Member Reviews
The Serial Killer’s Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard
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Granddaughter of a serial killer. ✅
Runs tours of San Fran that features historic facts about serial killers from the area. ✅
Copycat killer strikes in her city and she decides to investigate it herself. ✅
Might as well start a podcast about her serial killer grandfather to prove he was innocent. ✅
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This book was SO entertaining. I did the audio and listened to it in less than 24 hours. I was completely drawn in and needed ALL the answers. I loved every minute of it.
Capri was awesome and I am really excited to see in Goodreads that this is going to be a series. I can’t wait to read more about Capri.
The mystery was riveting and I needed all the answers.
Also, Capri was closer to my own age, which I loved. She was so good at chasing down leads and searching out clues, it made me wonder if her character also read a lot of Nancy Drew growing up (like me!).
I LOVED that she really leaned in to the whole “granddaughter of a serial killer” with her business. So smart. Another reason to adore her.
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4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 The only thing I’m mad about is that I did not read this the day it was sent to me. I wasted months not enjoying this book. Do better me!
The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard is a fun, twisty cozy mystery that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The writing was light, making it easy to follow, while the mystery itself provided enough twists to keep me guessing. The characters were interesting, especially Capri’s complicated family dynamic, which added some extra depth to the story.
If you enjoy a cozy mystery with a touch of true crime and a strong-willed, relatable lead, The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco is definitely worth checking out. It’s a perfect mix of suspense and charm! 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
If you are a fan of mystery books with a spunky female main character, you will love this book. It has humor, it has mystery and is has perseverance. Plus it is a new series. And it has a satisfying ending. The main character runs a tour in San Francisco that looks at famous murders and serial killers. The reason for his fascination is her grandpa is in jail as a notorious serial killer. She is dead set on proving his innocence in her free time. As if this isn’t enough her mother in law is brutally killed and she is one of the suspects so she is off on her own investigation.
Thank you to Minotaur books for a Net Galley copy
Overall, I enjoyed The Killer Guide to San Francisco. It kept me guessing and while I enjoyed the characters, there was something missing for me that I can't quite pinpoint. If you enjoy a mystery, I recommend giving this one a chance.
A cozy mystery set in San Francisco? I am all in for that! Suspenseful, enjoyable, with an interesting cast of characters this book delivers on the scenic SF vibe and amateur sleuthing. Fun and entertaining.
**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review an electronic ARC of this book.
After taking a trip to San Francisco this was the perfect book to read. The setting description was spot on and I felt like I was right there. I loved the characters and the funny moments
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was twisty and fun. I would definitely consider reading more from this author!
This was decent but nothing that blew me away. I guessed a lot of things early on but I will say I was pleasantly surprised at the ending. This is a good choice if you love murder mystery vibes!
Capri Sanzio has been interested in serial killers from a young age. Her grandfather, William ‘Overkill Bill’ Sanzio, was a convicted serial killer, one that she has always believed innocent. Her interests have led her to give serial killer tours in San Francisco. When a copycat killer surfaces, she is soon a suspect. As she digs in deeper, she not only finds new clues to the conviction of her grandfather, she also puts herself directly in the headlights of the copycat killer. A cleverly written story that is entertaining from start to finish. Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
this was okay. not as fun as I was expecting but sometimes it happens you think a book is going to be this and turns out it’s more of that
Don’t be fooled by the cutesy cover! This book has me in a chokehold until the end. It’s a well rounded murder mystery (multiple really) with some surprising depth to characters and interpersonal relationships. This keep me interested and thinking through the murders till the end and the ending was very satisfying.
This book was enjoyable -- I was immediately intrigued by the premise and setting. It had a slower middle third of the book, but the first and final act delivered! I still liked it and would recommend it for those who love cozy mysteries and murder mystery tropes.
What a great mystery! I loved the peek into San Francisco via the tour group company the main character runs. The story was twisty and I didn’t guess the ending - I love when that happens. The characters were easy to like and cheer for. I hope to read more from this author. Highly recommend!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Capri Sanzio's tours of San Francisco focus on murder sites. People are fascinated by true crime and she's the granddaughter of "Overkill Bill," which gives her a unique perspective on the whole thing and just a bit of notoriety. When two copycat murders strike far too close to home, she uses her training as a journalist in an attempt to discover what's actually happening and to investigate her long held belief that her grandfather is innocent. I really enjoyed this one. Snippets of Capri's tour scripts are included, which provide an intriguing glimpse into the city's history. The character's background as a journalist helps the whole investigation to feel plausible and I appreciated her sensitivity when dealing with true crime. I'd love to read more about Capri and her world.
"Intriguing premise, but the plot gets a bit messy.
This thriller has a unique hook: a tour guide specializing in serial killer locations in San Francisco. While the city's dark underbelly is well-described, the story itself feels a bit convoluted.
For fans of dark crime fiction."
This book was... fine. *The Serial Killer’s Guide to San Francisco* had an interesting premise, and I was intrigued by the mix of true crime vibes and fiction. The setting of San Francisco was definitely a standout—Chouinard did a great job painting the city as both beautiful and eerie, which fit the tone perfectly.
That said, the story didn’t fully grab me. Some parts felt a bit predictable, and the pacing was off in places, with a lot of buildup but not enough payoff. I wanted more tension and twists, especially given the title—it didn’t quite live up to the darker, thrilling vibe I expected.
It’s not a bad read, but it didn’t blow me away either. If you’re into books with a unique premise and a strong sense of place, it’s worth checking out, but it might not leave a lasting impression.
The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco focuses on the main character Capri Sanzio. She runs a business giving serial killer tours throughout the area and is the granddaughter of a serial killer. However, Capri believes that her grandfather William "Overkill Bill" Sanzio (who died in prison) was an innocent man. When an Overkill Bill copycat murders two women, one of them being Capri's former mother-in-law Sylvia, Capri decides to investigate the original and new murders. This book follows Capri's investigation into Sylvia's shady business dealings, her connection to the other victim, and the murders that her grandfather allegedly committed.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked the main character. Capri was rational and didn't do anything too outlandish like many amateur detectives. She was interested in investigating the current murders because of the obvious implication that she or her daughter were involved. Even though Capri did some sleuthing of her own, she still kept the police in the loop and provided them with anything she found. This made it a bit more realistic than some other books. I also liked that this book explored the original murders that Capri's grandfather allegedly committed and wrapped up this storyline instead of dragging it into a sequel. There were a couple of places in the middle of the book that were slower, but overall it held my interest.
Thanks NetGalley for the free ARC! I thought the novel started off well, but then it lost the thrill for me. It turned into a cozy mystery rather psychological thriller, and that was a letdown for me. However, I just may not have been able to keep interest in a book about rich socialites but some might find it thrilling. I believe the writing was well done, but the story wasn’t for me.
THE SERIAL KILLER GUIDE TO SAN FRANCISCO is a great debut from Michelle Chouinard.
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This book moves quickly from the start and is a fun whodunnit novel. Something about amateur detectives is always fun. Although Capri’s investigation made me cringe at times and had tampering with evidence all over it, it was still a fun read. I couldn’t put it down.
Narrator, Stephanie Németh-Parker, was perfect for Capri and really brought her role to life. Fabulous on audiobook. Thanks @macmillan.audio for the chance to listen to this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I have never read anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed their writing! The pacing was good and the characters were well developed!