4.25 stars

The blurb and book description for this really caught my attention. I was excited when I got the approval notification because this story seemed intense yet overall pretty upbeat - which could be a weird combo for a mystery/thriller book.

This book ended up being more of a ~cozy mystery~ vibe and not thriller but I still enjoyed it. The characters were likable and the plot really tied together well. I like that there was resolve for both of the mystery storylines and I really did not see the ending coming! I also really appreciated the true San Francisco facts that were sprinkled in and the detail to history that the author gave throughout the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this cozy book and would recommend to anyone wanting a light mystery read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC!

Overall, this was a good book with an interesting concept, entertaining writing style, and narrator that kept me engaged. In my experience, for audiobooks the narrator makes or breaks the book - this was a fun book with an engaging narrator who took the source material and made it even more fun.

I was really looking forward to this book and I liked it at first! But it lost all of its momentum and slowed allll the way down. Honestly, I was bored for over half of the book. The twist in the story wasn't worth it, and the title feels misleading. The book is well written, but it just wasn't for me. I would describe it as the perfect cozy fall mystery, but I personally prefer more thrilling and exciting plots.

Many thanks to Michelle Chouinard, NetGalley, and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Expected publication date September 24, 2024.

Capri Sanzio grew up knowing her grandfather was a serial killer. She always believed in his innocence. As a result, she became fascinated with true crime, and started giving serial killer tours. When a recent murder seems like it has copied her grandfather's killer signature, Capri starts to investigate.
This was a wonderful cozy mystery that kept me guessing. I loved all of the true crime content, and I hope this the first book in series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy. I really enjoyed Stephanie Nemeth-Parkers narration of the audiobook. I highly recommend this book for fans of cozy mysteries and true crime.

I feel like this could be a great book but it felt over descriptive. I liked the beginning and got bored half way through the book.

Not exactly a thriller but enough intrigue to keep me listening. I loved all the tidbits of trivia about the San Francisco area. You won’t see the final twist coming! I enjoyed it.
The narration by Stephanie Németh-Parker is clear, well paced and easy to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to enjoy this audiobook ARC.

This novel starts of introduces us to Capri Sanzio, a quirky and engaging character who created her own serial killer tours budiness in San Francisco. Her fascination with the serial Killers started early…. Very early…. especially after she found out, by being teased in school, that she’s the granddaughter of the infamous William “Overkill Bill” Sanzio. Though Capri has always believed in his innocence, she never really dug into his case—until now, when a copycat killer starts mimicking her grandfather’s crimes.

Just as this happens, Capri’s former mother-in-law cuts off her daughter’s tuition payments, pushing Capri to finally consider clearing her grandfather’s name. She plans to document the journey through a podcast and book, hoping to make some money along the way. But things quickly spiral out of control when the copycat’s latest victim turns out to be Capri’s former mother-in-law, making Capri and her daughter the prime suspects.

The book kicks off with a lot of charm and humor—Capri’s antics are genuinely funny, and the first third of the story is a delight. However, as the plot unfolds, the pacing starts to drag, and the later twists become a bit predictable.

Overall, it’s a fun and entertaining read, perfect for anyone who enjoys a mix of humor and mystery. While the pacing could be tighter, Capri’s character and the intriguing premise make it worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio—I listened to the audiobook.

I enjoyed this book. It was a mystery but I loved how it was set up like a guidebook. I was hooked at the beginning to figure out the truth of the identity of the serial killer.

Capri Sanzo is the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer dubbed Overkill Bill. She has always been convinced of his innocence. It has, however, left her with an interest in serial killers and she now does guided tours of serial killer sights in San Francisco. She is also a divorcee with a daughter, Morgan, in university. One day, she gets a call from a very upset Morgan. Capri’s former mother-in-law, Sylvia, had been paying for her schooling but just called to tell her she would no longer be doing so. Capri is furious and calls Sylvia who refuses to change her mind. Not long after, Sylvia is found dead, murdered in what is clearly a copycat of the Overkill Bill killings and Capri and Morgan are at the top of the suspect list. Capri decides it’s up to her to identify the real killer to protect them both.

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard is a fun, twisty cozy mystery with an interesting premise and a very likeable female protagonist. The story did bog down a bit in the middle but, overall, it was a very compelling and entertaining read with a satisfying ending. This is the first book I have read by this author but it definitely won’t be the last. I listened to the audiobook of this novel narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker who does an excellent job.

I received an audiobook of this novel from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review

The premise for this one sounded like so much fun, but it just did not work for me unfortunately regarding the execution. The pacing was so slow, there was no tension or suspense and a lot of repetition that made me tune out entirely. I have to DNF this one.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the two story lines intersect. Capri, the granddaughter of a serial killer Investigates her mother-in-law's murder and her convicted grandfather's murder. The characters are all well thought out and feel like real people you could meet. I would recommend this book to family and friends.

Welcome to a mystery where your guide is an actual serial killer tour guide, she's now trying to figure out why her MIL has been murdered. Some of this novel seemed original and enjoyable like her job as a tour guide, kind of wish there was a little bit more of her doing the tours. Then there are parts that seem to follow the typical cozy mystery playbook like the reason for the killing. Love the cover art which is what drew me to grab this one. Most readers will find the ending satisfying and look out for the next by the author. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

It’s spooky/thriller season!!

The granddaughter of an alleged serial killer is trying to solve a copy cat murder? This book was incredible and easy to follow. I loved that nothing was as it seemed with this story.

My only complaint was the middle did seem a little long and drawn out, but overall I would recommend this amazing book! Plus it’s fun to get some serial killer facts in there too. 🔪❤️

thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book

Thank you to NetGalley, Michelle Chouinard & MacMillan Audio for the audio galley of The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, books with "guide to" in the title are usually losers for me, but this one was an exception. Despite the plot, I found it to be a quick, upbeat & fun read.

I really enjoyed Capri's character & how devoted she was to solving the new murders that have been copied to appear like the murders of her late grandfather Overkill Bill who was arrested & convicted of killing multiple women many years back by bashing them in the head & then slitting their throats after they were already dead. Additionally, her grandfather always maintained his innocence until the day he died & something in Capri believed him, so she is also going back through his old police files to try and figure out if really had been wrongfully convicted all those years ago. Capri was just a fabulous & likable character. I was DYING for the romance with the detective to hit a little sooner than LITERALLY the final words of the book. Maybe we can make this a series & get more on that?

This was just a light & refreshing murder mystery that I enjoyed & will definitely recommend.

I made it to 50% of this audiobook and I can't go on. The book seems overly wordy to me and overly descriptive - I don't need to know what kind of pen she had tapping on her desk, I don't need to know the wood that the desk is made of, I don't need to know what kind of bag she was carrying etc etc etc.

The narrator had a problem with contractions! Every time she said "couldn't" or "wouldn't" etc she didn't pronounce it properly. I'm sorry but I'm an English major and it made me cringe.

I think there is a fairly good story here and maybe the physical book would be better.

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook.

The narration of this book was excellent. if you’re looking for a cozy mystery this one I highly recommend

If Capri Sanzio were a real character, she and I would be BFFs!!! She's totally into true crime and serial killers, sister from another mother!

Capri is the granddaughter of the serial killer William "Overkill Bill" Sanzio, however, she's the only one who thinks that he really is innocent and she intends to prove it! While investigating his case, and running her tour company that gives serial killer tours of San Francisco (YES!!!), she inadvertently gets involved in another serial killer case when bodies start dropping around SanFran exactly with the same MO as her grandfather's. Either there's a copycat or her gramps really is innocent! One of those bodies hits close to home and Capri decides she needs to 'help' the police along when they start thinking she may have something to do with it!

I had fun with this cozy mystery. It had some humorous parts as well in it. I loved that Capri was trying to solve 2 murder cases at the same time. I loved the amateur sleuthing and all the questions and connections she was making, I was making too.
The book was engaging, and kept me on my toes and trying to figure out the mysteries right alongside Capri. I loved the characters and the unique storyline.

I also enjoyed how the author gave us some of the darker aspects of the city in the book. I totally would have been up for a lot more of that. Had I known this, or if this type of tour really exists, my trip to San Francisco back in 2018 would have been a whole different experience!! LOL


#stmartinspress #netgalleyreview #minotaurbooks #amateursleuth #cozymysterybooks #audio #arcreader #cozymystery #theserialkillerguidetosanfrancisco #michellechouinard #mystery #mysterythriller #mysterybooks

I listened to an advanced copy of the audiobook.

I am DNFing this book at 56%.
I think other people would love this book, it is a mystery written in a light and fun way. I would recommend it to people who like true crime stories but don't really care about realism and want something that won't be stressful to read.

Alas, I didn't really connect to the story and still after 50% don't feel really invested in the intrigue. The light tone means this story isn't suspenseful and there's no tension, even though it's about serial killers and women getting butchered by a murderer, it feels like there are no real stakes. Another thing that bothers me is how the main character figures something out, and then two scenes later reexplains the entire thing to another character, it felt repetitive and I think editing should have cut those dialogues.


Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I found this such a fun sassy cozy mystery that makes me want to visit San Francisco now. It's such a fun blend of true crime, detective work, cozy mystery, and the history of the city. The way characters, drama, clues, and previous mysteries was interwoven was flawless and made this an unputdownable read.

I was looking for an audio to listen to when I found this offering and thought, "why not?" It was worth listening too and I enjoyed the story, but it wasn't the best mystery I've ever read. A bit amateurish, with a lot of telling, and not much showing. I figured out the bad guy almost immediately. The narrator did a very good job though. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.