This is a great little murder mystery book with family drama and a cold case to boot. I liked the main character, Capri and think she is a smart, strong, determined character and dives in head first to make sure she isn't held responsible for a murder she didn't commit. I will say I was surprised about who the killer ended up being and I didn't see it coming. I liked the descriptions of San Francisco and Alcatraz and having visited SF several years back it brought back memories.

I think this book will appeal to many readers who are looking for an engaging, thought filled murder mystery.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Michelle Chouinard for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Capri a woman born and raised in San Francisco has always had a shadow hanging over her head being the granddaughter of a serial killer. When her past comes to light again after a copycat killer strikes and her ex-mother-in-law is the victim she realizes she needs to step in to clear her family's name. Capri dives into her past drawing connections to the present and creating the twists in this book that end up bringing her family closure.

Right off the bat the cover and title drew me into this book and I was glad to find the story was just as compelling!

Thank you, NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Title: The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco

Author: Michelle Chouinard

Rating: 4/5 Stars

"The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" by Michelle Chouinard is a chilling and gripping thriller that takes readers on a dark and twisted journey through the streets of San Francisco. With its atmospheric setting, complex characters, and spine-tingling plot, this novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The story centers around protagonist Sarah, a true crime enthusiast who becomes entangled in a web of mystery and danger when she stumbles upon a series of gruesome murders that seem to follow the pattern of infamous serial killers. Determined to uncover the truth behind the killings, Sarah teams up with FBI agent Dylan, and together they embark on a thrilling investigation that leads them deep into the heart of San Francisco's darkest secrets.

Chouinard's writing is both evocative and suspenseful, drawing readers into the gritty underbelly of the city and keeping them guessing until the very end. The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that will leave readers breathless and eager to unravel the mystery alongside the characters.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its character development, particularly with regards to Sarah. As she delves deeper into the investigation, Sarah must confront her own demons and grapple with the consequences of her obsession with true crime. Her journey of self-discovery adds depth and complexity to the narrative, elevating it beyond a typical thriller and giving it emotional resonance.

The supporting cast of characters is equally compelling, with each member bringing their own secrets and motivations to the table. From enigmatic suspects to morally ambiguous allies, Chouinard populates the story with a diverse array of personalities that keep readers guessing and invested in the outcome.

While "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" may not be for the faint of heart, it offers a thrilling and immersive reading experience for fans of the genre. Chouinard's meticulous attention to detail and knack for building tension make this novel a standout in the crowded landscape of crime fiction.

Overall, "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that will leave readers eagerly awaiting Michelle Chouinard's next literary offering. With its dark and atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and twisty plot, this novel is sure to satisfy even the most discerning fans of the genre.

The serial killer guide to San Francisco is mystery crime novel about a woman who's grand father was one of the big serial killers in the 60s/70s. Now there is a copy cat on the loose and the latest victim is Sylvia, her ex mother in law. The cops believe she is the killer, so she needs to use her skills as a journalist and true crime tour guide to clear her and her daughter's name.

This book started off decently strong however it lost me towards the middle. I liked the main character capri, I thought the story was interesting and a unique take on a mystery crime novel. It grabbed me at the beginning and I was curious to see where the novel would take us.

I also liked the pre chapter scenes where we got information about the San Francisco and what the characters would be getting for information on the tours. I thought that was clever.

Where the book lost me was the middle. I got about half way through and noticed the author is doing alot of "telling" instead of "showing". The main character capri has a lot of conversations with herself about the evidence and the plot and it just isn't my favorite way of learning information. And because of this the book isn't suspenseful. It didn't leave me wanting to turn the page.

That left the middle feeling really slow and made the pace of the book feel off. It also felt like the ending and the twist came super quick and felt like there could have been more there.

I also felt like there was an emphasis on the serial killer grandpa thing and that ended up being a very small part of the book and feel like that needed to play a bigger role.

I think it just could have used a bit more editing as the overall idea is a cool one! I also like the title, but I also think it could use a bit of editing to reflect the story a bit more!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in return for an honest review.

"The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" was a fresh, exciting crime fiction read. It was neither fast-paced nor slow-burning but more of a steadily intriguing pace. The author's writing style was easy to read. The main character was smart and savvy, making rooting for her easy. I liked the historical elements and the supporting characters, especially Capri's co-workers.

On account of the uniqueness of the storyline and that fabulous cover, I'm giving it 4.5 stars rounded up. This was my first Michelle Chouinard book, and I'll pick up more of her work!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was really excited to read The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco! I was sucked in from the beginning & didn't want to put the book down. I read some other reviewers saying it was slow, but I personally didn't think so. This book has murder, mystery, family drama, & some local history. Michelle Chouinard did a good job describing all of the characters & setting up the plot. The main character, Capri, has a sense of humor & a serious determination to find answers. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for the ARC of this book.

What a fantastic book. Well put together and keeps your interest throughout the whole story. Not to mention it’s about serial killers and my favorite city. This is a book. I would definitely recommend anyone to read.

Following Capri through her journey to find out more about her family heritage as the granddaughter of serial killer "Overkill Bill" as well as investigate copy cat murders of someone very close to her. Overall, I really enjoyed Capri as a character. She felt super strong willed, intelligent, and kept together. Additionally, the authors writing is incredible. I truly believe Michelle Chouinard knows how to write a darn good book, but i had major gripes with a bit of the plot in this book. Unfortunately, this book tried to do too much and cram it in to feel unique. From the 'perfect' ending that did feel a bit rushed, a weird attraction, too convenient lining up evidence, wanting to make a podcast?, etc. The list can go on. I believe the author knew what they wanted to convey in this book and popped in pieces to make sure everything lined up how they wanted. I struggled in the beginning, but towards the end it did pick up and I did enjoy it. I would recommend it to a friend who is new to the genre and looking for something easy to follow with big payoff.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Definitely recommend this funny mystery novel! An enjoyable book from beginning to end.

I received this ARC from Netgalley and am leaving an honest review.

I enjoyed most of this book. It’s an easy ready despite the fact that the main plot is a heavy subject. I also really liked Capri and kind of want to be here when I grow up. The present day murder case was rather predictable but I really enjoyed the historical case and how Capri approached it considering the implications it had on her family dynamic.

A great, fun read with family drama and a serial killer family member! I loved Capri and her doggedness over solving who was committing the murders!

Thank you, NetGalley!

A fun mystery! I enjoyed the characters and trying to figure out who to suspect for the crimes. I read it all in one day to find out what happened next. Had to suspend some disbelief in moments, but that’s not unusual for this genre. I’d recommend this one to anyone who likes a classic whodunnit mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

This was such a fun read! There was a great mix of present day murder mystery tied in with a decades old case.

Capri owns a company that gives tours of San Francisco focusing on serial killers in the City's past. She also happens to be the granddaughter of the infamous serial killer Overkill Bill, however, she firmly believes her grandfather was innocent.

When a copycat killer murders her ex-mother-in-law after Capri was the last person in contact with her makes her the main suspect will she be able to prove both her grandpa and herself innocent?

While I can't say I found the twists to be extremely surprising I had a great time reading about Capri and the things she got herself into!

Thank you to Netgally, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Michelle Chouinard for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Serial Killer's Guide to San Francisco is a light whodunnit mystery. Capri, our tour guide extraordinare, is the granddaughter of the serial killer, Overkill Bill who killed 3 SWs. Capri doesn't necessarily believe that he was the real perpetrator but she can't get any information from her father.

Suddenly, a copycat appears but this time, the victim is a young, socialite married to a "new money" tech mogul. Capri is suddenly forced to finally sit down and do the research to prove that her grandfather was innocent, along with proving that she is innocent.

I love that the story revolves around a normal middle aged woman. Her reactions are realistic of her situations. Michelle Chouinard's descriptions of San Francisco are detailed and make it easy to imagine the scenes in your head. I was constantly questioning who the real perpetrator was. This book is perfect for a true crime junkie who wants a fictional world revolving around crime.

Thank you to @netgalley, Michelle Chouinard, @stmartinspress, and @minotaur_books for the advance copy!

I was fortunate enough to receive this book as an ARC from NetGalley!
I enjoyed The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard.
Ms. Chouinard did a wonderful job with the thrill and the mystery aspects of the book. She kept me guessing till the end who the killer was. She wrote a very thrilling scene tat takes place in the dense San Francisco fog at a classic landmark.
Speaking of San Francisco landmarks, as a resident of Northern California I absolutely loved the detailed description of the area and the landmarks as well as the history behind them.
Great mystery. I highly recommend.

A fun, engaging mystery that I'm hoping is just the first in a series. Capri (short for Capricorn) makes a precarious living with a business giving "serial killer tours" of San Francisco. She comes by it naturally, because she is the daughter of "Overkill Bill," a notorious serial killer who died in prison some years ago. Now, a copycat killer is killing women around San Francisco, using Overkill Bill's methods. This makes Capri and her daughter prime suspects. Fast paced, with great characters and a good puzzling mystery to help solve.

First off, thank you Net Galley and Minotaur Books for the e-ARC of this. I devoured this book once I started. Serial killer meets murder mystery? I am hooked. Capri is trying to not only prove her grandfather’s innocence as a previously convicted serial killer, but she is also trying to find a new copy cat killer and bring them to justice. She does all this while running her own serial killer tour guide business. I thought I knew whodunnit but I was so wrong! My jaw dropped, I laughed, I was in shock. I felt all the feels reading this and the ending was perfect. I definitely recommend this book to any mystery lover!

I really enjoyed this book and believe anyone who loves true crime podcast or anything true crime will love this book. the end has some crazy twist!

This is a fluffy book that can be read pretty quickly. Not a lot of depth but there is a lot of humor in it. Having lived in SF for a bit I loved the setting and the serial killer tours she did there.

If you are looking for a bit of an escape this is a great book for you.


I was given a copy by NetGalley opinions are my own.

With mystery not being my favorite genre, I was hesitant to start this one - but I'm so glad I did! This was a great 'intro to murder mystery' story in my opinion; with captivating scenes all over San Francisco, historical facts of real local crimes, a strong female character on a mission, and a mystery to be solved amidst the pages. Not as lighthearted as the cover may seem, but a great read nonetheless.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC!