I was initially drawn to the book based on the title and hadn’t realised DB Stephens is a pseudonym for Darren O’Sullivan. I have previously read a few of O’Sullivans’s books, which made me even more excited to read this one.

After finding the courage to leave her abusive partner, Jess Pendle is invited to join a support group for other DV survivors. Shortly after joining, the ex partners of some of the women within the group start finding themselves to a vigilante serial killer known as ‘The Caretaker’.

Although there are some difficult subjects explored in the book, Stephens does this respectfully. Domestic violence can be a trigger for some but I feel that Stephens gives us a good insight into the realities of DV and had clearly done a lot of research which was evident through the portrayal of Jess Pendle, a DV survivor.

I enjoyed the pacing which was even throughout with a good build up to some completely unexpected twists. I really thought I'd guessed the 'big reveal', however there was much more to come.

I cannot wait for the next instalment.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing this ARC!

4.25 ⭐️
Loved this twisty psychological crime thriller, drew me in, had me hooked and gave me that satisfied feeling at the end.

The writing was clever and pacey and full of tension throughout.

A revenge story with domestic abuse and the behaviours of those involved at its core, which has been skillfully crafted with great characters and an imaginative plot.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

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

This was such a great psychological thriller. I loved everything about this book and will be recommending it to all my book loving thriller friends.
The writing is sharp, the pacing relentless, and the psychological tension is off the charts. This is the kind of book that keeps you reading long past bedtime, heart racing as you flip each page.
This is a book packed with sharp dialogue, tangled relationships, and twists that keep you guessing until the very end. If you love a tense, character-driven thriller where no one is quite what they seem, then The Serial Killer Support Group by D B Stephens is a must-read!

I enjoyed this book a lot even though it isn’t a book I typically would have choose. I was intrigued by the blurb and decided to read it. The main character Jess started out abused and small. By the end of the book she grew and became more confident and assertive. The friendships she built with 3 of the other ladies was beautiful. We all need a ride or die friend or two. D.B. Stevens had me on my toes and the twists this book took were wild. If you like suspense/mystery/thrillers, you are sure to like this book! But please take a look at the trigger warnings before diving into it!

Thank you to D.B. Stephens, the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of the ebook. This review is honest and freely given.

4.5 Stars

Be sure to read the trigger warnings before beginning this one because, wow! This book was quite the adventure. There are enough twists and turns in this psychological thriller/mystery to keep you hooked. Although I myself love true crime and serial killers, it's not for everyone. Your interest will be grabbed by this book from start to finish.

Jess Pendle finds the strength to escape her violent spouse because she has finally had enough. She agrees to attend a support group for women who have experienced domestic violence after she is no longer subjected to it. The caretaker pursues vengeance by taking on the roles of judge, the jury, and executioner as the group of women start to share their own tales of survival and suffering and the lack of action of law enforcement.

Please, add DB Stephens' Serial Killer Support Group to your summer must-read list if you enjoy suspenseful, heart-pounding thrillers.

I'd like to thank NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, and One More Chapter for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

As a preface, this book covers heavy and relevant topics. The main aspect of this book is centred around domestic abuse and that isn't something to take lightly.
That being said, even with such a heavy topic this was a fun read for a thriller. I enjoyed the pacing and style and I really enjoyed the different points of view.
At some points I did want to just kind of smack myself in the face for how I missed some things which is always a fun and engaging experience when reading.
It felt like a really good length and kept me engaged the whole way through, I'm really looking forward to reading some follow up books in this series because it flowed well and I really got to know all the characters.
Definitely looking out for more books and will probably call for a reread just to see what details I missed the first time around.
Favourite Quote - Murder was murder. Right? It was always wrong. Unless, of course, it wasn't.
Favourite Character - Lottie

Thanks to NetGalley, D. B. Stephens, and Harper Collins for the eARC! If you’re into vigilante stories, you’ll want to pick this one up. It had me feeling all kinds of emotions—heavy-hearted at times, but also secretly cheering. A really great read!

Who wouldn’t be interested in a title like “The Serial Killer Support Group”? I was expecting a fast-paced thriller and was happy to find that and more!

This book is not without its flaws, but let’s acknowledge its pros: first and foremost, a strong message. I like that this thriller centered on domestic violence and issues with the justice system. This is an ongoing issue in countries around the world and I appreciate that this book sought to bring attention to that fact.

Second, I enjoy women's’ rights, but I loveeee women’s wrongs. I don’t condone murder and some of the more graphic depictions in this book really made me question “how far is too far?” - but I was definitely rooting for revenge throughout the book.

The characters were likable and the pacing was great to hook me in and keep me interested in the story.

A few areas for improvement:
1. Some of the characters were shallow and could’ve been given more depth. I liked Jess and Sophie’s characters a lot. There relationship is what really made this feel like a feminist novel to me; they are both badasses and Jess never questions that Sophie is strong and should do her job to her full ability regardless of the outcome.
2. There wasn’t really a twist here for me. I found the story to be predictable and was not surprised but what I believe was meant to be the “big reveal.”
3. The ending was so abrupt! I expected to read more about the police department’s investigation and Sophie’s past relationship. I was invested in learning more about her situation and knowing her daughter would be safe.
4. Some language toward the end was confusing/inconsistent with the book’s messaging. It is weird to have a survivor refer to another survivor saying, “She is no better than us.”

Overall, I really enjoyed this read and would pick up another thriller by this author!

Jess makes the courageous decision to ask for help, soon finds herself living alone and remains terrified of her ex who is ignoring the warnings to stay away from her.
She joins DV support group and meets a wonderful group of ladies, all in the same position as her. They all asked for help but are still being threatened and harassed by their ex's and there is nothing the police can do.

One by one the men they are afraid of begin getting hurt and Jess and the group realise there is a vigilante targeting abusers. What follows is fast paced, tense and the ending is perfect.

If you enjoy thrillers this one needs to be on your list! While the identity of the vigilante isn't a complete surprise it takes nothing away from how good this book is.

4.25⭐

The Serial Killer Support Group by new to me author D.B. Stephens cleverly explores the concept of a support group that inadvertently inspires a serial killer.

This group meets weekly to discuss their lives, their exes, and most importantly, their personal achievements.

In a chilling twist, the serial killer uses the truths shared in these meetings to select their targets.

But who is the mysterious serial killer, and how are they connected to the support group?

And as the story unfolds, the author plays with the killer's likability. Are they a deranged murderer or a vigilante taking justice into their own hands? Each character has their own opinion, and by the end, I found myself forming an opinion too.

The story also features a strong detective who grapples with their own challenges, both past and present and highlights the harsh realities of domestic abuse through the lives of main characters Jess, Kelly, Madison, and Hannah. Whose dark and unsettling backstories will resonate with many survivors of abuse, illustrating the difficulties of acknowledging it, seeking help, and, in some cases, not receiving the support they need.

And with twists galore and the potential for a sequel. This was an intriguing, complex and eye-opening story. That I would happily recommend to others.

Ok this one messed with my head bc I was totally rooting for the killer & then questioning my own moral fiber. I guarantee you will be in the same situation if you pick this one up! When Jess’s boyfriend hurts her to the point of needing stitches, the doctors slips her the info for a support group for abused women. There, Jess meets the women who will become her support system & good friends. As Jess finally finds a place that gives her comfort & strength, the ex-partners of the women begin to get attacked. A killer, calling himself The Caretaker, brutally murders these men & leaves videos telling the police the attacks will stop when they handle abuse reports seriously. As the media begins to focus on the women their group is forced to disband, ending the only solace some of them have. They need the killer to be found so their group can stay alive - but do they all really want the murders to end? This is such a wild ride and makes you question what justice really means. Definitely recommend!

The serial killer support group was an interesting read, I enjoyed the air of mystery when people started turning up dead. This novel touched upon tough subjects such as DV but I felt it was handled with sensitivity and the storyline played out so well.

Thank you to Harper Collins, One More Chapter and Netgalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jess has finally left her abusive boyfriend and joins a group of women going through the same things in their own lives. Suddenly some of the women's abusers begin to meet untimely deaths. Who is responsible for these deaths? Jess finally realizes the ramifications of joining the group, it gives her the support and strength she lost during her abusive relationship and she's not about to give them up.
The story unwinds in a very predictable way and yet it felt very satisfying.

Fast paced novel with a vigilant vibe sure to be loved by all mystery and suspense readers out there.

I received a free copy of, The Serial Killer Support Group, by D. B. Stephens, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Jessica is a victim of domestic violence, when she finally gets the courage to leave her abuser, she joins a support group, but this support group is not like other support groups. I dont know if I liked this book yet, I did not care for the language though.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. At key points in the story, when you think that you know what is going to happen, something completely different happens, what a way to keep you on your toes!

Jess is going through things in her personal life, and to deal she joins a support group. This group is very helpful to her, and she begins to open up to them, heal, and become stronger. However, a string of incidents occur that seem unrelated at first, but then it seems that the group has something to do with them somehow, but how?

I loved this book. It was exactly what I needed right now, I thought this book was going to be one thing, but it turned into something else, in a good way. I believed that I was going to need to get my detective cap out for this one, but instead I ended up enjoying the ride!

This book does have realistic depictions of violence, including domestic violence. I'm not sure if trigger warnings may be needed for this book but it's a thought.

What?! This was such a wild ride! I'm still in shock after putting the book down. I loved the unexpected twists and turns. I had so many ideas of who The Caretaker was, and boy, was I wrong. The ending also completely shocked me!! Such a great book. It truly gripped me the entire time and had me on the edge of my seat. Be sure to cancel your plans once you pick this one up, as you won't want to put it down til you finish it! Such a great read that will sit with me for a long time. (Please note this has several triggers in it including DV, @buse, mur3dr... please skip over this one if those may trigger you, as they're major themes in the book.)

I received this ARC from NetGalley and One More Chapter (HarperCollins UK) to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

After seeing review after review calling this book unputdownable, I couldn’t resist. And wow, were they right. I was hooked. This is one of the most gripping page-turners I’ve read in a while, and it’s just the start of a brand-new series. I’m already itching for the next instalment!

On New Year’s Eve, Jess Pendle finds herself in A&E, beaten and bruised by her boyfriend Lewis – but this time is different. It’s worse. The staff see through the lies she’s been trained to tell and offer her a lifeline. She takes that terrifying first step… but when the system fails her and Lewis walks free, Jess is left to fearfully pick up the shattered pieces of her life.

Enter the support group: a circle of women with eerily similar scars, offering comfort and solidarity. Soon, the men who hurt them begin to turn up dead. One by one. Victims of a mysterious vigilante calling himself The Caretaker.

Is it justice? Revenge? Or something even more dangerous?

The tension is sharp, the pacing relentless, and just when you think you know where it’s going—bam, another twist. And with DS Sophie Salam’s own secrets simmering beneath the surface, the intrigue for future books is perfectly set. I can’t wait to dig deeper into her story as the series unfolds.

This is a fierce, high-stakes thriller that will have you racing through the pages and side-eyeing everyone.

I’m on a roll with group therapy reads; however, this one couldn’t be more different than the last one. It’s about a serial killer, known as the Caretaker, who targets men that have abused women. The community is split over it, and the detective working on the case uncovers a pretty chilling secret.

The story revolves around a group of women who have escaped the clutches of abusive relationships. They form a friendship forged through shared pain, and I found myself rooting for them wholeheartedly. But the plot thickens as a mysterious killer known as The Caretaker begins targeting the women’s former partners. The tension is palpable, and I felt every bit of the women’s fear and resilience.

Again, I’m not a fan of multiple perspectives, but each character brought something unique to the table, allowing me to connect with them on different levels. They felt like real people with real struggles. The way the author balanced the terrifying reality of domestic violence with the gripping tension of a serial killer plot was intriguing. It really makes one rethink their values.

If you’re a fan of thrilling, emotional reads that also make you stop and think, then The Serial Killer Support Group should definitely be on your list. It’s a thought-provoking book that gets you thinking about the justice system, police, and how survivors are treated.

Thank you to D B Stephens for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

This book! If you love a good revenge book with kick ass women trying to take back control of their lives when the system fails them, this book is for you. We open this book with Jess who is being force to recount a false story about how she obtained her injuries before she goes to get treatment. During the course of the evening she finally decides to try to escape. Unfortunately not only is her abuser not arrested, he begins to stalk and torment her. Jen, seeking help and some support starts to attend a Support group for abused woman. When the men who have been the source of so much pain to the woman of the group start become unalived, the spotlight starts to shine on the group while a dogged detective is determined to uncover who is behind the deaths.

I loved the premise and the way this story turned out. There were a lot of twists but you do quickly discover who is responsible, then the story really gets good. This book is full of strong women who are all working to overcome some significant issues. What I loved about this book is they way the women lean on each other to heal. Despite the system failing them so spectacularly, they really do want to move forward in a way that makes them feel safe. I don’t read a lot of mystery/thriller novels but I am so glad I took a chance on this one. Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read and voluntarily review this book.

I enjoyed this book and I'm glad it is going to be a start of a series.

I got hooked from the very beginning. The way this author wrote about domestic violence was tasteful.

The support group helped women come together and talk about there experience and to get their power back. I loved how they all supported each other in there time of need.

The twists weren't big, but it was still fun to read. I guessed wrong right away because that would of been too obvious, but then I came to knowing who the caretaker was before the author revealed it.

I'm excited to see what the second book has in store since it was left on a cliffhanger.