As I had hoped, San Francisco is a star in this new mystery from Michelle Chouinard. The mystery is neatly layered and Capri, our main character, essentially has two mysteries to solve and both have affected her family.

Here are some things I really liked about this new release:

🎥 There are some classic Hitchcock elements that are incorporated into the narrative in overt and more subtle ways. Since I just finished The Hitchcock Hotel, I loved those connections.

👪 Capri I determined to help her family through the current murder crisis and also overturn the conviction of her grandfather. Having grown up as the granddaughter of a serial killer gives her a unique lens on murder.

🌁 You can't set a story in San Francisco without fog. There are not one, but two characters who find themselves in a foggy perilous position.

🌉 Capri's business provides virtual and in-person tours around San Francisco. The author gives us some factual pages about the different areas and we also learn some additional city trivia from the characters.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I love going on tours when I visit a new city, so this book instantly caught my attention. It was an interesting twist on a murder mystery story. I really liked that there were different generations involved, it made the story more complex.

Capri is the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer who does serial killer themed tours of San Francisco. A copycat to her grandpa starts murdering people, and she begins investigating when the cops start treating her and her daughter as suspects.

Pick this up if you love:
- mysteries
- puzzles
- true crime

The only criticism I have of this one is there is a bit too much inner monologuing of different theories for the murders. It got a bit tiring. Otherwise, it was fast paced and I needed to know what happened. I had a guess half way through, but I was wrong.

This book reminded me of the Finlay Donovan series / Good Girls Guide to murder. It was a cozier mystery and it was your basic "whodunnit" except this time we are trying to solve two mysteries. And one of them our FMC, Capri, is related to the serial killer Overkill Bill. I enjoyed trying to solve two mysteries and for a while I was stumped on the main mystery but eventually I did figure it out.

I think I would've enjoyed this book more if the pace was faster. I felt the medium pace made me feel a bit disconnected from the FMC, get a bit bored here and there but it was still an entertaining book. I enjoyed the armature sleuthing, the San Francisco killer facts (history blurbs as if we were on the tour!)

While I don't think this book has changed the "whodunnit" genre, I do think that this is a good cozy murder mystery for those who like a more "calm" vibe when it comes to their mysteries!

Capri lives in San Francisco and spends her days giving serial killers tours around the city. It’s a sensitive subject, because her grandfather, Overkill Bill, was an accused serial killer. She thinks he’s innocent. Then one of her family members is murdered in a copycat manner to Overkill Bill. She’s determined to crack this case and find evidence of her grandfather’s innocence.

This has many laugh out loud moments, as Capri is super sarcastic. I loved the detective as well. This was a whodunnit versus a scary thriller, and I really enjoyed it!

Thanks to Net Galley, Michelle Chouinard, and Minotaur books for the ARC! Pub date 9/24/24

Genre: Mystery

Synopsis: The granddaughter of a serial killer is giving tours in San Francisco when someone close to her is murdered and a copycat killer is suspected.

This was a fun, quirky, cozy murder mystery. Set in San Francisco, I loved all the places and tidbits the authors gives you about the city. My ARC came with a map and pictures that was a really nice touch!
The copycat murders center around tech & data companies which I am not really familiar with but turned out to be interesting. The main character loves solving mysteries and she becomes an amateur detective when the murders hit close to home. It is really fast paced and the murderer reveal happened so quickly I had to go back and reread it. The ending also had another little bonus twist/mystery that was good.

Definitely read this if you love San Francisco & cozy murder mysteries!

Thank you Minotaur Books for the ARC!

This was a little different than what I was expecting, much more serious and to the point than the campy cozy murder mystery I assumed based on the synopsis and the cover.
That being, the story was good, full of history tidbits about San Francisco that really show the author's love of the city and research. There were 2 mysteries in the book, a present day mystery and a historical mystery and both were solved in the story, so it wrapped up well. There was a hint of a romance that did not have a conclusion so I wonder if this is the first in a series or it could potentially just be a standalone that has that will never be vibe. I do get the feeling we have not heard the last from this character though since it seems like she is basically starting her life over during this book which I assume will lead to more San Francisco history and deaths to come. I would probably pick up the next book if I remember the series exists by that point. While this was a solid read, I was not 100% engaged with the story and could put it down and not think about it again, it is probably more for history buffs than the murder mystery buff I identify more with.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars rounded up.

This book started off great. The premise was interesting and I don't think that I have ever read about a protagonist who had a career as a tour guide. I was really engaged in the idea that the MC was the granddaughter of a serial killer and she was simultaneously trying to figure out who was doing the new batch of murders, as well as how to prove her grandfather innocent.

While it is an interesting premise, I had issue with several things in this book.

The MC Capri is supposed to be a 49 year old Gen X'er. However, she does NOT come across that way. In the way she thinks and talks she sounds like a young millennial or even Gen Z'er at times. There is no possible way someone 13 years old than ME talks like this. It just isn't realistic.

Some of the writing is questionable. There's a real sentence in the book where the author says "blue truth-piercing ocular missiles" instead of blue eyes. This kind of writing feels incredibly over-edited and like it is trying too hard to be original. Less is more, no?

It bugs me that Capri is considered a person of interest only because she is the granddaughter of Overkill Bill. The logic doesn't make sense, and I don't think that is how criminal cases work. You aren't a main suspect because of a relation. I felt that was not fully explained.

A lot of the dialogue in the middle of the book is ... boring. It is Capri working stuff out in her head or explaining to someone else her thought process and it just isn't that interesting. A lot of talk of social societies and other things that rich people care about that 99% of people don't.

This is getting 2.5 stars rounded up instead of 2 just because the first 30 percent or so was addicting and very promising. I wish the whole thing had the same vibe.

Michelle Chouinard's debut novel, "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco." The story follows Capri Sanzio, a tour guide in San Francisco who is also the granddaughter of a notorious serial killer. When a copycat killer begins replicating her grandfather's crimes, Capri is compelled to delve into her family's dark history in the hopes of solving the new killings and clearing her family's name.

As Capri grapples with financial difficulties, she sees an opportunity to capitalize on her knowledge of her grandfather's case to pay for her daughter's tuition. However, the situation takes a darker turn when her former mother-in-law becomes the latest victim of the copycat killer. Capri and her daughter are thrust into a real-life mystery, reminiscent of a gripping novel.

While the book has its flaws, such as a somewhat simplistic mystery and a protagonist who could use more depth, it effectively keeps readers engaged with its past and present narrative and vivid portrayal of San Francisco's intriguing and slightly macabre past. Chouinard's writing brings the city to life, making readers eager to explore its iconic landmarks.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Michelle Chouinard, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC. "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" is set to be released on September 24th, 2024, and I am looking forward to Chouinard's future works.

Don't let the cartoon cover of The Serial Killer's Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard fool you, this thriller is an excellent story and has some great twists and turns. When your family's past comes back to haunt you, there's nothing left to do but solve the mystery. 

Capri Sanzio, the granddaughter of a supposed serial killer, hopes to cash in on her family legacy with a podcast and book. When her former mother-in-law is murdered by a killer who was following her grandfather's methods, Capri and her daughter become prime suspects. Chouinard writes best-selling mysteries under a different, unrevealed name.


Click here to check out the book today.

This is a pleasant read with likable characters and interesting facts about San Francisco's criminal history. While it doesn't offer groundbreaking material for the genre, it's an entertaining read.

Thank you Netgalley & Minotaur Books Publishing for an eARC ♥️

I'm obsessed with the idea of exploring San Francisco's hidden alleys, historic landmarks, and foggy streets, all while unraveling a decades-old mystery. And, I'd totally join a tour like Capri's - sign me up!🔥

Meet Capri, a fun and fearless tour guide with a passion for the city's darker side. She's built a career on sharing San Francisco's most infamous crimes with tourists, but little do they know, she's got a personal stake in the game. Her grandfather, the infamous "Overkill Bill," was convicted of a string of heinous murders that left the city shaken.

Now, two women have been murdered in a copycat style echoing her grandfather's crimes. Capri's determination to clear his name becomes personal, and she sets out to investigate. With the help of the charming and clever Head Detective Ryker, they navigate:

🌉 San Francisco's hidden gems and historic crimes
🌉Decades-old clues and surprising twists
🌉A complex web of suspects, motives, and lies
As they dig deeper, Capri confronts her family's dark past and the secrets that have haunted them for years. Will she uncover the truth behind the murders, or will the past continue to haunt her?
This engaging mystery has:
🔥Heart-pumping suspense and witty banter
🔥Slow-burn romance and relatable characters
🔥A strong, savvy heroine who won't give up
You'll love:
♥️Capri's fierce determination and sharp instincts
♥️Ryker's clever detective work and charming smile
🌉The vivid San Francisco setting, complete with foggy nights and cable car rides
If I ever find myself in San Francisco, I'm totally booking a tour like Capri's! Who's with me? 😉
Happy reading, friends!

This is a fun and quirky cozy mystery! I loved the setting of San Francisco and all the history - I found it really interesting and was a great place for this story to take place. This mystery had a great mix of drama and suspense.

Capri is smart and she takes the case seriously (her ex-mother law ends up a victim.) I really enjoyed all the side characters and it was fun to try and figure out not one but two different mysteries!

I have to say the final reveal surprised me! I hope we get more of these stories in the future.

✨What To Expect:
🌉San Francisco Setting
🩵Cozy Mystery
🔪Murder Mystery
👻Ghost Tour
🔍Whodunnit
💙Family Drama
💛Found Family

A good read when you are need of a break between genres. Fun but not super in depth.

The details about San Francisco are the best part. I have always loved reading a book and the author describing a scene so well, I can imagine it and feel like I am there. This author did just that.

It was your typical mystery. Good but not crazy.

Yay! A chance to try a new author. The title and the cover both caught my eye on this interesting book. The title really intrigued me.

Description:
Welcome to San Francisco, a city with killer charm.

The chill of a San Francisco summer can be deadly. No one knows this better than Capri Sanzio, who makes her living giving serial killer tours of the city. Capri has been interested in the topic since she was a kid, when she discovered she’s the granddaughter of serial killer William ‘Overkill Bill’ Sanzio. She’s always believed in his innocence, though she's never taken the leap to fully dive into the case.

But now an Overkill Bill copycat has struck in San Francisco. And Capri’s former mother-in-law, Sylvia, just cut off Capri’s daughter’s tuition payments. Needing cash, Capri wonders if this is the time to exonerate her grandfather. The case is back in the news and the police will be looking to understand the past to catch a present-day killer. Capri could finally uncover the truth about Overkill Bill—documenting the process with a podcast and a book—and hopefully earn some money.

Before Capri can get very far, the cops discover the copycat’s latest Sylvia. Capri soon finds herself at the heart of the police’s investigation for an entirely different reason. She and her daughter are prime suspects.

My Thoughts:
I can't understand why anyone would want a tour of where serial killers attacked their victims, kept their victims, etc. Sound pretty creepy to me, but I would bet there is a market for something like this. I felt really bad for Capri growing up with the fact that her father was sentenced to life as a serial killer when she has thought all along that he was innocent. When the Overkill Bill copycat murders start, Capri sees her chance to maybe find evidence that could prove her father's innocence. Then her ex mother-in-law is killed and Capri and her daughter may be at the center of the police investigation. What is going on? I recommend this to anyone interested in serial killer fiction.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

For readers who:
*like mysteries
*like history
*enjoy murder mysteries set among the wealthy and the tech industry


Capri has always been known as the granddaughter of one of San Francisco's most notorious serial killers, Overkill Bill. The thing is, she's not sure she believes her grandfather actually committed those murders decades ago.
Then, in the pres et day (and long after her grandfather is deceased), a copycat killer pops up and kills 2 women. And Capri and her 21 year old daughter end up as the main suspects.
As Capri rushes to solve the mystery, she also digs deeper into her grandfather's past.

I though this was a unique twist on a murder mystery. Capri runs her own SF crime tour company, so the reader gets a lot of true crime history woven through the story. As Capri is trying to solve the decades-old cases as well as the current ones, I did feel like I knew who did it. It felt especially blatant for one of them. But it didn't ruin the book for me, so I'm okay with it.

The end also definitely felt like it was setting the book up to be a series, so I'd expect more from Capri!

Envision a murder mystery merging with a summer beach read and the product is The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco. This book is an easy, enjoyable mystery to read filled with a few twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end. The main character, Capri, is a likable character that built a life for herself despite her family secrets that continually haunt her as well as drive her passion. She is resilient and determined to find the truth even if it involves slightly breaking a few laws. This book has several storylines that circulate throughout the story but all the pieces of the puzzle come together in the end which the author wraps up nicely. This character and storyline could easily have a sequel or mini-series. As an added bonus, if you like San Francisco, you will enjoy how the author incorporates the parks, culture, and history naturally into the backdrop of this story.

As Fitzgerald said, "the rich are different from you and me." That apparently holds true in San Francisco. When Capri Sanzio tries to discover who killed her ex-mother-in-law Sylvia, high society friends close ranks and circle the wagons. Make that frenemies. Between the murder and her research into her convicted serial killer grandfather's case, Capri is a busy woman. I love her determination and sympathy, and her crush on/distrust of one of the police detectives is a hoot. Capri's positive he uses his good looks and dimple to disarm and get information. This is a fun mystery and I look forward to more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I thought this book was super enjoyable and fun. I was pleasantly surprised that this book wasn't very scary. I was thinking because it was about a serial killer, that the book would be at least a little bit scary. But it wasn't. So if you are like me and don't like too much blood or gore, I think you would be ok reading this book. I would also recommend it to anyone who loves Finlay Donovan or the Aunties series.

I was lucky enough to also receive an ALC. I thought that Stephanie Nemeth Parker did a great job with the narration and this is probably the third or fourth book that I have listened to that was narrated by her.

Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Capri provides guided tours in San Fransisco, but these are not typical sightseeing tours. They focus on murders and criminals, especially serial killers. Her interest began, as a child, when she learned that her grandfather was a convicted serial killer. Capri always believed he was innocent, and when another murder takes place that uses his MO, she sets out to prove it.

I really enjoyed the writing style of this author. She includes humor, in addition to creating characters that are empathetic, making this a fast read. There are a few twists, though nothing terribly surprising by the time they are revealed, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. If you like the true crime genre and a mystery mixed with a bit of humor, give this one a try.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.