Member Reviews
Two mysteries in one book. Nothing like I expected. First, I love Capri's career and the bits that came up in the story. Definitely peaked my curiosity. Second, I actually liked Capri and her friends. The mysteries were typical but I think that grounds the story. And I can see potential for a series. Well done.
I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Books for the ARC.
I feel like the cover and the book are two different vibes which is a little misleading. I did not expect a murder the first three pages of the book. The writing was good and the character were well written.
This was a fun mystery with a unique perspective and quirky characters. This is the story of Capri, who gives tours of sites of serial killings in San Francisco. She also happens to be the granddaughter of a serial killer herself, and winds up at the heart of a murder mystery. I really enjoyed the protagonist being a woman in her 40s and getting to really feel like I was in San Francisco. I do think the pace of the story dropped off a bit toward the middle/end and I wasn't surprised by the ending. Overall, a fun more lighthearted murder mystery that's perfect for a cozy weekend read.
Thank you Net Galley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and honestly review this title.
A really mixed bag. Some of this was so much fun— the mysteries themselves, the true crime facts interspersed between chapters, the way information unfolded. However, I don’t think either of the reveals were very satisfying (partly because I got something in my head that I thought was very good and then it went absolutely nowhere which is the biggest mood-killer when reading mysteries) and being in Capri’s mind was absolutely exhausting sometimes. Her constant similes were extremely grating and some of her actions made me want to shake her. It was very effective in communicating her character but still obnoxious to read and made her feel somewhat immature.
I loved this! It was so different from other books I read. It kept my interest through the whole book. I like how quirky it was and the story line was different from other books I would usually go for. I thought it was such a fun read.
The ending! Every good mystery/thriller needs a good ending and this one was fantastic. I was feeling a little lackluster about the story - the main character kept making dumb choices which is the number one thing that I hate in a mystery - but the ending redeemed everything. I am glad I didn't DNF. I would even read a second book (if she writes one) becuase the chemistry between the main character and the lead cop is delightful. I do have to say, the fact that the lead character keeps saying "tush" would throw me off - it's a book about murders and murderers and you can't say butt?? It made me more irritated than it should have, I admit.
A fun read revolving around family drama, true crime and a serial killer on the loose. Anyone who loves the true crime genre and mysteries will love this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley
I appreciate NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review. 3.5/5 is my rating. Although I loved the idea of Capri (granddaughter of the serial killer "overkill bill) trying to solve the mystery of who the copycat killer was and to prove that her grandfather wasn't the "overkill bill" killer, it did feel a bit too slow at times.
Capri Sanzio has a unique job in that she does serial killer tours around San Francisco. She is the grand daughter of serial killer-Overkill Bill. She always believed in his innocence.
Now, someone is killing socialites and mimicking Overkill Bill methods.looking Capri and her daughter are now suspects. The only way out is for her to solve the mystery herself. She must dig into her families past and try and find a link to what is going on now.
I loved this book as it is a combination of family drama, who done it and a cold case. I wasn’t exactly sure who the murders were but it kept me guessing until the end. Parts of this book had me laughing as it has some great one liners.
What I liked:
-Learning about San Francisco
-Who done it mystery to solve
-Family Drama
-Fast Pace Thriller
Thank you @netgalley @minotaurbooks @stmartinspress for arc copy.
DNF at 50%
I really wanted to like this but the plot was really slow and the characters were really annoying to me.
Serial killers, thrillers, mystery’s are my buzz words for a great story but this was just to “cozy mystery” for my liking.
Capri is the owner of a tour company that specializes in murders and other crimes that occurred in San Francisco. She is also the grand-daughter of a alleged serial killer. One day, murders begin happening in the city with a similar MO and one of the victims is her ex-mother-in-law. Capri has such a tenacious attitude towards justice and she won't stop until she finds out the truth. About these copycats and the original murders.
I think readers who enjoyed A Good Girl's Guide to Murder would also enjoy this read. If you're chasing the same feeling AGGGTM gave you, check this one out!
Overall I enjoyed this read. It was a bit slower for me in the beginning, but when the action picked up, it didn't stop coming.
The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco is a great little mystery full of family drama. This book sucked me in from the beginning & kept me hooked until the end. Ironically, its a funny murder mystery- very unique story. I definitely recommend this book!!
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, & Minotaur Books for the ARC copy of this book.
This is a great little murder mystery book with family drama and a cold case to boot. I liked the main character, Capri and think she is a smart, strong, determined character and dives in head first to make sure she isn't held responsible for a murder she didn't commit. I will say I was surprised about who the killer ended up being and I didn't see it coming. I liked the descriptions of San Francisco and Alcatraz and having visited SF several years back it brought back memories.
I think this book will appeal to many readers who are looking for an engaging, thought filled murder mystery.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Michelle Chouinard for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Capri a woman born and raised in San Francisco has always had a shadow hanging over her head being the granddaughter of a serial killer. When her past comes to light again after a copycat killer strikes and her ex-mother-in-law is the victim she realizes she needs to step in to clear her family's name. Capri dives into her past drawing connections to the present and creating the twists in this book that end up bringing her family closure.
Right off the bat the cover and title drew me into this book and I was glad to find the story was just as compelling!
Thank you, NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Title: The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco
Author: Michelle Chouinard
Rating: 4/5 Stars
"The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" by Michelle Chouinard is a chilling and gripping thriller that takes readers on a dark and twisted journey through the streets of San Francisco. With its atmospheric setting, complex characters, and spine-tingling plot, this novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
The story centers around protagonist Sarah, a true crime enthusiast who becomes entangled in a web of mystery and danger when she stumbles upon a series of gruesome murders that seem to follow the pattern of infamous serial killers. Determined to uncover the truth behind the killings, Sarah teams up with FBI agent Dylan, and together they embark on a thrilling investigation that leads them deep into the heart of San Francisco's darkest secrets.
Chouinard's writing is both evocative and suspenseful, drawing readers into the gritty underbelly of the city and keeping them guessing until the very end. The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that will leave readers breathless and eager to unravel the mystery alongside the characters.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its character development, particularly with regards to Sarah. As she delves deeper into the investigation, Sarah must confront her own demons and grapple with the consequences of her obsession with true crime. Her journey of self-discovery adds depth and complexity to the narrative, elevating it beyond a typical thriller and giving it emotional resonance.
The supporting cast of characters is equally compelling, with each member bringing their own secrets and motivations to the table. From enigmatic suspects to morally ambiguous allies, Chouinard populates the story with a diverse array of personalities that keep readers guessing and invested in the outcome.
While "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" may not be for the faint of heart, it offers a thrilling and immersive reading experience for fans of the genre. Chouinard's meticulous attention to detail and knack for building tension make this novel a standout in the crowded landscape of crime fiction.
Overall, "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that will leave readers eagerly awaiting Michelle Chouinard's next literary offering. With its dark and atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and twisty plot, this novel is sure to satisfy even the most discerning fans of the genre.
The serial killer guide to San Francisco is mystery crime novel about a woman who's grand father was one of the big serial killers in the 60s/70s. Now there is a copy cat on the loose and the latest victim is Sylvia, her ex mother in law. The cops believe she is the killer, so she needs to use her skills as a journalist and true crime tour guide to clear her and her daughter's name.
This book started off decently strong however it lost me towards the middle. I liked the main character capri, I thought the story was interesting and a unique take on a mystery crime novel. It grabbed me at the beginning and I was curious to see where the novel would take us.
I also liked the pre chapter scenes where we got information about the San Francisco and what the characters would be getting for information on the tours. I thought that was clever.
Where the book lost me was the middle. I got about half way through and noticed the author is doing alot of "telling" instead of "showing". The main character capri has a lot of conversations with herself about the evidence and the plot and it just isn't my favorite way of learning information. And because of this the book isn't suspenseful. It didn't leave me wanting to turn the page.
That left the middle feeling really slow and made the pace of the book feel off. It also felt like the ending and the twist came super quick and felt like there could have been more there.
I also felt like there was an emphasis on the serial killer grandpa thing and that ended up being a very small part of the book and feel like that needed to play a bigger role.
I think it just could have used a bit more editing as the overall idea is a cool one! I also like the title, but I also think it could use a bit of editing to reflect the story a bit more!
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in return for an honest review.
"The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" was a fresh, exciting crime fiction read. It was neither fast-paced nor slow-burning but more of a steadily intriguing pace. The author's writing style was easy to read. The main character was smart and savvy, making rooting for her easy. I liked the historical elements and the supporting characters, especially Capri's co-workers.
On account of the uniqueness of the storyline and that fabulous cover, I'm giving it 4.5 stars rounded up. This was my first Michelle Chouinard book, and I'll pick up more of her work!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was really excited to read The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco! I was sucked in from the beginning & didn't want to put the book down. I read some other reviewers saying it was slow, but I personally didn't think so. This book has murder, mystery, family drama, & some local history. Michelle Chouinard did a good job describing all of the characters & setting up the plot. The main character, Capri, has a sense of humor & a serious determination to find answers. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for the ARC of this book.
What a fantastic book. Well put together and keeps your interest throughout the whole story. Not to mention it’s about serial killers and my favorite city. This is a book. I would definitely recommend anyone to read.
Following Capri through her journey to find out more about her family heritage as the granddaughter of serial killer "Overkill Bill" as well as investigate copy cat murders of someone very close to her. Overall, I really enjoyed Capri as a character. She felt super strong willed, intelligent, and kept together. Additionally, the authors writing is incredible. I truly believe Michelle Chouinard knows how to write a darn good book, but i had major gripes with a bit of the plot in this book. Unfortunately, this book tried to do too much and cram it in to feel unique. From the 'perfect' ending that did feel a bit rushed, a weird attraction, too convenient lining up evidence, wanting to make a podcast?, etc. The list can go on. I believe the author knew what they wanted to convey in this book and popped in pieces to make sure everything lined up how they wanted. I struggled in the beginning, but towards the end it did pick up and I did enjoy it. I would recommend it to a friend who is new to the genre and looking for something easy to follow with big payoff.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!