The title alone promises something wild, and I was in the mood for a thriller that’d keep me up past my bedtime. It’s got this premise that hooks you right away—imagine a therapy group gone rogue, filled with women who’ve been wronged, turning their pain into something dark and vengeful.

But while it had its moments, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me the way I’d hoped. While the concept initially intrigued me—the “you kill for me, I kill for you” dynamic teased in the blurb, reminiscent of the film Kill For Me (2013) and probably a couple of Lifetime movies, the execution left me with mixed feelings.

Jess Pendle joins a Domestic Violence support group after her boyfriend lands her in the hospital needing stitches. She’s expecting to connect with other women who’ve been through hell.

I love the idea of these women flipping the script—there’s something satisfying about seeing the underdog bite back. I enjoy a good read or movie in where a woman gets her lick.

Til about the fifty percent mark, it was starting to read a little Frieda McFadden: here, look this shiny gimmick, so you won’t look at the purse snatcher making off with your wallet. The limp thing with Geoff and The Caretakers POV being he/him had me had me second guessing the blurb.

Where it stumbled for me was pacing and depth. The buildup was tense, but then it felt like Stephens hit the gas too hard toward the end—everything wrapped up faster than my attempt to assemble a desk (which, trust me, was a disaster). I wanted more time with the characters, especially the group members. They’re a fierce bunch, and you root for them, but I didn’t know them as well as I’d have liked…. At all. Just that they hate abusers because they’re survivors of abuse. Which, yeah. But that’s pretty much a golem of a character in a DV support group.

The writing’s easy, though, and there’s a dark humor that sneaks in, which I appreciated. It’s gory at times, but not gratuitous; it fits the tone. Fans of fast-paced thrillers will probably eat this up, especially if you’re into that “justice served cold” vibe. Definitely worth a read if you’re curious, just don’t expect it to linger with you too long after the last page.

D B Stephens' The Serial Killer Support Group offers a unique and innovative take on the typical portrayal of serial killers, presenting a concept that feels both original and invigorating.

In this gripping narrative, Jess becomes part of a support group for survivors of domestic violence, where she connects deeply with a circle of women who resonate with her on a fundamental level. As they share their stories and uplift one another, their camaraderie intensifies, especially as their abusive partners start to meet the fate of a serial killer driven by a thirst for revenge.

A heartfelt thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for providing an ARC.

3.5 stars. I thought this book did a really good job of portraying partner abuse and autism. It showed how complicate partner abuse is and how difficult it is for the abused to get out of such a relationship. It also exemplified the inadequacies of the justice system when it comes to dealing with this issue.

My favorite chapters were the Caretaker’s, but be warned there are graphic murder scenes. About half way through, we find out who the Caretaker really is. While, it wasn’t a huge surprise, it made you rethink all the previous Caretaker chapters.

I am not familiar with UK laws, but I thought Becky, who I believe we never learn whether she is a therapist or just a community member, gave away the group members’ names too easily. There certainly might not be any legal confidentiality when it comes to support groups, but you would still think she would have fought a little harder to keep the group members confidential, especially the male members as they weren’t there when the police came.

Jess was a fine example of an abused person, but I felt like that was her whole personality. I didn’t feel like we really got to know her, or any of the other women in the support group. I just felt all the characters were fairly one dimensional.

I was wondering, especially since there was still 50% of the book left after finding out who the Caretaker was, how this book was going to end. I thought the story had a good ending on the plot of the Caretaker, but we were left with some unanswered questions on other plot points. I guess it was set as the beginning of a series, but I prefer books to be self-contained. Overall, this was a quick and easy read that I would recommend to anyone who likes vigilante justice stories.

***Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. All opinions within are my own****

3.5!

From the title alone I was instantly hooked.

Key thoughts:

- I really enjoyed the writing style! This was so easy to read, it didn’t feel heavy even though the subject matter at times, was and I appreciated that the author handled this in a sensitive but honest and realistic manner.

- The actual subject matter! not only was this well written and researched but the conversations within the book were current and widely addressed the issues that many people in DV situations are facing and the lack of support for those individuals. The fact this book is set in this year and we’re still having these conversations just shows how it’s still so misunderstood and how little has changed. I also appreciated that the author included a perpetrator within authority as well - a small detail but I think it’s again a great representation that these types of offenders are sometimes those we trust the most.

- The premise for this book was really intriguing, I loved following the support group. I related to the anger these women felt, the fear, the small glimpses of hope and happiness and the crushing feeling of nothing changing. As a woman I totally understood these women idolising “the caretaker” and it raised great moral questions about vigilantism and the issues within the current criminal justice system. The idea that this individual can be a bigger deterrent than the current “punishments” deemed by the law, is something that we can see within our current world landscape.

- I loved the other representations within this as well: autism and disability representations, working mums, financial restrains and responsibilities and of course victim hood.

- For me it was the later half of this book that lost the potential 4th star. Although I was enjoying it, I hadn’t warmed to Jess as much as I’d hoped and I also felt like it was rushing to find a conclusion. At times it felt like some of the supporting characters lacked depth. The 4 main female characters for example, I don’t feel like we had enough background for them all. I wish we’d seen more so that I really understood each of their individual motivations for attending the group.

- I will say whilst we had somewhat of an ending to this story we also entered a new start that I wasn’t expecting. I really hope that we can see more of “the caretaker” because this story can’t just be the end, it has so much more to give and I want to know what else happens for these women!

Overall, a fantastic read and I’ll definitely watching out for this author in the future! Thank you again to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a review!

This twisting tale with various characters was fantastic, I would have read this all in one sitting had life not got in the way, just loved everything about the story from the very begining to the end

The Serial Killer Support Group is about a group of women coming out of abusive relationships. They attend weekly support group sessions and begin to form supportive friendships, but then a serial killer called The Caretaker begins to target their exes. Are they in danger, too? Do they know the serial killer?

I liked the premise of this book, and it has a truly hooky title. The novel itself didn't live up to my hopes but I did keep reading to find out what was really going on and who the serial killer was. A lot of the action in the book is inside the characters' heads, which made for a slow read. It was also difficult to tell the characters apart. The women in the group aren't distinguished by much beyond what their crappy ex-partners did to them. The main character, Jess, is as generic as her name. She lives alone, she works with kids, her ex was terrible. That's about it.

I won't say much about the identity of The Caretaker to avoid spoilers, but when I got to the reveal I groaned. Not a fan.

It felt like the ending was setting things up for a sequel, so I'll be curious to see if this turns into a series. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.50 stars

I picked this book based on the name alone. Jess is a victim of dv and joins a group. After her joining the group we see similar violence against the groups perpetrators. The idea if vigilante justice is a cool concept. I did guess the ending early on and at times the book did drag but I still enjoyed the concept.

Jess is one of the millions of people that suffer at the hand of an abusive partner. At the beginning you see he fragile and scared but you see the growth and her sense of self blossom.

The support group is a source of comfort and support and connection with others that takes away the stigma

Then there is the caretaker who is confronting the attackers. Who is this mystery figure and will public opinion be for or against this figure.

I was holding my breath at the end just to find out how this story concluded

Brilliantly written book where you really begin to see into the lives of the key people including the detective investigating

Left me wanting more and to see how lives continued

Interesting premise! Starts off with us meeting Jess in the hospital because of DV. The staff is immediately suspicious and tries, safely, to get her to come forward with what is really going on. After, she joins a support group for people who were in situations like hers, and theeeen craziness ensues.
For those who like good for her, vigilante, and gore.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own!

When I read the title of this book, I knew I had to read it. The premise was promising, but I wasn’t as captivated as I had anticipated. The writing style wasn’t particularly engaging, which slowed down my reading pace. I managed to guess the twist early on, so it wasn’t a complete surprise. I think the ending is setting up for a sequel, but I still would have liked it to be more conclusive and not abrupt.

Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC of this book.

3.5

The internet saying "I support women's rights and women's wrongs" is exactly what I feel in this book.

The title is the plot of the book--it's about a serial killer support group. The book focuses on one of these women, Jess, who joins the support group after her ex-boyfriend's abuse sent her to the emergency room. At first, Jess just enjoys the camaraderie and care she gains from the other women in the group, but then the group's former partners begin to be assaulted and murdered.

I think that this book had a clear premise and fully stuck with it. It fully delivered on the plot I was promised and I enjoyed the reading experience. There weren't any big twists or reveals, rather the suspense was built in the perspective of The Caretaker (the person assaulting the exes) and the detective's slowly building realization of who the perpetrator is. This book was very fast-paced and the different perspectives held my attention throughout the novel.

Going into this book I did not realize that it was the start of a new series--I think that if I had known, I wouldn't have picked it up. I think that this premise is perfectly suited and could be well-executed in a standalone novel, and I'm not sure how I feel about it being stretched into a multi-book arc. I don't think that the ending built enough suspense for me to pick up book 2. I am perfectly happy with the story arc in this book and am not invested or curious enough to continue.

Overall it was a fun and quick book about revenge that was very satisfying to read.

Thank you to NetGalley + Harper Collins UK for the ARC!

This was a really good thriller that had a lot of twists and turns, and some good ol' fashion vigilante justice. I think the author has done a commendable job with the portrayal of domestic violence victims. Provided DV isn't a trigger for you, I think this is a really important read. On top of that, the story itself is very good.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins UK for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity t share my honest thoughts on the book.

While I was worried quite early on in this book, that I had guessed the twist, I was pleased to find out that while I had it was still very interesting and in a sense, good fun.

There is something all too satisfying about a group of horrifically abused women receiving justice from a vigilante and I loved the work the caretaker put in on every kill.

This is a quick read but very good, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a vigilante you can root for.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC which was given in exchange for an honest review.

The Serial Killer Support Group follows Jess Pendle, who becomes a member of a support group after being a victim of DV. The former partners of some members of this group become a victim of a vigilante. It is the first book in what I understand will become a series.

The premise is original and the storyline is medium to fast paced. I had some trouble connecting to the characters and therefore also to the story, but overall I was rooting for the vigilante and it was a good read: 3,5 stars.

The Serial Killer Support Group has a fantastic premise that immediately grabbed my attention. The book is fast-paced and engaging, with an unexpected plot twist in the middle that completely caught me off guard. D.B. Stephens keeps the tension high, making it a real page-turner—I constantly wanted to know more.

Beyond its thriller elements, the book also explores difficult topics such as physical abuse, domestic violence and moral ambiguity. It raises thought-provoking questions about justice and whether taking the law into one’s own hands can ever be justified. What I appreciated most is that the story doesn’t impose a single viewpoint—it allows room for different perspectives, making it all the more compelling. While the protagonists make their choices, the narrative acknowledges alternative perspectives, which adds depth to the discussion.

However, my biggest issue with the book is that it doesn’t fully work as a standalone novel. Rather than reaching a point of resolution, it feels like the first part of a larger story, leaving numerous plotlines open and unfinished. While I understand this is part of a series, the ending left me feeling like I had read an introduction rather than a complete book. The surface has been scratched, but the deeper layers of the story seem to be reserved for future installments.

That being said, I truly enjoyed the concept and the execution and I’ll definitely be reading the next book to see how the story unfolds.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, unique thriller that makes you think and challenges perspectives on love, abuse, victims and abusers, this one is worth picking up.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is so clever!
It tackles really difficult subject (domestic violence) while making the characters spring off the page. It really felt like modern girl power.
I am so pleased to read there will be future books with the main characters!

This was a very cleverly written book. I enjoyed the flow and liked the character build up. It was a bit hard to keep track of the characters but you get the flow eventually. Overall I enjoyed it and liked the story. Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this

A powerful book, full of twists. A difficult subject dealt with panache. It was quite horrifying though at times, so read with caution as some of the scenes are quite graphic.

After a trip to the ER on New Year’s Eve, Jess finally decides it’s time to make a change and accepts help from the nurse on staff to leave her abusive boyfriend. Shortly after, she joins a support group recommended by the nurse for people in her situation & the longer she attends, the more she starts to think there’s more than meets the eye going on as the partners of other women in the group start getting hurt or killed. Did she make the right choice joining the group? Or will the consequences be deadly?

I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced & the premise of the story was pretty realistic. I was able to shine a light on domesticate abuse in a way that doesn’t always work and also portray the victims as more than just cowering shells. It also addressed how the system set up to help is quite frequently the one that fails the most.

While Jess definitely had her annoying moments, I felt like for the most part her character development was amazing and the strength she found because of the other women was truly phenomenal. My only gripe about the story is that there’s no true ending which makes me believe that maybe it will be part of a series. All in all would recommend.

**Thank you #NetGalley and Harper Collin’s for providing me an ARC for my honest review**

Jess Pendle did not expect to spend New Year’s Eve in the emergency room, but her boyfriend Lewis’s temper has landed her in the hospital waiting room. This isn’t the first time that Lewis has used his fists out of anger, and he has warned Jess to stick to the story he crafted when talking to doctors. When Lewis is asked to stay in the hall while Jess gets stitched up, Jess admits to the doctor that Lewis has been abusing her. After speaking to the police she is given a card for a support group that may help.

Jess is initially skeptical but after meeting the women of the support group especially when she finds out that being arrested doesn’t seem to deter Lewis from seeking her out. She soon looks forward to the Friday support group as the highlight of her week, finding in the women a group of individuals that understand what she is going through and are there for her no matter what. But something strange begins to happen. Someone calling themselves the Caretaker is seeking out abusers and making them pay for their crimes. The connecting characteristic of all of the men attacked is that their partners are members of the support group. Who is targeting the support group partners and why?

Told in multiple perpectives between Jess, investigator assigned to her case DS Sophie Salam and, the Caretaker (*shudders* even his name is creepy), the book paints a realistic picture of abuse survivors and details how the systems fails who have been attacked. While I enjoyed the characters, especially the journey that Jess goes through, I felt that parts of the book was repetitive and dragged on. Three stars for this thriller.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.