Thank you One More Chapter for the ARC!

The representation of women in domestic violence situations was portrayed and written well. There were many different scenarios that genuinely happens in real life. From that point of view, it was a great book. From a thriller based genre, it was lacking. The overarching story was redundant for the first 2/3rds of the book and felt like a drag to read. The twist was okay but still not the best. I don't think I would continue reading more since this will be part of a series.

I picked up The Serial Killer’s Support Group by D.B. Stephens purely based on the irresistible title—and I’m happy to say it more than lived up to the intrigue. This gripping and cleverly written novel dives into dark subject matter with both clarity and empathy, delivering a story that is both compelling and thought-provoking.

At the heart of the book is Jess Pendle, a woman who has endured years of abuse at the hands of her partner, Lewis. Her struggle to escape is met not with justice but with victim blaming—a harsh reflection of real-world experiences. The real shift in her life begins when she joins a domestic abuse support group, where she finds both solidarity and something far more unexpected: justice, delivered from the shadows by a mysterious figure known only as “The Caretaker.”

From the outset, I thought I had the plot figured out. While there were hints it might take a different direction, I felt confident in my assumptions—until the story smartly subverted them. That unpredictability added a fresh layer to what could have been a familiar tale.

Stephens handles the weighty themes with care and insight, and the writing is accessible yet impactful. The blend of suspense, justice, and emotional depth makes this a standout read. I especially appreciated how the story empowered its female characters without glossing over the harsh realities they face.

In short: The Serial Killer’s Support Group didn’t disappoint. It’s a dark, satisfying novel that offers both thrills and a quiet kind of catharsis.

4🌟

Jess Pendle starts to attend a women's support group for survivors of domestic abuse. She not only finds a new network of support, she finds trust, friendship, and a deadly secret.

This was a good one! Quick read and relatable content for women, especially the parts about domestic violence not being taken that seriously by police. What Jess deals with is an infuriating, no-win situation. I guessed one of the major twists but I'm glad the book was left open for a series. I'm excited to see what's next!

Recommended for lovers of thrillers.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.

Despite her determination to avoid domestic abuse like her mother did, Jess Pendle finds herself in a difficult situation as Lewis hovers over her. History is being repeated. After giving a statement to the police , she is given an informational leaflet about a support group after she bravely decides enough is enough.

I think the novel's premise is good, and it presents many good points from the viewpoint of the support group members. It raises interesting questions about morality and, rightfully, doesn't hold back in some areas. For instance, what makes someone a hero? There is a great deal of understandable rage and frustration, and it is frightening, gloomy, and frightening. These women's strength and determination to regain the control they had lost are admirable. There are some twists and tension, but I find that the plot twists out of control and becomes unrealistic.

The ending leaves scope for more and I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a series. At times this is a difficult read and I would encourage readers to check the trigger warnings before beginning this.

The Serial Killer Support Group

I enjoyed this book, and it kept me entertained, but the premise is similar to a few books I have read in the past. I did think that the author did a fantastic job of discussing domestic violence in a way that was informative and showed awareness in and out of the book.
The tension built steadily and was driven by vivid characters and a fast-paced narrative. I liked all of the characters in the support group and I think that the author did a good job with Sophie making her more than just a detective and showing that she was human and her struggles with her daughter with autism. I also thought the chapters from the caretaker's point of view were an interesting touch and added to the story overall. The Serial Killer Support Group is a chilling yet entertaining read that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last and is perfect for fans of psychological suspense with a twist.
Overall I would recommend this book and would read anything else D B Stephens put out.

Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

on a thriller roll this year, I mean the title alone caught my eye alone. A group of women get together as they navigate the abuse their partners place onto them, but then support is found in other ways.

Quick fast read, you think you know the predictable twists but end up wrong. The chapters were short and easy to fly through, but found the momentum towards the ending was dying down. It did feel repetitive at times once you find out about a quarter to halfway through what’s really happening. I was invested but became a *bit* bored towards the end.

Overall a good thriller read but wish it wasn’t so repetitive once you find out what’s happening… didn’t take away from the storyline

This. Book!!!! It had me absolutely hooked in from the 1st couple of chapters and I was rooting for these women. If you've read this, then you know the writing is so dark with themes that are discussed (domestic violence and murder) but its written so well and in a way thats very respectful to the victims. I found myself skim reading because some of it was actually hard to read... and also I just wanted to finish the chapter, start the new one and keep reading to find out where the story was going to go. I loved the ending; I was really hoping it wouldn't end with the "killer" just being caught and a typical happy ever after, however the way it did end I was quite satisfied with! It leaves it open for a 2nd book i think 🙊

I love a good thriller and how could I pass up the title?! I thought the premise of the book had such potential! It took me awhile to get fully invested in the book, a lot of times I felt the word choices were repetitive, especially when it came to the detective.

I love that this book brought to light the struggle women have when coming forward about DV. I like that she didn’t hold back or negate that a lot times women end up not getting the help they need to break free from their partner. That part of the book really spoke volumes for me.

I loved that the women in the group found people they can relate to. Who could help each other through their traumatic journey. Some of the stories told were heartbreaking.

The entire plot of the book was well done, I just wish it was executed a bit better. I enjoyed the different POVs and the ending shocked me a bit. I wasn’t expecting it but it was a nice twist to end the story.

Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ebook arc to read and review this book!

3.5 stars rounded down

The support group was supposed to be a chance to meet like-minded women and receive therapy in the wake of the terrible crimes committed against them, but when their therapist leaves, will they find ways to support each other?

Although the book held my attention from the beginning there was something lacking in the second half of the book. The story is told from multiple perspectives, and all the women characters were likeable. The premise was interesting and I was pulled in almost immediately. I thought I knew who "The Caretaker" was from the moment the character was introduced, but I was wrong. The police were failing to help these women from their abusers. The story does end quite abruptly, and it was a bit of a let down. I will read more books by this author.

Published 8th May 2025

I would like to thank #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #DBStephens for my ARC of #TheSerialKillerSupportGroup in exchange for an honest review.

To begin, I'm grateful for the ARC, thank you! It has been a pleasure getting to read this book.

A serial killer support group, a name and premise that would catch anyone's eye! While it may be a personal issue, I felt that the pacing of the story felt slow. Besides this fact, I did finish the book in a day. This book raises awareness of domestic violence, the reality that abusers are not who we may think, and how there may be flaws within the system for dealing with it. A vigilante decides to be the solution and handle the abusers himself. A fascinating premise! Stephens explores this with multiple perspectives of a victim, the detective, and the killer himself. The multiple point of views adds depth to the story, developing a beautiful and well-rounded story that explores personalities and histories. The book was thoroughly detailed, allowing for an easy read. However, it did feel slow for me, and I will say that around the 50-60% and around 80-100% I was struggling to finish it. Luckily, with the short chapters, the progression made it become easier where I told myself, "One more chapter."

I think the characters were well-written within their depiction of the fear, the slow acceptance, and the healing from their abuse. However, I did struggle with the realism of their personalities. Sometimes they felt one-dimensional, which could just be a me issue. In the end, I found myself rooting for the group. I enjoyed the twists that it contained, and it ultimately made me question the actual statistic of domestic violence cases. I think this book served its intended goal well.

Solid if predictable thriller. Satisfying vengeance plot, could have used a twist or two, enjoyable easy read, but feels like a set up for a bigger sequal

This was such a suspensful read, I loved how the women came together even if it was for a darker reason. It shows how they were lead to the group and what they had been through, definitely morally ambiguous. But there were elements that made me question right / wrong and it kept me hooked.

A good ,⭐⭐⭐⭐ From me, a quick read, no messing, straight into the action.

A difficult and important topic, handled and discussed reaaaaally well. Seeing as the police so sod all to get justice to those that suffer domestic abuse... the Caretaker cleans up!

We see from the perspective of a group of friends... survivors of domestic abuse, we grow to like each character although it's mostly Jess and Sophie we get to know a bit deeper. I definitely found myself rooting for the girls and on their side, but I didn't find myself pitting them, because we see them fight and come through the abuse which is a reflection of the writer's skill to handle a difficult topic so well.

Not really any scary bits, however we do get some gory details... all deserving. Kinda feel the story was predictable in a way, but that's okay, it doesn't ruin the story. I really enjoyed the ending, it was pretty perfect in fact and got me shouting hell yes girls!! Each scenario made sense, none of it was far fetched... as far as I can tell, but I'm not a serial killer either so not like Id know. Some research and thinking behind how the killer covered their track and not just to get away with ridiculous shit.

Thanks to Net galley, Harper Collins and D B Stephens for the Arc copy of the book. look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley! This book drew me immediately into the story. It was very heartbreaking at points and definitely pulled at my heart strings for those characters. I did not expect the twist when it was revealed and wondered what else would happen after that as it was early on in the story. But the ending did not disappoint

This book drew me in from the first chapter. We meet Jess and her seemingly charming boyfriend, Lewis who in reality is a controlling character who regularly abuses Jess physically and emotionally. Although this would on the surface appear a bleak topic, the book is uplifting and hopeful. Jess manages to separate from Lewis and finds a support group, which helps her in more ways than she initially realised. The writing is taught and the plot is well worked out. The principal characters are three dimensional and although I struggled to differentiate between a couple of the group, it didn’t matter. I believe this is going to be the first book in a series and I’m already excited to read the next one .

I admit, I wanted to read this book purely based on the title and not did not disappoint me. Several women attend a support group for victims of domestic violence, but when their therapist leaves, they have to take matters into their own hands and seek other ways to support each other. I was hooked from the start and the short punchy chapters really drew me in. The plot moves at pace and you will be pleased with the twists. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

I want to thank One More Chapter for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I loved this book and devoured it as quickly as I could. This story hit me deeply and I loved all the characters and felt for them through the story. I am excited to know that this is the first of a series that will continue to read once more are written.

Following a girl who suffers from domestic abuse, Jess finds the strength to speak out and leave her relationship and finds strength in a group of other DV survivors. This group helps to pull her out of her rut and bring life back into her. Then some of the men responsible for abusing the women in this group turn up murdered and Jess does not know if she should feel relief or nerves.

I recommend getting this book once it becomes available on May 8th. Just be aware of trigger warnings for this one!

I really liked what this book was trying to do in the exploration of domestic violence victims and how they regain their power and agency. I should have figured what the twist was before it happened, it was predictable once I got to that point.

I was disappointed for a minute when the caretaker was revealed, I thought it was too early. But the author definitely made up for it once we reached the end. I was very surprised at the ending of this one, and I won't spoil it, but will recommend you read this.

The support group for abuse survivors is a lifeline for Jess but is it also something else? She escaped her ex but he's still after her. Spending time with the other women in the group feels healing, But then one of their ex's is murdered and ......This plot might feel familiar but Stephens has created a strong group of women. Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc. A good one for travel or your beach bag.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book had a great idea and cast of characters that immediatly pulled me in. Unfortunatly I wasn't keen on the actual writing since it felt flat, and the plot was quite predictable. Nevertheless, a good thriller to spend your evening with.