This is my first read by D B Stephens and I really enjoyed it. The main characters Hannah, Kelly, Madison and Jess were all likeable, especially Jess and I found myself sympathising with their difficult life situations. It was easy to see how the Caretaker had become a reality in the situations they lived in and how he had helped them move on in their lives.

The Caretaker a was very creative, smart and well thought out character and played an important role in the storyline. I also really enjoyed the character Sophie Salam, the two aspects of her life as a mother and a detective and the difficulties of playing both roles, especially with a special needs child.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, it was well written and very entertaining. I was able to predict fairly early on who the Caretaker was, that was the only let down, hence rating it 4 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A compelling tale about power.

A common response to domestic violence victims is, "Why don't you just leave?" It's never that simple. As we learn Jessica Pendle's story, we see how her abuser isolates her, denigrates her, takes away her agency, any sense of personal power.

And then we get more: a look at the stories not everyone has the nerve to tell. Jessica has to struggle to regain any semblance of a normal life and the support group she joins is essential to keeping her going.

Someone starts to take revenge. There's an obvious suspect, too obvious to be the killer, which had to be a deliberate choice. I've never seen a red herring come into the story so soon, but Stephens made it work.

Jessica's characterization was developed well, as was Sophie's. The other women in the support group were less so, and I would have liked more from the support group's leader.

There were some points that were handwaved away--some story elements seemed to happen too easily or with only vague explanation. Jessica is able to keep her job despite some of her behavior, one of the characters is quite wealthy, which is one of the excuses for the handwaves I mention above.

I found the pacing solid. Because of the intense emotional content of some chapters, it would be easy for an author to get bogged down, but Stephens moves things along nicely.

An engaging story with some serious emotional content. Fewer surpises than I would have liked, but I enjoyed it enough to want to read the sequel.

My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review the ARC.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Great empowering read

In this dark and twisty psychological thriller set for release on May 8, 2025, DB Stevens delivers a compelling narrative that explores the aftermath of violence and the complex psychology of both victims and perpetrators. The novel marks the first installment in the promising Secret Vigilante series, establishing Stevens (writing under a pseudonym) as a fresh voice in the psychological thriller genre.

The premise is deceptively simple yet psychologically rich: a support group for women affected by terrible crimes becomes something far more sinister. The story follows protagonist Jess, whose character development throughout the narrative proves to be one of the book's strongest elements. As the plot unfolds, what begins as a seemingly straightforward support group setting evolves into a complex web of secrets, lies, and unexpected alliances.

Stevens demonstrates remarkable skill in maintaining tension while delving deep into the psychological aspects of trauma and revenge. The book joins a growing body of work exploring the concept of "righteous murder," but brings its own unique perspective to this moral quandary. The author's background in crime fiction shines through in the meticulous plotting and authentic psychological insights.

The novel's structure is particularly effective, with interludes providing glimpses into different killers' motivations while never falling into the trap of glorifying violence. These sections add depth to the narrative while raising thought-provoking questions about justice, revenge, and the nature of evil.

The author's writing style is crisp and atmospheric, creating a sense of mounting dread that keeps readers engaged throughout. The narrative is described as "compelling" and "pacy", with each chapter drawing readers deeper into its dark psychological landscape.

Strengths:

Masterful handling of psychological tension
Well-developed character arcs, particularly the protagonist's evolution
Innovative take on the psychological thriller genre
Strong pacing that maintains suspense throughout
Weaknesses:

Some plot points may strain credibility for certain readers
The dark subject matter might not appeal to all thriller fans

"The Serial Killer Support Group" is more than just another psychological thriller; it's a nuanced exploration of trauma, justice, and the gray areas between victim and perpetrator. While it may not be for the faint of heart, readers who appreciate sophisticated psychological suspense will find much to admire in Stevens' work.

I liked this book so much. It was well-written, the pace was excellent, the characters were great. At times I had to remind myself that this was actually fiction. Very thought-provoking and I was sucked into this book from the beginning.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter for my eARC. All opinions are my own. Right from the beginning I was hooked, and the short chapters had me reading non-stop to find out what would happen next. I was shocked by the twists. This book touches on some very difficult topics for women, how they are treated when they happen and how to finally fight back. It showed the power of good friends and solid relationships and how strong you can really be when you have someone who listens. The Caretaker's identity was a huge shock but made the story that much more powerful once you knew. Emotional, uncomfortable and inspiring read that you really must pick up!

The Serial Killer Support Group is a read that although covers a sensitive subject I still enjoyed.
Jess Pendle has seen her Mother subjected to domestic abuse and vowed never to be in the same position as her but one New Year’s Eve she finds herself in casualty getting stitches to her face after falling over the washing basket and straight down the stairs but reality is Lewis has abused her again. She bravely opens up to a nurse and she makes tracks to sort her life out without Lewis. The police offer no support so she joins a support group for women and here things change very quickly for Jess and the close friends she makes.
This was a good read, I enjoyed the characters and the way the women formed a bond and stuck to it. The storyline was something I haven’t read before and the ending was decent. The book was the right length and had a good pace to it all the way through.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

DB Stephens humorously plays with the idea of having a support group which inspires a serial killer. This support group meets once a week to discuss their lives, their exes, and most importantly; their achievements or wins. The Caretaker, the serial killer, uses their truths to select their next target. But who is The Caretaker and how are they linked to the support group?

The author also toys with the idea of this serial killer's likeability; are they a crazed killer, or are they a brave vigilante cleaning up the world. Each character has an opinion on this, and you will too by the end of the book.

Similarly, the forceful, authoritative DS Sophie Salam has challenges she must face; both past and present. Who is she living in fear of?

While toying with these ideas, Stephens shines a bright light on the harsh reality that many women, and men, unfortunately face. The leading characters in this story; Jess, Madison, Kelly, and Hannah, all share a common link; they are survivors of domestic abuse. Their backstories are dark and unsettling, and though they are characters in a book, no doubt elements of their story are experienced by both women and men out there who are survivors of such abuse.

Despite the story being fictional, the author deals with the dark truths of not only abuse, but how asking for help, getting help, or in some cases not being offered help, being believed, and telling others, are only a small handful of the hurdles survivors face.

Jess has been suffering silently at the hands of her partner, but after another incident on New Year’s Eve, she’s finally given the chance to speak up.
During the aftermath of her reporting, she seeks solace with other survivors of domestic abuse, but the group is about to be ‘supported’ in a rather violent way by an unknown vigilante - The Caretaker.
The author did a great job of highlighting how often our justice system fails victims of DV, and the disparagement suffered by the MCs felt so genuine.
This book was full of suspicion, intrigue and tension - it was cleverly written from multiple POVs, and I really enjoyed the way the story developed.
It was fairly predictable for a thriller, but I didn’t mind that so much as the actual plot was strong, and the characters had plenty of depth.
I liked how their backgrounds and knowledge linked up, and I’m presuming from the ending that there will be sequel (she says hopefully)!

The message of this book is probably more important than how it is written. I loved the premise and needed to read it. Domestic violence and the lack of protection is something that I know all too well. Maybe it's wrong, but I found myself cheering on ‘The Caretaker’. The characters were relatable and I felt for them. I do think that a bit more character development would have made the story better.
The thing I am not sure off is the big reveal mid-book. I probably would have waited longer and building up the suspense, but I wasn't really bothered by it.
The story might be a bit dark for some, but the relationship, the fear, the desperation, etc., were written very well.
The ending felt rushed and could have been more fleshed out. If there will be a next book, then the open ending will be okay…if not…well…that would be very disappointing.
I think this is a good, fast read, but I need to say that you need to remind yourself that this is fiction and not a ‘true crime’ book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollinsUk and One more Chapter for this copy.

Thank you Netgalley & HarperCollins UK/ One More Chapter for the advanced readers copy!

This book has me hooked from the first few chapters. I stayed up late reading it and finishing it! We meet our characters, who have all been through something horrifying; domestic violence/ partner abuse. Our main character, Jess, is finally sick of dealing with the physical abuse/ harm, and she starts attending a support group for individuals dealing with the same thing, they've all had enough. Then enters The Caretaker, who had me hooked and trying so hard to guess their identity. Everytime their chapter came up, it was thrilling and kept me engaged. This thriller was fast paced with short chapters and multiple POVs. Usually, multiple POVs throws me off, but not these ones!! We see the abusers become victims, they start feeling how the individuals they've abused have felt.
The twist was great, I definitely didn't expect it, I suspected it but then the alibis were throwing me off! The author did a great job executing this book and I can't wait to read more by them! I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fast paced thriller!

A Gripping and Darkly Satirical Thriller

The Serial Killer Support Group by D.B. Stephens is a compelling psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of trauma, justice, and the human psyche. The story follows Jess Pendle, a survivor of domestic abuse who, after escaping her violent partner, joins a support group for women with similar experiences. However, the group harbours a chilling secret: they are not just survivors, but vigilantes meting out their own form of justice.

Stephens crafts a narrative that is both tense and thought-provoking, exploring the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator. The characters are well-developed, with Jess's journey from fear to empowerment being particularly poignant. The pacing is steady, with the tension building as the group's dark activities come to light.

While the premise is intriguing and the execution largely effective, some readers may find the subject matter unsettling. Nonetheless, The Serial Killer Support Group is a gripping read that raises important questions about justice and morality.

The title alone had me intrigued and I was not disappointed. Fast paced and twisty. The story is actually quite thought provoking and check the trigger warnings before reading. The best thriller I’ve read so far this year!

So much fun! This was creative and unique in the sense that we get to meet many different serial killers. I loved getting into their heads and figuring out why they killed and following along with Cyra as she tried to find who killed her sister. There were a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming which made it even more enjoyable. Despite being written to be unlikeable (they’re serial killers), they are still well developed and you can’t help but find some redeeming qualities in them. Highly recommended for a fascinating dive into the world of serial killers

A woman's support group for victims of domestic violence takes a turn when a small group within take a stand against the men who hurt them. The premise of the book highly intrigued me, and I was excited for this story, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. There are three POVs, which I had a hard time keeping track of, especially when you learn that the Caretaker POV involves multiple people. I felt for each of these women, and the way the author wrote about domestic violence and the intense nature in which it is mishandled by law enforcement was beautifully handled. I think the book was just too long, with not enough shocking moments to keep me interested throughout. I would read another thriller by this author, but I'm not sure if I would recommend this one to regular thriller or mystery readers; perhaps beginners. Thank you for the e-arc!

I enjoy a good revenge story, and one that includes a serial killer and vigilante justice ? Even better!

𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲: ends up in the ER after being beaten by her boyfriend - again. A pamphlet is put into her hands as she is leaving, advertising a domestic violence support group. Perhaps it's time.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿: I really enjoyed this character! He is enigmatic. Calm, cool, focused, and very good at his job.

𝗗𝗲𝘁. 𝗦𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺: a single hard-working mother, juggling a high-pressure job, while caring for her child who is on the spectrum.

I loved the premise of this book. Not only is it a prolific thriller, but it also delivers a thought-provoking message about domestic violence, a subject that is close to my heart. Stephens writes this topic with respect and sensitivity.

Fast-paced and short chapters kept me turning the pages, while Stephens ramped up the tension and creep factor. This book definitely packs a punch, from sexist double standards to a cathartic ending. I'm sure everyone will enjoy the ride. I found myself questioning my own moral compass!

My only negative is I would have liked more character development of the supporting characters as I felt I needed to know more about their stories. But from reading the acknowledgments, it seems this is a first in an ongoing series, so maybe we'll see more about these women in the next book.

Also, as an aunty of two boys on the spectrum, I felt Stephens' representation was done beautifully. 💙

I can't wait to see wait to read the next installment!

♥︎ domestic violence
♥︎ autism rep
♥︎ revenge
♥︎ morally gray characters
♥︎ serial killer

Thank you to harper Collins UK and netgalley for my gifted copy. My review was voluntary.

Pro’s
• This had me gripped from the very first page, and if I didn’t have to adult this weekend I definitely would have finished it in one sitting!
• I was invested in Jess getting justice straight away. I immediately felt for her, and then all the women once they were introduced.
• I thought it was very clever and admirable how Darren wrote how the abuse made the characters feel. Having not been in that situation, I really felt I could understand a little more about how DV affects every aspect of a victims life and how hard it can be to walk away. I think it’s easy to get a storyline like that wrong but Darren nailed it.
• This had me guessing who it could be and I straight away thought I’d guessed it (the obvious choice) and was feeling disappointed until the reveal!! An absolutely brilliant twist in my opinion!
• Some of the ‘scenes’ had me feeling queasy. Especially the hammer scene🥴.

Cons
• The only con for me is the ending and I’m hoping it means a second book will be coming because there were a lot of loose ends.

One note for the publisher - the page before Chapter 30 (location 1994), it looks like a text sent from Jess is under the Kelly texts so I got a little confused there ☺️

I chose to read a free eARC of The Serial Killer Support Group but that has in no way influenced my review.

When Jess Pendle arrives at A&E with her boyfriend, Lewis, by her side she realises that they, as a couple, have reached a new low. Lewis has gradually become aggressive, domineering and violent over the course of their relationship, finally hurting her so badly that she needs have her face stitched back together. The well trained hospital staff read between the lines and offer Jess help. She's unsure at first, fearing the repercussions, terrified she'll never be able to escape Lewis's clutches. But she soon comes to realise that if she doesn't report Lewis to the police, the next time he could kill her. Returning to her flat, Jess makes the decision to not let Lewis and his intimidating ways win so she reaches out to a local support group for survivors of domestic violence. Unsure what to expect, she arrives late and flustered but the group members are warm and welcoming. Jess comes to rely on the other women in the group, and looks forward to seeing them every Friday, and in return they take her into their confidence. Because this support group is like no other. This support group take matters in their own hands. Dishing out their own deadly version of revenge...

The Serial Killer Support Group is an engaging, revenge-filled thriller that really makes you think. It made for uncomfortable reading at times and rightly so. Not enough is done for the survivors of domestic abuse and here, the author shines a light on the limited resources put into a DV investigation, with victim blaming rife and very few legal restrictions put on the perpetrators. There was also a strong lack of empathy from some of the investigating officers which made my blood boil. I really felt for Jess. The opening chapters are harrowing and upsetting. My heart broke for her as she was led into the hospital whilst being forced to repeat to her bully of a boyfriend the story HE had come up with for her injuries. I willed the medical staff to see through the lie and act, which thankfully they do. However, the system that should be supporting Jess almost immediately lets her down. Days later Lewis is outside her house, threatening her, intimidating her and making empty promises to change. She doesn't feel safe, she can't bring herself to leave the house, which is where the support group comes in.

Alongside Jess's point of view we also hear from DS Sophie Salam. Before long a concerning pattern is noticed. The abusers of the support group women, their husbands, boyfriends and ex's, are meeting horrible maimings and even death. Horrible, grisly, violent deaths. Sophie is part of the team who initially make the link back to the support group but the police are blinkered. There is a lot of time spent focussing on Sophie's home life. How she is torn between being the best mother she can be to her young autistic daughter, whilst also doing her demanding job to the best of her ability. My heart again broke for the character. It's impossible to get the balance right when your child isn't on the spectrum, so this look into life with an autistic child and their complex needs really highlighted how tough life is for Salam. Particularly with Salam's own mother, Daya, struggling to cope with Lottie's sudden changes in mood.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Serial Killer Support Group is a compelling tale. I enjoyed watching Jess change over the course of the book and go from fearful to fearless (well, not quite fearless but she does change and gain a confidence that isn't there at the start of the book). Lewis's character was written so well. He gave me the creeps with his multiple ways of intimidating Jess. The things he does are just abhorrent. Chills all over. The other members of the Support Group are interesting but I would have liked to get to know them a little more. Again, I'm hoping this is something the author will build upon in the next book. As a serial killer thriller fan, I thought the ways the Caretaker dispatched of his victims was imaginative, really quite ingenious! Some scenes within the book are quite gory but not excessively so. There is a lot of rage, anger and fury. Revenge is a dish best served... Full stop. Hot or cold, it doesn't really matter. All in all, I enjoyed the first outing of the Secret Vigilante series and look forward to reading more in the future. An emotional thriller that's full of rage and violent, unflinching revenge. The perfect book club read as it raises so many interesting questions. Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Serial Killer Support Group. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Review will be published on 8th May 2025]

I really got into this book and read it in a couple of days, very easy to get lost in the story. It’s a tough read in parts, and a bit too simplistic in its portrayal of dv. But I was rooting for these women and wanted to see where their story went.

Such an exciting and fast paced read! I loved the short chapters and fast paced writing style. This book has such strong powerful female characters. I just love it when women fight back. Overall I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to everyone.