4.25 rounded down to 4.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Capri is a tour guide in San Francisco - and she gives serial killer tours. With her grandfather in prison as one of the notorious serial killers on her tour, Capri finds herself brought into more drama when a copycat killer emerges and her ex-mother-in-law turns up deceased.

This book definitely met all my expectations. It was such a fun little mystery, and it wasn't really too slow or overly informative at any time. Capri finds herself drawn to the history around her grandfather, who she believes to be innocent. While trying to solve this cold case/historical mystery, she finds herself involved in the murder investigation of her affluent mother-in-law. The dual-mystery was an interesting touch, and I really liked how it was all loosely connected. I do wish there was a bit more to her grandfather's side of things, however it felt like it fleshed out perfectly. By the end, I was able to somewhat figure things out, but not entirely. Everything did wrap up nicely and didn't feel rushed or too over-the-top. At first I was slightly irritated with the seemingly unnecessary romance tossed in at the end, however after thinking on it a bit, I felt like it provided a sweet moment for Capri, and ended on a positive note for new beginnings.

Overall this was a fun, quick read, especially if you want a cozy little mystery.

This was a fun ride through the streets of San Francisco with a dash of true crime sprinkled in! Capri is a solid lead who believes her grandfather was wrongfully accused of some pretty horrific murders. She decides to start a podcast to clear his name and make some extra cash after her mother-in-law decides to cut off her daughter's school tuition payments. The setup is clever—Capri turns her knowledge of the city’s dark history into a true crime tour, and we get to tag along for the ride!

The story has an easy flow, and the fabulous narrator really brings it to life. Capri’s dynamic with her daughter is both sweet and believable; it’s refreshing to see a character balancing the role of a parent with some good ol’ crime-solving on the side! I especially loved the little tidbits of true crime facts that popped up throughout—like hidden Easter eggs for crime junkies.

While the book's premise is unique, the execution sometimes felt like it was just shy of being truly gripping. Still, it’s worth a read if you're into podcasts, true crime, or just want to get lost in the foggy, eerie streets of San Francisco for a while!

Such a good mystery! I loved the serial killer tour tie-in, and all the info related to that subject. A good mystery with an ending I was not expecting. Well written characters who pull you into the story & keep it entertaining. I can't wait to read more by this author in the future.

This was such a cozy mystery that I loved curling up with each night.

I love the story line, the characters, the unknowns. It tied high society, serial killers, dysfunctional families and a mystery or two.

The granddaughter of a convicted serial killer finds herself in the center of a present-day murder investigation in the The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco.

Capri Sanzio has always believed in her grandfather’s innocence. Growing up, her grandfather was a banned topic in the household, but the suppression of those discussions only fueled Capri’s curiosity more. Now in her 40s, Capri has spun that interest in her grandfather’s alleged guilt into a tour business: she offers serial killer tours of San Francisco.

When her ex-mother-in-law cuts off funding for Capri’s daughter’s grad school tuition, Capri needs additional income to help out. She starts digging more into what happened when her grandfather was convicted so long ago, hoping to both prove his innocence and make some money from creating a podcast and writing a book in the process.

Then a copycat killer strikes in San Francisco, and Capri finds herself trying to figure out the culprit in those original murders and the ones impacting her family today.

This book ended up falling somewhere in the middle for me. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it.

It’s not a long book—in print or on audio—but it ended up feeling long to me. I liked the setting and setup but wasn’t enamored with the pacing and delivery of information. I liked when you get glimpses of information shared on tours as interstitials and would have loved to have seen more of that. I also wish that some of the details from the original murders had been included in a podcast format instead of getting into the weeds as Capri discovers that information.

I liked the hint of a budding romance but wish the little details and interactions had been played up a bit more.

Side note: I will admit that I am too much of a scaredy-cat to go on the serial killer tours based on true crimes in the book, but if that tour agency were to put together the Alfred Hitchcock tour that's discussed, I would gladly go on that.

I had an advance copy of the ebook from Minotaur Books and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco was not what i was expecting. By the cover I thought it would be more of a comedy type book(like Stephanie Plum or Finlay Donovan). But I did really enjoy the book. I enjoyed the digging into the past investigation of Overkill Bill more than the in present investigation. I thought I had it down, who the killer was for the past but I was wrong, but I was right for the present one.

Overall, It was a great book. And if you do the audio, the wonderful Stephanie Nemeth- Parker is the narrator.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book started out strong, but really lost steam as it went along. I think for me, I got sick of Capri and that really colored the rest of my reading since it was first person. It was fun, but I ended up being pretty bored and over it as I went through.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. This book is great for fans of true crime and mysterys!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC and SMP for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Receiving an advanced gifted book copy does not impact or influence my review in any way. #MacAudio2024

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco was an unexpectedly fun read with a mix of a new and old crime case that the MC investigates! It wasn't until the new case opened that I found myself interested in the story and thrown into really interesting characters. I'm not sure if the author intended to be a little funny, but I did find the MC and her close friends humorous and found myself enjoying them the most.

While there was plenty of investigation and a lot of moving pieces that really brought the picture together, the pacing could've been better and some parts felt dragged out. The book also touched on several points like: old vs new money, family dysfunction, single mom challenges, family trauma, social hierarchies, and more, but still never fully fleshed any of them out. This made the story feel odd at times and disjointed. I also managed to predict the ending, which didn't ruin the story for me but fell a little flat for me. Still, I have to give the book huge credit for being the first mystery novel I finish!

I really enjoyed the bit of romance sprinkled in the book and really liked the main character! The audiobook narrator did a great job voicing Capri, and made her seem like a real person. I think overall, this book was a fun read! I just needed a bit more suspense.

A fun cmystery set in LA that is about the granddaughter of a famous serial killer. She actually does serial killer tours in San Francisco.

She is determined to find out if her grandfather was really guilty because other murders with the same MO are occurring while he’s in prison .

This was a great mystery , more on the cozy side which I love .

Well developed characters and a great story !

Loved the San Fran history that was included.

I was lucky enough to receive both an uncorrected electronic copy and an audio copy. I listened during the day and read at night. That was a combo I will do again. Though, it needs to be noted that chapters on the audio version were not exact to the e-book.

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco's plot revolves around Capri and her co-workers, daughter, ex-husband, ex-inlaws, and the dark cloud that sits on Capri's family's shoulders thanks to Grandpa Sanzio who died in prison, convicted as the noted Overkill Bill serial killer. That bit of family history resurfaces when another woman is found to have died in the same manner - decades later.

As Capri and her daughter become targets of investigation, the relationships between workers and family develop that allow for the reader to engage with the characters that will surely pop up again in future installments. Easily read as a stand alone as all the background a reader needs is supplied at this time. The focus on the crime and how Capri thinks as she attempts to both solve the current murder and absolve her grandfather from his past conviction keeps the reader engaged with plenty of clues to pick up. Though I wasn't completely invested in the side characters, I was certainly tuned into solving the crime. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the areas of interest in and around San Francisco.


Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC and St. Martin's Press for the uncorrected ecopy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

The title roped me in! This will be the perfect fall read! It will also be my first book by Michelle Chouinard, and it will be a great turn away from my usual romance reads.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Michelle Chouinard’s The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco is a captivating blend of mystery, family drama, and a chilling exploration of San Francisco’s dark history. This novel offers readers a unique tour through the city’s infamous landmarks while unraveling a suspenseful and intricate plot.

The story centers around Capri Sanzio, a woman who has turned her family’s notorious past into a career by leading serial killer tours in San Francisco. Capri’s grandfather, William “Overkill Bill” Sanzio, was a convicted serial killer, a legacy that has haunted her family for years. When a copycat killer emerges, mimicking Overkill Bill’s gruesome methods, Capri sees an opportunity to clear her grandfather’s name and make some much-needed money by writing a true-crime book and starting a podcast.

Chouinard excels in creating complex and relatable characters. Capri is a compelling protagonist, driven by a mix of desperation, curiosity, and a deep-seated need for justice. Her relationship with her daughter, Morgan, adds emotional depth to the narrative, highlighting themes of trust, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to protect their family. 

 San Francisco itself is almost a character in the novel, with its foggy streets, historic landmarks, and eclectic neighborhoods providing a rich and atmospheric backdrop. Chouinard’s vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of the city, making them feel as if they are walking alongside Capri through Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and other iconic locations.

The novel deftly explores themes of family legacy, justice, and the search for truth. Chouinard’s writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with a knack for building tension with a touch of humor.

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco is a must-read for fans of mystery and true crime. Chouinard’s ability to weave a compelling narrative with well-developed characters and a richly detailed setting makes this book a standout in the genre. It’s a story that not only entertains but also invites readers to ponder the complexities of justice and the impact of family history.

For those who enjoy a good mystery with a unique twist, this novel offers a thrilling and thought-provoking journey through the darker side of the city's history.

A fun cozy mystery set in LA that follows the granddaughter of a famous serial killer who does serial killer tours in San Francisco. She is set to figure out if her grandfather was innocent because other murders with the same MO are happening while he’s locked up and it’s either the original, or a copycat, and some of the murders could be pinned on her.

I think you’d enjoy it if you like the Finlay Donovan series. The main character had a funny inner monologue and the story kept my attention the entire time.

Narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker who did great!

Thanks so much to MacMillan Audio, Minotaur Books & NetGalley for my ALC/ARC.

#MacAudio2024

When I went into this book, I was expecting more of a dark comedy along the lines of "Love Letters to a Serial Killer", but it's actually more of a cozy mystery. While I wasn't totally blown away by it, I enjoyed it and thought the plot was very creative. I also listened to an advance listener copy while reading the ARC which further enhanced the experience for me.

This book follows a middle-aged woman named Capri Sanzio, a tour guide specializing in tours about famous serial killers in San Francisco. Capri has a connection to serial killers, seeing as how her late grandfather was the infamous serial killer dubbed "Overkill Bill" due to the way he murdered his victims. Despite her father's unwillingness to discuss his father's alleged sordid past, Capri embraces the family name - not because she is proud of her grandfather's alleged crimes, but because she has often wondered whether he was the one who actually committed the crimes. The evidence was all suspect, and over the years, Capri has learned a thing or two about serial killers and how they are investigated.

Her knowledge may come in handy when her wealthy ex-mother-in-law suddenly announces that she will no longer pay for her granddaughter's (Capri's daughter) college tuition, putting Capri in a bit of a bind. She doesn't make enough money to also pay for tuition, so maybe it's time to start diving into her grandfather's case and document it through a podcast and accompanying Patreon page. But things take a sinister turn when a copycat killer emulating "Overkill Bill" emerges in the city, putting a spotlight on Capri and her family. How convenient that this started up right as she was about to start looking into her grandfather's case publicly. Now Capri and her daughter are suspects, and she needs to clear their names alongside her grandfather's before the killer strikes again.

One of the things that makes the book work so well is the characters. I loved Capri. She was strong, determined and no-nonsense. She wasn't at all surprised when the police honed in on her, but growing up with her grandfather's shadow looming over her, she knows a thing or two about serial killers, how crime investigations work, and her rights, which allows her to stay just ahead of the police. I also loved that she ran a tour company that took true crime fanatics around San Francisco and showed where some infamous murderers struck around the city. The rest of the cast is also enjoyable, but Capri really made the story.

While I'm typically not one for cozy mysteries (I like the grit, the shocks, and the thrills of a darker thriller), I ended up enjoying this one. Sure, it was lighter than I typically go for, but I enjoyed watching things come together. While I would have liked a little more on the crimes of "Overkill Bill," (that storyline really took a backseat to the current murders and Capri's journey to bring them down), I did enjoy how it all played out.

As far as the audiobook goes, I feel that Stephanie Németh-Parker did an excellent job of narrating the book. The novel is told from Capri's first-person perspective, and I thought she captured her voice and portrayed her perfectly.

While it isn't the dark and gritty crime thriller I typically go for, I still enjoyed this cozy mystery. Chouinard's writing is sharp and engaging, and her ability to weave together an exciting mystery with a compelling family drama makes this book all the more enjoyable. If you're interested in true crime or if serial killers intrigue you but you like your mysteries on the lighter side, this book is definitely for you.

I was pleasantly surprised by this story! I laughed a lot more than I expected and loved the mystery aspect. I have to say, the twist really shocked me! I was sure I knew who was behind it all, but I was very very wrong! I enjoyed the narration a lot which made this a very enjoyable book for me.

I really enjoyed this book. Capri was a great protagonist with a unique job as a tour guide in San Francisco and a fraught backstory as the granddaughter of a serial killer. I liked how she was smart and savvy in her investigation as she pieced together who was responsible for a copycat killings of local socialites.

Plus, the stakes were high since the new murders tie to her ex-in-laws. Her drive to uncover the truth was genuinely motivated as opposed to in some cozy mysteries where the plot and character choices become wildly unbeleivable.

I don't know if this will become a series but I'd definitely sign up for another tour or read more book by this author.!

I found this book extremely fun. I think it falls under “cozy mystery” but I feel like there should be a new sub genre: fun mystery, or entertaining mystery? Amusing mystery? Something like that. It has a similar feel to Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies. Where yes, people are being un-alived by someone, but it doesn’t have a gruesome feel, and instead of being gripped by fear, you’re just kind of chuckling along reading it.

The pace of this book is consistently fast. There’s actually two separate mysteries to be solved, so that keeps things interesting, as well. And I appreciated how the author had the main character work through her deductions, or explain how she was doing things like trying to unlock a secret panel. It just made it seem like the author really knew what she was talking about, or did her research. I loved learning about San Francisco, too. I’d love to take a Serial Killer tour out there! (Or just one in general.)

Just for keeping me so glued to this mystery, I’m rounding my rating up. If you’re looking for a fun mystery, to read or listen to, you should pick this one up!

4.5 rounded up

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
The title and the premise of this book (San Francisco, daughter of a famous killer gives murder tours as a side hustle) sounded like it would be interesting and quirky.
But. I don't like Capri, she's way too scatterbrained to actually be doing ok with her life. She depends on her ex-in-laws to support her adult daughter. Her ex-husband is horrible and no sane person should still be making allowances for an ex like that.
The Serial Killer tours are limited to the odd chapter header and don't really add much to the plot.
Of course she ends up as one of the prime suspects for a murder that copycats the ones her father was accused of. I found her relationship with the investigating detective to be quite unrealistic, and the plot just descends into chaos for the last 1/3 of the book. The ending is so stock and the protagonist's behaviour is so dense that it's hard to read.
The first person narration style really didn't work for me either - I guess the author is going for train-of-thought but a lot of time Capri's weird extended similes are just off putting. There's a lot of odd language too - words like indignance and rathered (and the recurring use of meth-infested/meth-addled as inappropriate adjectives)? There are simple but glaring errors that should have been caught by a basic read through or spellcheck.
I'm generously giving it 2 out of 5 for the initial idea, and the fact that it did reach a conclusion, but I wouldn't recommend this book to a dedicated mystery reader.

Not the best thing I’ve read all year but still enjoyed it. I would definitely read more from this author.

Capri (I actually forgot her name by the time I was writing this review) is a divorced single mom who makes her living hosting serial killer tours in San Francisco. She is also the granddaughter of a accused serial killer Overkill Bill. Now years after his conviction and death, a copy cat is stirring up trouble and everyone is looking at Capri.

I enjoyed this book 80% of the book. It is a great cozy mystery type book with a amateur sleuth. I do feel like some parts of the plot was rush definitely when it came to the ending of the book and the conclusion of her grandpa.

I also now want more. Michelle gave us a almost romance and then took it away.

I would definitely read more by this author or if Capri’s storyline becomes a series.

Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery
APK: Ebook
Pages: ?? Not listed on Amazon
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone