This was a really cool concept. The romanced fell flat and felt forced to me. But the idea of a serial killers granddaughter being plagued by copycat murders was enthralling. She was trying her best to clear her "murderous" grandfather's name.

This story was so much more than I expected. I absolutely adored Capri. I was swept up in the mystery. The characters are interesting. It kept me guessing. The reveal stunned me. And the ending left me smiling.

𝒮𝑜𝓁𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝓊𝓇𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈, 𝒹𝑜𝒹𝑔𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒸𝑜𝓅𝓈, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓇𝓊𝓃𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶 𝒷𝓊𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈—𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓀𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝒻𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒶 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓁𝓎?

This was such a fun and gripping read from start to finish! Even though I was so stressed for the FMC as she inserts herself into the dangerous investigation, I understand her need to protect her daughter. I was pulled right into her life as she was working to solve the copycat murders, especially when things get personal with her ex-mother-in-law’s death.

The story keeps you guessing the whole time, and it’s full of twists and turns. Plus, the idea of her turning the investigation into a podcast is so timely and fun since I used to really enjoy true crime. If you like true crime with a bit of dark humor and a fast-paced plot, you’ll love this book. It's hard to put down once you start!

Finally, I loved the emphasis on being respectful to victims of these crimes over the monster as I find it hard to stomach how some idolize or romanticize them. Capri’s focus on the victims was refreshing and even though this was a work of fiction it translates well!

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and to this incredible author for the ARC. All opinions are 100% my own.

This started off so good and super intriguing. The premise isn't really anything new or unique to me. I've read stories like this but on a much darker scale (for example, The Hunter's Daughter), but I was excited to give this a shot when I saw that it was a cozy mystery. Now, I feel like I need to start this by saying that every time I've dabbled with cozy mysteries, they've all fallen flat for me. Unfortunately, that was case here. The further I got into the story, the more it started to drag. I got to the point where I wasn't eager to pick it up to continue reading. I kind of didn't figure out how things were going to go, but I was close and it was a bit underwhelming. I don't know if this makes sense, but the writing was also a lot of telling instead of showing, and that got to be a bit much after a while. Overall, I feel like this is a very niche read that people will love, but it just wasn't for me.

A tour guide who's grandfather was a suspected (and convicted) serial killer, must figure out a way to prove she and her daughter did not kill her ex-mother-in-law. Capri Sanzio has made a living out of serial killers. She runs a tour company focused on true crime in the San Francisco area. She is also the granddaughter of William "Overkill Bill" Sanzio, who was tried and convicted of murdering 3 prostitutes in the 60s. Capri is trying very hard to prove that her grandfather was innocent when her ex-mother-in-law turns up dead, murdered in the exact style her grandfather was infamous for. This after a body was found a few days before, murdered in the same way. Capri gets roped into the investigation so that she can prove that she and her daughter, Morgan, are completely innocent.
I will say that I although I enjoyed this novel, I pretty much had it figured it out by the second murder. I would almost call this a cozy mystery. Entertaining nonetheless.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this e-arc.*

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard offers a dark yet fascinating exploration of the city’s notorious history. Chouinard blends true crime with a travelogue, guiding readers through the sinister landmarks linked to infamous killers. The book’s strength lies in its vivid descriptions and the intriguing way it connects each location to real-life events, making it both informative and chilling for true crime enthusiasts.

However, the book occasionally feels disjointed, with the narrative sometimes lacking cohesion between chapters. A more structured approach would have made the experience smoother, as the shifts between historical recounting and personal reflections can be jarring. That said, for readers interested in both San Francisco’s geography and its dark history, this book offers a unique perspective.

A huge thank you to @stmartinspress, @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the advanced copies in exchange for this review!

I REALLY enjoyed this book!

As many know, I'm typically a romance reader, but every so often I get the itch to dive into some murder mysteries or thrillers! And I was SO excited for this one!

I was lucky enough to get both the book and audio ARCs, which @snemethparker KILLED, by the way!

🔪 Murder Mystery
🚌 True Crime Tours
🔪 Family Legacies/Dynamics
🚌 Who Dun It?!
🔪 Surly Detective
🚌 Black Mail
🔪 High Society / Old Money vs New Money

THE SERIAL KILLER GUIDE TO SAN FRANCISCO will be available on 9/24/24!
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#bookstagram #booksta #books #booksbooksbooks #avidreader #ilovereading #thetwistedlibrarian #professionalbookworm #michellechouinard #theserialkillerguidetosanfrancisco #whatsnikkireading #whatsnikkilisteningto #book69of2024 #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio #netgalley #murdermystery #whodunit #sanfrancisco #truecrimetours #truecrime

A riveting mystery that combines historical intrigue with contemporary suspense. The writing is atmospheric of San Francisco which made for a great setting. The story is compelling with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and the blend of past and present crimes was intriguing.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you Netgally, St. Matins press and Michelle Chouinard for the ARC of The Serial Killers Guide to San Francisco.

This was a super fun and interesting who done it book. I enjoyed the research into an old murder tangled in a present murder. The characters were interesting and all had a role to play. I did not see any of it coming and was surprised. I hope to see more about Capri and the detective in more books.

If you’re looking for a light murder mystery with splashes of interesting information about San Francisco this is your book!

I really enjoyed this one! I liked how the story followed the current timeline while the main character also was exploring her family’s past. I liked the characters and the setting. I recommend!!

I had such a blast with this book! The blend of mystery and San Francisco’s eerie charm created an incredibly engaging read! Capri Sanzio is a fantastic protagonist—imagine running serial killer tours in a city as steeped in dark history as San Francisco, all while trying to clear your infamous grandfather's name! Her backstory as the granddaughter of the notorious William 'Overkill Bill' Sanzio adds a fresh twist to the mystery genre that I found absolutely fascinating.

The setting was spot-on and added so much to the experience. I loved how the book dives into San Francisco’s darker past, with intriguing details about landmarks like Alcatraz. Capri’s tours, which blend history with the macabre, sounded like something I’d love to go on! It was great to see how the author incorporated these elements into the plot, making the city itself almost like a character in the story.

Capri herself is such a compelling character. I felt like I was right there with her, unraveling clues and navigating personal drama. Her determination to clear her grandfather’s name, while dealing with the fallout from her former mother-in-law’s actions and the new murders, was both gripping and relatable. She’s smart, funny, and easy to root for.

That said, there were times when the story felt a bit cluttered with side characters who didn’t always get enough development. A few potential suspects popped up but then disappeared without much follow-up, which left me a bit confused.

If you enjoy a good mystery with a touch of humor and a unique setting, I highly recommend it. I’m definitely curious to see if there’s more to come in this series or from this author.

I enjoy picking up a book where I don’t know what to expect, and it’s even better when the book I’ve selected doesn’t match my expectations -- but in a good way. From the title, I supposed this book would be all shiny concept, heavy on clever plot, no emotional engagement, but probably funny. It does have a shiny concept, but the concept (as it should be), is just the kick off. Heroine Capri (like the car, the pants or the island) Sanzio, granddaughter of a serial killer, makes her living giving – you guessed it – serial killer tours of San Francisco. She’s been quite successful, and the patrons only infrequently ask questions about her grandfather, who was known as “Overkill Bill.”

Bill got his moniker because he used three methods to kill each of his victims (as Lenny on Law & Order might put it, he used a belt and suspenders). Her grandfather is long dead but when a copycat murder occurs, Capri latches on to it for several reasons. One, she thinks she might do a podcast about the new crime (along the way, hopefully exonerating her grandfather), and the reason she needs to do the podcast is that her ex mother in law has cut off grad school funding for her daughter. Then, the grandmother herself is killed in the exact same manner. Now the eyes of the police are on Capri and possibly her daughter, making her investigation even more important.

The family pulls together in the wake of the grandmother’s death. She was an unpleasant socialite who had been a difficult mother-in-law but Capri is still of the strong opinion that she didn’t deserve to be murdered. The unexpected part of the novel comes in after the set up. Capri’s family pulls together after it all goes down. We, as readers, get to know her daughter, her ex-husband, and her former father in law.

Capri’s doggedness also leads her to uncover many unpleasant realities about her ex mother in law’s life, things that her family was completely unaware of. The tale of corruption and fraud she winkles out is really straight out of an old Rockford Files episode. Meanwhile, the cops are on her ass and she’s worried for her daughter.

The tours she runs are sprinkled throughout the book, lending the story authentic atmosphere and a flavor of San Francisco - a city that’s been home to killers, sure, but is also beautiful and historic. The little factoids about killers were often familiar to me (I did run a crime bookstore for decades) but they might be new to the reader. This wasn’t really a light read but it was a fun one, with a tricky plot at the center. It was far from all high concept but instead returned to straight up mystery trope territory. I very liked Capri and hope she makes another appearance.

The granddaughter of a convicted serial killer gets pulled into a case involving a copycat killer, or is she a suspect? Capri Sanzio believes her grandfather was wrongly convicted but doesn't know if that's anything she can prove. The copycat case(s) hit close to home and she may be able to at least solve those, if for no other reason than to clear her name. There are many suspects, and a sometimes confusing case of white collar crime that may serve as the motive, and Chouinard moves things along quickly. The true joy of this book is the City of San Francisco as a character. Capri's day job is giving "true crime tours" of San Francisco and her descriptions add a lot to this book. I"'m not sure if this will evolve into a series, but if it does, I look forward to it. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks St Martin's for the gifted copy

3.81 stars.

I started The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco after DNFing not one but TWO different audiobooks because I couldn’t get into them. This one did the trick and hooked me right away. It’s a super quick and enjoyable cozy mystery. While the mysteries aren’t ground breaking, the quirky characters and their relationships with each other kept me hooked. It gave big “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advance For Murderers” vibes — both are cozy mysteries set in SF that really bring the city to life. I'm hoping this turns into a series because I'd love to see what happens next for Capri and her potential suitor (who I won't mention by name to avoid spoilers!). Overall, I’d recommend this one if you enjoy cozies and/or love reading books set in SF.

This one works really well on audio as well. The narrator's voice is appropriately emotional and I really liked her different male voices. The old man voice in particular is really effective. It was easy to tell it apart from other male dialogue without being overly exaggerated or caricatural.

Overall ratings
Exact star rating: 3.81
10-pt star rating: 4
5-pt star rating: 4

Attribute ratings
Characters: 3
Atmosphere/Setting: 5
Writing Style: 3.5
Plot/Pacing: 3.5
Intrigue: 4.5
Logic: 3
Enjoyment: 4

4.25 stars / This review will be posted on BookwormishMe.com and goodreads.com today.


San Francisco has so much history and is such a perfect place to set a murder mystery. This novel by Michelle Chouinard is a riveting look into the high society of San Fran and the dark underbelly.

Capri Sanzio is quite well associated with murder. Her grandfather was an infamous serial killer convicted and sentenced to life in prison back in the sixties. While Capri believes he was innocent, her father has always slammed that door shut. So when a copycat murder occurs, and Capri’s ex mother in law goes missing, she’s thrown right back into the history.

Only Capri’s connection to the past killer and her connections to the copycat murders bring her and her daughter onto the suspect list too. Capri decides to finally investigate what’s been stewing in her brain for decades - who really was Overkill Bill? More importantly, who has decided to copycat and throw her into suspicion now?

Really fun novel. So much embedded history about San Francisco’s history. I loved Capri’s best friend’s description of the wealthy as ‘puff adders’ and how they’d do anything to maintain their images. The many twists will keep you guessing about the actual murderer until the end. Easy and quick read. Definitely recommend for a chilly fall night by the fire (or a summer day in San Fran!)

I really enjoyed this mystery. It had a great hook and I listened to it in one day, I just couldn't put it down.
There was moments that really had me thinking I figure out the mystery and in the end Whoa! Was I ever surprised!

This was a middle of the road cozy mystery to me. I absolutely love cozy mysteries because of their direct storylines, cute characters, and easiness of reading (there are a ton of other things, but those are the ones I can think of right now). This definitely had really good characters and a super interesting back story. The story was kept pretty light didn't go too dark so it definitely fell straight into the cozy category.

Unfortunately, where this book falls flat is the writing. There were sections of massive information dumps instead of small bits of information fed to the reader over time. There was an entire chapter of our main character just going through a desk full of evidence and that's where the book kind of lost me. It was just so much information shoved at the reader. I kept pushing through and, again, the ending felt cheesy and just a giant villain explanation dialogue. It was kind of just annoying to read in that way. If information had been trickled to the audience, I can see this book getting closer to a four star.

⭐️Cozy Mystery
⭐️Takes place in San Francisco
⭐️Amateur Sleuthing

This was such a fast read as the mystery of who done it unfolded perfectly. I liked the granddaughter of a famous serial killer took it upon herself to relook at her grandfather murders to see if he was innocent or not and look into new murder.

✨ Review ✨ The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard; Narrated by: Stephanie Németh-Parker

Thanks to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

I needed an easy, fun listen for a car trip and this understood the assignment.

This book is operating on multiple levels of a sort of thriller with true crime themes happening.

First Capri Sanzio runs a tour company in San Francisco, spotlighting historic sites associated with serial killers.

Then we find out that she got into this because her grandpa was a convicted serial killer known as Overkill Bill. Because she's always suspected he was innocent though, she sets out to document his story to try to uncover his innocence.

Then a copycat killer mimicking Overkill Bill strikes, and Capri becomes interlaced into the investigation.

I loved how she's doing work in the world of true crime and then also became immersed in it in her real life as well. The layers of this made the book so much fun to listen to.

The setting in San Francisco also aligned with my interests, and I loved that the book took us all around SF and even to Alcatraz, as Capri leads tours and investigates crimes!

The book is light (though heavy in the discussions of violent deaths and other crimes), easy to follow, and was a whole lot of fun for a trip!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: thriller/mystery
Setting: San Francisco
Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
Pub Date: Sep 24 2024

I loved this book! Such a unique premise and the multiple mysteries to solve while they all converged kept me captivated and entertained throughout. Easy 5 stars