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

The premise for this novel--a woman who infiltrates a support group for serial killers in order to find out if any of them murdered her sister--was much more interesting than the execution of it. Cyra got into the support group much too easily and she was a character with such a lack of emotion that she wasn't compelling enough to want to follow.

YES! A support group for serial killers?? I need this in my life.

And here I am, less than 24 hours after starting it, wishing there was even more.

When Cyra’s sister Mira is murdered in the park and the police let it slip that there are some similarities to a serial killer - she knows she has to track the murderer down. It doesn’t matter that the police and FBI haven’t found them yet - Cyra is determined. And with a little help from an inside man, she learns about an underground support group in NYC for serial killers.

So she sets out to join them and discover which one killed her little sister. Herself slipping into the role of serial killer, it soon becomes hard to distinguish fiction from reality.

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

"Serial Killer Support Group" offers an intriguing premise that combines dark humor with an exploration of trauma and redemption. The characters are quirky and memorable, making for some entertaining moments. However, the pacing can be uneven, and certain plot points feel rushed or underdeveloped. While it has its share of clever dialogue and interesting ideas, it doesn’t fully deliver on its potential. Overall, it's a fun read, but it might leave some readers wanting more depth and cohesion.

This was a tricky one for me to rate.
I had a lot of problems with the logic, and found that you almost need to suspend reality to enjoy this and not get frustrated (like the ease in which Cyra gains access to the Dark Web).
Once you do that, it’s a funny wee thriller that does leave you guessing but for me there were a lot of things I couldn’t ignore so in the end I rated it a 3/5 ⭐️
The first twist I only figured out a little before the FMC, so that was great but in my opinion the second twist was glaringly obvious. I did enjoy all the action sequences, however if no one ever refers to “eye jelly” again I will be quite happy 😂

I felt a lot of the characters lacked depth and needed more fleshing out, but I did enjoy Cyra’s evolution into Mistletoe, particularly when we learn more about her history. I really liked the odd chapters from the Serial Killers POVs, it shook everything up and provided a wee change in pace that was needed. I didn’t like any of the characters with the exception of Lamprey - a classic charismatic sociopath - and I didn’t feel connected to anyone.

I was really excited for this book but it unfortunately didn’t meet the mark for me. The idea is great but I wasn’t a fan of the execution, and I feel like a lot of it was under researched where you really should be fairly knowledgeable.
It’s a quick read, and like I said - if you suspend all common sense and reality, you’ll have a good time but it’s honestly very mediocre.

Wow, I really had a good time reading this one! The concept of infiltrating a support group for serial killers was so interesting and immediately had me drawn into the storyline. I also really enjoyed how there were chapters thrown into the mix that went over the backstory of how the other characters ended up the way they did. Mockingbirds in particular really had me the most anxious as I read through. I was lowkey hoping things would end in a different way with Lamprey but I suppose I can’t say I’m shocked. I also feel like I should have seen the twist coming in the end but this was written in such a good way that my attention was focused on everything else.

Who doesn’t love serial killers? This is a solid addition to those who love serial killers. The beginning started out slow and probably could have been done slightly differently. However, towards the end I felt the book racing, particularly when the dynamic with Lamprey begins. Overall a fun story just slow at beginning!

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a very interesting subject although in the middle it gets pretty boring, it took me much longer to finish this book than normal. The twists at the ending were good and I didn't expect them.

Such a fun, quirky, sometimes dark read! Cyra infiltrates a serial killer support group in hopes of finding out who killed her sister, Mira.

For starters, I LOVE a strong female lead! Schaefer did an excellent job with Cyra's development and kept me wanting to learn more - from an undercover serial killer to a caring sister who just wants to help her family seek justice, I loved her from start to finish! While the plot was entertaining, I felt it to be predictable; to be fair, I read a LOT of thrillers, but felt I was able to call this one from pretty early on. Regardless, it was a great read and worth picking up. Thanks for the ARC!

In Serial Killer Support Group, Cyra infiltrates a support group for serial killers to avenge her sister's murder, resulting in a darkly humorous and unpredictable thriller that explores the depths of revenge and humanity; a must-read for true crime fans.

I really enjoyed the book and I loved the twist.

Lamprey was my favorite, don't judge me. I love Cyra development throughout.

If you are a true crime person, you can see where Cyra is heading. It was interesting to get short back stories on each members of the group.

Give this book a shot when it's released, I see the negative reviews and they made me concerned but I'm glad I read it.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

After her sister is murdered, a woman infiltrates a support group for serial killers in this biting queer feminist debut thriller, perfect for fans of The Final Girl Support Group and My Sister, the Serial Killer.

When Cyra Griffin’s younger sister is murdered by a serial killer, Cyra knows better than to expect justice from the hands of the police department. With the investigation already dying its own slow death, Cyra follows the blood trail and finds her own way forward.

Using insider information (don’t ask), Cyra infiltrates a support group for serial killers by pretending to be one herself in the hopes of finding the person who ended her sister’s life. Proving herself to them comes at a cost, but it’s one Cyra is willing to pay in the name of revenge.

But the dangerous men in the group aren’t the only obstacle in Cyra’s path for vengeance, and the further Cyra descends into the deadly world of serial killers, the harder it becomes to hold on to her own humanity.

I found the storyline very predictable. It did have an interesting feminist spin to it. Overall not a bad read. 3 out of 5 ⭐️

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: March 18, 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

This book gave me Lisa Jewell x Karin Slaughter vibes and I was literally HERE FOR IT ALL. I enjoyed this read. We have our FMC Cyra who jumped into a sea of sharks (not really but seriously…) & joined up with a support group for serial killers trying to figure out who unalived her sister. Will she figure it out before the figure HER out and catch onto her and she becomes a new victim. This was twisty and fast paced and kept your attention right on the pages the entire way through.

I did find that I caught myself guessing what was going to happen in some places, but this didn’t affect how I felt and thought about the book. I thought that this was such a unique book and the writing was so well done that this will be loved by all those who are interested in the premise and the tropes etc. I would say put this on your TBR sooner than later.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Queer MC, Murder, Bonds Of Sisterhood, True Crime, Dark Thriller, Serial Killers, Serial Killer Underworld, Mystery, Fast Paced, Revenge, Suspense

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Crooked Lane Books for this e-arc copy.

If you are someone who likes to unwind from a long work day by listening to true crime podcasts or by watching horror movies this book is for you. Truly unique and unpredictable from beginning to end. This is a great addition to your book trophy shelf and a wonderful book to enrich spooky season.

Other than some editing errors and typos, I enjoyed this book. By the synopsis, I thought there would be a lot more of her relationship, but there wasn't. I was fine with this. I will definitely check out more by this author.

This was a BANGER. Gave me real Promising Young Woman vibes, especially the Mistletoe epilogue. The men made my skin crawl, and the twists had me gasping out loud. I loved every second of it, genuinely devoured it in less than 24 hours. More please!

Only thing I didn’t love was that the main character was Cyra and her sister Mira - I kept mixing up how to say the names and that was annoying but that’s also a me thing.

This was a fun read, which is an odd thing to say considering the content. It was what I wanted a serial killer book to be about rather than the disappointing ends I've found in other books that seem similar. I love the devolution of Cyra's character and how it all shakes out at the end. It was a fast-paced read and I enjoyed the ride.

I recently dove into Serial Killer Support Group, and while it didn’t completely hit the mark for me, I can’t deny that the book has some standout qualities. The premise is undeniably captivating: a woman infiltrating a support group for serial killers in her quest for revenge after her sister’s murder. It’s a bold concept that immediately draws you in, and I appreciated the originality of the storyline.

Cyra Griffin, our protagonist, is a character I found intriguing. Her determination to seek justice for her sister is palpable, and I felt her emotional turmoil as she navigated the dangerous world of serial killers. The depth of her motivation adds an urgency to the narrative that kept me engaged, even when I struggled with some aspects of the plot. It’s a thought-provoking journey that challenges the reader to consider how far one might go for vengeance and the personal costs involved.

The book also brings a unique feminist perspective to the forefront. Cyra’s experience in a male-dominated space highlights the dangers women face and raises questions about power dynamics and survival. I appreciated how the author wove these themes throughout the story, making it more than just a revenge thriller.

One aspect I found particularly refreshing was the dark humor sprinkled throughout the narrative. It provided a clever counterbalance to the heavy themes and moments of tension, reminding me that even in dark situations, humor can be a survival mechanism.

However, I did find some parts of the plot challenging to connect with. The pacing felt uneven at times, and I struggled with certain character motivations that seemed a bit too extreme. Despite this, I recognize that the tension built around Cyra’s infiltration of the support group creates a suspenseful atmosphere, keeping readers guessing about her safety and the true intentions of the men in the group.

Overall, Serial Killer Support Group is an ambitious debut that explores some complex themes through an engaging narrative. While it may not have been entirely for me, I can see how it would resonate with readers who enjoy dark thrillers with a psychological twist. For those drawn to unique storylines that delve into the depths of human nature, this book is definitely worth a read.

The title of this book immediately captured my interest. When Cyra Griffin's younger sister falls victim to a serial killer, Cyra loses faith in the police's ability to deliver justice. As the investigation stalls, Cyra takes matters into her own hands, following the trail of blood to seek her form of retribution. Utilizing undisclosed insider knowledge, Cyra infiltrates a support group for serial killers by assuming a false identity, all in the hope of uncovering her sister's murderer. Gaining the group's trust comes with a price, but Cyra is determined to exact her revenge at any cost.
This book presents an intriguing and unexpected narrative. While I was drawn to the premise and plot, I found the characters to be different from what I had anticipated. Nonetheless, the story prompts readers to contemplate the lengths they would go to for vengeance and to question whether they are truly concealing their authentic selves.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC of this book for my honest review.