This was such a great read. The two intertwined mysteries played out at a great pace and wrapped up perfectly. It held my attention the entire time.

I will never get tired of books where people insert themselves into an investigation and try to solve a murder. What I really liked about this book was how the author came up with such an interesting premise. I loved Capri's job of giving tours around San Francisco based on murders and doing it in a way that honored the victims. I also liked the familial link to a serial killer and what happens when families disagree on their family member's guilt. I thought the characters were so vivid and I suspected so many of them. I liked how the plot was busy and needed paid attention to, yet it was never too much - just an interesting viewpoint. I enjoyed the narration. It made Capri come to life and I rooted so hard for her. This felt a bit darker than a cozy, but it definitely had similar vibes. Can't wait to see what this author does in the future.

I enjoyed this book! It has a very attention getting title, and I enjoyed the storyline and Capri's life giving tourist serial killer tours of San Fransisco. It was just a fun book, but had a good underlying mystery and some humor/wit and heart to it as well! This book had a different storyline than lots of books I have read so I appreciate the author doing something different and it worked out so well. I liked Capri's character and the descriptions of the great city of San Francisco. I highly recommend this book, look for it September 24th 2024!

This was an interesting read. I enjoyed the mystery and the characters. However, I got a little lost in all the similes, which at times knocked me out of a scene.

The concept is intriguing. Have the granddaughter of a serial killer end up as a true crime tour guide. In the town, the murders happened. Now, years later, a Copycat killer is striking. Capri is going to figure out who is doing it and clear her grandfather's name. She hopes.

I want to Thank NetGalley, Michelle Chouinard, and Minotaur Books for my copy

I loved it!! Fun, interesting page-turner with many layers, I enjoyed the narrators banter - witty but not too sly or cheesy. Great plot as well - the protagonist is attempting to solve two serial killings that she is inadvertently affected by. He grandfather was the accused killer of 3 prostitutes he was last seen with, but proclaimed innocence until his death. Now her MIL is the 2nd victim of a copycat killer with the same overkill MO. She is desperate to clear her and her daughter’s name. Lots of plausible suspects too. Great read!

This is the perfect cozy thriller. The flow on the writing makes this go by so fast. I also had the ALC and the audiobook is fantastic! I loved the humor along with the different storylines you're following.

You follow along with Capri while she works as a tour guide for different serial killers around San Francisco. Her grandfather was a serial killer and she's always thought he was innocent. Now there's a copy cat killer killing in her grandfather's style, and Capri's ex mother in law becomes a victim. so you go along with her while she tries to exonerate her grandfather and help solve her mother in law's murder.

The ending took me by surprise! I had so many theories and didn't know how it was going to end.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the ALC and @minotaur_books for the ARC!

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco
Michelle Chouinard

Capri is a Tour Guide in San Francisco
Granddaughter of William, “Overkill Bill” A convicted serial killer who always proclaimed his innocence.
Now there is a possible copycat killer,who has already killed Capri’s Ex-Mother-In-Law, shortly after she cut off Capri’s daughter. Because of this, Capri now has to prove the innocence of herself and her daughter, while keeping her family safe.
I loved this book, the mystery, the comedy, and even the unexpected bits of romance. I appreciated that it had a clear ending, even though I would love to see more books with these characters! This was a fantastic debut novel, and I am looking forward to more books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley; and to the author and publisher of this book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The title of this novel is a bit misleading because although it does involve a serial killer, it is really pretty much a cozy mystery. The main character is a woman whose father has been imprisoned for being a serial killer, and when other killings occur in the same manner that he used, she and her daughter become suspects. The storyline is an enjoyable one, and the premise is somewhat unique (serial murder tours) — even though the mystery itself is basically a typical one involving an amateur sleuth (or two). All in all, this was an interesting and engaging read that did keep me turning pages.

This enjoyable read focuses on Capri Sanzio, granddaughter of a well known serial killer with an interest in true crime. I found Capri to be an interesting character and really admired her tenacity. I loved how the story unfolded and I was able to follow Capri as she delved into a series of murders that copied the MO of her grandfather, whom she believed to be innocent. This book had some twists but it was more of a satisfying read than a twisty thrill ride!

This was such a fun and quirky murder mystery! Fans of the Finlay Donovan series will love this book!

I enjoyed the story of Capri who is the granddaughter of a serial killer who runs a company dedicated to giving murder of San Francisco. I liked how Capri gets involved in solving a copycat murders that includes her ex mother in law and all the situations she finds barrack in. I really enjoyed how Capri works too solve the current murders while also trying to clear her grandfather's name from the cold case of the Overkill Bill case.

Well. Here I am again.

I’m sorry. I just didn’t love this book.

The vibe is definitely cozy, heavy on the amateur sleuth, with a strong dose of family drama.

I really enjoyed the beginning. Like Capri, I wanted to figure out whether or not her grandfather was, in fact, a serial killer.

Then we get to the current murder and the copycat killer investigation. From there, the story fell apart for me. Content is heavy on all the intricacies of white collar, financial crimes—excruciating, repetitive, and unnecessary detail.

At the same time, we’re given virtually no detail on things in Capri’s life that would have been interesting, such as the podcast she was putting together and the book she was writing. Apparently, she magically did these things after working all day and playing amateur investigator for endless hours. All we get is a line here and there, as if she wrote and recorded the podcast in the roughly ten minutes of downtime she had each evening. Despite knowing nothing about podcasts or the platforms, she managed, somehow, to become a major success.

The ending spiraled into ridiculousness.

I desperately wanted more quirkiness. All the ingredients were there, waiting to be teased out.

*I received an eARC from Minotaur Books, via NetGalley.*

This feel good mystery is like an onion with so many layers I just kept peeling all the way to the end. She hooked me from the beginning and her character development and story telling kept me eagerly turning pages to find out the next clue.

This mystery of Capri and her family is very well thought out and so well written that I just wanted more and more. There is family betrayal, secrets, murder, and hidden agendas all along the way. I loved her business of yours for crime lovers in San Fran and wished while reading that I could go on one.

The family dynamics with so many characters was written so well and developed so naturally that I really cared and wanted to know what was going to happen to each and every one of them.

There are enough clues throughout the story so that you could conceivably put it together with Capri as she helps to put to rest if her grandfather was really “Overkill Bill.”

Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who loves true crime and a good mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an ARC in return for an honest review!

3⭐️ this book follows a middle aged woman, capri, as she lives in san francisco. she has her own business of giving tours around the area which are based on themes such as serial killers, hitchcock movies, alcatraz, and other spooky elements that people are interested in learning about within san fran.

her grandfather was convicted guilty of murdering three women, but she does not think he was truly the culprit. meanwhile, there are murders that begin to happen within capri’s circle which seem to be copycat killings from her the killings that took place when her grandfather was convicted.

this story has a fun little detective/murder mystery vibe to it which has me interested. it was slightly too much information regarding certain legal issues and internet searching etc that had me a little overloaded with info. the main character was quirky but also meddlesome and definitely stubborn. there were a lot of mentions to society and the elite, showcasing the discrepancies and also the discussion that not everyone who is arrested is guilty.

i thought the reveal at the end was a little bit of a cop out and i wanted more of a twist, but this story was good nonetheless! it was entertaining and a mystery, but not too spooky, gory or disturbing. definitely a lighter mystery read for those that want some laughs and funny references.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Serial Killers Guide to San Francisco was one of my most anticipated reads for the year and it didn't disappoint. The main character Capri is thrown in the middle of a murder investigation when her mother-in-law is murder and the method used is a copycat to the murders her grandfather supposedly committed in the 60s. Because of this Capri is forced to prove hers and her daughter Morgans innocence while also trying to prove that her Grandfather wasn't the original killer.

This book has so much going for it. I loved that Capri took her families history and made of career of giving serial killer tours in San Francisco. I liked the inclusion of little tidbits of San Francisco's murderous past they were really interesting.

II really loved Sylvia's character. When you first meet her she comes off as a bitter ex-mother-in-law but that was far from what was really going on. She was just a woman who wanted to protect her family even if that meant that she needed to push them away in order to save them

The one character I really disliked was Capri's dad. I don't know why or how her mother would have stayed with him given the way he acted and talked to Capri. He came off as kind of abusive. I don't think that was what the author was going for with his character but thats what the vibe ended up being.

To me A Serial Killers Guide to San Francisco was a story of what lengths we are will to go to for the people that we love. It was a solid read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This unique mystery completely captured my attention, leading to a day long binge to finish it.

Capri’s grandfather was found guilty of killing multiple women years ago, and Capri has always believed in his innocence. Now, a copycat killer has struck close to home, and Capri’s investigation into the past murders is clouded by those in the present day.

Capri runs tours about famous killers in San Francisco, hence the book title. What a fun job! A bit macabre, but definitely intriguing for us thriller lovers out there. The little parts between chapters giving information about the dark history of San Fran were fascinating and horrifying all at once.

The mystery and investigation were well written and twisty, with red herrings and shocking moments galore. I enjoyed this quirky mystery on both audio and ebook, with the audiobook narrator adding the perfect tone for the story and pacing it well.

Thank you to Minotaur books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - July 30, 2024
Publication Date - September 24, 2024

*I received an E-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @mmchouinard, @stmartinspress, @minotaur_books and @netgalley!

I was so excited to read the Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco and it did not disappoint! The concept of serial killer tours is so fun and I have not read anything involving them before. I liked the depth in this book because the author could have decided to solely focus on solving the mystery but she also made a point to explore human nature and the role of choices. This book is perfect for people who enjoy slower paced but still interesting murder mysteries. I didn’t guess who did it, which is always a good sign when reading a mystery!

If you like true crime, murder mystery or cozy mystery, you should check out The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco!

Get excited to read The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco, available September 24! 🎉

*Please check trigger warnings*

I recently finished *The Serial Killer's Guide to San Francisco* by Michelle Chouinard, and I have to say, it's a chilling and captivating read. This thriller immerses you in the mind of a serial killer prowling the streets of San Francisco, blending dark humor with a deep psychological exploration that truly stood out.

Chouinard’s portrayal of San Francisco is both vivid and unsettling. The city feels alive, with its iconic landmarks and hidden corners contributing to the novel's suspenseful atmosphere. It’s clear that Chouinard has a knack for creating a setting that feels integral to the story.

The protagonist is another highlight. Described by reviewers as charismatic yet deeply unsettling, the character’s psychological depth is both fascinating and disturbing. The way Chouinard delves into the killer’s motives and internal struggles adds a layer of complexity that kept me hooked.

The pacing and plot twists are also worth noting. The book’s narrative is well-constructed, and I found myself eagerly turning pages to uncover what would happen next. The dialogue is sharp, and the climax offers a satisfying conclusion that ties together the story's threads.

However, I should mention that the book's intense depiction of violence and dark themes might not be for everyone. While this didn’t detract from my enjoyment, it’s something potential readers should be aware of.

Overall, *The Serial Killer's Guide to San Francisco* is a standout thriller that I would highly recommend. Michelle Chouinard has crafted a gripping and original story that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and crime fiction. If you’re looking for a book that combines suspense, dark humor, and complex characters, this one’s definitely worth a read.

Thank you for this complimentary review copy.

Feel free to tweak it to better reflect your personal experience!

Loved this fun feel good mystery.
Such an easy listen, which I’m sure would also be an easy read. Loved the pace of the book, the characters, and the colorful San Francisco history.
This story is told from the main character, Capri’s point of view. She is such a fun and well developed character, and makes you immediately care about what is going on with all the players in this story.
Capri is a tour guide in San Francisco, and is the granddaughter of a famous serial killer. When someone close to her turns up dead, she has to figure out why and if there is some kind of connection to her past.
Loved the way she was investigating murders in different time periods. The flow of this book was just so easy. Would totally recommend!
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the AAC

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Sept. 24, 2024
Capri Sanzio is a tour guide in San Francisco, providing guided tours of all things “serial killer”. An added bonus, Capri is the granddaughter of William Sanzio, a.k.a. “Overkill Bill”, one of the most infamous serial killers in San Franciso history. For many years following the death of her grandfather, Capri believed he was innocent, held in jail on charges that should’ve been placed on someone else although she’s never been able to prove it, mostly because her father has expressly forbidden her to pursue it farther. It isn’t until Capri’s ex-mother-in-law is murdered, and the similarities to Overkill Bill start piling up, that Capri’s hopes of clearing her grandfather’s name may actually come to be.
“The Serial Killers Guide to San Francisco” is a debut novel by author Michelle Chouinard. Creative, spunky and full of killer fun, “Guide” is the perfect fiction novel for true-crime fans! Chouinard, raised in San Francisco, definitely shows her love for the city. Many chapters are prefaced by a location in San Francisco with ties to a serial killer or another grisly crime, written as a newspaper article or other official channel of media coverage. So, in between the pages of a fictional crime novel, I got to read about real-life locations that were connected with serial killers? I mean, what more could a girl want?
The story veers off on several paths as Capri investigates her ex-mother-in-law, Sylvia’s, death. As a wealthy socialite, Sylvia has a lot of connections to many corrupt businessmen and has made some pretty shady business and investment deals. So don’t expect this story to be easy to predict- there are many ways this story could end and full attention is needed to keep up with the quick pacing. The final ending reveal came out of nowhere, also, and I was not prepared for the unexpected twist it delivered!
“Guide” is definitely unlike any novel I’ve read before, in either the fiction or the true crime genre (and that’s saying something, as I’ve read quite a bit of both!) and I think it is this level of unique creativity that will bring Chouinard’s debut into the spotlight where it belongs.

This felt very much more like a who-dun-it (ish) mystery than a suspenseful thriller but nevertheless enjoyable! If you’re looking for something that’s mysterious but maybe not so action packed and eerie, this could be for you!

I love that we were following the granddaughter of a famous serial killer who is a tour guide for serial killer (and such) hotspots throughout San Francisco! It’s such a cute and smart idea for a plot! And of course the fact that recent murders have happened with her grandfathers same MO but he has already passed on. I don’t know, such a cute plot idea in my opinion lol!

I had fun with this one. It wasn’t anything spectacular but definitely entertaining and perfect for murder mystery fans! Also the audiobook narrator was fantastic, I really loved her voice!