Capri has known her whole life that her grandfather was known as convicted serial killer, Overkill Bill. However, she has always believed his protests of innocence. When a copycat killer hits close to home (namely, Capri’s ex mother-in-law who has recently cut-off Capri’s daughter Morgan’s school payments), Capri decides it’s time to investigate both the historical and present crimes.

The book has a promising and unique premise, and I enjoyed the writing style. I was excited to read a fun and hopefully thrilling novel about solving these serial killings…. But while that does happen, I was disappointed to find that the majority of this book is spent digging into white collar crime. I don’t want to say more in fear of spoilers, but I also think this might be good information for someone to have before picking up this book. If that’s an interest for you, I believe you will really enjoy this! For me, I started finding it tough to stay interested in the plot around the middle of the book. The ending was a bit predictable and rushed but it was satisfying, and I really did like several of the characters. Overall, for me this book was a somewhat enjoyable read that didn’t quite live up to its promise- But I could see other people liking it! Therefore, my 3.5 is rounded up to a 4.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book and exchange for my honest review

I picked up this NetGalley ARC to accompany me during a recent trip to visit my family in San Francisco, a city filled with recognizable history, art, and attitude. It’s a perfect backdrop for this complicated generation-spanning mystery.

Capri Sanzio is a San Francisco tour guide who specializes in murder and mystery tours. Having grown up as the granddaughter of San Fran’s notorious “Overki|| Bill” serial ki||er, her lifelong ambition has been to prove her grandfather’s innocence. Out of the blue, a local socialite is found brutally murdered in the same characteristic fashion as Overki|| Bill, sixty years later and Capri’s grandfather having long passed in jail.

One death becomes two, and the next ki||ing hits closer to home. Capri, and her adult daughter Morgan, have shouldered the burden of Overki|| Bill’s legacy for so long. Will they now become prime suspects in these imitation murders? Or the next victims?

This murder mystery is clever, complex, and instantly addictive. I enjoyed the chapter epigraphs that take the reader on a tour of the shadier side of San Francisco’s landmarks. Capri is determined to prove her own, her daughter’s and her grandfather’s innocence by identifying the true ki||ers. Layer upon layer, she uncovers a medley of secrets that tantalize the curiosity and befuddle the uninitiated. This is a version of the San Francisco elite where everyone has a dirty secret and everyone is just keeping up appearances. Money may be in short supply but motive to murder is not.

The depth and deduction aspects are smart, reminding me of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. However, I was repeatedly disappointed in Capri’s naïveté and lack of discretion in her investigation, leaving her ultimately vulnerable in ways that would have left Miss Marple shaking her head in disbelief. Despite the transparent use of protagonist idiocy to further the plot, I am fully in Capri’s corner. She’s likeable, persistent, and deserves so much better. The positive tone of the denouement was just what I needed.

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco was such an enthralling read and had me so eager for more with every chapter. This was such a fantastic thriller, filled with murders and investigations into the culprit that provides the best aspects of the genre on every front.



There was so much about this book that I loved. Not only is there a race against the clock to find out who a murderer is, with multiple high stakes involved, but there’s also the unique aspect of the main character, Capri, being related to a convicted serial killer, which has affected the lives of herself and her family. Capri, having grown up with the stigma of a grandfather convicted of serial murders, has a fascination for true crime, in particular finding out if her grandfather actually committed the murders or not, as he claimed innocence to the accusations against him. Now, many years later and with her grandfather no longer alive, murders are being committed in the same way as the murders he was convicted for, and the police believe there is a copycat serial killer out there.



Having a book involving serial killers, and a copycat murderer many decades later made this such an enthralling read. And Capri’s personal relation to the murders/murderer made the story hit so much closer to home to the character, and allowed for a closeness to the case that made the experience all the more unique. I loved how both the past and the present tied together with Capri trying to figure out who was murdering people in the here and now, but also trying to figure out if her grandfather was really the one responsible for the original murders, a question she has wondered since she was a child and first learned of her grandfather’s background. The duality of the crimes and the ties they had to Capri and her family had me so much more intrigued, particularly with the questions it brought out, and the need to know just how connected they were beyond just the method of killing the victims.



The fact that Capri is a regular person investigating the deaths adds an element of true crime civilian armchair detective investigation to it which I really enjoyed as it gave a podcast element to it (particularly as she was considering tracking her investigation into her grandfather’s guilt or innocence this way). In a world where it’s more common to see documentaries involving investigations done by regular people who discover details previously missed by the police, this felt like a very similar to this experience in fiction and I very much enjoyed this vibe to the book. Having her investigation into the past tie so deeply into that of the present was enthralling and getting to experience the deep dive into a cold case and Capri trying to come at each crime with new eyes really got the gears going trying to piece together the clues with her. For this reason it was a very fun read, because I felt like I was working out the clues and the mystery with Capri. With the new motivations and information that kept popping up, I would develop my own theories and it was super satisfying to find out when I was correct.



Capri herself is very tenacious and I love how smart and thorough she is. She has a researcher’s mind, and a fascination with finding out the truth about her grandfather which made her so an engaging character to read about. She is also fiercely protective of those she loves, and is there for those she considers family, no matter how they have treated her. This says a lot about her character, especially considering how much she is there for a husband who cheated on her, and a mother-in-law who has never been kind to her.



All together The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco was a very enjoyable read. I quite honestly am a bit sad to have finished it because I loved all the ups and downs of the story and watching the story steadily unravel. I would very much like to pick up more books by this author now.

Great sharply fun story about the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer. Capri (Capricorn) makes her life running "killer tours," in San Fran when she gets tangled up in a local murder. Suddenly her past and her relatives put her in the crosshairs of the police. Can she solve the murders
before it is too late! #stmartins #theserialkillerguidetosanfrancisco #michellechouninard

Such a fun read! I seriously enjoyed the story and the main character, especially because of how relatable she is. I would definitely read more by this author! This book is a must read!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun fast read that I struggled putting down. The author does such a great job mixing true crime facts and serial killer psychology into the story, I had to remind myself that this was fiction! I also enjoyed the fact that it’s written in a way where the need to know is what drives you, not suspense or tension.

Capri is a great character. I loved her determination to find the truth and the lengths she was willing to go to get her answers. More than anything, I appreciated the fact that she’s an everyday person, whose strengths lie in her conviction, intelligence, and the friends who are their to support her along the way. She’s someone anyone can relate to and I loved that.

If you’re a fan of true crime and cozy murder mysteries I highly recommend giving this a try. It’s filled with red herrings and my kindle was full of annotations as I tried to solve the murders too! Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub Date: September 23, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my free e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

this book really takes you on a journey as Capri tries to find out whether or not her grandfather is guilty of a crime he was convicted for decades earlier, while she navigates two murders in present day that copycats her grandfather's alleged MO.

i was hooked in in the first few chapters and then more so as things slowly escalated in the story. it felt like there were at least half a dozen possibilities of who the murderer could've been in the past and present murders, and the author did well to have you guessing and second guessing as the main character does.

in the end, things get wrapped up pretty well and didn't feel rushed. the revelation of the past & present murders was a bit shocking, but still made sense. i enjoyed how the author wrote the story so vividly, you could easily picture every scene... especially the scenes & atmosphere of San Francisco. tidbits of the city's history also made it extra interesting.

i give this a 4 stars. i would definitely recommend this to those who enjoy cozy mysteries with just a hint of a thriller.

thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. i received this book as an ARC and leave this review voluntarily

Pretty good read. There were some things I wasn’t the biggest fan of but it was a quick and entertaining read! I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC

It was pretty dull. I enjoyed the premise of the book. The idea of a granddaughter of a serial killer having a ex-mother-in-law, who is murdered in the same fashion as her grandfather’s MO is intriguing and I expected it to be filled with tension. However, it just felt like I was reading about someone going about their daily business and that business happened to be solving a murder. Throughout most of the book, there is no threat to Capri to add more action and there are no other murders, which doesn’t invoke a pressing need for the reader to find the killer. The podcast element also wasn’t incorporated into the story as I thought it would be based on the summary. I thought it would be documented in a similar style to how A Guide Girl’s Guide To Murder or Only Murderers In The Building does, but it is only mentioned in passing when she records for a podcast.

I will not be posting my review on any other platform.

Who could resist a title like that? Not me! Tour guide Capri works to solve a murder that mimics a decades-old series of killings committed by her grandfather. Who is the copycat? What if dearly departed Grandpa was innocent? What is Capri's daughter hiding?

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the advance reader copy of this engaging mix of an old mystery and a new crime.

Capri Sanzio is the granddaughter of "Overkill Bill," who was a serial killer of prostitutes in San Francisco. While her father refuses to discuss him, he maintained his innocence until he died and Capri had always believed him. She currently makes her living by giving tours of the San Francisco area with a focus on serial killers. When a copycat kills an older wealthy woman shortly after Capri's ex-mother-in-law announces that she will no longer be paying for her granddaughter's tuition, Capri decides to use this added interest in her grandfather to finally get around to researching his life and figure out if he was innocent. When Capri's ex-mother-in-law becomes another victim of the copycat, she and her daughter are the most obvious culprits so she needs to amp up her research and also figure out the secrets surrounding her ex-mother-in-law.

I generally liked Capri and her mama bear tendencies. There were several times where I felt like she was the standard white girl in horror flicks - just basically inviting someone to find out what she was doing and kill her. I flipped through suspecting so many different people but didn't start to truly suspect the actual murderer until near the discovery. Her tours sounded like a lot of fun and I especially liked the way San Francisco was basically another character. I was very invested in figuring out how the "Overkill Bill" murders were tied to the current ones and if Capri was going to find out the truth. It kept my interest but wasn't something I couldn't put down.

Crimes of the past and present overlap and confound with the politics and manipulations of the high society who have their own agendas. Complex and a lot of strategy through a lot of varied information. If you like more thinking than action in your mysteries, this will be a sure hit.

Capri grew up with her grandfather being a known serial killer. Despite believing in his innocence, she was never able to figure out what happened. Years later, 2 women are murdered in the same way and all fingers are pointing to her. Since one of the victims was her cold mother in law, the impacts are hurting her daughter. This book is a great fun read with Capri being a quirky heroine who won't stop until she finds the truth. She is solving the present and also her past and with twists and turns, no stone is left un turned. There is never a dull moment in this book.

In this intriguing novel, Capri finds herself haunted by the possibility of a copycat killer when two women, including her ex-mother-in-law Sylvia, are murdered. The plot thickens as she delves into the mystery, convinced of her grandfather's innocence.

Drawn by the captivating description and the enchanting San Francisco setting, I was excited to dive into this book. The historical facts about the city were a delightful addition, enriching the backdrop of the story. However, the murder mystery plot itself was a bit too predictable for my taste—I was hoping for a twist that never quite came.

Most of the book follows Capri's journey to solve Sylvia’s murder while juggling her tour company duties. It was enjoyable to immerse myself in the true-crime aspect, although the pacing felt a bit slow and repetitive at times.

Despite these minor setbacks, the book offers an engaging read for fans of crime procedural and investigation themes, spiced with a dash of family secrets. Fans of lighter mysteries will enjoy this one. Overall, it was a good read, albeit with an average outcome.

This was such a fresh read for me! I liked the cast of characters. I liked the plot and the investigation into an old murder case. Then there was the added mystery of the new murders and who killed them. I liked the added information on all things San Francisco and thought it was cool that the FMC ran a guided tour company that focused on crimes. I would be down to that tour of a city!

Capri has always been convinced that her grandfather was not the killer that he was convicted to be. He is known as Overkill Bill and was charged and convicted of murdering 3 women back in the day. Her mom won't talk about it. Her dad won't talk about it. But Capri has always had this scarlett letter if you will of being related to him. She has been a savvy businesswoman and made crime part of her career. Her and her BF run a guided tour company in San Francisco that focuses on old crimes and where they took place. Things pivot a little for Capri when her daughter finds out that she is being cut off by her wealthy grandmother. Capri realizes she needs to take the leap and work on a podcast for her grandfather. As she is gathering her notes together things start to jump out that don't make sense. And now two women have been murdered, one of them being her ex-mother in law. The women were killed in the same fashion as Overkill Bill. Is this a copycat? Or is the killer back? Capri decides to do her own investigation to finally be able to learn the truth of her past as well as being able to contribute to what is happening current day. They have to be tied together but not the way that Capri thinks.

This was a pretty quick read for me. I was engaged and found myself really wanting to know how the old killer was tied to the new one. I also liked the flirty dynamic between Capri and the head detective. That had me hopeful for them! I would definitely recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Capri Sanzio makes her living by giving serial killer tours of the city of San Francisco, something she has been interested in ever since she was a kid and found out she is the granddaughter of a famous serial killer. Capri has always believed in her grandfather William ‘Overkill Bill’ Sanzio’s innocence, but she has never had the time to investigate the case fully. Now, an Overkill Bill copycat has struck in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Capri’s former mother-in-law, Sylvia, has cut off Capri’s daughter’s tuition payments. Maybe now is finally the time for Capri to uncover the truth about Overkill Bill all while making a podcast and writing a book to earn some extra money. However, when Sylvia is murdered, Capri finds herself and her daughter right in the middle of the police investigation. Capri will stop at nothing to uncover the copycat Overkill Bill as well as the original.

I found myself really enjoying the character of Capri as well as her investigative tactics in the story. She literally will stop at nothing to clear her family’s name. I really enjoyed the setting of San Francisco and the details of some of the tours. The beginning of the book starts off strong, but around the middle of the book, things started to slow down for me. It seemed to focus mostly on Capri’s inner dialogue, and I would have liked more dialogue with the other characters. Perhaps her daughter Morgan could have helped her solve the case. Overall, it was an easy, fast read. I would recommend it perhaps as a thriller palate cleanser, but it is not a book that will stick in your mind for weeks. I give it 3/5 stars.

3.5 Stars rounded up. First off, this book cover is so cute! I love when it's a cutesy cover with an ominous title. This book started so strong, and I was getting ready to declare this as one of my favorite July reads. It took a bit of a nosedive after the 45% mark, but the writing was always on point.

3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this eARC.
I'll be honest, at first, I wasn't a huge fan of this book. But I ended up having a pretty good time with it. The story follows Capri, whose grandfather was a suspected and accused serial killer. However, Capri has always defended his innocence. And as a result of the decades-old involvement in the case, Capri grew up to have an obsession with true crime in San Francisco, even having her own true crime tours company. But after a copycat for the serial killings her grandfather was accused of takes place, the Overkill Bill case is brought back to people's attention. But when Sylvia, Capri's ex-mother-in-law becomes the second victim, Capri has to investigate for more reasons than to clear her grandfather's name. Capri and her daughter become prime suspects.

I really ended up enjoying this book, but I did see some of the "twists" coming. It just took a while to get to the real action of the mystery. However, overall it was good. And the little romantic sprinkle was great.

This book started out so great and then about 25% of the way in, it got sloooooooow and kinda boring. Over-explaining mundane background information like how cloud computing works - was this novel meant to be read by someone who's never heard of the internet?

Ryan felt stupid smart. Like you have this super hacker genius working at a tourist company. As if.

We spent way too much time on Sylvia's backstory which didn't matter at all to the plot or solving the mystery so not sure why that was included.

And Capri's inner dialogue was exhausting. Like every single thought she had was put on paper as part of the narration to ensure I was thoroughly bored.

A FUN READ! Any true crime fan will enjoy this one. You’ll be sucked in from the very beginning as it starts off with serial killer talk. The idea of a serial killer your guide is AMAZING and I want to be on one of Capri’s tours.

That being said, I really wanted more serial killer talk and less murder mystery. But it was fast paced and kept my interest through its entirety. I didn’t find myself bored. I wanted more and love the dynamics of the characters. The twist threw me for one and was a little messy, but I still enjoyed the ride there.

Thanks so much SMP and NetGalley for the eARC.