this.... sure was a book.

it's right what it says in the description. there's a support group for serial killers, there are snacks, and you really have to rely on suspension of disbelief to get through it. the dialogues feel unnatural, veering too much into meta comments about how we consume true crime irl and view serial killers; while it CAN be done well, it felt forced and clunky to me in this case

jumping to conclusions about mira's killer being part of the group made no sense to me. i understand we see what we want to see, but cyra was too convinced of this and didn't even have a backup plan. the twists were predictable, imo, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but i wanted to be surprised. every character but cyra felt flat and underdeveloped.

overall, this was just fine. not glaringly bad or anything, but underwhelming.

After Cyra’s younger sister is murdered, presumably by a serial killer, she takes the investigation into her own hands. She feels like the NYPD isn’t doing enough or fast enough. She goes to the dark web and finds herself breaking into a serial killer support group in hopes of finding the one who took her sister. As she attends these meetings and gets to know these killers, she starts to worry that the character she is playing for them isn’t really a character, but instead worries she might be one of the monsters.

The idea of this book was interesting and different, I just struggled with the execution. The writing feels choppy and the pacing is off.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane for this ARC.

Tired of waiting for the police to investigate, Cyra Griffin infiltrates a support group for serial killers in order to find the person responsible for her younger sister's murder.

I was so intrigued by the premise for this book, and it definitely was an entertaining read. It was a little infuriating at times, and I found it to be quite predictable, but it still kept engaged all the way through, and there was some interesting commentary all throughout. I enjoyed the way background information on every character was sprinkled in, and the fact that it was not meant to make you like any of them. The writing is great, witty and sharp, overall perfect for the kind of book this is. While I don't think it's anything absolutely mind-blowing, it remains a solid, enjoyable read, with a very unique concept, and good writing.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

This is a great idea that never came to full fruition. I hate leaving bad reviews so I'll just say there is not much for me to compliment. I wish there had been more originality, better characters, and stronger editing.
#NetGalley

Obviously I didn't love this but I didn't quite hate it either, yet it was still just shy of mid. The serial killers were all pretty one-dimensional and stereotypical, though I did like one of them only because he was a bit cheeky (he was also the only one we'd see more of outside of the group). It started off a bit slow for my taste but began to pick up about a quarter of the way through, so that was a relief.

As far as characters go, Cyra was very unlikeable and I liked that about her. There were moments where I felt incredibly bad for her because of how she was treated but she also put no effort into bettering herself and some things were definitely her fault. The most annoying thing about her was the amount of times she mentioned switching into her other persona. We also got short chapters of each killer's past so that was a fun inclusion. Some dealt with their "origin" and others their "downfall" so to speak. When it comes to Cyra's sister, Mira, you'll find she's just as bad as every other character in this story. Obviously, she didn't deserve to be murdered, but this story is full of unlikeable characters and I don't recommend it if you don't like reading about people you're supposed to hate.

This is about exactly what the premise promises; very quick and to the point. I was able to guess the killer so my mind wasn't blown or anything but there was one detail that surprised me so this ended up being somewhat thrilling.

I really loved the concept of this book and the read didn't disappoint, I'm not sure if I was supposed to like the characters, but they were well rounded and human, and had an engaging quality about them, that I was fascinated spending time with them and loved the dynamics of the relationships.

I will add more to the review once I've sat and processed the book more.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

I will be publishing on Amazon and social media on release day

What a debut by Saratoga Schaefer! Serial Killer Support Group is a gruesome horror novel in all the best ways. Cyra's sister has been murder, and after getting not a lot of help or hope from the local police department, she decides to take things into her own hands. She hears from a friend about a serial killer support group that can be found on the darknet, and decides to try and infiltrate it. Infiltrate it she does, as she becomes a bonafide member of the group. Next up, figuring out which of the group members is her sister's killer. This part is harder, especially as she is the only female of the group. Cyra must keep her wits to outsmart the serial killers as she delves further into the lives of these killers. 4 stars!

This book was so much fun. I loved the idea of Cyra infiltrating a group of serial killers. This had a wild cast of characters. So many of them seemed like they could have been guilty of her sister's murder. The ending of this had me absolutely shocked!

I really enjoyed The Serial Killer Support Group. You can be spoilt for choice in the serial killer genre but I found the book to have a really unique take.

If your sister has been murdered and the police investigation is going nowhere, you are bound to consider taking matters in to your own hands. When you get a tip off that your sister’s death has the hallmarks of a serial killer and that there is a serial killer support group operating nearby, what better place is there to get the answers you are craving, root out the killer and get your revenge?
I found this book got under my skin very quickly. I was consumed by the mystery of which person was responsible for the Cyra’s sister’s death. I dreamt about it and I grabbed every chance I could to read on. There’s a whole host of frightening yet fascinating characters and I especially enjoyed the vignettes where you found out the background on each killer. I loved how my opinion chopped and changed the further I went in to the book. The transformation in the main character is portrayed really effectively by the brilliant writing. There’s some elements of the book are left unfinished but in my experience, it’s not frustrating. Instead, it makes me hopeful for a sequel. If there is one, you’d better believe it’s going straight to the top of my TBR list.

Thanks for the author, publisher and NetGalley for a chance to read an advanced book in exchange for an honest review.

Cyra's sister is murdered, so like any rational person (maybe not) she joins a support group for serial killers to try and find her sister's killer.

Excellent story idea, very good execution.
It did take me a little while to get into this story, but soon enough I was hooked and just had to finish it.
I will admit that I did pick what was going to happen, but that didn't make the journey any less enjoyable!

4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I struggled a bit with rating the Serial Killer Support Group. It started strong and I was really enjoying it, but I got a bit bored by the end, so I've settled on mid of the range, 3 stars.

As mentioned in the burb, Cyra infiltrates a suppor group for serial killers in the hope of finding out who killed her sister. She has to do some unthinkiable things to be accepted into the group and once she is in she needs to watch her back. As the story unfolds we see more of Cyra's dark personality as she becomes more like the other members of the group. I liked the chapters dedicated to each serial killer. I was a bit bored by the end so wasn't particulary surprised or even interested in who the killer was.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced reader copy.

What would happen if you got a group of serial killers together in a support group setting, similar to AA or any other ordinary talk therapy gathering? It would be total chaos and mayhem, but also super interesting, right? That’s the entire premise of this book. And it really delivers in a big way. I couldn’t put it down as I raced through it to see what would happen.

The story centers around Cyra, who is devastated by the murder of her sister and feeling like her life is empty. She gets a tip that her sister was the victim of a serial killer. So she takes the law into her own hands and joins this shadow support group where serial killers can “be themselves.” What follows is a dark journey into the underbelly of the human psyche.

I honestly couldn’t let go of this book because I was so enthralled to see what would happen not only in regard to the central mystery but in terms of what would happen to Cyra as she fell deeper and deeper into the world of these emotionless killers. It becomes a real mystery to see if she can not only find her sister’s killer, but if she can survive the danger she puts herself in. It’s very enthralling.

And OMG the twists that just keep coming throughout the story. The author doesn’t have any qualms about throwing a wrench in the plot.

The ending was really interesting too, though I won’t say too much about it. I mean, it’s where the story reaches the fever pitch that it’s all been leading to. Phew!

Anyway, if you like thrillers, this is one of the best I’ve read in a while. It’ll definitely be worth your while!

Perhaps because of the cover or similarly titled books that I've read lately, I was expecting this to maybe be fun or at least a little tongue in cheek. It is NOT. Literally a support group for serial killers full of bad and unlikable characters.

Had trouble even wanting to sit down and finish this one as the characters were not likable starting from page one. I was not invested in the story or the characters. This was not what I expected when I read the book details. While the premise as a whole was interesting- it overall did not deliver for me unfortunately. I just found Cyra to be underdeveloped throughout.



Big thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the Arc!!

This book unfortunately didn't do it for me. I hated every character. It's such a good premise, but the follow-through is lacking.

This book is one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read, which was super refreshing.
There were some parts of this book that I adored, and other elements that seemed to be lacking for my personal enjoyment. However it’s always refreshing to find a unique story like this one.
This is fast paced which I really enjoyed but I found myself asking questions that were never really answered.
But overall this was a nice quick read and it was unlike anything I’ve read recently, I love the concept and the plot twists.
As far as a debut novel goes this was well executed and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

More reviews and posts will be posted on Instagram and Goodreads , thank you for the opportunity to read this arc. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

Serial Killer Support Group is a different sort of mystery/thriller. I read a fair amount in the genre, and I have to give credit where credit is due: this book brings something unique.

The basic premise is thus: our protagonist, Cyra (pronounced Sigh-ra), frustrated with a lack of progress on the part of the police into her sister’s murder, takes matters into her own hands. As one does (to be clear, yes, I absolutely would).

Now, in Cyra’s case that requires infiltrating a clandestine support group for serial killers. And if you find yourself puzzled by this, having read enough to understand that serial killers tend to be of a solitary bent, well, author Saratoga Schaefer has an answer for that. These particular serial killers yearn for the company and understanding of their own kind, or at least that is the explanation offered in the book. I had a difficult time finding it believable, for a couple of reasons – aside from the obvious one that most serial killers do tend to be solitary creatures. First, at least one of the members of the support group barely speaks. Second, the remaining members are openly hostile with one another. The whole thing gives off the vibes you’d expect to find from a mandated support group in a juvenile detention facility, rather than a group formed for genuine support and fellowship as this one supposedly is.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Frankly, the thread that leads Cyra to believe her sister was murdered by one of these men is the thinnest of the thin. To her credit, her devotion to her sister is boundless. And borders on obsessive, honestly, as you will find if you read this book. They have a very odd relationship, and neither sister is particularly admirable. But Mira, Cyra’s sister, was narcissistic, manipulative, and exploitative. And it very much raises the question of why Cyra is so devoted, though it’s entirely possible that she latched on simply because she was so marginalized and neglected that even a facsimile of attachment was enough. Cyra herself is clearly a bit off plumb, as the reader finds out as they go along.

And if all of the above gives you the impression that I didn’t like the book, nothing could be further from the truth. The story is certainly flawed. But it’s also original and unusual, and Cyra is such a train wreck that in spite of the fact that she’s not at all likable you kind of root for her anyway.

There are some things about this book that are not at all surprising. The twist isn’t all that twisty, for example. I don’t want to put any spoilers in here so I don’t want to get too specific, but several other scenes you will see coming a mile away. But for all that, it’s actually a really fun read, if a bit bloody, and in the end when Cyra sets off with a new mission, you really can’t help but laugh.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.

3.5 stars - I love a book about female killers full of rage, so I had high hopes for this one. Cyra joins a serial killer support group looking to find out who murdered her sister. This book was so unique and I loved that there was a chapter dedicated to each killer in the group.

The book felt long at times and you definitely have to suspend belief while reading. I recommend checking trigger warnings. This was a quick read and I would read this author again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I had a hard time getting into this book. It might be the mood I am currently experiencing. As I have written with other reviews, I am a major mood reader.. I may give this book another shot when I am in the mood for a good thriller.

This book might be my favorite read of 2025 and it is only January. The premise is so unique and interesting. I never wanted this book to end. I would fully read a sequel. The author does a fantastic job of delving into the lives of these serial killers and making the reader want to know as much as they can. There is no way I could have predicted the ending. Obsessed is an understatement. Every thriller lover needs to read this book.