Thank you to NetGalley for my arc of this book!!

This is a great murder mystery book that just begs to be read over a cozy weekend while you’re curled up with a blanket.
It did slow down for me a bit in the middle but I loved how it ended and it managed to shock me when everything was revealed!
I would definitely read more books by this author in the future!

This book started out strong and I was really enjoying it but somewhere along the way it lost steam. There were a lot of unnecessary details and the story started to drag. I may have enjoyed it more if it was a bit shorter I’m not sure. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Capri Sanzio was a child when she found out who her grandfather was. He was a known serial killer in the area, and serving his time in prison, though her parents always said he was dead. Now there is a copycat killer in town, and when Capri’s mother in law turns up dead, the police immediately suspect Capri and her daughter, Capri won’t go down without a fight though, she is determined to solve the case.

I listened to this one and it had me from the first paragraph. I cannot imagine being a child and finding out my grandfather was a serial killer. I loved that Capri was not willing to give up finding out who the actual murdered was and the many crazy things she did to find out the truth. Hearing about actual killers is always adds to the story, while also bringing a different level of creepiness. This one kept me guessing and I could not stop listening.

Thank you to @minotaurbooks and @macmillan.audio for my gifted copy of this book!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on September 24, 2024.

I was expecting a gritty quirky mystery but got a cozy mystery which I'm not a fan of. However, I can recognize a well crafted story even if it's not a preference of mine. The premise was interesting and this will be an entertaining read for lovers of cozy mystery

Based on the title, I wasn’t sure which direction this would go. Thriller, cozy mystery, something else.

There’s something counterintuitive hearing about Overkill Bill overkilling sex workers but the lack of swearing you get in a cozy mystery. Other than that, it works. Capri is a heroine over 40 and living her best life. She’s smart and competent yet flawed and normal. The reader learns about San Francisco, the dangers of fraud, and how treacherous it can be to stay in the 1% society circle.

A fun debut. I’d enjoy visiting San a Francisco with Capri again. 4/5

A little bit of San Francisco history in the middle of an old and a new who done it. Overkill Bill has a current day copycat serial killer and his granddaughter Capri is determined to find out who the real killer is and set the record straight. Fun read with interesting characters and twists and turns along the way.
Many thanks to NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun read. I love that it included serial killer tours, adding a little touch of something special. While it was not exactly what one pictures as a cozy mystery, it had elements of it. Capri is trying to forgive her grandfather's memory when suddenly she finds herself being the suspect of a murder. We get behind the scenes to see how tours are set up, though instead of seeing Hollywood stars' homes, it's on serial killers. Which sounds so fun and like a perfect time. There are many difficult moments as Capri does her investigation, and sometimes it seems like the mystery will never be solved.

Loved this mystery! I couldn’t put it down! Capri was a great main character with her sophistication and curious personality. There was lots of action and a few plot twists. I also enjoyed the historical insights shared through Capri’s Crime Tours of the city. I highly recommend this book and the audiobook to all mystery fans!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I hate to be a hater, but this book was just not up my alley. I was expecting more of a quirky thriller but this was a very Slow-burn cozy mystery, the kind that I try to avoid. The mystery also centers around a white collar financial crime which was Excruciating to listen to. I also wasn't a fan of the Amateur detective protagonist, who took multiple pages to understand who the killer was even after they flat out told her. Lastly, I hated the detective who essentially ignored and undermined her the entire book, then asked her out on a date at the end. That's supposed to be an aww moment? Ick.

Perfect for fans of the Finlay Donovan series.

Capri Sanzio makes a living off serial killers, she owns a tour company that hits hot spots of killings and serial killings in San Francisco. Some could say serial killing is in her blood since her grandfather is the renowned Overkill Bill, although he maintained his innocence for years. The problem is now a copycat killer is back using the signature of Overkill Bill. Was her grandfather innocent? Her father refuses to talk about his father, but Capri has always been fascinated by his history. Now is the chance to Capri to find out more about her grandfather, if he really was Overkill Bill, and find the new killer using Overkill Bill's signature.

This is a cozy mystery, that's sure to be a series, that's perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan. It has a dash of mystery and humor, that's present in that series. I loved the character of Capri and would definitely take one of her tours, if they were real. Although I guessed the twists, it didn't bother me as I was invested in the overall story. I really hope this isn't the last we see of Capri, her daughter, and her friends.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

Capri Sanzio grew up knowing that she is the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer. When a copycat appears, she knows she needs to find a way to prove his innocence.

This contemporary mystery is quite the thrilling page turner. I didn't find any of the descriptions to be overly graphic but still accurately set the scene. As someone who is quite familiar with San Francisco, it was nice to see mentions of not only popular landmarks but some of the individual neighborhoods as well. There were a few small twists, just enough to keep anyone guessing.

I highly recommend the audiobook which is narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. She does a fantastic job keeping a good sized cast of characters differentiated.

Overall, I enjoyed both the book and audiobook. I look forward to seeing more work from this author in the future.

I voluntarily read, listened to, and reviewed advanced copies of this book and audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Capri Sanzio, has always had an interest in serial killers ever since she learned her grandfather was William “Overkill Bill” Sanzio. Even though until his death in prison he always maintained his innocence. As an adult she has turned this interest into a career by giving serial killer tours of San Francisco. When copycat killer uses the Overkill Bill signature, not once but twice, Capri finds herself drawn into the investigation. Not wanting to end up wrongly imprisoned like her grandfather she works to clear her family’s name before the killer strikes again.

For true crime lovers and amateur sleuths this will be right up your alley. Chouinard is very thorough in her writing so you feel as if you have all the details every step of the way. That being said there are still enough red herrings in the mix to keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC e-book.
The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco was a dark but humorous read. It was a thrilling journey through the city’s notorious history. There was a perfect blend of humor, storytelling, real-life crime lore, and suspense. It was a very cleverly written novel from start to finish. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend anyone who enjoys the crime/mystery genre to read this one. San Francisco is a city that has always fascinated me and I hope to visit one day. Great book!

If you are fans of the tv show Only Murders In the Building and/or the Finlay Donovan mystery series by Elle Cosimano, this novel is perfect for you. Part cozy mystery, part horror it is an enjoyable read from start to finish.

Single mom, Capri Sanzio, is just trying to make ends meet as a "serial killer themed tour guide" in San Francisco. Willing to cater to the tourists, she has a unique perspective as the grand-daughter of the famed serial killer, William "Overkill Bill" Sanzio and a hook to draw the crowds in. When her ex-mother-in-law is murdered by a copycat killer, Capri is determined to stay out of the police's spot light.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for giving me the opportunity to read this novel.

I love the cover of this book so much fun!

I love true crime and i loved this book. Was fun and just a good palette cleanser. Had mystery and just made you laugh in certain areas.

I would read this again and i will read more from this author.

Loved it.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Light-hearted crime/mysteries like this are having such a resurgence right now! A fun addition to the genre and a unique premise.

This book intrigued me from the beginning! It reminded me a bit of the Aunties books and I was so excited for some fun and quirky mysteries! However, sadly, it fell a little flat for me. It was fun in parts but then other parts got long and dragged. All in all, it was fun and cute but could have used a bit of trimming down as well.

Thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had such a fun diverse of characters and an intriguing plot centered around an old murder case!

4.25 stars

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting with this book, based on the title and all. But it was a surprisingly fun, twisty thrill ride of a story!

The whole premise is the main character, Capri Sanzio, gives serial killer/true crime tours of various areas in San Francisco, with people lining up to take her tours due to her distinctive pedigree of being the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer. But all her life she's actually been convinced that her grandfather didn't commit the crimes he was accused of. So what happens when someone starts copycat killing in San Francisco based on her grandfather's well-publicized MO? Maybe this is just the chance Capri needs - she's on the edge of broke and needing money for her daughter's college fees because her rich ex-mother-in-law just cut them off. So she decides to look into the possibility of clearing her grandfather's name and bankrolling the whole story into a tell-all podcast and book deal. Until... the next murder victim just happens to be said ex-MIL. Soon the cops won't leave Capri alone and start looking pretty closely at both her and her daughter as prime suspects in these new killings. Now what?

Writing style was easy to follow and very enjoyable to read. The whole plot was great; I didn't figure out too many things ahead of time and was honestly surprised by a couple big twists in the story. The tour guide element was pretty fun as well, and I feel like I learned some interesting tidbits about the true crime history of San Francisco.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Michelle Chouinard, and St. Martin's Press for giving me a free digital advanced readers copy of the book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided voluntarily.