such a fun and thrilling read. It was one of the best mysteries I have read in a very long time. It was just a blast to read. Such good writing and story telling.