Providing a review in exchange for NetGalley ARC.

I have always been a fan of murder mysteries and true crime stories / documentaries. Something about them is just so interesting. What leads people to commit crimes, to commit murder? I have always found it fascinating to be honest. This was definitely an enjoyable and suspenseful murder mystery. I have enjoyed when characters like Capri are related to criminals, it makes their history and background interesting and I always enjoy when they try to prove they aren't like that family member or use that history to solve some sort of mystery which was what happened in this book.

I have always wanted to visit the city of San Francisco itself. I enjoyed learning about the darker side of the city's history and it truly makes you feel like you are in the city.

I also found it interesting how Capri was solving two mysteries at once. I could never. I feel like my brain would be all over the place and I would be mixing up the facts and evidence of both mysteries.

A quick and fun read for sure!

Capri Sanzio, the granddaughter of San Francisco's own notorious Overkill Bill, now runs a tour company, giving true crime enthusiasts an insider's look at the darker side of the city. While she's always believed in her grandfather's innocence, she's never put in the time to devote to his case -- until now. A copycat killer has appeared; and just as her ex-MIL cut off her daughter's grad school tuition, she's found as one of the victims. To clear her name (and earn some much-needed cash), Capri races the clock to solve the crime and potential prove her grandfather's innocence.

I went into this expecting a MUCH different book. Cozy mystery with a true crime bent, yes. The city's Old Money crowd committing fraud and insider-trading through dating apps...not so much. I'm not sure how a book pitched as a serial killer's granddaughter doing serial killer tours of the city could be so boring. I really hope to enjoy this one but it was a massive disappointment.

This was a cute cozy mystery. It definitely had some suspense, but I enjoyed it a lot and found it easy to relax with and read as opposed to being on edge for majority of the time. A good read!

Thanks to Minotaur and Netgalley for the arc

This was a really interesting premise! The granddaughter of a serial killer becomes a serial killer tour guide in the city of San Francisco. When her mother-in-law is murdered in the same fashion of her serial killer grandfather our heroine resolves to solve the murder.

A fun murder mystery where San Francisco shined as much as the characters.

3.5 stars

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco is a twisty, atmospheric mystery that blends true crime fascination with personal stakes. Capri Sanzio, a serial killer tour guide and granddaughter of the infamous "Overkill Bill," is drawn into a chilling investigation when a copycat killer emerges. As she races to prove her grandfather’s innocence, financial struggles push her toward launching a podcast and book—but the case takes a deadly turn when her former mother-in-law is murdered. Suddenly, Capri and her daughter become prime suspects, forcing her to untangle decades-old secrets while dodging the police. Chouinard crafts a gripping narrative filled with rich San Francisco settings, eerie murder lore, and complex family dynamics. This smart, suspenseful read is perfect for fans of crime thrillers with a personal edge.

What a fun time I had reading this novel! Michelle Chouinard did an amazing job with the plot and the characters. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you for the ARC opportunity, unfortunately for this one I did not make the deadline. Now that I have finally read it I wish I read it sooner (like I was supposed to). I want to visit San Francisco myself and go on one of Capri’s tours. I felt like I was in an episode of CSI with the way the case was unfolding even if it wasn’t by someone who was supposed to be involved in that way. I definitely enjoyed it and look forward to the next one in the series and hope we get some follow up with how things left off. I did not expect either twist to happen but they were so good and worth it!

The premise was interesting, and I liked the mix of true crime and fiction. The setting and the main character's perspective kept me engaged, and there were some good twists. But the pacing was uneven, and parts of the story were meh. A decent read.

The premise of this book was so unique - an accused serial killer's granddaughter is doing crime tours in San Francisco? I'm already hooked just from the summary! I love cozy mysteries and read this one in one sitting. I loved the supporting characters and wanted to know them better so I hope this book is the first in a series, fingers-crossed. I liked the interspersing of the crime tour business and locations into the story. I look forward to what else the author has to come!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

This book was such a fun and eerie mix of mystery, history, and dark humor! The Serial Killer’s Guide to San Francisco takes readers on a thrilling journey through the city’s sinister past while weaving in a gripping present-day mystery. Michelle Chouinard’s writing is engaging, and I loved how she blended real-life crime history with a fictional investigation. The pacing kept me hooked, though some parts felt a bit drawn out. Overall, it’s a unique and entertaining read, perfect for true crime fans who also love a good whodunit!

This book was so much fun. Loved the MC and her job, as well as the ride we were taken on to solve both the current murder situation and the one in the MCs past. Great vibes, and cozy without being overly cutesy.

“Michelle Chouinard delivers an absolute gem with The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco. This cozy mystery is packed with intrigue, humor, and a unique setting that adds an extra layer of charm to the story. The protagonist is smart and engaging, making her investigation both fun and suspenseful. Chouinard masterfully blends historical tidbits with a well-paced mystery, creating a book that is both entertaining and impossible to put down. If you love cozy mysteries with a dash of history and a quirky, well-crafted plot, this one is a must-read!”

Capri Sanzio owns and operates a tour company in her native San Francisco. These aren't your normal run-of-the-mill tourist tours, however. Capri's tours are focused on the serial killers of their great city.San Francisco is rich in history, and unsurprisingly, like many big cities, some of it has been violent and bloody.

Capri has been interested in serial killers since she was a child and discovered that her own Grandfather, William Sanzio, was the convicted serial killer known as Overkill Bill. Even though she was naturally curious about her Grandfather, her Dad refused to talk about him or his alleged crimes, so she grew up riddled with questions and those never really went away. As an adult, she transformed that unusual interest into a profitable business.

Although she's always believed her Grandfather was innocent, Capri never dedicated any time into really researching his case. When she suddenly needs additional money to help pay for her daughter's grad school program though, and a copycat killer has reopened interest in Overkill Bill, Capri figures now may be the time. She could write a book, chronicling the research process via podcast, thus making cash and exonerating her Grandfather at the same time.

Before she even has the chance to get her plan off the ground though, the police discover the copycat's latest victim, Sylvia, Capri's mother-in-law, and the reason why Capri suddenly needed money for her daughter's schooling. Sylvia had been paying, but recently announced she was cutting them off. Jarringly, Capri finds herself as the main suspect. Now it's not just about clearing her Grandfather's name, it's about clearing herself.

I had a blast reading The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco. I seriously need to reevaluate some of my life choices.
Why the heck did I wait so long to pick this up?

This was so cute. I loved the audiobook narration, which perfectly matched Capri's personality. I'm stoked this is the start of a series. It's certainly one I plan to continue with. I'm definitely down for solving more cases with Capri. This has such a great setting and overriding premise. I would strongly recommend it for fans of the Finlay Donovan series, as it has a similar tone. It's Cozy and modern, with great humor and a lovable cast of characters.

While this mystery hit close to home for Capri, the possibilities are endless for the other cases she could solve. I'm hoping that this will be one of those long-running Cozy series, where I just become more and more attached to the characters as we go along. The synopsis for the 2nd-book, A Tour to Die For, has already been released and it sounds quite Rear Window. Say less, am I right? I'm so ready!!

Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I'm happy to be on board with another great Mystery series!

bookscoffeebrews A big thank you to Libro.fm @librofm
for my gifted ALC and @netgalley for my ARC.

Book Review: The Serial Killer Guide To San Francisco
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Michelle Chouinard @mmchouinard
Publisher: Minotaur Books @minotaur_books and
Macmillan Audio @macmillan.audio

I thoroughly appreciated this book, which diverged
from my initial expectations. Having chosen it due to
my proximity to San Francisco and familiarity with the
area, I was drawn into the narrative of Capri, the
granddaughter of a notorious serial killer. As a copycat
killer emerges, Capri finds herself at the center of the
investigation, navigating her family's dark past while
operating a serial killer tour in the city. With her life
unraveling, Capri seeks answers from her parents,
faces police scrutiny, and encounters tourists eager to
inquire about her family's history. Moreover, she
decides to contact her imprisoned grandfather, whom
she has never met, driven by her conviction of his
innocence. Capri's determination to solve both cases
and prove her grandfather's innocence, as well as
disprove any connection to the new killer, propels this
humorous, suspenseful tale, replete with unexpected
twists and a hint of romance, making it an engaging
and entertaining mystery.

#SanFranciscoSleuth #SFKillerChronicles

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Serial Killer’s Guide to San Francisco in exchange for an honest review. I went into this book without any real expectations, and I came away pleasantly surprised! This is an interesting and fast paced murder mystery set against some of the most famous landmarks of Northern California. Capri is a tour guide and the granddaughter of a famous serial killer who gets pulled into a murder case when someone starts imitating her grandfather’s old killings.

The mystery had everything you could ask for, family drama, rich people behaving badly, white collar crime, etc. The twists and turns were hard to see coming and I truly didn’t guess the murderer until it was revealed. There’s a second book coming in the series soon, and I can not wait for it. Highly recommend!

This was a really entertaining and enjoyable read. I've never read a thriller/mystery with this type of plot and it was so fun! I also really liked Capri! Also, the setting of this book was so fun and I loved all the little nods to San Francisco.

If you are in the mood for a cozy mystery with a good dose of humor, a hint of romance, and a little bite, you may want to check The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco. This was such an enjoyable read. San Francisco is one of my favorite cities to visit, and I was thrilled that the author included notable landmarks and local crime history trivia throughout the novel. Capri (short for Capricorn--but don't call her that!) has a unique job--and her serial killer city tours are quite the rage among tourists.

When Capri's former mother-in-law announces she will no help Capri's daughter with her college tuition, Capri decides she must pull out all the stops to make sure her daughter is still able finish school. Add to that the recent copycat murders and the connection to her own family, it doesn't take much for Capri's friend to talk her into deciding a book and podcast series are the way to go. Especially if it includes doing a little investigation of her own to clear hers and her daughter's names as suspects. If she can find out what really happened all those years ago that lead to her grandfather's arrest and conviction, perhaps she can find out who the copycat is.

Even though she is divorced, Capri is very close with her ex-husband and her father-in-law. Her former mother-in-law was another matter. It is obvious she is very protective of them. Capri's relationship with her father is complicated due to his uncompromising stance on not talking about the serial murders his father was convicted for, which makes Capri's search for the truth all the more difficult, but not impossible. She is tenacious and resourceful. Her father's not wanting to deal with it was never really an option for Capri given how notorious the case was and remains. I could understand where her father was coming from but, at the same time, agreed with Capri that his way was not healthy and had done more damage to his family in the long wrong.

I found the novel to be a fast, page-turning read. Capri's journalistic skills come in handy, along with the help of her coworkers, in uncovering the truth in both the past and present crimes. Capri's choices aren't always the wisest, and it's a wonder the handsome homicide detective didn't arrest her for obstruction. There was a lot going on, which unfortunately came at the expense of more fully developing many of the side characters. Just the same, The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco kept me fully engaged and entertained. I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next in the series!

I'm a sucker for a serial killer story, and this one was full of surprises. A bit genre-bending and intriguing, I loved the authors use of family ties and reconciling the truths we must sometimes confront.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy of this new murder mystery! This was a fun first read/debut novel from this author. I had such a fun time with this book. I was entertained from start to finish and enjoyed following our main character, Capri. I look forward to reading more in this series!

I wanted to like this book as the premise was very exciting to me but as I was reading I was finding it hard to follow along. While the storylines were spelled out in a literal sense - it felt cloudy at times and I had to reread paragraphs to try and understand which storyline I was following. I appreciate the advanced copy in exchange for my review - but I Just wasn't a fan of this one.