3.5
Did I devour this in 24 hours? Yes. Was it groundbreaking? No. Is it absurd in some of the plot choices? Yes. However, I couldn’t have predicted the ending for the majority of the book, which is all I can really ask for in a thriller. Interesting twist on an AA meeting with the serial killer support group.Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC!

I loved this book so much I read it in one sitting. It was a wild ride and I loved that the MC came up with this idea to kind of help with grief but also figure out the mystery of it all.

This book was not for me. I did not enjoy the writing style at all and the content was not my taste as well.

After her sister is murdered and learns that it might be the work of a serial killer, Cyra will be devastated. Despite persitant efforts to get answers from the police, she sees little progress. In desperation, she joins a serial killer support group to track her sister's killer and seek vengeance.

One of the things that caught my attention was the title and it is exactly what it says, serial killers coming together for support. Not to help each other stop from murdering people but a safe space to let them be their true selves.

One of the aspects I enjoyed most about the book was its pacing; it was fast and full of twists and turns that made it more enjoyable. However, I didn’t connect with any of the characters, except for Cyra—most of them felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. While the author delved into Cyra’s feelings and emotions, it didn’t make me like her any more. The main plot twist was also predictable.

If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced mystery that doesn’t dwell on realism and is simply meant for fun, you might find it enjoyable. Overall rating, 3.7 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for the ARC! *Serial Killer Support Group* by Saratoga Schaefer is a darkly comedic and clever take on the concept of self-help groups—except this one is for serial killers. The story follows a group of unlikely anti-heroes, each with their own twisted motivations and personalities, as they try to navigate the complexities of their "profession" while attending group therapy. Schaefer’s writing balances humor with chilling suspense, keeping readers both entertained and on edge. The unique premise offers fresh commentary on morality, guilt, and the absurdity of human behavior, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read. With a blend of dark humor and psychological intrigue, the book stands out for fans of both satire and crime thrillers.

The name of this book drew me in , and the concept behind it made me stick around. I had my doubts about this book as I read it because the Main Character had a lot of qualms with the things she was doing, while at the same time going against that. I mean she was freaking out about reading her sister’s emails, but I would have read my sister’s messages immediately when presented with the opportunity if I was trying to avenge her. Anyway, I am thrilled I stuck around with this book because I did not predict t the ending! I was worried there was about to be weird romance and I am THANKFUL that was not the case. Cyra did what she had to do to get the job done. I also liked reading a chapter about each killer in the group. It was refreshing.

I’m so surprised by some of the negative review on this one, it was a GREAT read!! So well done, darkly intriguing with a unique premise that hooks and keeps dolling out fascinating insight into the minds, actions, and even evolution of the serial killer(s) lurking amongst us. In this case, serial KILLERS, which itself is undeniably chilling. I consumed this story quickly and would recommend it to any reader who enjoys twisted psychology, mystery, quality writing, an interesting and layered plot, and a conclusion that not only wraps up nicely but begs for a second book.

Cyra, the FMC, is on a mission to avenge her sister’s murder. As the main character she’s is clever and sly, if not pragmatic, perhaps not as transparent as she seems, which anchors the journey through abnormal psychology and the deviant substrates of society.. A flawed, realistic character with many demons and a questionable past, Cyra takes the reader into the world of serial killers by infiltrating a serial killer support group, which is a fresh take on a well-established genre.

One aspect of Saratoga Schaefer’s storytelling ability that really struck me again and again, is her use of effective subtlety when she could have hit full throttle and gone overboard, This author knows when to give and take the gas. Another aspect I found particularly compelling is how each serial killer’s POV is layered in as the story progresses, both a haunting and intensely disturbing, addition.

This author builds suspense and keeps the story from falling prey to utter implausibility and total predictability. That’s not to say this doesn’t have extremely visceral, dark matter-it definitely does, which any self-respecting serial killer book absolutely should! Nothing is over the top in this reader’s mind.

Cyra is a lot of things, but she’s not dumb or cowardly, despite her personal challenges, which was delightful and refreshing albeit macabre at times. A FMC who leaves a lingering impression and a compelling story that keeps you engaged, asking questions, wondering long after the last page is turned.

Highly recommend.

5/5

Thank you to NetGalley, The Publisher, and The Author for providing me a copy to honestly review.

This book is a thriller with an intriguing and clever premise: a support group for serial killers. While the concept initially draws you in, the story struggles with believability at times, making it hard to stay fully hooked. Despite this, the main character is twisted and dark which I loved. Also the ending delivers a punch, making up for some of the more unrealistic aspects. Overall, it’s a creative take on the genre with strong moments, but it falls short due to its far-fetched elements.

This was an excellent read that had me hooked from the beginning!! Would definitely recommend to all my book friends. Just an all around good read

The premise of this story really grabbed me and got me out of a reading slump. How far would you go to find your sister's killer?

Cyra gets a tip that there's a group of serial killers meeting in NYC as a support group and she suspects that one may have murdered her sister. She's tired of waiting on the police so she decides to infiltrate the group and pose as another serial killer.

The multiple stories of the characters throughout Cyra's investigation into the group was fascinating. Especially when members of the support group started dying.

I couldn't put this book down. It was more than a who-dun-it. It was who and how and why? All wrapped up in a whirlwind of chaos and intrigue.

I highly recommend this for fans of mysteries and thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing advanced copies of this book. It’s a different kind of thriller than what I’m used to—unique, dark, and very intriguing.

The story follows Cyra, who infiltrates a support group for serial killers in search of her sister's murderer, driven by the need for revenge. While the book primarily focuses on Cyra, a few chapters are told from the perspectives of the killers, which was a creative way to showcase different mindsets.

For me, the book was a bit more gruesome than expected—extremely dark and graphic in its depiction of violence.

Cyra is a complex character. She’s deeply broken after her sister's death and consumed by revenge. She’s not exactly likable, but her story compels you to keep reading as you unravel the mystery of her sister’s killer.

I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy dark thrillers. It’s intriguing and offers something different, though it was personally difficult for me to get through due to its brutality. The author did a great job delving into the unsettling minds of the killers, but the intensity may be a bit much for some readers.

So this book was something. The story in itself was nice, but Cyra's head is a bore to be. She is so 2 dimensional that from the 1st chapter i knew she'd become a killer. The whole thing with Izzie was well done, and i loved the insights into the heads of the other killers, but i feel like they were dispatched too quickly. The whole thing with Cuckoo hating blue was an unecessary detail, Whipworm was essencially a doll after the first chapter, Python was a bulldog or a pitbull - threatning only in theory, Lamprey was very interesting but his role was done so quickly, Mockingbird was also useless as he did literally nothing.
I didnt love the book and i don't think i'd recomend it.

This book turns out to be a huge mess and outright stupid at several places. I found it extremely hard to even cross the finish line. Should've DNFed.

3.5
This book definitely caught my attention with its title. Always morbidly fascinated with serial killers I was curious to see where this book would go. Here in NYC there is a serial killer support group that is well protected but allows a way for the serial killers to meet with like minded fellows.

I couldn't quite catch what the author was trying to do regarding the feel of this book. It wasn't quite morbid, but kind of was. It was kind of light, but also not. I wasn't sure how to read the room in this book. It left me unsettled by the end.

I thought this was a clever plot and enjoyed the storyline, but had to dismiss some belief at times. I saw a few holes that by the end I was questioning some things.

Overall it was a fun ride!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the gifted e-copy of this book.

This book has such an interesting title / cover / plot that I was instantly intrigued! I was expecting a thrilling thriller with lots of intrigue, complex characters, and murder. Instead I got a flat book with very little substance.

I unfortunately lost interest in this book pretty quickly. The FMC isn’t particularly interesting and she’s able to change herself too easily and quickly to be realistic. She’s also able to fool a group of serial killers by putting on a wig and practicing facial expressions in the mirror for an hour?

Once we meet the other serial killers at the support group, I was expecting this book to really pick up, but I had a hard time keeping everyone straight because they sounded the same. The author did try and make each one unique and give them a characteristic or two to stand out, but it wasn’t enough for me.

Ultimately after the first time I put this book down, I never wanted to pick it back up again. I forced myself to get through about 30% and then finally gave up.


Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for sending me a free copy in exchange for a review!

I don't know why there are so many people angry about this book. I found it DELIGHTFUL.

It was so fun, and I loved seeing Cyra's character spiral from pretending to have the moral high ground to being perfectly morally black. I loved the interludes about each of the killers and the exploration of different motives for killing while still not forgiving these people for being killers (it was especially not forgiving of sexism, which was lovely). The gore was just the right amount, and the character development for Lamprey was especially fun.

Maybe it's because I don't read a lot of these types of books. If I did, maybe I would be a bit more discerning. All I know is that I could not put this one down and I had a great time reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Cyra Griffin's journey into a support group for serial killers in search of her sister's killer is an intense dive into darkness. Cyra's descent into this world is fraught with danger and moral dilemmas. The plot twists and gripping narrative make it a must-read. You'll be questioning just how many unseen monsters lurk among us. This debut novel is a dark and witty and unlike anything I have ever read before.

Really enjoyed this one, it would be a great counterpart to the Final Girls Support Group! The one drawback was that I guessed the big twist fairly early on. Still, this was a real page turner, with a nice noir feel, Recommended.

I can't imagine having the guts to sit in a room of known, self-professed serial killers. I don't think I'd be as calm as Cyra. I know she wants to find out who killed her sister, but there has to be limits, doesn't there? The idea of a serial killer support group is definitely interesting and they are certainly an interesting set of characters. Overall, enjoyable to read!

Great premise and plot concept. Characters were a little cliche. Would have loved to see more of the feminist, queer idea built out.