This book had some really good twists that I didn’t see coming! I loved the idea of this book and I really enjoyed reading it for the most part. It did kind of drag in spot but over all a good book.

The Serial Killer Support Group by Saratoga Schaefer is an intriguing and darkly humorous take on the psychological thriller genre, but it doesn’t quite live up to its full potential. The premise—a support group for individuals who have been affected by serial killers—immediately piques interest, blending elements of crime fiction with a unique twist on the traditional thriller. The concept is fresh, and Schaefer’s ability to create tension in a narrative that mixes suspense with moments of dark comedy is commendable.

The characters are well-drawn, each with their own tragic backstory tied to serial killers. Their interactions within the support group provide a fascinating exploration of trauma, guilt, and healing. Schaefer does a great job of showcasing the emotional weight each character carries, and their complex personalities keep the reader invested. There’s an interesting dynamic between them, and the back-and-forth exchanges often offer moments of unexpected wit and insight.

However, while the concept is unique, the execution feels a bit uneven. The pacing falters at times, with sections of the story feeling slow or bogged down by too much introspection or unnecessary detail. The suspense doesn’t build as effectively as it could have, and some of the twists feel a bit predictable or forced. The tone of the book also fluctuates between serious and comedic, which sometimes undermines the emotional gravity of certain moments, leaving the reader unsure of whether to take the plot's darker elements seriously.

The plot itself, while engaging, could have been more tightly structured. There are moments of tension and intrigue, but they don’t always lead to satisfying resolutions. The ending, in particular, felt a bit rushed and left several questions unresolved, making the overall experience feel a bit incomplete.

Overall, The Serial Killer Support Group is a 3/5 star read—an intriguing concept with moments of dark humor and emotional depth, but it doesn't fully deliver on its potential. Fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy a quirky twist may still find it entertaining, but those looking for a more tightly plotted, suspense-driven story might be left wanting more. It's a decent read, but not a standout in the genre. I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I received a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately, I found this Predictable. I guessed exactly where every plot twist was going.

There’s an underlying recurrence with the main character that I honestly just wonder why the story didn’t go full in on it from the start. It doesn’t really address factors such as evidence or you know any actual fear regarding being discovered. All we know about the victim is that they were a spoiled brat, the people around them are flat and the serial killers are creepy serial killers [though that one is to be expected] and..that’s it.

This book was definitely interesting and had a good premise . I found some things to not be so believable and with the names and nicknames I found myself forgetting who was who. The main character was not very likeable.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. I loved this book. The beginning started a little slow, but once Cyra found the serial killer support group, I was all in. The story was psychologically tense, and there was a good amount of action at the end. I would read another book about Cyra if one becomes available in the future. I received a free copy from NetGalley and the publisher. I voluntarily wrote this review.

This was an easy, fun read.

While the concept of a support group for serial killers might seem far-fetched, it’s surprisingly entertaining — and who’s to say it couldn’t happen? The characters weren’t ones I loved or hated, but I enjoyed getting to know them.

It’s the kind of book you can read in one sitting or come back to at your own pace, making it the perfect companion for those looking for a quick escape into something unconventional and unexpectedly engaging.

From “It’s funny the things our minds can look past when we don’t know exactly what we are looking for” to “This guy was ridiculous attractive, and Cyra mistrusted him immediately”, Serial Killer Support Group had me.

Okay but why did I have so much fun with this book?
The premise is, unfortunately, right up my alley. An AA meeting for serial killers to air their petty grievances? Gorgene.

I had to remind myself at times not to feel sorry for these men, because as the name suggests, they are serial killers. But there’s just something about a man’s baked goods being rejected that really hit me in the feels.

This book won’t be for everyone. And if I critically reviewed books rather than reviewed for the vibes, I might have a different opinion, but alas I am who I am and I will be recommending this to friends.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc 💫🔪

This book was so unique it earns points for that alone, the title gives it away, however I do wish the execution (excuse the pun) had been better.
Our main character Cyra is a bit of an emotional dud, so when her sister Mira is murdered and the police suspect it is the work of a serial killer, Cyra hears rumours of a supposed serial killer support group which she plans to infiltrate. With her own unique characteristics Cyra pulls of the charade and infiltrates the group putting herself in extreme danger and at the mercy of New York's current active serial killers.
We learn about each one slowly, their back story, what made them tick and Cyra slowly starts to feel like her true self is actually the mask she puts on for the group.
With no guarantee of success, her mission is very high stakes which keeps you at the edge of your seat.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book, however I think the pace could have been improved had we not had this back and forth going on right in the middle of the chapters. One thing is have a dual time line before and after so we see the backstory building up in conjunction to the present, however this is not how it was done. Right in the middle of the chapter you will get no warning and it will spiral off into a memory completely throwing you off track.
I would also like to point out the short chapters of the individual killers were highly entertaining and would have loved if we had got perhaps 2 chapters for each one instead of just the one.

All in all a book with a lot of potential, perhaps the premise is a bit too unbelievable but I like to suspense my disbelief and go for the ride!

Many thanks to Crooked Lane books for providing me with the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I liked it but didn’t love it. An easy to follow page turner that will keep you guessing. I found the serial killers really interesting, but there also wasn’t enough on them. I do really like that the chapters were short and it was also really interesting the chapters in the others POV.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley.

Serial killers in group therapy? Dark humor? A murder mystery? Serial Killer Support Group has all the ingredients for a killer read - and it mostly delivers. The concept is not exactly genius but it's like nothing I've ever read.
Cyra, our main character, felt frustratingly real. Her sharp wit kept things lively, but watching her get used and manipulated by half the people in her life left me more sad for her than anything. And while the humor and suspense balanced perfectly throughout, the ending fell just shy of the big payoff I was hoping for.
Still, Schaefer's blend of satire, sharp commentary, and unexpected heart makes this a memorable debut.

Serial Killer Support Group
Wow!! How far would you go to revenge the murder of your younger sister? Cyra Griffin chose to join a support group for serial killers by pretending to be one herself. But will that need for vengeance come at a cost?
This dark thriller emphasizes women’s wrongs and makes you wonder just how many evil monsters are among us.

This unique thriller completely caught me off guard in the best way. While the beginning was a bit slow, once the plot picked up, I was hooked—and the rest of the book absolutely flew by!

One of the standout elements for me was the use of multiple POVs. It added layers to the mystery, keeping me constantly guessing about motives and outcomes. The story is packed with twists and turns, and just when you think you’ve figured something out, it pulls the rug out from under you.

The main character was fascinatingly unlikeable—her questionable decisions and shaky morals made her feel unpredictable and real. Despite her flaws, I still found myself rooting for her, which is a testament to how well she was written. It’s not often you find a character who’s both compelling and morally ambiguous, and this book nailed that balance.

This book will keep you on your toes from start to finish, delivering a thrilling mystery that’s as dark and twisted as it is engaging!

The title of this book absolutely grabbed me from the start but honestly it wasn’t what I was hoping for. The whole plot of the book was new and exciting, something I’ve seen before and I was ready for a change. Sadly I was disappointed with the one dimensional characters in the support group. The amount of times we just would get generic reasons of the killers or no character development and just the cliche of a “typical” serial killer was bland and kinda boring over time. The twists were kinda predictable and the ending was too cheesy in my opinion but it was still an all together good read just not what I was expecting with the synopsis.

After Cyra’s sister is murdered by a serial killer she seeks justice by infiltrating a local support group for serial killers. She has to act and think just like them in order to prove herself and gain access to information about which one of them might have murdered her sister. As she delves deeper into the minds of serial killers it begins to be harder and harder to hold onto her own humanity.

This book was wonderfully done and hit all the right serial killers vibes for my taste. Cyra’s decent into darkness as she also tries to solve her sister’s murder makes for a great main character who is unreliable and interesting. Although, I did see that ending coming the build up to it and the journey to get there was fun!

Although I liked the premise and the title of the book, I found myself not very engaged with the story. I thought the plot was too unbelievable, and I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. While we did have some backstory on them, it still felt like we didn’t truly get to know them. Additionally, the pace of the story didn’t pick up until nearly the end of the novel. Yeah.. this wasn’t for me.

Cyra was a very intriguing character, and her motive as well as her trauma set up a brilliant direction for the story.

I loved the idea of there being a support group for serial killers. It sounds surreal, but it's such an interesting concept that even the bad guys need a place to access support. The reasons behind this were talked about several times.

The serial killer asides, gave a small outlook into their minds, and were fascinating.

One of the themes explored in the book was female exploitation, gaslighting, and the dangers to women in society, namely from men. Cyra's need to protect her sister from such occurrences in her life was the setup for this brilliant novel and led her to wanting to exact revenge and her sisters killer.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was new, exciting, and unexpected. It explored the murder mystery and thriller genre incorporating female empowerment.

I always enjoy thrillers that have anti-hero or unreliable narrator leading the story. It doubles the suspense and adds a really special element to the book because it engages the readers in an additional way. Having Crya as the narrator trying to solve her sister’s murder while emotionally struggling with her identity and descent into darkness is a brilliant tool that elevates this novel so much. We see her struggle with emotions, empathy, and remorse from chapter one until the very end, when her new identity is cemented. I personally thoroughly enjoyed tracking her internal shift as the book went on. The author also integrates chapters from the perspective of every serial killer Cyra meets in their support group. It’s dark and messy and sometimes really disgusting to see their perspectives, but it’s also an exercise in really incredible writing. Everything, all the murders and the sick serial killer characters, feel real and multi-dimensional. I found myself intrigued by Cyra’s interactions with them and wanting to find those classifications and divisions she was separating them into. Her relationship with them that grows side by side with her own loss of morality is especially powerful. My favorite aspect of the novel wasn’t even the exciting plot or setting, but the way we saw Cyra lose herself (or so we thought) and her fears and challenges into becoming the very people she was infiltrating with her secret identity. The last chapter was something that cemented this shift, and while I personally would have preferred the ambiguity as to whether Cyra became a killer because of this journey or was always ready to be one, I think that either way this novel is a wonderful exploration of character development and evolution, it’s a study in morality and what lengths a person driven by grief will go to. A deeply complex thriller that has very special meaning in every sentence and chapter.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!


(Review published 1/4/25 on Goodreads)

Serial Killer Support Group: A Twisted Tale of Revenge

Saratoga Schaefer's debut thriller has a premise that'll make you squirm: a woman infiltrates a support group for serial killers to avenge her sister's murder. It sounds like the setup for a bad joke, but Schaefer turns it into something darkly brilliant.

The story follows Cyra Griffin, who's done waiting for the police to catch her sister's killer. Her solution? Join a support group full of murderers. As you might guess, things get messy fast. The line between revenge and obsession starts to blur, and Cyra finds herself playing a dangerous game where one wrong move could make her the next victim.

What makes this book work isn't just its wild premise – it's how Schaefer handles the characters. These killers aren't just cartoon villains twirling their mustaches. They're complex, sometimes even likable (which makes them even creepier). The author weaves in dark humour and social commentary without getting preachy, and the queer representation feels natural rather than tacked on.

Sure, you'll need to suspend some disbelief. But if you can get past the unlikely setup, you're in for a tense, twisted ride that'll keep you up way too late. Think "Dexter" meets "Fight Club," but with a feminist edge.

Coming March 18, 2025, from Crooked Lane Books. Just don't blame me if you get paranoid at your next group therapy session.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Serial Killer Support Group.

With a title like this, I had to request this book!

When Cyra's younger sister is murdered, she takes matters into her own hands and insinuates herself into a support group for serial killers.

As she spends time with these dangerous men, Cyra will eventually discover some things about herself she's been denying...and will have to come face to face with her own inner demons.

I really, really wanted to love this, or even like this, but it was hard, and it took me a few days to pinpoint why.

First, I didn't like Cyra; I didn't dislike her but I didn't care about her. She's a female Dexter, but the big difference is I liked Dexter. A lot.

Cyra, not at all.

It might be the writing style or the tone but Cyra's character and monologuing just rubbed me the wrong way.

Second, her 'friends' are one dimensional, Eli is a wimp and Izzie isn't really Cyra's friend. But maybe that's the point.

They aren't her friends, they're Mira's friends because Cyra doesn't have any.

Third, I'm not a fan of coincidence and chance meetings; Eli works at the police department and Cyra works at a nursing home where deaths are a common occurrence.

Cyra didn't have to work hard to obtain information to the support group or gain inclusion and the whole thing felt too easy and hard to believe.

Fourth, Cyra gaining inclusion into the group was too speedy for me. It lacked suspense and tension.

Fifth, there was absolutely no guarantee the killer was part of the support group so Cyra gaining admission on it based on that faulty assumption was weak, at best.

I wasn't surprised by the ending; all the red flags were there that Cyra isn't like everyone else and I don't mean she's on the spectrum or neurodivergent.

I don't think the brief chapters from each killer to explain their origins was necessary because what was the point?

To explain/excuse their behavior because of their terrible childhood and/or family history?

The writing was okay, but the narrative required a high suspension of disbelief which I found hard to maintain as I kept reading.

It didn't help that Cyra was a lackluster and uninteresting anti-hero.

grieving, grief, twisted, mental-health-issues, depression, panic-attacks, PTSD, sisters, murders, disguises, serial-killer, obsession, abandoned, abandonment-issues, LGBTQIA, debut-novel, thriller, abuse, triggers, dark-humor, revenge, NYC****

Cyra isn't buying what the police are selling about the murder of her only sibling/relative. The police believe it was the work of a serial killer, so Cyra does whatever it takes to enter into a social group for serial killers. Say what? I really had to suspend disbelief before I could get into this strange story, but it was worth it.
I requested and received a temporary review copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thanks
Avail Mar 18, 2025