Capri Sanzio is a serial killer tour guide having been interested in the subject since she was a child. She found out that her grandfather was the notorious serial killer "Overkill Bill". She never thought he was guilty but didn't know how to prove it. When a copycat hits San Francisco she feels like now is the time to prove his innocence. With the case back in the news and unexpected road bumps in her way Capri decides a podcast might help her not only show his innocence but earn herself some money as well. Things turn bad when her exp mother-in-law turns out to be the copycats next victim putting her in the hot seat. Follow along as she tries prove her own innocence as well.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book, because I love listening to true crime podcasts but don't really read a lot of stories about murders or serial killers. I knew from page 1 that I was going to enjoy this, the writing style was fantastic, and Capri had a level of sass that I really love in a protagonist. I also appreciate her quirks, like eating pickles when stressed, as that added a lot of depth to her character that some authors forget to add. I also loved the mystery side of it, and how the past and present were intertwining to help solve the case (and I'm so glad both cases get solved because I HATE unsolved mysteries), and how the trauma of her family history impacted Capri's relationships with others in the book. All the side characters were well written and didn't feel forced in or unnecessary, and I really enjoyed reading the 'blog posts' about the history of the area's crimes, it felt like we were a part of the fan base for Capri's tours. I'm sad that I finished this book so quickly honestly, because I wanted it to last far longer than it could have ever lasted, it was just that good!

This mystery was dragged and Capri was not a riveting main character. Her decisions and actions didn’t always make sense. Overall the story did not keep my attention and feel flat for me.

Got to love a cozy mystery that includes serial killer tours a possible serial killer grandfather and a spunky slightly older heroine. This book had me at the title and I was hooked from page one. What's not to love about diving in a true crime case that may or may not involve a family member. My true crime loving heart just loved that aspect of the book. And Capri might just be my new favorite cozy heroine.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

@netgalley
@stmartinspress

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Capri loves San Francisco. She makes a living giving guided serial killer tours of the city. She’s the granddaughter of a notorious serial killer. A copycat killer is in town. Her mother in law is murdered and she decides to look into the case. She thinks her grandfather was wrongfully convicted. This was such an engaging and fun mystery! In a few parts it was a bit slow but overall I really enjoyed it.

#read #reading #readmorebooks #netgalley #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks #book #booklover #bookstagram #booknerd #bookaddict #truecrime #cozy #murdermystery #tbr #fun

Capri Sanzio is a divorcée who runs “Killer Crime Tours” in – where else?! – San Francisco. Ironically she herself is the granddaughter of a convicted serial killer “Overkill Bill”, although she believes in her heart that grandpa William was wrongly accused. Capri and her two business partners spend their days working passionately to create new and exciting scenarios for their tour patrons, and I’ve got to say the content is genuinely interesting and makes me wish they were real.

When two murders occur that not only copycat Overkill Bill but hit too close to home, Capri throws herself into the investigation. First, new-money wife Katherine (who is trying her hardest to move up in local social circles) is brutally killed. And then Capri’s own old-money grandmother Sylvia is murdered in the same fashion. Both are local socialites, but run in different circles. Katherine is rich from tech start-up money while Sylvia and her elite clique abhors any of the new neighbors who have moved in and – as they believe – don’t have any true connection to or feel any responsibility for San Francisco. What on earth is their connection? Before long both Capri and her daughter Morgan are both considered suspects thanks to their unfortunate lineage.

What did I like? I was hooked on Capri’s character and respected her determination. She was likeable and when she got a little obsessed with her personal investigation, I felt a sense of connection to her driven actions.

What didn’t I love? Well, honestly I thought there would be more murders. But in the end it was a captivating story and a few more killings wouldn’t have made it any better. And I’m not kidding, I’d sign up for the Alcatraz and the Hitchcock tours if I could.

Thanks St Martin’s Publishing Group & NetGalley for the free ARC, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

4.5 Stars

This was a really fun murder mystery, and I especially appreciated the fact that the protagonist was in her late forties. I think that so often women are written off as protagonists because of age. The twists were unexpected and the characters were really well written. I enjoyed it a lot.

Capri has made a living as a tour guide of San Francisco, specifically focusing on murderous history. Her tours are popular because she is the granddaughter of a famous serial killer - even if she believes he’s innocent. When murders start happening by an apparent copycat killer, Capri finds herself uncomfortably close.

Capri is a 40-something tour guide of San Francisco's most murdery sights. Her fascination with true crime started when, as a child, she found out that her grandfather was a convicted serial killer. She's always been convinced he was innocent, but when a new string of murders crops up on her home turf emulating her long-dead grandpa's supposed M.O., Capri is determined to solve the case. She wants to find out what really happened all those years ago, how it's connected to the present-day case, and beat other crime junkies to the story. Everything is going fine, until someone close to Capri is the next victim and she becomes the prime suspect. Dun dun dun....

This was a quick and fun read, and I really enjoyed the research aspect of the story along with the tour site details. There were several moments where I was like "...k" though, like Capri just happens to have friends who are never mentioned until they are suddenly there for convenient plot purposes like "my geneologist bestie" or "my attorney BFF". Also at the end of the book someone waves off serial murders from the 60s because "it was a different time" and that really cracked me up. If you won't get bogged down by some of those silly bits then you'll have a good time with this. I'd have enjoyed a little more on the podcast Capri was recording during the book, too, but overall this was a good time. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Capri Sanzio, granddaughter of a famous serial killer, gives serial killer tours to San Francisco. She decides to try to clear her grandfather's name and becomes an amateur sleuth as a result.

I wanted to read The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco because the unique premise was intriguing. I also liked the San Francisco setting.

This was a fun and indeed unique mystery! I liked Capri's work ethic and intelligence. I also LOVED the setting and the San Francisco information. I enthusiastically recommend this novel for other mystery fans!

***** Book Review

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco
By Michelle Chouinard

Recommended for: lovers of real cozy mysteries

Summary: Capri owns a tour company that takes guests around San Francisco and teaches them about the serial killers’ history based in San Fran and surrounding areas. We learn that Capri has a family history that makes her a perfect guide for this job! Her grandfather was an alleged serial killer from the 1970s. When her daughter needs money for graduate school, Capri begins research to make a podcast and write a book on the subject of her grandfather, Overkill Bill. This is a great plan until a copycat serial killer strikes someone close to Capri and her family become the main suspects.

Review: This book was a fun read. It did include many moving parts, but I never felt lost or overwhelmed. Capri’s job as a tour guide seemed like an afterthought, that was not truly necessary. Along the same lines, the love interest at the very end of the book seemed to come from nowhere, and was not needed.

Fun little mystery book for true crime lovers!

Combines all the good parts of a mystery but adds a more complex layer of true crime. It mentions the podcast world but doesn’t try to set one up during the book which is a very popular gimmick right now in books.

I would read more from the author! Thank you to NetGalley, Michelle Choinard, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books. I have written this review voluntarily.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC!

3.5 Stars

Title: The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco
Author: Michelle Chouinard
Pub Date: September 24, 2024

This one was such an unexpected blast! I hadn't heard of this author previously, but was sold on the fun title, cover, and synopsis. Given the cutesy colors and artwork on the cover, I expected this to be a light cozy mystery, and while it was more on the fun side than most thrillers, it still had some much deeper parts that took me by surprise.

Books containing a podcast element are ALL the rage lately and for good reason. It always adds an extra layer of fun! This one was based around famous serial killer "Overkill Bill" who just so happens to be the main character, Capri's, grandfather! Capri has one of the most unique job's I've ever heard of....a tour guide for serial killer tours....yes, you heard that right! Capri has been obsessed with serial killers her whole life (totally normal) and now that there is a copycat killer, she is on a mission to prove her grandfather innocent and clear his name!

This story kept me thoroughly entertained! I think this will appeal to a wide variety of readers!

If you are looking for a murder mystery with an exciting history in San Francisco regarding serial killers, this book is a must-read! Thank you, NetGalley, for this advanced reading copy for my honest review.

The book’s title and summary grab readers right away. The author wastes no time getting into the serial killer history of San Francisco while also detailing the landscape and backdrop of this beautiful city.

Capri Sanzio loves San Fransciso! She loves it so much she makes a living researching and guiding tours about serial killers. No! She is not a serial killer, but her grandfather was the infamous serial killer “Overkill Bill.” Allegedly! Her entire world is turned upside down when a woman turns up murdered exactly how her grandfather murdered his victims. Then, her ex-mother-in-law is found the same way, leading police to suspect Capri, which leads Capri to investigate the case and determine the truth as to who is behind the killings.

This book went through a couple of themes. The themes range from the mystery of her grandfather’s serial killer case to entrapment, bribery, cheating, social dynamics, and a little more. I thought the storyline and the plot was interesting. I didn’t figure out who the killer was until the end, but I wasn’t trying to uncover the mystery like usual. I found the unveiling of her family history to be sad. There was so much hurt and destruction over lies and cheating that it destroyed not only her father’s upbringing but also Capri’s upbringing and the relationship her father had with her daughter. Her in-laws were a mess, too! They were entitled because they were rich, came from old money, looked down on individuals new to money, and didn’t adhere to the rules. It was a lot, but it wasn’t too bad. I recommend it if you are looking for something different but with a twist.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it. So much fun!

In this book we follow Capri, who happens to be the granddaughter of a famous serial killer in San Francisco. Capri has the coolest job, she gives serial killer tours around San Francisco.
When capris former mother-in-law is murdered, she is determined to find out what happened to clear her and her daughter.
I rated this 3.5, due to the middle being a little slow. It picked up closer to the end which I enjoyed. Capri starts a podcast about her grandfather and I wish we got some of the podcast. Which would have gave us more information about him.

I liked the plot and the mystery, with the setting the best part of the book, but none of the characters came alive for me. I think the writing is just workable, not anything with any style or personality. I found myself skimming pages until another key plot point was revealed.

This book began so boring I can't even bother getting to any good parts I can't even come up with 100 characters to say about this book because it is boring

In this love letter to San Francisco, readers will have a wonderful time following Capri and her delightful snark as she guides serial-killer tours around San Francisco while trying to unravel the mystery of her wrongfully accused (in her mind, anyway) grandfather's journey into prison. In a twist of fate, the murders for which her grandfather is accused are linked to some current "copycat" killings. Different sections of San Francisco are featured in each place Capri goes to solve the intricate pieces of each mystery, and Chouinard does a great job of keeping readers both engaged and guessing what might happen next. The story masterfully weaves together both sets of murders, and by the time readers find out the truth, they won't see it coming (I sure didn't!). This page-turner of a novel is recommended for any and all library shelves and would also make a really good book club pick.

This was a fun, sort of cozy mystery. It wasn't the most original one I've read, but it was entertaining and the characters were likable. I wasn't expecting the grandfather's case to end so quickly, so that was a surprise. I thought it might carry on to a sequel, if there is one. As it was, I thought the ending wrapped things up nicely, but I still wouldn't mind seeing this book turn into a series.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

What to Expect:
🔪cozy mystery
🌁SF serial killer history
🔪slow paced
🌁divorcee rebuilds her life
🎧audio preferred over e-book
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Overall I enjoyed Capri’s journey of building up her serial killer history tour business, deep diving into her grandfather’s story (an imprisoned serial killer), while investigating her ex-MIL’s murder. With so much going on, I expected to be more captivated the entire time, but they lost me a bit by going into nitty gritty business details. So listening via audio where I could bump up the speed was preferred. I would have loved more from the budding romance, but that was still a nice touch. I think true crime lovers would especially enjoy the snippets of actual serial killer history included in each chapter.