I wasn’t really sure what to expect with this one — it obviously isn’t a cozy mystery but it isn’t a fast paced action thriller either.

I really am loving seeing middle aged characters and Capri is just that. She’s a divorcee, has a kid in grad school and works as a crime tour guide in San Fran … oh and she’s also the granddaughter of an alleged serial killer.

The plot felt really dense at times and there were sections that I skimmed over but it did keep my attention enough to finish it. I just wish there was more anticipation for the ending, it seems like it missed the mark.

I received an e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 57%. I really tried with this one. But I just felt like I had no desire to pick it up past the 100 page mark. I was initially intrigued by the synopsis as serial killers and mystery are some of my fav buzz words. The initial set up was good but then the overall story just started to drag. During the past week I’ve had to force myself to come back to it…leading me to my decision to just DNF it.

This reminded me a little bit of that movie Rumor Has It because of all the family drama and secrets! Yes, I realize these are two completely different since one is centered around a crime/murder, but just go with me! Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this one, I loved that as the reader, I was discovering everything with Capri, constantly shook with every new revelation. It was like we were in this together and I have to give kudos to the writing for making it feel that way. Even with all of the revealing things that came out, I never felt lost or confused on what was happening, if anything, I just wanted more drama! I also liked that Capri’s crush on the cop didn’t overwhelm or insert itself to much into the story, We stayed on track and I appreciated that!

Overall it was a great read! A morder mystery with family drama and some true crime facts creates for a fun and thrilling story and I’d definitely recommend!

I loved this book - binged it in a day! It was fun, witty, the whodunnit drama drawn out enough for interest, but not so much that it drug on. I enjoyed reading about characters NOT in their 20s/30s - 40 something’s can be MCs too. I wasn’t able to guess the culprit(s) ahead of reveal and I’m so thankful this was a novel and won’t be extended; I like when things all wrap up at the end of a book.

I was expecting this book to be a little more quirky... Once again, I realize this is probably due to the fact that I only read the first line or two of the synopsis and largely choose books based on the cover/title...
I enjoyed the "tour" moments throughout and really great descriptions of areas in San Francisco.
The mystery itself was just kind of underwhelming to me and I didn't like that there weren't actually enough clues throughout to have any hope of solving either mystery before the reveal...
Overall, it was an easy, fast, read and I would read more by this author, it just isn't a mystery that I'll be thinking about for weeks.

Capri Sanzio gives serial killer tours of San Francisco. She is the granddaughter of an infamous convicted San Francisco serial killer. When copycat murders occur both Capri and her daughter find themselves as suspects. As she works to clear herself and her daughter from suspicion from the police, she stumbles onto some surprising and alarming information about her ex-mother-in-law and her finances. The plot comes together against the backdrop of San Francisco. The story was often humorous and the addition of Capri digging into her own family and her grandfather's conviction added a secondary story element that was very enjoyable. The author leans into several people not communicating and keeping secrets to bring us to an ending that was both a surprise and satisfying.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy.

Oh Michelle Chouinard, you lovely genius. I loved this book and am so excited to see where this new series takes us! Capri's credentials (True Crime being her career, granddaughter of a serial killer part of her identity) is a fresh take and provides a fun perspective on someone thrown into the middle of a murder investigation.

Because she's not a detective, Capri is able to explore out-of-left-field theories that would be hard to justify in a detective POV based story. Some of these theories are the ones I convinced myself over and over again were true!

I flagged the murderer in the beginning, but was thoroughly convinced I was wrong and set my sights in someone else. It kept me guessing, even with trying to figure out what the motive was and what the connection to the old serial killer case was.

I do wish there was more about the cold serial killer cases, but that investigation is second burner to the active murder investigations that pull Capri in, so I understand why there wasn't more focus on it. Don't get me wrong, it was an important part of the story and provides the reasoning behind WHY the killer chose the inspiration he did, I just think cold cases are interesting 🤷🏼‍♀️

Anyway, this book was an absolute delight and I can't wait for more Capri!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

I enjoyed San Francisco as a character in this book. The overall book was okay, though some of the elements didn't really add up or didn't feel like they were used to their full effect. The fact that Capri is working on a podcast about her grandfather (who supposedly was a serial killer) continues in the background, but is the thing that's supposed to help get her and her daughter out of financial trouble--I wish there'd been more of this in the actual narrative. The reveal of the killer and their reasons felt a bit too convoluted for me, though I thought the characters were interesting.

The Serial Killer Guide To San Francisco is a great and entertaining murder mystery mixed with family drama. Capri is the granddaughter of the famous serial killer "Overkill Bill", and having a great interest in serial killers, she is also a murder tour guide. She does fairly well, however, when her ex mother-in-law announces she will no longer be helping Capri's daughter with tuition funds, Capri is in desperate need of another source of income. She uses this as the opportunity to dig up her grandfather's past and write a book, proving his innocence. Unfortunately, this is right around the time when an 'Overkill Bill' copycat strikes, with her ex mother-in-law being one of the victims. Now Capri has to prove not only her grandfather's innocence, but hers and her daughter's as well.

This book is fast-paced and will keep you interested all the way through. I enjoyed the alt chapters that included facts on different killings and prisons. It was great to see how the writer incorporated those into the following chapters. Great read overall!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Michele Chouinard for this read!

This book was so clever! I always like when there are multiple layers to a mystery novel, and the mix of the current murders and the Overkill Bill case was a perfect balance. I wish we got more of Capri’s relationship with detective Petito at the end (maybe even just an epilogue!), but overall it was a great story.

Very cute serial killer crime book. I prefer books with unpredictable endings, but it was still a very fun read!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's press for allowing me to read an advanced copy and provide my honest opinion.

I truly enjoyed this cozy read. The plot anf mystery were the perfect combination. I enjoyed this book so much. I've already added it to my wish list.

This was a quick, cozy mystery! Being a NorCal native, I did enjoy the talk of familiar landmarks and the dynamic family drama that was dragged in. I do feel that the pacing was great at the start and seemed to drag on for a bit around the third act, but I enjoyed this book in one sitting anyways.

Thank you Michelle Chouinard and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This started out really strong - I loved the premise and the beginning 1/3 of the book was really engaging. From there it got pretty slow and was difficult to keep me interested. I think the idea of this novel was great, but it just felt a little lackluster to me. I wanted to enjoy it more, and would be willing to check out other books from this author.

I enjoyed the narrator's voice, but this was a little slow-moving for my taste.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard a clever mystery set in San Francisco. Capri is the granddaughter of Overkill Bill, a notorious serial killer who maintained his innocence until his death. Capri finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when a "copycat" kills a local socialite in the same manner as Overkill Bill.

This was a fun read. I found the story to be interesting, with the plot unfolding in a satisfying way. The characters were interesting and I thought the plot was unique. I'm not sure if there will be more books in this series but I would definitely read them or read other books by this author.

This was such a fun and interesting story line. It was fast paced and kept you guessing. I never saw the twist at the end coming. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This book was really good! I liked the almost true crime aspect of Capri giving tours revolving around killers. I thought both the historical and current case were super interesting and loved Capri!

I really enjoyed the way this story was written! The true crime aspect was done really well and throughout the story you are on your toes of who the killer is! The ending also threw me for a loop because I honestly didn’t know who killed Kathrine or Sylvia. If you enjoy true crime I would recommend this book!

Michelle Chouinard's novel, "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco," masterfully intertwines the vibrant tapestry of San Francisco with a gripping murder mystery that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Chouinard skillfully navigates the intricate plot, weaving together threads of suspense, family drama, and the quest for truth. The book does an exceptional job at capturing the essence of San Francisco, making the city itself a character that's as complex and intriguing as Capri. From the misty lanes of Alcatraz to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the setting enriches the narrative, pulling readers into a world where the past's shadows loom over the present. The mystery at the heart of the story is well-crafted, offering enough twists and turns to satisfy aficionados of the genre. The revelation of the killer's identity is both surprising and satisfying, a testament to Chouinard's ability to keep readers guessing. Moreover, the exploration of Capri's relationship with her notorious grandfather adds depth to the narrative, challenging readers to consider the implications of legacy and redemption. Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone fascinated by San Francisco's darker histories. Chouinard has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, ensuring that readers will be eagerly awaiting her next work.

Thank you to Michelle Chouinard, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

You can see an in depth review on my blog here: https://leylaslibrary.wordpress.com/2024/04/11/the-serial-killer-guide-to-san-francisco/