A gripping book, this story pulls you till the very end, I enjoyed reading it. I definitely will love to see more from the author

I just finished The Serial Killer Support Group, and honestly, I’m still turning it over in my head. The premise? Wild. Cyra’s sister is murdered, and when the police get nowhere, she decides to infiltrate a support group for serial killers to find out which one did it. Yes, it’s as unhinged as it sounds, and I was fully here for that concept alone.

There’s something about a plot this unique that immediately grabs you. A group of killers meeting weekly—like some twisted version of AA—just to “support” each other’s murderous habits? Incredible setup. Each killer has a nickname based on invasive plants or animals (Python, Lamprey, Pea Crab), which sounds ridiculous, but somehow works. Cyra, disguised as “Mistletoe,” worms her way in, all while playing a dangerous game of trust and revenge. It’s dark, weird, and kind of fascinating in the way only a thriller like this can be.

For the most part, I enjoyed it. The short, punchy chapters kept things moving, and there were definitely moments where I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t guess the ending, either, which I always appreciate—even if the reveal came really late in the game.

But while I liked it, I didn’t love it. I think my biggest issue was Cyra herself. She’s so hyper-focused on her sister’s death that she doesn’t feel like a fully rounded person. I get it—grief can take over your life—but I wanted to see more of her beyond just “determined sister out for revenge.” It made her feel a little one-note. And while the serial killers were intriguing in theory, I wanted more from them. Their stories, their motives—just more depth overall.

The pacing also felt a bit uneven. The first third is slow, the middle picks up nicely, and then the ending sort of rushes to tie everything together.

That said, this book is exactly what it claims to be: a fun, dark, twisty mystery with a killer concept. If you go in looking for something quick, quirky, and entertaining—rather than a mind-blowing thriller—you’ll have a good time.

So, did I love it? No. But did I enjoy the ride? Absolutely.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the early read.

here we have cyra, reeling from the murder of her sister mira. naturally, the police investigation is going nowhere (do they ever?) so cyra takes it upon herself to do a little investigating of her own by infiltrating an online support group for serial killers.

the plot here requires a suspension of disbelief. i can buy an online support group for murderers on the dark web, sure. i can even buy that cyra could have been given insider info about the group's existence by a friend that works in the police department. but it was hard for me to understand how easy it was for cyra to infiltrate this group and why she'd want to - she has no leads, no specific evidence implying that her sister's murderer might be one of these serial killers.

so, anyway, cyra uses a deceased patient in a nursing home as "proof" that she belonged in the group. after being given a task to prove that she's not a cop (disposing of human remains), boom - she's in.

i think, for this book taking place in a group of serial killers, i'd hoped for more creativity with the killers themselves, though i suppose that's not the point of the book. we're treated to a chapter for each killer, but i left the book feeling as though i didn't really know any of them, wasn't ever really scared of any of them.

the most successful/interesting part of this book for me was cyra's shifting morality. you discover pretty quickly that she's not as innocent and doe-eyed as she appears. once her identity is discovered by a member of the group, there's a lot of discussions about her potentiality to 'be one of them'. there's also a lot of talk about the fact that cyra's a woman and the implication that women can't be as bloodthirsty as men.

i was both pleasantly surprised and slightly underwhelmed by this book. you got a standard whodunit and mystery readers will deduce who the killer is fairly quickly. a lot of potential here, a lot of it missed, but still a pretty fun read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. This book was fun with a lot of twists and turns I didn't expect it to be who I thought it was. I loved the writing on this book in the beginning but toward the end it fell a little flat and got kind of hectic for me.

This book had me hooked! It's fast-paced with tension, mystery, and a downward spiral. Every time I thought I could relax, another unexpected twist appeared! I'm already pitching SKSG to my friends as their next read.

This was a solid read. The premise of the book really caught my attention. Someone just has to whisper the word serial killer to me and my head will snap around. Add in some dark humor and you've got me.

I highly enjoyed getting to know the different serial killers through their own POV's and we love a female main character on a mission.

This kept me on my toes and at no point was I able to predict what was coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this!

You have to first believe the premise not just that there are enough serial killers in New York City to make up a support group, but that there are enough who would actually risk meeting in person to do so. The book itself says there might be up to 50 active serial killers out and about the United States right now. Yes, New York is very well populated, but still, you really have to stretch your imagination.

Once you do, we have Cyra, whose sister fell victim to a serial killer who kills differently each time but has one trademark move that links them. Cyra manages to infiltrate the serial killer support group. She’s hoping that among these folks is the guy who killed her sister. Another huge leap.

What I did like about the book was that Cyra’s relationship with her sister and other people was complex. I also liked the fast-paced ending.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES MARCH 18, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Serial Killer Support Group

If you are a fan of womens wrongs and murder this is for you. I enjoyed this a lot, sometimes you just gotta have those characters who are definitely not good or healthy people and you still somehow love them. I had a lot of fun with it and I found the same vibe with it I got from They never learn which is something I have really been looking for.

Yay murder!

Another thriller read that I swung back and forth on. On the one hand, the serial killer parts were interesting enough to read. On the other hand, I wasn't so sold on the idea of this support group and why Cyra (sigh-ra) would try to be a part of it. The author explained the reasoning; I just didn't really buy it. But ok - I got over that hurdle. Every time I was like...um..that wouldn't fly - the author would justify it to where it was PERHAPS something that would work. Another hurdle there, too. It just became...exhausting rather than really enjoying it.

And then on top of all that, it was obvious from the get-go the plot twist so then it became a bit tedious to get through. Every time Cyra would wander about her tendencies of becoming "one of them," I almost cringed because it was just overdone. I might be a bit harsh here because I did enjoy some moments of this, but it just didn't round out so well for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I have to first start out by mentioning how much I enjoyed the writing, the author has a great way of pulling you in and keeping you hooked onto the story, also the writing really made you think it could’ve been anyone early on in the book. But once I got closer to maybe 60%-70% of the story I KNEW who it was and I did not expect it. But it was because of the writing it was written so well that you just were jumping around and almost scratching at your brain trying to figure out who the heck it was. And the fact that at the same time no one seemed to fit the fit the bill so to speak.

Anyways the book started out really strong, it didn't take me that long to get into the nitty gritty. But as soon as we got closer to the answer the book just got messier and messier. That eagerness i felt to find out the truth started going away. Like I mentioned before the story started out great but halfway thru I don't know what it was but I felt like there was a pivot and the story went a completely different direction, and I thought maybe we would be going into like a side mission but then that kind of went nowhere. It almost didn't make sense adding all that into the plot because I really do feel like it took away from the rest of the story..

The title really made me think the group would be the focus of the story but it wasn’t which disappointed me a bit. But apart from that I did enjoy the story and hope to read more from this author.

Serial Killer Support Group by Saratoga Schaefer


An unimaginable self-help group for serial killers exists, and Cyra Griffin is determined to infiltrate it.

“Serial killers, strolling through Queens, passing hundreds of people, to casually chat about their crimes. It was unfathomable.”

Following the passing of her sister Mira, Cyra Griffin develops an obsession. Finding no reprieve or answers from the police, it becomes clear that she must tap into the dark side of her personality.

“I know I’m new, but these meetings have been a breath of fresh air. I don’t have to pretend. I can be myself and know I won’t be judged for it.” - Cyra Griffin

Eli, a friend and provider of classified documents, has given Cyra the tools to reach out to a secret “Serial Killer Support Group.” Lying her way through the initiation process, she finds herself in a semicircle of psychopaths. Uncomfortable for most, Cyra finds an inner calmness within her pseudo personality, “Mistletoe,” the name bestowed upon her by the others. She perceives one of the murderers attending these gatherings to be the killer of her younger sister, Mira, and as such begins to dissect all of the discernible information. However, shortly after arriving, her plan looks dead on arrival. Since she is a new member and the only woman in the group, she raises suspicions among many. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on the reader’s stance, she painstakingly makes decisions that will forever change her life. Will she succumb to being satisfied with garnering more information on the case, or is there more to Cyra than meets the eye?

“She understood that killing was about ending a life, but preserving the beauty of those who got to keep breathing.”

I was intrigued by the title of the debut horror novel written by Saratoga Schaefer. Little bells and whistles fluttered above and around my cranium; this sounds marvelous. A ludicrous thought to have meetings held for such decrepit individuals whose internal highs were met in the form of violence and death. Schaefer deftly pens a small blurb into each individual murderer's thought patterns and what satiates the need to kill. Simple attributes that single out a target, such as eye color, sex, age, or wealth status. The inner struggle that Cyra exudes is unnerving. She seems morose or stoic with the exception of her excitement to exact revenge upon her sister’s murderer. Strangely, this has been the pattern in Cyra’s existence. Cyra, Mira’s protector, has strongly retaliated against the former lovers of her younger sister. Cyra’s actions pushing the boundaries of big sis looking out for her sibling while skimming the line of deranged behavior.
My enthusiasm for this novel stemmed from that feeling that I never quite knew Cyra. We can empathize with her, but her motivations were fuzzy and lent more eeriness to the story.

By the rules we must stipen our times when we depart. 10 minutes apart so no one follows. Heaven forbid someone bring homemade food to the Serial Killer Group; no one will eat it for fear of demise. I am the last one out. Suspicion grabs hold and shakes me to the core. Walking away, who knew human interaction was something everyone needs, even the most demented of us all? This book gets 3.75 stars from me, rounding up to a solid 4 stars.


Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

I read this book in a day. In a lot of ways, it was captivating! (Obviously it had to be for me to read it in one day haha!) But for some reason, I just was not super excited about it. I loved the shorter chapters because it felt very easy to move through the book quickly. I did also enjoy the variety of characters, their stories, their dialogue, and the overall writing style, so I can't really put my finger on what didn't resonate with me to make it a 5-star read. I do think there'll be a second book based off of how this book ended, so I will be keeping an eye out to see if the author is publishing another one.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions.

Interesting premise that fell a little flat for me due to the very unlikely and far fetched possibility. Gah.

This is an incredible debut! Cyra infiltrates a serial killer support group to try to find the one responsible for her sister's murder. Things quickly do not go as planned, of course. Thrillers are my genre, and SKSG stands out with its totally unique plot line. I had no idea where the story was going to take me at times, and it's so refreshing to read a book that gets away from the formulas and uses tropes in clever new ways.

I can see how some may consider socially awkward, introverted Cyra unlikeable, but I loved her. She's been through hell and uses her pain to get stronger. She's cunning and has a dark sense of humor. I love a female revenge story, and I got what I signed up for! I enjoyed the backstories of the serial killers woven through the plot. It's always unnerving to see human qualities in your villains. There are a couple great twists in the story, one of which I figured out but one I did not! You definitely have to suspend a little disbelief for this one, but that's what makes it fun. Highly recommended, particularly if you enjoy Grady Hendrix, Riley Sager, or Robyn Harding.

After Cyra Griffin's sister is murdered by a serial killer, she takes matters into her own hands as she infiltrates a support group for serial killers to find the person responsible. As she delves deeper into this dark world, Cyra must navigate dangerous men and the loss of her own humanity in her pursuit of vengeance.

This book had a touch of comedy woven throughout its pages, adding a delightful layer to the story (or that was just my feeling?). I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and was surprised to find that it isn't receiving the attention it deserves. It was a captivating blend of darkness, humor, and suspense that kept me engaged until the very end. The plot twists were unexpected, leaving me pleasantly surprised.

The main character was incredibly likable, and I admired her unique style. While I anticipated one of the twists, the others caught me off guard, adding to the excitement of the story. The fast-paced narrative made it difficult to set the book down, and the writing was impeccable.

In my opinion, this book is underrated. I believe more readers should discover and appreciate its clever and refreshing take on storytelling. It offers something entirely different from the typical releases of the year. This debut novel skillfully delves into women's grievances and explores the hidden monsters that may lurk among us.

Thank you, Crooked Lane Books for the ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really wanted to love this book. The premise hooked me right away—someone infiltrating a support group for serial killers to avenge their sister? It sounded wild, unique, and full of potential. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.

The characters were the biggest letdown. Cyra, the protagonist, was hard to like. I get that she’s meant to be complex, but she just came off as closed off and naive. I wanted to root for her—she’s the grieving sister, after all—but I couldn’t connect with her. The serial killers weren’t much better. They were so one-dimensional that they didn’t feel menacing at all, which killed a lot of the tension.

The pacing didn’t help, either. The chapters felt endless, and the plot moved in such predictable ways that I found myself losing interest. Some of the twists were so convenient that it was hard to suspend disbelief.

I’ll admit, there were a few moments early on where I thought the story might pick up, but it just never did. It’s disappointing because the concept had so much promise, but it ended up feeling bland and uninspired. I wish I could have liked it more, but this one just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Great thriller! I loved the unique plot and chat development throughout.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books for granting me an ARC!

Serial Killer Support Group is just very, very silly. It's a silly premise that could be more fun if the characters were more fun. It could be darker if the characters were darker.

You have to suspend some disbelief, and then you have to just go along with it all. All the characters were just one dimensional, and then the most interesting chapters were the ones of the serial killers.

It was also really repetitive. It's repeated over and over Cyra wanting to feel something, her relationship with Mira, etc. It almost jumped into the main plot too soon because then the background information on her relationship with Mira wasn't interesting. Also, the twists were just... oh. They would have been better if they were introduced sooner, I think. Her descent / ascent into Mistletoe should have had me rooting for Cyra, but I just wanted to get through it and move on.

3.5 stars, rounded up. This book was ridiculous in a fun and twisted way. If you are looking for Silence of the Lambs level seriousness, delving into the psyche of serial killers and the experience of the experts who catch them, this isn’t that book. If the title doesn’t clue you in, you’ve got to suspend disbelief and let your imagination go here…

Cyra is desperate to figure out who killed her sister, Mira. She feels responsible, and is frustrated by the lack of progress made by the police. Fortunately for her, her sister’s best friend’s boyfriend has a low-level job in records at the police department that enables him access to stuff he doesn’t have a need to know, and he shares that knowledge with Cyra. Cue the Serial Killer Support Group.

Cyra decides to infiltrate this group because she is convinced Mira’s killer must be a member. By leaning on her unlikeable, dead-inside persona and pretending to be a serial killer. These guys have strict rules and non-serial killer hitman who will uphold the rules through murder as necessary. She passes the tests, she gains their trust, and she is in! Chaos ensues. Utter chaos. No way this girl can hold her own in this environment chaos. But our girl is not giving up.

I won’t spoil it, but this is fun even though you know that girl would’ve been killed as soon as she started the initiation process… but that’s the fun of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well, I made it through…..this book, the plot, the characters…was all a bit of a mess-not in a good way. This didn’t seem like a plausible scenario, and there are literally books with dragons that I consider plausible. This book was not enjoyable in any way unfortunately.