I loved this book!

When I saw The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard I was instantly drawn in. The cover art alone is enough to peak my interest, but when I read what the story was about I KNEW I had to request an advanced readers copy!

Capri Sanzio is your average San Franciscan -- she loves the fog, the golden gate bridge, and the rich history of her city. She has always been a fan of history, especially since learning as a child that she is the granddaughter of one of San Fransisco's more notorious serial killers. However, as an adult Capri isn't so sure her grandfather committed those crimes. When a copy cat killer comes shakes the upper echelons of San Fransisco, Capri can't help but find herself thrown back into her families dark history.

This book was such a fun read and got me out of a huge reading slump. I was so pleasantly surprised that there were huge plot twists early on in the book that changed not only my perception of the story but the trajectory of the book itself. I was also pleasantly surprised that I wasn't able to guess one of the twists correctly, I love when a book outsmarts me! Michelle's writing is funny, personal and exciting -- there was never a moment in the story where I felt bored. The pacing of the story felt perfect! I was also happy to find out that this is going to be a series, and I can't wait for book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

Both the title and the cover for this one had me jumping at the request now button on Netgalley and I am so happy I got approved!

The chill of a San Francisco summer can be deadly. No one knows this better than Capri Sanzio, who makes her living giving serial killer tours of the city. Capri has been interested in the topic since she was a kid, when she discovered she’s the granddaughter of serial killer William ‘Overkill Bill’ Sanzio. She’s always believed in his innocence, though she's never taken the leap to fully dive into the case.
But now an Overkill Bill copycat has struck in San Francisco. And Capri’s former mother-in-law, Sylvia, just cut off Capri’s daughter’s tuition payments. Needing cash, Capri wonders if this is the time to exonerate her grandfather. The case is back in the news and the police will be looking to understand the past to catch a present-day killer. Capri could finally uncover the truth about Overkill Bill—documenting the process with a podcast and a book—and hopefully earn some money. But soon Capri finds herself having more in common with her grandfather than ever before….shes a suspect in a killing.

I absolutely loved Capri’s character and her quick whit and sense of humour were hilarious. Her friends/coworkers are fantastic and added another great layer to the story. The writing style was captivating and with short chapters and multiple cliffhangers, I couldn’t put this book down.

At times the mystery itself was a little too over my head in terms of technology, fraud/insider trading and business aspects of the plot. That being said, I still didn’t ever become bored due to how interesting the author made the characters and the use of the San Francisco setting.

Overall, this is a quick and highly entertaining mystery that I highly recommend! Here’s hoping that ending means book two is coming!!!

Absolutely loved the suspense of this book! Found myself trying to figure out the ending along with the main character. This was a cozy read and would be the perfect book to read in the fall! Sometimes a mystery/thriller can be predictable and not for me but I loved this book! Would love to see it turned into a series! I am definitely waiting on more work from this author!

I love books based in San Francisco as it's one of my favorite cities and Michelle Chouinard did fantastic job taking me back. This was a pager turner with many twists, I loved every minute of this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

I enjoyed this murder mystery with touches of a cold case along the way. Capri; the main character of the story and the point of view we follow. She makes a living on her company of serial killer tours throughout San Francisco. Along with that, she happens to be the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer. Wildly enough, there is a copy cat killer on the loose using the same method as her grandfather who killed her ex mother in law.

The writing in this book is really engaging and easy to read. The history of San Francisco is a fun added bonus to the story. I like the idea of her crime/serial killer tours that she takes people on. Sounds like something I would totally go on! I was able to call the twist and the copycat killer but that did not take away from the story at all for me. I still really enjoyed the whole thing and was just proud of myself for catching the mystery!

I recommend this read if you like murder mysteries, cold cases, copycat killer stories, and fun city settings.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In Michelle Chouinard's "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco," Capri Sanzio, a tour guide specializing in serial killer history, finds herself entangled in a sinister game when a copycat killer emerges, targeting victims connected to her grandfather, the notorious "Overkill Bill" Sanzio. Capri has long maintained her grandfather's innocence, convinced that he was wrongly convicted. Driven by financial desperation and the need to clear his name, Capri embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the copycat murders while simultaneously documenting her investigation for a podcast and book. However, as the investigation unfolds, Capri becomes the prime suspect in the eyes of the police. Caught between her desire to exonerate her grandfather and protect her own safety, she must navigate a twisted maze of deception and danger. Chouinard deftly weaves a compelling and suspenseful narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each unexpected twist. Capri's resilience and determination in the face of adversity make her a relatable and admirable protagonist. The novel explores themes of family, justice, and the enduring power of the past. It delves into the complexities of serial killer psychology and the fascination it holds for the public. Chouinard's meticulous research and vivid descriptions transport readers to the dark underbelly of San Francisco and the chilling world of serial murder. "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" is a gripping and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of true crime, mystery, and psychological thrillers. Michelle Chouinard's masterful storytelling and insightful exploration of human nature make this novel a standout in the genre.

This book sucked me in immediately and didnt let go until I was done. I honestly didnt see all the twists coming and I loved reading about how Capri’s mind worked. Highly recommend for those who loved a Good Girl’s Guide to Murder!

Thank you Netgalley and the author for this e-arc!

Capri Sanzio’s grandfather died in prison claiming he was an innocent man, convicted as serial killer Overkill Bill for the postmortem slashing of his victims' throats. His legacy fuels Capri’s true crime interest and leads her to build a murder tour business in San Francisco—the perfect setting for this novel.

Convinced that her grandfather was wrongly convicted, Capri sets out to prove his innocence when her mother-in-law, who recently financially cut off Capri’s daughter’s college tuition payments, and another woman are murdered using Overkill Bill’s modus operandi years after his death.

Who has targeted these women and why? What is the killer’s connection to Overkill Bill? What connects the victims and Capri or her daughter? Would cutting off someone’s tuition assistance be motive enough for murder?

True crime has increased in popularity over the years, and the blurb hooked me, as did the first thirty or so percent of the novel when the action and connections between characters are at their most tense. However, what promises to be a thrilling investigation devolves into a murky commentary on old and new money and the business dealings between victims who turn out to be pretty unlikable. Tech jargon and password cracking overshadow the Overkill Bill investigation, which is the heart of this novel for me—Capri attempting to clear her grandfather’s name, though her business is more or less built on tourists’ morbid curiosity and their presumption of his guilt.

Some things I loved about the novel:

• The setting! San Francisco is rich with true crime history, a bit of which is sprinkled between chapters as Capri’s tour and were my favorite parts;
• The writing style is initially compelling and accessible throughout; and
• Capri’s determination to exonerate her grandfather, whom she only met once, adds heart to the story.

Some things I’d have liked to see more of:

• The investigation into Overkill Bill’s case without the looming discussions of a podcast or book, neither of which were important to the reasons Capri had to dig into his story;
• A stronger connection between the Overkill Bill case and the current-day murders, though I’m not sure how this would work given the killer’s identity, which feels like a matter of convenience;
• Less tech and more character connection, especially between Capri and her daughter but also maybe including her ex-husband who seems more or less unaffected by his mother’s tragic demise. While Capri’s maternal protective instinct is repeatedly stated, I would have liked to have her and her daughter involved in clearing their names together to build a genuine relationship on the page; and
• I would have preferred a more compelling case against Capri and her daughter to add the sense that these characters were at genuine risk of following in Overkill Bill’s potentially wrongfully convicted footsteps. I did not sense the actual danger of either of them being convicted throughout.

Overall, The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco is an interesting, light read that falls a tad short of delivering a compelling true crime premise. It is well-written with a strong start full of potential that might appeal to readers who don’t enjoy the typical grit of the genre. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy.

I really enjoyed this book! It never lets up! Super fast-paced crime solving with interesting tidbits about San Francisco sprinkled throughout.

Capri Sanzio has always been known as the granddaughter of the San Fransico serial killer Overkill Bill. She always believed her grandfather to be innocent and a lifetime of researching serial killers in the area has led to her career giving serial killer tours in the city. When her ex-mother-in-law and another woman is murdered in the same way as Overkill Bill, Capri must rush to find the culprit in order to protect her family.

This book made me want to take a tour myself. Throughout the book, there are backgrounds into the darker history of the most famous landmarks in San Francisco such as Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point. I thought this was a great addition to the story while Capri was trying to find the culprit to the current murders. I enjoyed learning about the investigation into the current murders, but I really enjoyed the investigation into the original Overkill Bill case. Both reveals were surprising to me, and I liked how this book concluded.

This is a fun murder mystery for readers who enjoy true crime podcasts.

The Serial Killer Guide to San Fransico comes out September 24th.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review The Serial Killer Guide to San Fransico.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were very complex and the setting was gorgeous. I loved the little details, to me they really make the story. I would definitely recommend!

I was super excited for this one - a serial killer novel with an amateur sleuth set in a supremely interesting city? Sign me up!

While it was enjoyable overall, I was expecting more emphasis on San Francisco and serial killers but there was a lot of time spent on shady business dealings that felt kind of bogged down. Trying not to give any spoilers, the way the web finally weaved together was much more small scale which felt a little disappointing.

However, I did enjoy myself reading and the writing style was interesting and easy to follow.

I loved it!! Fun, interesting page-turner with many layers, I enjoyed the narrators banter - witty but not too sly or cheesy. Great plot as well - the protagonist is attempting to solve two serial killings that she is inadvertently affected by. He grandfather was the accused killer of 3 prostitutes he was last seen with, but proclaimed innocence until his death. Now her MIL is the 2nd victim of a copycat killer with the same overkill MO. She is desperate to clear her and her daughter’s name. Lots of plausible suspects too. Great read!

This was slow and not twisty at all. I really wanted to like it but it didn’t hold my attention. I didn’t like the main character. I don’t know what else to say to get to 100 characters.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review The Serial Killer Guide to SF. Living in Northern California, I was so excited to have a thriller set in my own backyard. I loved the idea of the true crime tours and the owner being related to a former serial killer, but there was so much happening in this book. I wish the story would have been less about Sylvia and Phillip and more about solving the case of OverKill bill, I found all the tech company and investment stuff a bit hard to follow, but maybe that’s just me, but it seems like this boo could have been much more simplified with a few less competing storylines,

What a delightful, and fun debut novel! I needed something light after reading a darker thriller. But I wanted to stay in the murder mystery genre. This book fit the bill perfectly. I absolutely loved and adored it! The wit, the humor, and the mystery had me hooked from the first chapter.

Capri is the granddaughter of an infamous murder serial killer, Overkill Bill. So obviously it makes sense for her to run serial killer tours in San Francisco! True crime fans can't get enough of it and her tour business. But things take a huge nose dive when her ex mother-in-law is found murdered. The kicker? She was murdered in the same manner as her grandfather's previous victims. Now, it looks like their is a copycat killer following in her grandfather's footsteps. The police are suspicious of Capri and her daughter because of their serial killer relative. Capri now has to deep dive into the truth of her grandfather's crimes and the copy cat killer's crime. Will she be able to prove her and her daughter's innocence?

What I enjoyed:
- first chapter in and I was sucked in immediately. The book was sso engaging, clever and had me guessing the whole time!
- Capri! She was an awesome MC. I loved her bad a** attitude, and her humor. She had me cackling out loud at times
- The plot was super interesting and refreshing. I loved the SF murder facts that were throw in as well.
- What a twist! I was second guessing everything the whole time
- Super fast paced! Started it this morning and finished before dinner time

Overall, this was SO fantastic! Seriously, I might bump up my star rating after my mind settles a little more. I needed a good, refreshing read. Definitely cannot wait to read future work by this author. 4 stars out of 5! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Capri is a divorced single mother running a tour guide company, who also happens to be the Granddaughter of Overkill Bill, a notorious serial killer. When an Overkill Bill copycat starts murdering women - one of whom Capri had a potential motive to kill - all eyes are on her ...

This was such a brilliant twisty mystery with a cast of really engaging characters and an excellent ending. I hope the plan is to write more stories about Capri, because I would devour them!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review

The Serial Killer’s Guide to San Francisco
Michelle Chouinard
To be released September 2024
2024-13❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️5.0
📚📚📚📚I enjoyed every single minute of this book. It was exactly what I needed after multiple let down books. Capri owns a business that leads tours of famous murders around San Francisco—-combining her love for her city and her interest in true crime. You could say her expertise came naturally—her grandfather was the notorious Overkill Bill and went to jail for a series of murders before she was born. Capri has always harbored the belief that he was wrongfully convicted but her father won’t discus it with her and she’s let it go. But when her former mother in law, an old money socialite, is found murdered in the same style as OverKill’s victims mere hours after a fight with Carpi and with her daughter Morgan, Capri’s fear that she and her daughter will be assumed to be a serial killer begin to crystallize. They are officially persons of interest. Capri most solve this mystery to make sure her own daughter doesn’t land behind bars.
Fast, smart, funny. Well-written and developed characters with interesting backgrounds. I absolutely loved reading about Capri—as I get older, it’s a joy to find smart and fun main characters that aren’t 22. I cannot wait for what I am genuinely hoping is a series with these characters as still a lot to explore.
❤️❤️❤️JJ’s last words. Must read if you enjoyed Finley Donovan, Miss Fortune, Stephanie Plum, or the mother daughter murder night. #smpinfluencers @stmartinspress #serialkillersguidetosanfrancisco @minotaur_books

Thanks to St Martin’s Press for approving me to read on Net Galley in exchange for a honest review.

Really fun and interesting story! Loved the setting in San Francisco and really loved Capri. Such a refresh take on the serial killer trope. Definitely recommend for a good fun murder mystery. Thank you NetGalley for this arc

4.5 stars

This book was great!

First of all, San Francisco is a character in her own right. I've been lucky enough to visit once and was just talking the other day how much I want to visit again. This book transported me there with great descriptions and I loved historical info we got.

Capri is a very likeable character. Actually all the characters are likeable. I really hope this is the start of a series!

I was equally invested in the modern murder case as well as the one involving Capri's grandfather.

Despite being about a serial killer, the book is quite light.

Excellent cover.

I plan on buying a cover for my shelves.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books.