The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco is a light, murder mystery that takes place in the eponymous San Francisco. Capri Sanzio makes her living giving tours of San Francisco. She also happens to be the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer. Capri has never been fully convinced her grandfather was guilty, so when a copycat killer strikes close to home, she becomes determined to not only clear her own name, but her grandfather’s.

The book started off well enough for me, but by the end, I found myself wanting to skim to get to the end. The premise is fun, but the execution isn’t great. My main complaint is that it’s long and not paced well. I think this book could be great if it were 100 pages shorter. I hope the final version gets some good edits. Overall, I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but not strongly recommend it.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the premise here and was drawn in immediately. I found the dual timeline concept intriguing in the beginning, and was looking forward to seeing how things would unfold. I loved the idea of the tour company and of seeing how a family member's conviction for something like serial murder could trickle down to affect generations. Unfortunately, as the story unfolded, I found the contemporary mystery to start to feel a little overdone and my interest in that storyline to flag. Unfortunately again, that story started taking over the majority of the book at that point, which didn't help.

The writing was engaging throughout, but the backstory behind the killer's motivation - and the investigation into the secrets and lies that underpinned it - is one that seems to be playing out in so many domestic thrillers these days, and I think that is where it lost me a bit.

And then, there's the resolution of the older murders storyline - the one i preferred throughout... After all the delicious slow build about the grandfather's serial murder conviction, the protagonist sees one piece of paper in one stack of files that somehow everyone missed over the course of decades of investigation, and that resolved the entire question of guilt or innocence... It felt beyond convenient, and very unbelievable, and I was disappointed in how it was revealed - although this was redeemed significantly in the way it ultimately played out in the course of the family, which I thought was much more realistic and thoughtful.

Still, despite a few issues, I enjoyed this book and will definitely look for this author again. Her characterizations were strong and her premise was interesting - even if some of the twists and turns felt less fresh than I would have expected, given the originality of the overall concept. The writing is easy and engaging and it's a fast read. I may not have loved how everything played out but I did enjoy the ride on the whole...

An enjoyable and suspenseful murder mystery. The main character, Capri, makes a living giving serial killer tours of San Francisco … and just happens to be the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer herself. When her ex-mother-in-law is killed by a copycat killer using her grandfather's methods, she must rush to find the culprit in order to protect herself and her family.

Capri is a perfectly fine main character, but the real MVP in this novel is the city of San Francisco itself. I enjoyed learning about the darker side of the city's history, and the author does a great job describing the scenery and making you feel as if you're there with Capri as she travels to its famous landmarks – Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Fort Point all make an appearance, among others. There's also mention of San Francisco's various neighborhoods, and its infamous fog plays a part in the story as well. If you're a fan of San Francisco, this book is probably worth reading for that reason alone.

*breaks into song* “When the lights go down in the city, and the sun shines on the baaaay, oooh, I wanna be there in my city, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh ...”

Ahem.

The mystery itself is solid but nothing particularly novel – it's your fairly run-of-the-mill “amateur sleuth/suspect investigating a murder and irritating the police” setup. Capri's relationship to the notorious Overkill Bill is a nice touch, however, and makes this murder mystery stand out a bit from the others. I did like that Capri is attempting to solve two mysteries at the same time, one from many years in the past. Will she posthumously exonerate her grandfather while investigating the present day murders? Or will she confirm his guilt?

I have to say, though, that I'm not sure why Ryan is wasting his time working for a tour operator, because with his mad “hacking” skills he should be on the CIA's payroll. It's obvious that he's mostly a plot device used to explain away any technical roadblocks to Capri's investigation, but it made me literally LOL in certain parts.

Still, this is a fun mystery that managed to keep me entertained from beginning to end. It's probably not going to win any awards for originality, but there are certainly worse ways to spend a few hours.

My overall rating: 3.75 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

This was an enjoyable thriller. There were times where it felt like too much was going on but I could still understand how it moved the whole story along. Talking about main character Capri writing a book and creating a podcast seemed like elements that were unnecessary. While it didn't take up too much mental space it would seem that the search for the real Overkill Bill to prove her grandfather's innocence was enough of a reason without adding in the other elements.
I enjoyed that Capri's job is leading true crime tours throughout San Francisco. That was a fun element and I think opens the door for more books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Capri is a tour guide to serial killing sites in the City by the Bay, with a secret history (her grandfather was thought to be one but she never thought him guilty.) A copycat slays her ex-mother-in law, and both Capri and her daughter are considered suspects. Can Capri clear her family's name before the killer strikes again? Gripping!

Wow! I was not expecting the twists in this book! It took me a couple of chapters to really get into it, but once I did, I was hooked! I really hope there are more books with these characters!!

Alright, so "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" by Michelle Chouinard had me hooked on the premise—a granddaughter of a serial killer investigating a copycat, all set against the backdrop of San Francisco. It's a cozy mystery that promises a blend of family drama, dark secrets, and historical exploration. And for the most part, it delivers on these fronts.

Capri Sanzio, our protagonist, is a tour guide specializing in serial killer tours, and she's got a personal connection to the subject—her granddad being the infamous 'Overkill Bill.' When a copycat killer emerges, things take a suspenseful turn, and Capri's quest to exonerate her grandfather gets kicked up a notch. Yet, here's the kicker: while the book is a fun read with its fair share of mystery and unexpected twists, it does hit a bit of a speed bump around the 75% mark. The pacing slows, and things start feeling a tad rushed.

My gripe? Capri, as much as I rooted for her, could be a bit frustrating. For someone running a tour company, she jumps to conclusions faster than a cat lands on its feet. Still, the book manages to balance its mystery elements, family drama, and historical vibes to keep you guessing. There's a rich layer of San Francisco's serial killer history, adding a gritty allure to the narrative. Overall, it's a cozy mystery with a side of family skeletons that's worth a read if you're into the genre. Overall rating: 4.5 stars

*Thank you St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for providing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and freely given.

What an interesting premise. This tour sounds like it'd be fascinating to take.

Chouinard's book is a cross of a traditional and cozy mystery that focuses on a past cold case and a present day copycat murder, that just happens to have a connection to the MC, Capri. The descriptive prose and vivid imagery quickly draws the reader in. While I've never been to San Francisco, I've heard of some of the places, so that made the book even more enjoyable. The pace was a bit uneven, and, at times, there was too much telling vs. showing (such as between Capri and her daughter). There are enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing and following the clues along with Capri.

So many things made me want to pick up “TheSerial Killer Guide to San Francisco”. The cover is eye catching for sure but the title is what really grabbed me! I really enjoy a good “who dunnit ?” And this book delivered! Just when I thought I had it all figured out another clue would pop up that would have me guessing!

I was very excited to read this book. I liked Capri as a main character and found it easy to root for her. I do think that parts of the book felt disjointed and fell slightly flat. I was more invested in Capri's family history with her grandfather being convicted as a serial killer. Her mother-in-law did not interest me as much and at times felt it was two separate books. I would be interested in reading another book about Capri if more are written. Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Michelle Chouinard for allowing me to read this ARC.

This book was fun and refreshing, but it did really slow down around the 70% mark. I think with a little more- more detail, more backstory, more conflict between characters- it would have been a 5 star read. It did a lot of telling and not showing, I wanted more interactions between the main character and her daughter because their relationship was supposed to be a key part of the story and the reader really doesn't have enough to go off of to be invested.

THE SERIAL KILLER GUIDE TO SAN FRANCISCO by Michelle Chouinard, is a page-turning mystery (a cross between cozy and traditional) that contains a long-ago cold case and a current day copycat murder. The author sets the scene with vivid imagery and draws the reader in with her strong descriptive language. Protagonist, Capri Sanzio, is owner of and runs SF Killer Crime Tours. Having visited many of the places she takes her clients, I was especially interested in the crimes committed in those locations. I enjoyed the mini travel and crime blurb added in throughout the book. They’re concise and fit the situation, and don’t detract from the pace of the story.

Capri comes across as a sympathetic character. Her grandfather was convicted of being a serial killer decades before she was born, and died while incarcerated. It’s also put a wedge between herself and her father, with Capri’s inquisitive nature wanting to know what really happened, while her father wants the past to remain buried. Despite everyone associated with her grandfather’s case being deceased, Capri digs up new information and uncover secrets that may or may not shed new light. It becomes even more important when a copycat serial killer strikes someone close to Capri.

This is a fast-paced read with so many twists and turns, both from the cold case and the current day case. My suspicions jumped around and I never saw the danger coming until it was too late. As the edge-of-your seat reveal played out, the clues dropped into place. I truly hope that this is the start of a long-running series! I’m looking forward to reading more about Capri and her serial killer San Francisco tours!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Brace yourself for a gripping journey through the dark heart of San Francisco in 'The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco.' This captivating thriller keeps you hooked with its twisted plot, seamlessly intertwining current murders with the exoneration of an innocent man from the past. With vivid descriptions and authentic characters, it's a must-read for fans of the genre. Thank you to the author and NetGalley.com for allowing me to read this advanced copy. I loved every minute of this book and dived right in!

A fun premise but somehow this one just didn’t really get off the ground for me.
Did not finish this one.

Capri Sanzio is the granddaughter of a San Francisco serial killer. She has never believed her grandfather was guilty of the murders, and her father refuses to even acknowledge or talk about his father.

When two women, one of whom was Capri’s, ex mother-in-law, are murdered in a copy cat manner, Capri must put her journalistic skills to good use. Especially since she and her daughter are on the suspect list. Can Capri find the killer to both clear herself and her daughter from suspicion, and maybe even clear her grandfather’s name? Not the killer has any say in the matter.

While this is being a marketed as a novel, it reads like a cozy mystery. And I loved it! Being a tour guide that takes visitors on guided tours of serial killing locations in San Francisco, this certainly leaves the door open to expand this into a series. It is well written, uses a little fact, along with a lot of fiction, and delivers one heck of a mystery. Please, turn this into a series!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC ebook of this book! The beginning started off quite slow, and about halfway I was worried I wouldn’t get into the story but it picks up quickly! Murder, family drama, lies and deception- this book has it all. The last few chapters reeled me in and made me happy I stuck around.

loved this mystery that happens in san Francisco . Loved that she wanted to figure out about her grandfather and then helped solve the mystery about her mother in law. Loved the friends and her business that toured places that people got killed at. Loved her family and seeing her parents and her in law family.

This is a great read for anyone who is True Crime obsessed or falls into the Muderino category. It's fictional, but a fun ride through crime tours, podcasting and mystery solving. Look forward to more books from Michelle Chouinard. A good mystery that kept me guessing.

I genuinely enjoyed this book from start to finish. I have been an avid true crime podcast listener for quite some years so when I saw this book title and synopsis I was extremely intrigued. I love the premise that the granddaughter of a charged serial killer, "Overkill Bill", would do tours showcasing the serial killer lore of San Francisco. I loved Capri as a main character and I love that the author wrote the story in such a way that showcased Capri, her knowledge, who she is as a woman and mother, and how she put this puzzle together to see if he Grandfather was truly "Overkill Bill" or if he was wrongfully accused. Super fun read (as fun as books involving serial killers and crime can be) and great for true crime podcast listeners!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for the ARC of The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco in exchange for an honest and independent review.

Capri Sanzio, granddaughter of famed serial killer "Overkill Bill," has built a name for herself through her insightful serial killer tours she hosts around the busy city of San Francisco (which is apparently bursting with serial killer lore). While her connect to Overkill Bill has not been a bright spot on her family history, Capri has always had the lingering suspicion her grandfather was wrongly accused. However, her father refuses to talk about it and her grandfather has passed away since his conviction, maintaining his innocence right to the very end.

Modern day San Francisco, and an Overkill Bill copy cat killer is at it again. However this time, he's targeted the women of high class San Francisco society. Two bodies quickly surface with the exact same brutal cause of death (bashed over the head, stabbed in the chest several time, and throat slit post mortem...hence the term "overkill"), however, is this case, the second victim is the ex-mother-in-law of Capri, Slyvia.

Police quickly pinpoint Capri and her daughter, Morgan, as potential suspects in the murder investigation. In order to save herself and her daughter, Capri uses her years of serial killer intelligence to hopefully clear both of their names before time runs out. In doing so, she also attempts to set the record straight in regards to the potential wrongful conviction of her grandfather. This story lifts the curtain just a bit to allow a glimpse into the corrupt underbelly of San Francisco's notorious high society, who happen to have a proclivity toward nefarious pastimes.

Michelle Chouinard has constructed a quick moving mystery that leaves you jumping from suspect to suspect, This book has a great balance of mystery, dirty family secrets, and history to keep you wondering where things are heading and there's always something new around every turn. It's written in a way that makes you feel like you are in the shoes of Capri, helping uncover the mysteries and put the pieces of the puzzle together. A great, fun read for those of us who are morbidly curious about serial killer lore!