This was a fun read about Capri, granddaughter of a convicted serial killer and owner of a serial killer tour company in San Francisco, who gets thrown into the middle of a double murder investigation. The murderer being a copycat of her grandfather.

It was a good read, fast paced, well researched, with interesting characters. It did get slightly annoying a few times when the main character, who was supposedly a competent sleuth, was slow to put even simple puzzle pieces together. But it does get bonus points and it ends up having multiple mysteries to solve!

Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it if you're interested in serial killers and their stories!

Capri gives serial killer tours in San Francisco. Her grandfather was the infamous killer“Overkill Bill”. Copy cat murder start happening around Capri and her family. Capri must solve the murders and try and prove her grandfather’s innocence for the murders from the past. This is a cozy mystery without all the gore. Fast paced with twists that keep you interested.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC**

Capri Sanzio gives serial killer tours around San Francisco. She also happens to be the granddaughter of the infamous serial killer Overkill Bill. So when copycat murders happen 30 plus years later, she’s drawn to the case. The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco had me quickly turning the pages late into the night. Fresh, unique storyline with a who-dun-it that kept me guessing right up to the end. This would make a great series!

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the e arc. This book combines two things I love: San Francisco and true crime. We start off with our main character, Capri, who makes a living as a tour guide for true crime landmarks in San Francisco. She is well known as the grand child of the convicted killer, Overkill Bill, who murdered women back in the 60's, even though she doubts his guilt. When a series of murders committed in the almost exact same way as the original killer starts popping up throughout the area, targeting Capri's close family, she quickly attempts to figure out who the real killer is in order to avoid her or her daughter being falsely thrown into prison for the murders as top suspects. Along the way, she also attempts to find proof that the police locked away the wrong man from the murders that occurred decades ago. I love books that have the perfect combination of cozy vibes but also dark forebodings. This novel had the perfect balance of intrigue and mystery while also making me eager to find out all the secrets that the wealthy families of San Francisco are hiding. It is incredible what the old Victorian mansions of San Francisco could potentially be hiding and anyone could be the killer. I'm definitely a sucker for solving decades old cold cases/wrongful convictions in books. 4 stars.

3.5 stars

Capri runs her own company that gives tours of the San Francisco area's famous serial killers and their trails of victims. Her own grandfather was a convicted serial killer, but she was on a quest to prove his innocence or prove definitively that he was rightfully convicted. Then two women are brutally murdered with the same M.O. as her long deceased grandfather, and Capri becomes a suspect.

This novel is a mystery, not a suspense or thriller, and the plot was well thought out. It is similar in style to the Aurora Teagarden mysteries, and I can see this as a series as well.

I think the characters need to be more detailed, and there was very little interaction between any of the characters. Capri was just processing this whole thing on her own with help from Ryan, who seemed to have missed his calling in the IT department of a major firm.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Such a fun spin on the usual thrillers that are out there! Loved the setting, the quirky characters, and generally the storyline. It was slow in some parts but overall an enjoyable story!

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 had to grow up in the shadow of her grandfather, Overkill Bill- a convicted serial killer.
When her ex-mother-in-law is killed in the same "overkill" way, she's drawn into both cases.
This book sits you with Capri as she tries to help solve the current murder to clear her and her daughter's name and try to solve the decades old crimes to clear her grandfather's name.

Fast paced, and full of twists, I enjoyed this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy for review.

I really enjoyed this book! Ever tried to solve a case from decades ago and go through one at the same time?
That’s exactly what Capri did! There was so many times I thought I had it figured out and then something else would make me question it!
The ending definitely threw me for a loop and I love when that happens!
Thank you NetGalley for sharing this book with me!

Capri Sanzio runs a serial killers tour guide in San Francisco. You could say it’s the perfect job for her since he’s the granddaughter of famous serial killer William “overkill bill” Sanzio.

When her daughter’s college tuition is cut off from her grandma, Capri needs to come up with money fast to help. She decides to write a book and start a podcast to help raise money but also prove her grandfather’s innocence.

When Capri decides to start this process word comes out that her mother in law, Sylvia, is murdered is a copycat style of her late serial killer grandfather. Capri is determined to find who this copycat killer may be and to prove her own innocence!

My thoughts:
I love all the little facts about real serial killers throughout the book!

There are so many twists and turns and secondary characters!

I wanted there to be more dialogue between the characters. I feel like the book was mostly focused on internal thoughts of Capri. And while I wanted to love her, she was quick to jump from clue to clue, almost rushed. Most of the books dialogue was Capri’s assumptions of people’s actions. I would have loved more interactions with her daughter, helping solve the mystery.

Overall, I enjoyed the book! I loved the originally of the mystery! A few times I thought I had the killer figured out only to be surprised!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martins Press and Minotaur Books for the ARC copy!

Thank you to Net Gallery and the publisher for this eARC. The cover arc and title really drew me in and I knew I had to read it.

The book follows the story of Capri, the granddaughter of a serial killer. She has an obsession with true crime because she doesn’t believe her grandfather was a criminal. Her rich snobby ex-MIL decides to cut Capri’s daughter’s tuition off so Capri decides she’ll start a podcast on her grandfather’s case and maybe prove his innocence. Unfortunately for her, her ex-MIL gets murdered right after they chat the night before and it’s a copycat of her grandfather’s murder style and Capri ends up being the number one suspect.

The book started super slow and I wished the characters were a little more fleshed out. There were too many random side characters that are potential criminals and never get talked about again. Overall I really enjoyed the mystery and the writing. I definitely got thrown on a loop a couple of times thinking the criminal wasn’t who it actually was. So the ending was only semi-predictable.

When it comes to entertaining, funny and cozy thrillers, Minotaur Books knows how to deliver. We meet Capri, a girl who works as a tour guide for a living, but not just any guide, no no no, she is a specail one, she is a serial killer tours guide.
There would be nothing wrong if she herself were nothing less than the granddaughter of a well-known serial killer. Everything seems to be going smoothly, or almost, until her mother-in-law is mysteriously killed, with the same methodology with which her grandfather operated. She therefore finds herself becoming the prime suspect in this murder.
I admit that in addition to the plot I was captured by the setting, I have read very few books set in San Francisco, and I must say that this book really transported me there!
This is totally a bonus, 'cause i'll be in San Francisco soon, and reading about all the places Capri goes too, make me want go there even more. Great setting!
I think this will become a serie! And let's hope so. I will totally read them.
Ps the cover is so beautiful!
Many thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this opportunity to read an adv copy of this book, in exchange of my honest opinion.

Thanks @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this mystery! It reminded me of a #finlaydonovan book, with a mix of humour and suspense. I was not expecting the end, and appreciated the fast-paced writing and exciting events. Chouinard also writes characters so well. This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 read for me. Check it out when it’s published in September 2024! #avivaandfriendsrecos

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for ARC.

This book is labeled as mystery, but this is cozier than your typical mystery books. I loved the scenery throughout the book. Taking visitors to serial killing crime spots is brilliant!

Hard to say this is a good mystery book with shocking twist. But maybe this wasn’t meant to be one of those (judging by its book cover). I enjoyed the book for sure though!!

Capri is the owner of a successful crime tour business in San Francisco. She's also the granddaughter of a notorious serial killer. When a series of crimes hit close to home, Capri seeks to put her criminal and investigative chops to the test.

This was such a fun read. If you’re a fan of mysteries and thrillers but need something a bit less dark, this is your book. It would be the perfect beach read. The story had me hooked and I loved how much the city was featured. The constant use of similes got to be a bit distracting, but I ultimately really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.


The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco was very interesting because it wasn't a traditional thriller. You have the FMC, who is the granddaughter of convicted serial killer Overkill Bill, and she has been convinced since she was eight years old that her grandfather was innocent and she was going to prove it. By the time she's 49, a divorcee, and a mother of a 24 year old woman, she's running different tours around San Francisco that primarily focus on past serial killers. Tons of people who book her tours want to ask her all sorts of questions about her infamous grandfather. While researching those past crimes in effort to start a podcast and write a book about Overkill Bill (due to her daughter needing tuition money), her ex-mother in law ends up dead a few days after another local woman, and they were both killed using the Overkill Bill M.O. So we not only have a present day case to try to piece together, but also an old case from the 60s, in which our FMC is convinced the cases are somehow related.


The writing here was strong, the characters were built up well, and the plot was easy to follow. If you're into thrillers in any capacity, I would recommend giving this one a read.

Fun premise a fun story. A woman who runs a serial killer tour suddenly becomes involved in a current murder and needs to prove her innocence. My main concern with this book was that the police asked very basic questions and she’s suddenly picturing herself in person. I didn’t think she showers that the police were really interested in her as a suspect. Both otherwise it was a fun read!

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley, but all options are my own.

A fun, enticing read that’ll keep you second guessing yourself!

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco tells the story of Capri Sanzio, a divorced mother who makes her living giving serial killer tours in the San Francisco area. She’s also the granddaughter of famous serial killer, William Sanzio, better known as “Overkill Bill”. When a copy-cat begins to strike, Capri must hurry to not only prove her grandfather’s innocence, but her own.
Right off the bat, I was drawn to the synopsis of this book. I found it to be such a clever and original concept, so once I got it, I immediately dived in.
I find in a lot of books of this genre or similar, many of the character make dumb decisions that most of us wouldn’t even think to make. Chouinard did an excellent job at making believable, smart characters who were relatable, and had me constantly rooting (or booing) for them.
I found this book to very, very descriptive, which can be great! But at times, I felt as though the story was dragging on too long. At times, the description really worked and set up for dramatic reveals, but other times I found it to be more of a filler than anything.
All in all, I enjoyed this book! The pacing could be slow at times, especially in the middle, but I found myself wanting to keep reading and finding out what was next. I really look forward to reading more of Chouinard’s work in the future.
My rating would be 3 1/2 stars.

Loved this book! I might be bias because I live in SF and know all the references but regardless it was still so good! I couldn't out it down. I love the concept and the writing. Highly recommend!

I want to say a huge thank you to @netgalley, @minotaur_books, author Michelle Chouinard for sending me a arc of her newest novel “The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco” being released on September 23rd!

Swipe to read the synopsis!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this book by Michelle a lot! I was quite weary at first because it kinda looked like a cozy-ish mystery and those usually aren’t my thing but that was not the case here. Following Capri’s journey with trying to prove her grandfathers innocence while not trying to cross any lines shows how hard it can be to do the right thing! I definitely will be picking up anything else by her!