I was so intrigued by the concept here and really thought I would like it but I just could not get into the author's writing style at all. I've seen another reviewer compare it to Colleen Hoover, only she meant it in a positive way. To me it was also like Colleen Hoover - which I do not mean as a compliment. There are plot holes you could drive entire trains through,. You not only have to suspend your disbelief but you have to add several layers of extra chain to hold that suspension in place. And the characters are universally unlikable and manipulative - and while that is not necessarily a death knell for a novel, since many fabulous characters are deplorable, these felt stereotypical and one-dimensional and just not real or robust. All in all this was just not a good fit for me...

What the “you know what” did I just read?! Colleen Hoover is that you? Am I obsessed with her? Stay tuned to find out.

Would I hug this book? No, I kind of want to put it in a bucket of concrete, and throw it in the river. I have SUCH mixed feelings it’s crazy. First my rating, three stars because it is entertaining as all heck, but by the end I was almost cackling at the sheer insanity of it all. This book was a ROLLERCOASTER. I think the author knew exactly what they were doing and I’m here for it.

Back to the person I love to compare everything to, if you like Colleen Hoover and her antics, this book is for you. I couldn’t put it down. I feel the same way as I did after finishing “Verity”, I don’t like anyone, but I loved the ride. Sheer madness at its finest 🤌

I wanted to give this book 2 stars, but then people might not read it or worse, think it’s bad, and you should definitely read it. I’ll be healing by reading rom com for the foreseeable future.

I was given this ARC from Netgalley and Crooked lane publishing for a honest review.

I was this debut novel on Netgalley and it looked to be right up my alley! The author did such a good job with this one. They had so much going on that I wasn’t able to put down the book and read it within two days!

This story follows Cyra whose sister Mira was found unalive. After talking to the police and a friend Cyra finds out that her sister’s case is possibly linked to a serial unaliver after getting information that her body was staged. So what’s the next logically thing to do after finding that out? Letting the police do their job? No, the next logical thing to do next is join a secret serial killer support group from the dark web to try to infiltrate this group and see if someone from the group and their MO matches what happens to her sister. The only way to get into this group is obviously be a serial killer and you might have to do some shady things to prove your worth. From there on the story just goes and goes fast. Cyra has already been distant from relationships and friendships and even more so now. Her friends are trying to help her grieve but all she wants is revenge.

I’m telling you right now you won’t guess the twist and turns and everything else that happens. I was shocked reading. Because honestly, can you really trust a serial unaliver?? And is anyone really who they say they are??
Add this to your tbr! Coming out next year on March 18th, 2025!

Reviews have been posted on goodreads, instagram and a calendar reminder has been set to post review on Amazon during release day.

I was initially intrigued by the title of this book and the cover (which I absolutely love), I love a good thriller / psychological thriller and I thought from the description that I'd love it. The book took me a bit to get into, typically when I sit down to read a thriller I can finish it in one sitting, maybe two depending on when I start and this one took about 4 days to finish, but once I was about halfway through it really started to pick up. I think the characters could've used a bit more development, but it wasn't something I'd drop my rating for. Overall I enjoyed this book and I'd buy a physical copy when it comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

With thanks to netgallery and crooked lane books for the ARC.

A unique premise which encouraged me to read the book. Overall, an entertaining read with a fast paced plot.

3 stars due to a lack of developed characters. All the characters seemed one dimensional which I feel could of easily been fixed in a book like this. Additionally, the plot at times seems overly covulted.

I was so intrigued just by the title …. I thought how interesting and brilliant of a story. It did not disappoint. Curs trying to solve her sisters murder at any cost was so thrilling and I loved every second of it !!! I loved getting to know the characters and their own personal stories . It was so good 4.5 stars from me !!! I will be recommending this book to everyone !!

Retailer review I will submit the day the book will be published.

Thank you Crooked Lane books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange of an honest review

Rating: 4/5.

Tdlr:

Pros: this is one of the wildest books I have read in some time now. The title itself was shocking and intriguing that I was afraid the writing would be dudd. But boy was I wrong. The writing is great as is the plot, the characters are fleshed out well and the killers are outright creepy.

Cons: weirdly there are a few grammer mistakes and one continuity mistake that I found annoying but that did not outweigh the plot and writing. (Scroll down below to see them)

Long:

This book follows Cyra whose sister Mira has been killed purportedly by a serial killer. She reaches out to the Police and of course they do not give her the entire details because of the pending investigation. Eventually she stumbles on something called a serial killer support group which she herself calls a demented and sick version of AA.

The best parts of the book is the support group and majority of the book revolves around it like more than 75%

Now the mistakes:
1. "tossed the burrito in her basket and let the freezer door closed" it should be let the freezer door close.
2. During a fight scene Crya is said to fight like a Lion. Would have been better if it was written she fought like a Lioness because the entire book they kept humiliating her because she was the only girl in the serial killer support group. Seems a tad backwards to compare her with a Lion
3. When Cyra and Lamprey meet the first time she is not wearing disguise. They meet months later alone and she is wearing a disguise and Lamprey talks as if he hasn't ever seen hwr without a disguise.

I was thoroughly captivated by this book from start to finish! As soon as I came across the premise, I knew I had to read it. The storyline was incredibly engaging, pulling me in and keeping me hooked throughout. The narration flowed beautifully, making the experience all the more immersive.

Cyra, the main character, is such a complex figure—even if you consider her unreliable , she certainly brings a unique depth to the narrative that I found fascinating. Her journey is filled with unexpected turns, and I genuinely didn’t see some of those plot twists coming, which kept me on the edge of my seat.

As a lover of strong debuts, I have to say this one truly shines. It’s always exciting to discover a new author who delivers such a fresh and compelling story. This book definitely exceeded my expectations, and I can’t wait to see what the author does next!

I ATE THIS UP!!!!!!! I was drawn to this book because of the title, and it did not disappoint; left me wanting more!

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books. Serial Killer Support Group follows Cyra who is looking for answers after the murder of her younger sister Mira in Prospect Park. To Cyra the NYPD seems to be dragging their feet on Mira’s case which is cooling off by the second; so manipulating a close friend of Mira’s in the NYPD’s record’s department Cyra learns her little sister may have been a victim of a serial killer that’s part of a support group that’s meets in the city. Cyra numbness causes her to put her own life at risk for a sister who only took advantage of her. This a portrait of a woman who life finally reflects what she’s always had which is nothing.

This was such a fun read! The plot was interesting and kept you interested throughout the book! The idea that even serial killers need to talk to someone is a really intriguing idea and the author fulfilled that task. I liked the fact that not everyone is as they seem and all are wearing their own mask. The main question is, do we really know a person?

The only reason I have given this a lower rating was because the ending was very predictable and I knew what was going to happen. However, that does not make this book any less fun and cool to read!

3.5 stars rounded up
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and had a lot of fun reading it! You definitely have to suspend reality a little to enjoy it, but fun nonetheless.
As much as I enjoyed getting some backstory of the characters, they all felt a little one dimensional to me. Cyrus, the main character, is depicted as good and closed off from her emotions, which I feel like just results in us not really getting to know or care much about her either. I would have loved to get to know characters better instead of jumping straight into the action.
That said, the action followed all the way through and had several nice twists at the end.

Publication date 3/18/25!

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC!

This was such a unique story- I’ve never read anything like it!

We get a few POV’s, that of our FMC, Cyra (pronounced sigh-ra)- the dominant story line and that of each of the serials.

It’s hard to do a review justice without spoiling the story, but read the synopsis and head in with no true expectations- it’ll be fun. Also, that reveal comes out of nowhere, so be prepared 😩

4.5 🌟. I loved this book! I’m so used to reading books about groups of survivors of serial killers. But a support group FOR serial killers? Genius!! I loved the fight between light and dark within the characters. The MC (whose name I absolutely hated and kept saying differently throughout the whole book!!) found her darkness within her light. I thought the progression of her inner psyche was really interesting and was really pleased with the end.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

3.5

Overall, this book was good time! I rolled my eyes a bit at the beginning as it felt like a wild level of suspension of disbelief was required just to set up the plot. However, Cyra was a chilling, fascinating anti-hero and I felt delightfully squirmy as the book progressed.

I really loved the concept of this book. I have read multiple thrillers but the idea of a serial killer support group grabbed my attention instantly. I received an ARC from NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books. I felt like the book felt flat and didn’t really keep my attention the way I expected. It was very different but I was surprised by the killer. I thought I knew who it was but I was wrong !

I would read more from this author.

Serial Killer Support Group had a really fun premise. I wasn't sure about the story for the first few chapters, as I couldn't see where it was going, but by the mid-way point I was caught up in the action. I especially enjoyed Cyra's relationship with Lamprey and I thought their scenes together were some of the most compelling in the latter part of the story. There was a bit of a twist at the end which helped to wind things up nicely, and overall the book was well paced and entertaining reading. It's witty, dark and I could see it working well as a Netflix series. I am giving it four stars. It does have a bit of a slow start, but if you stick with it, the second half of the book gives you your reward.

In Serial Killer Support Group, Saratoga Schaefer brings an unsettling yet unique twist to the revenge narrative through the lens of Cyra Griffin, a protagonist whose intense grief and anger propel her into a world of serial killers. After the murder of her sister, Mira, Cyra’s desperation pushes her to infiltrate a secret support group for serial killers, hoping to find Mira’s murderer hiding among them.

The book explores Cyra’s journey from victim to avenger, with plenty of tension, psychological complexity, and moments of moral ambiguity. What initially captivated me was the novel’s premise: a revenge plot that intertwines with Cyra’s slow descent into darkness. Cyra, while difficult to like, is a fascinating character, and her cold, calculating nature keeps you intrigued as she navigates a dangerous game with the killers in the group. Schaefer does a great job of building suspense, making you question how far Cyra is willing to go in her pursuit of justice.

One of the highlights is how Schaefer dives into the backstories of the killers in the group, giving them depth and avoiding the usual trope of one-dimensional villains. Cyra’s interactions with them—especially a particular killer who forms an alliance with her—are tense, uncomfortable, and compelling, adding layers to the story. The constant push and pull between Cyra’s revenge mission and her growing involvement in the killers’ twisted world makes for a thrilling read.

While the mystery at the heart of the book isn’t hard to figure out, the psychological unraveling of Cyra and the exploration of her darker side elevate the story. The ending is particularly satisfying, with a twist that adds new dimensions to Cyra’s journey, and suggests that she may have been more broken from the start than we realized. Despite some moments that require suspension of disbelief—like how easily Cyra infiltrates the group—the book’s originality and intense atmosphere make it worth the ride.

If you enjoy dark, psychological thrillers with morally grey characters and aren’t afraid to suspend disbelief, Serial Killer Support Group will keep you hooked.

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

Thank you for this book in exchange for my honest review. Unfortunately, this book was not what I thought it would be: it was not entertaining for me at all. While the premise was really appealing, I struggled a lot with the author’s ability to develop character’s fully. There was a lot of unnecessary information in-between the main plot of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Serial Killer Support Group had such an interesting premise I was curious about whether it would be a great addition to the serial killer fiction kick I’ve found myself on (don’t judge) or one of the more forgettable additions. Lucky for me I enjoyed it and found it unique and engrossing, so (less lucky for me) I find myself eager to get even more into this quirky category of books.

We are introduced to the group through Cyra, whose sister Mira was murdered by what the cops suspect is a serial killer - though they don’t seem to be making much progress in finding the killer. Cyra is introduced to the idea of the group through Mira’s best friend Izzy’s boyfriend, and manages to make her way in. As she tries to suss out who in the group is Mira’s killer, we get introductions to the rest of the group which act as breaks in the story to Cyra and Mira. This is good because Cyra isn’t necessarily a likeable main character, but she is the right guide for this type of story.

What ultimately emerges is a study of a MC who may not have understood her own dark side, and a twist that isn’t super shocking but is very entertaining. If you have an interest in darker fiction, I’d recommend you give this a whirl - just be ready to suspend disbelief given the title and premise.