This book follows 3 ‘characters’, Jess Pendle, Sophie Salam and The Caretaker. Jess is a woman who suffered from domestic abuse and starts to attend a support group with women who have lived similarly. Then the killings start performed by The Caretaker, who is in turn investigated by police officer Sophie Salam.

I first wanted to state that I liked Jess and the other women from the group, Kelly Maddison and Hannah. However, I did not like Sophie. Her character fell flat to me and her persoective just wasn’t interesting to me as it didn’t necessarily contribute much to the story. The book has just one twist which is revealed pretty early on in the book, which was fine since it fits the story. I did think however, that once you know the twist The Caretaker isn’t that well written prior to the twist as his perspective then does not fit quite right with what is revealed later. I also think that Sophie getting her suspicions through ‘gut feeling’ was kinda boring since no evidence is supporting this feeling of hers.

The writing style was nice though and the book reads auickly but I do think it could have been more innovative in it’s plot and some of the character work.


Thank ONE MORE CHAPTER and NetGalley for the Arc.

When i requested this, it was really because the title made me so curious. I really enjoyed this book! It’s one of those stories where you’re so sure you know whats going on, but you really don’t! Kept me wondering until the very last sentence! It’s easy to get attached to the characters, and i found myself rooting for “the bad guy” more than once. 100% worth reading!

I love a book when I think I have it all figured out and then i don’t at all. Really short choppy chapters that I absolutely flew through. Really important messages laced throughout as well!!

Serial Killer Support Group by DB Stephens is a darkly entertaining and fast-paced thriller with a unique premise. Blending horror and dark humor, it delivers suspense, sharp dialogue, and a cast of intriguing characters. While the concept is engaging, the execution can feel a bit rushed at times. A fun, gruesome read for fans of unconventional horror.

4/5

I went in to this book blind because I was so intrigued by the title alone. And it did not disappoint! I was afraid that the story of domestic violence against women would be sensationalised and would not be told with the respect it deserved since the author is male. But I was wrong! The author showed again and again that he understands the complexity of violence against women and how the abusers manipulate and keep violating women even after they leave the relationship. The most dangerous time for a woman is when she leaves a violent relationship and I feel like this is somewhat represented in this book.

But, for the story itself I found myself holding my breath from time to time because I was afraid for what was going to happen. I really enjoyed the female rage and female power represented in the story and even though I’m not for the notion “an eye for an eye” I really liked the way the author used revenge as a way to question society and the legal system and the way it treats women subjected to male violence. The story makes you think, question and want to make a difference for violence against women.

It was well written, fast paced and I had a hard time putting the book down when it was time for sleep or you know, get back to my everyday life. I loved the short chapters and how they switched point of views between characters.

The reason for the 4/5 stars is that the ending felt a bit rushed and I wasn’t satisfied with leaving the characters and story so abruptly. In the acknowledgement it’s described as the first book in a series so I understand it better now. But. For such a well written story I wished for a more satisfying ending.

Very interesting and thrilling read

jess is a great character who finds a support group, that gives her more than she was expecting!

pretty great book with some interesting vibes. definitely an interesting read playing with morality. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

The Serial Killer Support Group is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller that captivated me from beginning to end. What begins as a safe haven for survivors quickly spirals into a darker, more dangerous situation when their therapist suddenly disappears. Left to navigate the chaos on their own, these women are forced to confront not only their pasts but also the lengths they’re willing to go to in order to protect one another.

D.B. Stephens crafts a suspenseful and twisted tale, full of tension and unexpected twists, with morally ambiguous characters that keep you guessing. For fans of thrillers that explore the murky boundaries between justice and vengeance, this book is an absolute must-read!

This book is okay. I wanted to love it, based on the blurb. Instead I liked it a little. The idea is good. Some of the execution of it wasn't always seen through. I'd liked to have seen some of the other women fleshed out a bit more too.

★★★★★ A Dark and Gripping Read!

The Serial Killer Support Group is a chilling, fast-paced thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. What starts as a safe space for survivors quickly turns into something much darker when their therapist leaves. Left to their own devices, these women must decide how to cope—and how far they’re willing to go to protect each other.

D.B. Stephens delivers a suspenseful, twisted story filled with tension, unexpected turns, and morally complex characters. If you love thrillers that blur the lines between justice and revenge, this book is a must-read!

I went into the Serial Killer Support Group believing I was reading Serial Killer Support Group by Saratoga
Schaefer. I was 15% into the book when I realized this, clearing up my confusion about when we were finally going to get to the support group. This book tells the stories of several women that belong to a support group for female domestic violence survivors. The story alternates POV between Jess, one of the DV survivors, and The Caretaker who is running around killing the perpetrators of the female support group members, as well as the lead detective Sophie who is trying to solve the murders. I’m really glad I stuck with this book after realizing it wasn’t the book I hoped to read, because it turned out to be quite good. I had my suspicions about who The Caretaker was, but found myself anxiously anticipating learning their true identity. The stories of the women while devastating gave a realistic portrayal into the concerns that survivors of domestic violence face. I highly recommend giving this book a read if you’re a fan of mystery/thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for an arc copy of The Serial Killer Support Group in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins/One More Chapter for the ARC of this book. The premise of this is great but it leaves a lot to be desired. I found some inconsistencies in the story and a ton of unanswered questions. It was mostly a fun read but just not for me.

This is the first book I have read by this author but certainly won't be my last.
The first half of the book had the plot laid out to me and I was wary that it was at risk of being repetitive as the caretaker, whom I thought had been clearly identified, set about his job of killing men who abused their partners. However, 51% in and what a twist was thrown in. I certainly didn't see that coming!! The second half was pacy with an ending I certainly didn't see coming. An open ending....can't decide if I would like to have seen it end differently.

I really enjoyed this book although appreciate it wouldn't be everybody's choice due to the content, particularly as the lack of the law system highlights the challenges these victims face.

Thank you for this ARC.

This book joins an assortment of highly popular books, TV series and films to explore the issue of righteous murder, including in the context of domestic abuse (think, Dexter, Jessica Jones, and Enough, but also novels like Sarah Naughton's The Mothers). There are some thrills, scares, and some repulsive moments. It is not all for the faint of heart, but then, nor is life. The pacing is good. This read can rollick along if you want it to, although readers might want to step away and take it in small doses because of some of the subject matter. Stephens doesn't shy away from the horror of domestic violence, which is very much to his credit.

This is really a book of two halves. We spend approximately the first half on the question: "Who Is The Caretaker?" We join Jess Pendle on her search for support and independence away from an abusive partner, Lewis, while at the same time being introduced to The Caretaker, who attacks another man who we understand was, himself, an abuser. Jess finds a support group, but The Caretaker seems to be spiralling ever closer to them. In the second half, secret identity revealed, we ask ourselves: "How far will The Caretaker go?"

Because this is the first of a series, the risk to The Caretaker is only mild in the second half when we are supposed to worry about not only the ethics of The Caretaker's activities but also the prospect of The Caretaker's capture. The police are to be evaded, sure, but their proximity is more ambiguous than directly threatening. There's little risk of arrest and imprisonment in this first entry. There are also some elements left hanging irresolutely that might have been managed differently to create some more suspense for the second instalment. I don't really mind this. I'm a chronic re-watcher and re-reader; the lack of suspense isn't too much of a deterrent. But I think it could have been done a little more tidily, for example with Detective Sergeant Salam's own circumstances.

The pseudonym 'DB Stephens' is adopted specifically for this series, I believe. I haven't read any of Darren O'Sullivan's previous books, but would happily go to his backlist for more.

I love a good mystery, especially one that serves justice to the bad guy. Fans of thrillers and Dexter will want to add this to their tbr. It was a great read on a recent plane ride!

This is a unique and gripping read.

Jess has joined a group for women who have suffered abuse at the hands of their partners and when the partners start turning up dead it is a mystery for everyone.

This book has tackled the theme of domestic violence superbly. It is dark and intriguing and one of those books that most readers will find fascinating..

It's fabulous

The Serial Killer Support Group by D.B. Stephens
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

With a title like The Serial Killer Support Group, I had to know more—and this thriller did not disappoint. Fast-paced and darkly intriguing, it follows a group bound by a chilling connection, unraveling secrets and moral dilemmas along the way.

Stephens keeps the tension high with sharp twists and a blend of psychological suspense and dark humor. While some characters are more developed than others and the ending felt a bit rushed, the gripping premise and nonstop momentum kept me hooked.

A solid pick for fans of unique, fast-paced thrillers with a dark edge!

Special thanks to Harper Collins/OMC and NetGalley for sharing an early release copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! What a read! It took very little time for this one to get me hooked and I could hardly put it down to sleep.

Pacy, disturbing, gripping - what more is there to say? Good characterisation as well.

I'm going to have to read the next ones in the series when they come out.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read this ARC via NetGalley!

Summary: this book follows the journey of a girl called Jess who is currently in an abusive relationship. She attends a support group for women who have suffered domestic abuse, and makes some friends. Then, a killer begins to kill the ex’s of the girls in the group, and we find out who this is and why they did it.

What I liked:
- this book is such a genuine and accurate description of abuse, how abuse can make you feel, and how it seeps into every aspect of your life. It felt real, there was no ‘gimmicky’ aspects. It was a respectful portrayal
- the characters are so loveable and funny. The character building is great; there’s enough time for us to know the characters, and it doesn’t go on for an age
- the pace of the book was excellent. This book had me hooked from the very beginning, and I was desperate to continue reading and consume it
- there are some unpredictable twists and turns to keep you on your feet
- the whole book in general tbh. It was such an enjoyable read. It was comedic but not cringe, it was relevant to today’s times, and it was just so excellently written. I’ll be waiting for the next one 👀

Rating: 5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

I’m a big fan of this author’s books and this is my favourite so far.

Jess has had enough of the physical abuse by her partner and through a referral joins a domestic abuse support group. She becomes friends with the other women who start to find their own abusers now being victims by a vigilante calling himself the Caretaker. Things escalate quickly with Jess accidentally becoming friends with Sophie, the detective in charge of the case trying to find the Caretaker.

I very much liked the writing style and even though a little far-fetched, the story tackles the moral dilemma of whether a vigilante can be classed as a hero or a criminal. I found it thought provoking and really enjoyable with some nice twists to keep things interesting and some great characters too. The ending leaves it open for a second book which will be great to see how the characters develop further on an already solid base. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the book in return for an honest review.