I hate to be a hater, but this book was just not up my alley. I was expecting more of a quirky thriller but this was a very Slow-burn cozy mystery, the kind that I try to avoid. The mystery also centers around a white collar financial crime which was Excruciating to listen to. I also wasn't a fan of the Amateur detective protagonist, who took multiple pages to understand who the killer was even after they flat out told her. Lastly, I hated the detective who essentially ignored and undermined her the entire book, then asked her out on a date at the end. That's supposed to be an aww moment? Ick.

Perfect for fans of the Finlay Donovan series.

Capri Sanzio makes a living off serial killers, she owns a tour company that hits hot spots of killings and serial killings in San Francisco. Some could say serial killing is in her blood since her grandfather is the renowned Overkill Bill, although he maintained his innocence for years. The problem is now a copycat killer is back using the signature of Overkill Bill. Was her grandfather innocent? Her father refuses to talk about his father, but Capri has always been fascinated by his history. Now is the chance to Capri to find out more about her grandfather, if he really was Overkill Bill, and find the new killer using Overkill Bill's signature.

This is a cozy mystery, that's sure to be a series, that's perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan. It has a dash of mystery and humor, that's present in that series. I loved the character of Capri and would definitely take one of her tours, if they were real. Although I guessed the twists, it didn't bother me as I was invested in the overall story. I really hope this isn't the last we see of Capri, her daughter, and her friends.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

Capri Sanzio grew up knowing that she is the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer. When a copycat appears, she knows she needs to find a way to prove his innocence.

This contemporary mystery is quite the thrilling page turner. I didn't find any of the descriptions to be overly graphic but still accurately set the scene. As someone who is quite familiar with San Francisco, it was nice to see mentions of not only popular landmarks but some of the individual neighborhoods as well. There were a few small twists, just enough to keep anyone guessing.

I highly recommend the audiobook which is narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. She does a fantastic job keeping a good sized cast of characters differentiated.

Overall, I enjoyed both the book and audiobook. I look forward to seeing more work from this author in the future.

I voluntarily read, listened to, and reviewed advanced copies of this book and audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Capri Sanzio, has always had an interest in serial killers ever since she learned her grandfather was William “Overkill Bill” Sanzio. Even though until his death in prison he always maintained his innocence. As an adult she has turned this interest into a career by giving serial killer tours of San Francisco. When copycat killer uses the Overkill Bill signature, not once but twice, Capri finds herself drawn into the investigation. Not wanting to end up wrongly imprisoned like her grandfather she works to clear her family’s name before the killer strikes again.

For true crime lovers and amateur sleuths this will be right up your alley. Chouinard is very thorough in her writing so you feel as if you have all the details every step of the way. That being said there are still enough red herrings in the mix to keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC e-book.
The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco was a dark but humorous read. It was a thrilling journey through the city’s notorious history. There was a perfect blend of humor, storytelling, real-life crime lore, and suspense. It was a very cleverly written novel from start to finish. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend anyone who enjoys the crime/mystery genre to read this one. San Francisco is a city that has always fascinated me and I hope to visit one day. Great book!

If you are fans of the tv show Only Murders In the Building and/or the Finlay Donovan mystery series by Elle Cosimano, this novel is perfect for you. Part cozy mystery, part horror it is an enjoyable read from start to finish.

Single mom, Capri Sanzio, is just trying to make ends meet as a "serial killer themed tour guide" in San Francisco. Willing to cater to the tourists, she has a unique perspective as the grand-daughter of the famed serial killer, William "Overkill Bill" Sanzio and a hook to draw the crowds in. When her ex-mother-in-law is murdered by a copycat killer, Capri is determined to stay out of the police's spot light.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for giving me the opportunity to read this novel.

I love the cover of this book so much fun!

I love true crime and i loved this book. Was fun and just a good palette cleanser. Had mystery and just made you laugh in certain areas.

I would read this again and i will read more from this author.

Loved it.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Light-hearted crime/mysteries like this are having such a resurgence right now! A fun addition to the genre and a unique premise.

This book intrigued me from the beginning! It reminded me a bit of the Aunties books and I was so excited for some fun and quirky mysteries! However, sadly, it fell a little flat for me. It was fun in parts but then other parts got long and dragged. All in all, it was fun and cute but could have used a bit of trimming down as well.

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

This book had such a fun diverse of characters and an intriguing plot centered around an old murder case!

4.25 stars

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting with this book, based on the title and all. But it was a surprisingly fun, twisty thrill ride of a story!

The whole premise is the main character, Capri Sanzio, gives serial killer/true crime tours of various areas in San Francisco, with people lining up to take her tours due to her distinctive pedigree of being the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer. But all her life she's actually been convinced that her grandfather didn't commit the crimes he was accused of. So what happens when someone starts copycat killing in San Francisco based on her grandfather's well-publicized MO? Maybe this is just the chance Capri needs - she's on the edge of broke and needing money for her daughter's college fees because her rich ex-mother-in-law just cut them off. So she decides to look into the possibility of clearing her grandfather's name and bankrolling the whole story into a tell-all podcast and book deal. Until... the next murder victim just happens to be said ex-MIL. Soon the cops won't leave Capri alone and start looking pretty closely at both her and her daughter as prime suspects in these new killings. Now what?

Writing style was easy to follow and very enjoyable to read. The whole plot was great; I didn't figure out too many things ahead of time and was honestly surprised by a couple big twists in the story. The tour guide element was pretty fun as well, and I feel like I learned some interesting tidbits about the true crime history of San Francisco.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Michelle Chouinard, and St. Martin's Press for giving me a free digital advanced readers copy of the book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided voluntarily.

Capri Sanzio is a serial killer tour guide having been interested in the subject since she was a child. She found out that her grandfather was the notorious serial killer "Overkill Bill". She never thought he was guilty but didn't know how to prove it. When a copycat hits San Francisco she feels like now is the time to prove his innocence. With the case back in the news and unexpected road bumps in her way Capri decides a podcast might help her not only show his innocence but earn herself some money as well. Things turn bad when her exp mother-in-law turns out to be the copycats next victim putting her in the hot seat. Follow along as she tries prove her own innocence as well.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book, because I love listening to true crime podcasts but don't really read a lot of stories about murders or serial killers. I knew from page 1 that I was going to enjoy this, the writing style was fantastic, and Capri had a level of sass that I really love in a protagonist. I also appreciate her quirks, like eating pickles when stressed, as that added a lot of depth to her character that some authors forget to add. I also loved the mystery side of it, and how the past and present were intertwining to help solve the case (and I'm so glad both cases get solved because I HATE unsolved mysteries), and how the trauma of her family history impacted Capri's relationships with others in the book. All the side characters were well written and didn't feel forced in or unnecessary, and I really enjoyed reading the 'blog posts' about the history of the area's crimes, it felt like we were a part of the fan base for Capri's tours. I'm sad that I finished this book so quickly honestly, because I wanted it to last far longer than it could have ever lasted, it was just that good!

This mystery was dragged and Capri was not a riveting main character. Her decisions and actions didn’t always make sense. Overall the story did not keep my attention and feel flat for me.

Got to love a cozy mystery that includes serial killer tours a possible serial killer grandfather and a spunky slightly older heroine. This book had me at the title and I was hooked from page one. What's not to love about diving in a true crime case that may or may not involve a family member. My true crime loving heart just loved that aspect of the book. And Capri might just be my new favorite cozy heroine.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

@netgalley
@stmartinspress

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Capri loves San Francisco. She makes a living giving guided serial killer tours of the city. She’s the granddaughter of a notorious serial killer. A copycat killer is in town. Her mother in law is murdered and she decides to look into the case. She thinks her grandfather was wrongfully convicted. This was such an engaging and fun mystery! In a few parts it was a bit slow but overall I really enjoyed it.

#read #reading #readmorebooks #netgalley #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks #book #booklover #bookstagram #booknerd #bookaddict #truecrime #cozy #murdermystery #tbr #fun

Capri Sanzio is a divorcée who runs “Killer Crime Tours” in – where else?! – San Francisco. Ironically she herself is the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer “Overkill Bill”, although she believes in her heart that grandpa William was wrongly accused. Capri and her two business partners spend their days working passionately to create new and exciting scenarios for their tour patrons, and I’ve got to say the content is genuinely interesting and makes me wish they were real.

When two murders occur that not only copycat Overkill Bill but hit too close to home, Capri throws herself into the investigation. First, new-money wife Katherine (who is trying her hardest to move up in local social circles) is brutally killed. And then Capri’s own old-money grandmother Sylvia is murdered in the same fashion. Both are local socialites, but run in different circles. Katherine is rich from tech start-up money while Sylvia and her elite clique abhors any of the new neighbors who have moved in and – as they believe – don’t have any true connection to or feel any responsibility for San Francisco. What on earth is their connection? Before long both Capri and her daughter Morgan are both considered suspects thanks to their unfortunate lineage.

What did I like? I was hooked on Capri’s character and respected her determination. She was likeable and when she got a little obsessed with her personal investigation, I felt a sense of connection to her driven actions.

What didn’t I love? Well, honestly I thought there would be more murders. But in the end it was a captivating story and a few more killings wouldn’t have made it any better. And I’m not kidding, I’d sign up for the Alcatraz and the Hitchcock tours if I could.

Thanks St Martin’s Publishing Group & NetGalley for the free ARC, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

4.5 Stars

This was a really fun murder mystery, and I especially appreciated the fact that the protagonist was in her late forties. I think that so often women are written off as protagonists because of age. The twists were unexpected and the characters were really well written. I enjoyed it a lot.

Capri has made a living as a tour guide of San Francisco, specifically focusing on murderous history. Her tours are popular because she is the granddaughter of a famous serial killer - even if she believes he’s innocent. When murders start happening by an apparent copycat killer, Capri finds herself uncomfortably close.

Capri is a 40-something tour guide of San Francisco's most murdery sights. Her fascination with true crime started when, as a child, she found out that her grandfather was a convicted serial killer. She's always been convinced he was innocent, but when a new string of murders crops up on her home turf emulating her long-dead grandpa's supposed M.O., Capri is determined to solve the case. She wants to find out what really happened all those years ago, how it's connected to the present-day case, and beat other crime junkies to the story. Everything is going fine, until someone close to Capri is the next victim and she becomes the prime suspect. Dun dun dun....

This was a quick and fun read, and I really enjoyed the research aspect of the story along with the tour site details. There were several moments where I was like "...k" though, like Capri just happens to have friends who are never mentioned until they are suddenly there for convenient plot purposes like "my geneologist bestie" or "my attorney BFF". Also at the end of the book someone waves off serial murders from the 60s because "it was a different time" and that really cracked me up. If you won't get bogged down by some of those silly bits then you'll have a good time with this. I'd have enjoyed a little more on the podcast Capri was recording during the book, too, but overall this was a good time. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Capri Sanzio, granddaughter of a famous serial killer, gives serial killer tours to San Francisco. She decides to try to clear her grandfather's name and becomes an amateur sleuth as a result.

I wanted to read The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco because the unique premise was intriguing. I also liked the San Francisco setting.

This was a fun and indeed unique mystery! I liked Capri's work ethic and intelligence. I also LOVED the setting and the San Francisco information. I enthusiastically recommend this novel for other mystery fans!