How is this a debut novel for this author. I do you like my share of true crime, andI am definitely not asking how to get rid of a body on a first date, maybe the second one. But this book Serial killer support group by Schaefer was not flawless but a perfect mix of keeping you on your edge, deliciously wicked and injected with dark self aware humor, all in the face of this tragedy.

First of all it had me at the title, peeking my interest and intrigue about the story. Thrown right in the middle of the mystery and as things progress many other things unfold specially by a protagonist Cyra. Yes Schaefer relies on quite a fair few stereotypes of serial killers but it also explores deeper understanding of human condition. The capacity of being bad and how far one can push it and was it always present or is it triggered.

Cyra’s slow but assured transformation is believable and how she gets more comfortable with things, or was she always, is explored rather well. An exploration of becoming the very thing you most hate and avoid, eventually is a self fulfilling prophecy. The support group that she joins after her sister’s murder, with all male participants, does rely on stereotypes of personality killers. However, it was good to see that each one was given a distinct one along with their own backstory. While this might not be a News for me, who is interested in true crime, it was interesting to see each one’s background explaining their kills, methods and motivations.

The writing is pacy and smooth with you as a reader thrown right in the middle of the aftermath of the murder of her sister and after effects on Cyra. How she joins the support group and the connections she establishes as well as the changes that happened to her and the repercussions of it all, make up the story. 80% in I kind of guessed who she would peg as the killer. However, there were a few instances and fights that were a bit difficult to believe.

what a ride this one was. A triumph as a debut and expertly written. It is sharp, at times witty and at times sarcastic. It kept me on the edge making me want to know every time what happens next so much so i abandoned others i was reading to finish this one. A must to add to your reading list for the next year for this one will keep you hooked.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane books (love that name) for eARC in exchange for an honest review

PS just for fun sake I wanna see if love letters to a serial killer Might be a good companion piece to this one.

I enjoyed this read but I think it would benefit from another round of editing, specially concerning some of the stuff that does not make totally sense to the reader. But it's nice for a debut. I received a free eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

This was a newer concept in the terms of serial killer fiction and a concept that has not been over done the way a lot of them have. In that sense this one was great.

The second layer of this book is that there are multiple points of views ad a bit of a dual timeline by the means of flashbacks. IMO the flashbacks get a little confusing if you are trying to read fast so this is not a fluff book. Cyra goes in and out of flashbacks rather quickly.

This one is hard to review without giving away spoilers but the synopsis does a good job to prepare you for the story. I especially liked the ending in the sense that it pulls a 360 and ties us back to the beginning.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was such an interesting read and I just really got sucked into the story on page one and didn’t quit until it was over. I just want more books like this one as soon as possible.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an ARC of Serial Killer Support Group!
I would rate this a 3.25/5. It was an interesting and unique plot, but I would say a little underdeveloped and chaotic at times.
I am not one to try and guess the ending of mystery type books, so I was blind to that ending!! I really liked how it wrapped up.

4.5⭐️ Thank you so much Saratoga Schaefer, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for the early release of Serial Killer Support Group. I loved this book! It was fast paced , kept me guessing , had a lot of unreliable but likeable characters and a crime to be solved.

A sister will stop at nothing to figure out what really happened on the morning of her sister’s murder. Dealing with grief and hitting a new rock bottom Cyra takes things into her own hands to avenge her sister Mira’s killer. Mira’s murder was similar to a local serial killer and when Cyra learns this information she will stop at nothing to make the killer pay even if that means going undercover. Cyra goes undercover as a serial killer to a dark web support group for serial killers. By infiltrating this group she knows she is closer to solving this crime more than anyone else.

This book was dark but hooks you from the very start. So many gruesome characters that were still likeable. Told from multiple points of view between each member of the support group find out just how far a sister will go to find justice for her sibling.

Serial Killer Support Group by Saratoga Schaefer is an absolute page-turner, offering a clever twist on the thriller genre! Schaefer masterfully blends dark humor, suspense, and well-crafted character dynamics, pulling you into a world where serial killers seek ‘help’—but with a wickedly entertaining twist.

Each character brings a unique and chilling backstory, and the group therapy sessions become fascinatingly tense as secrets unravel. Schaefer does a phenomenal job balancing eerie moments with satire, creating a narrative that’s as thought-provoking as it is darkly funny.

For fans of unconventional thrillers, this book is a must-read. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down. Five stars!

Honestly a really fun concept to “get to know” several serial killers, going undercover while also being a bit twisty. I like how dark it got, could honestly be a good netflix show and yeah, would definitely recommend!

After losing her sister to a serial killer, Cyra begins to spiral. When she discovers through a friend that there is a serial killer’s support group in the city, Cyra is determined to join to find her sister’s killer and bring them to justice.

It was a fun story with unlikable characters that you liked to hate. However, I had my suspicions narrowed down to two pretty quickly (and one of those two was the murderer).

3.75⭐️ rounded up.

This dark, edgy thriller takes a unique approach as Cyra infiltrates a support group for serial killers to avenge her sister’s murder. With biting humor and a twisted plot, the story keeps you on edge while exploring the blurred lines between vengeance and humanity. Though the pacing occasionally lagged, the clever writing and Cyra’s journey make this a memorable debut.

I liked both the books The Final Girl Support Group and My Sister, the Serial Killer and this book completed the trilogy of final girls/murder trope. This book was so interesting and cool. it was such a unique story too!

This is really a unique thriller with a very interesting twist at the end!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

so this one was so fun! the pacing felt a bit off, the ending predictable. i wasn't a fan of the tidbits about her and mira - while they were crucial for the story, when we were in support group i wanted to stay in support group. it felt like we often went on a tangent. loved the nyc vibes and the growth of cyra. definitely fun and perfect for fall 🍂

3.5
Did I devour this in 24 hours? Yes. Was it groundbreaking? No. Is it absurd in some of the plot choices? Yes. However, I couldn’t have predicted the ending for the majority of the book, which is all I can really ask for in a thriller. Interesting twist on an AA meeting with the serial killer support group.Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC!

I loved this book so much I read it in one sitting. It was a wild ride and I loved that the MC came up with this idea to kind of help with grief but also figure out the mystery of it all.

This book was not for me. I did not enjoy the writing style at all and the content was not my taste as well.

After her sister is murdered and learns that it might be the work of a serial killer, Cyra will be devastated. Despite persitant efforts to get answers from the police, she sees little progress. In desperation, she joins a serial killer support group to track her sister's killer and seek vengeance.

One of the things that caught my attention was the title and it is exactly what it says, serial killers coming together for support. Not to help each other stop from murdering people but a safe space to let them be their true selves.

One of the aspects I enjoyed most about the book was its pacing; it was fast and full of twists and turns that made it more enjoyable. However, I didn’t connect with any of the characters, except for Cyra—most of them felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. While the author delved into Cyra’s feelings and emotions, it didn’t make me like her any more. The main plot twist was also predictable.

If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced mystery that doesn’t dwell on realism and is simply meant for fun, you might find it enjoyable. Overall rating, 3.7 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for the ARC! *Serial Killer Support Group* by Saratoga Schaefer is a darkly comedic and clever take on the concept of self-help groups—except this one is for serial killers. The story follows a group of unlikely anti-heroes, each with their own twisted motivations and personalities, as they try to navigate the complexities of their "profession" while attending group therapy. Schaefer’s writing balances humor with chilling suspense, keeping readers both entertained and on edge. The unique premise offers fresh commentary on morality, guilt, and the absurdity of human behavior, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read. With a blend of dark humor and psychological intrigue, the book stands out for fans of both satire and crime thrillers.

The name of this book drew me in , and the concept behind it made me stick around. I had my doubts about this book as I read it because the Main Character had a lot of qualms with the things she was doing, while at the same time going against that. I mean she was freaking out about reading her sister’s emails, but I would have read my sister’s messages immediately when presented with the opportunity if I was trying to avenge her. Anyway, I am thrilled I stuck around with this book because I did not predict t the ending! I was worried there was about to be weird romance and I am THANKFUL that was not the case. Cyra did what she had to do to get the job done. I also liked reading a chapter about each killer in the group. It was refreshing.

I’m so surprised by some of the negative review on this one, it was a GREAT read!! So well done, darkly intriguing with a unique premise that hooks and keeps dolling out fascinating insight into the minds, actions, and even evolution of the serial killer(s) lurking amongst us. In this case, serial KILLERS, which itself is undeniably chilling. I consumed this story quickly and would recommend it to any reader who enjoys twisted psychology, mystery, quality writing, an interesting and layered plot, and a conclusion that not only wraps up nicely but begs for a second book.

Cyra, the FMC, is on a mission to avenge her sister’s murder. As the main character she’s is clever and sly, if not pragmatic, perhaps not as transparent as she seems, which anchors the journey through abnormal psychology and the deviant substrates of society.. A flawed, realistic character with many demons and a questionable past, Cyra takes the reader into the world of serial killers by infiltrating a serial killer support group, which is a fresh take on a well-established genre.

One aspect of Saratoga Schaefer’s storytelling ability that really struck me again and again, is her use of effective subtlety when she could have hit full throttle and gone overboard, This author knows when to give and take the gas. Another aspect I found particularly compelling is how each serial killer’s POV is layered in as the story progresses, both a haunting and intensely disturbing, addition.

This author builds suspense and keeps the story from falling prey to utter implausibility and total predictability. That’s not to say this doesn’t have extremely visceral, dark matter-it definitely does, which any self-respecting serial killer book absolutely should! Nothing is over the top in this reader’s mind.

Cyra is a lot of things, but she’s not dumb or cowardly, despite her personal challenges, which was delightful and refreshing albeit macabre at times. A FMC who leaves a lingering impression and a compelling story that keeps you engaged, asking questions, wondering long after the last page is turned.

Highly recommend.

5/5

Thank you to NetGalley, The Publisher, and The Author for providing me a copy to honestly review.