I really wanted this book to be a little campy with some dark humor. A serial killer support group? That can't be something serious, right? In this book, it absolutely is. There's no humor, just cold, harsh serial killers killing. And I think the reader is supposed to be okay with that, almost cheering them on and justifying it all. I apologize ahead of time here that I will be spoiling some stuff.

The main character, Cyra's sister was murdered and she decides she's not waiting around for the cops to figure it out anymore, she's going to do it herself. Cyra is incredibly unlikable. And if you're not getting serious sociopath vibes from her right away, we may be reading different books. She uses a friend to get information from the police files and finds out about this group of serial killers that meet to "help support each other." She instantly thinks her sister's killer has to be this group, there's no way there's other killers in New York City, right? Ugh, clearly she just needs a group of people she can relate to for some support of her own. She somehow finds the group on the dark web, passes their "tests," and starts to attend meetings. And how does she pass the tests and act like the killers? Oh, she maybe kinda killed her sister's abusive boyfriend years before... accidentally. She fits into the group a little too well, obviously, creating a whole persona to dress up as. Only then she starts to feel like the persona is more real than Real Cyra. The whole time, one of the killers has found her out and they start working together to find a mole in the group and also find her sister's killer. And she's a little leery of working with this guy but then points him off to kill the mole once she finds him. Killers gotta kill, right? It's just a lot of grey area and maybe the killers aren't really bad guys and it's okay to kill as long as it's the "right" people for the "right" reasons.

Overall I didn't want keep reading after the first quarter of this book, I felt kinda gross with the moral dilemma that shouldn't be a moral dilemma. True crime and thriller books are a huge thing, lots of fans, myself included, but even comparing this to Dexter doesn't feel right. It was mentioned many times that the killers seem like normal guys, they even bring snacks to the meetings. So I will say this was definitely not for me, the ending solidified that fact, there wasn't a feeling of justice at all. Maybe other people will find it entertaining or interesting to see things from the other side of most thriller stories and this is the book for them.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! My main problem for this book is you have to suspend your belief a little too much. BUT I was never bored! I had a good time, a couple times my mouth was a gapped. On the other hand there were a lot of times I was rolling my eyes. Thanks for the read!

What an interesting, twisty tale of murder of the serial variety! I'm usually one to figure out the murderer pretty quickly, but the author is seemingly a master at their craft. I was incredibly wrong, and impeccably satisfied with this novel.

Great read!!!! Ever feel like you don't connect with the "normal" world around you? Sometimes you find comfort and acceptance in the most unexpected places. This book is a fantastic example of that. I loved the quirks for each character. I always gravitate to books where a relative is out for justice and revenge. It had twists hiding around each corner, and I had a difficult time putting it down. Highly recommend this one.

This book kept me up until 2 AM to finish it. The concept of this book drew me in right away. While Cyra is flawed and at times unlikeable I could not help but root for her. The cat and mouse games between Cyra and Lamprey kept me on my toes. I would be interested to read more about what Cyra does in the future if the author feels the need to continue her story.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Press, Saratoga Schaefer, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

Serial Killers Support Group had so much potential, but unfortunately, it didn't come close to delivering on its promise. The concept of a support group for serial killers is wild and unique, and it could have been a brilliant mix of dark humor and psychological tension. Instead, it ended up feeling like a series of frustrating missed opportunities.

Every character in the group seemed more ridiculous than the last. Rather than being chilling or unsettling, they came off as cartoonish and devoid of any real menace. These were supposed to be killers, psychopaths, but none of them felt truly dangerous. They were more absurd than intimidating, which is the opposite of what I was hoping for. There was no tension, no real fear, and certainly no thrills—just a lot of cringeworthy moments that made the whole thing fall flat.

The plot itself also failed to deliver. The setup is intriguing, but it doesn't go anywhere interesting. Instead of digging deep into the complexities of being a serial killer—or even playing with the dark comedy angle—it just meanders and gets bogged down in pointless exchanges and unconvincing character development.

Overall, it’s a shame because this could have been something really twisted and compelling. Instead, Serial Killers Support Group turned out to be a boring, dumb mess with no real edge.

This had such an interesting concept that I just had to read it. I've never seen a book about serial killers who have a support group! It follows Cyra, whose sister was murdered and she is determined to find out what happened as the police investigation is slow. She comes across what some believe is a support for serial killers, so she decides to infiltrate it, hoping to find answers.
The story itself is good, again it's an interesting concept, but the main character Cyra is just so unlikeable. The deeper she gets into the group, the more her true colours show. I would think the author meant this but she was annoying and I much preferred the other killers that were part of the group. She has dark thoughts and by the end, you're kind of glad it's over.
I wish the author did more chapters of the killers themselves, you lean a little into their past but not enough as I was wanting more
Solid book, a good read and one you want to continue but the main character is frustrating and very unlikeable

Cyra's little sister is murdered on her morning run, and after realizing the police have leads, she taps an inside source for more details on what they know about her sisters killer. A tip that it may be a serial killer, and that they have a support group to trade insider information, sparks her to take a darker path to discovering who is responsible, and what she'll become in the process.

*******

I really wanted to like this book. However, it took ages to gain momentum. Other than an interesting conclusion, most of the novel felt flat and one-dimensional.

It starts out with Cyra in front of a less-than-enthused detective, who seems to be annoyed that the sister of his very recent victim is relentlessly interested in leads. From that point on, she's fully insistent that her sisters case will drop off of their interest. This was a hard point for me where the book started out vastly unrealistic. It's extremely odd that she assumes the police are doing nothing about a serial murderer, especially considering that we learn very quickly on that the FBI are also interested.

In general, I find it highly unlikely that the FBI, being aware of the support group, wouldn't be able to follow very simple rules to enter the group. They would absolutely dispose of materials of one dead person to infiltrate a support group of multiple serial killers, as well as easily prove death with a photo just like she did. This was a weird holding point that made the entire premise of the book tied to a single, very fragile thread. I understand we're supposed to think Lamprey made it harder for new members to be added, but even then, how was an official investigation not able to begin before that? Or with the same very easy fake that she made?

Suspending that belief, we spend the first 60% of the books drudging through Cyra talking about being cold and unfeeling, mixed with panic attacks, and then interspersed with her superior capabilities in MMA and learning knife skills online. Even believing her own adeptness, she's meant to be small and thin framed. These men can very easily overpower her, which drags into an unrealistic part of the conclusion as well, where she comes out on top while physically pinned by a strong man, much larger and heavier than herself, who is used to killing women with his bare hands. Also, the entire book was tied to her single-minded devotion to Mira, who was an unlikable character from the start. The desperate attachment Cyra had to her was one-sided and built on a misplaced protective instinct for someone who was actively using her. Which made me not really care if her killer was found.

It just kept coming up too unrealistic to really sink into the novel, especially when the parts that should have been daunting and pulled that "thriller" aspect were lackluster. The serial killers were so one-dimensional. The way they were presented was almost too relatable that they weren't scary at all. You didn't feel any gripping fear, more like a group of bumbling, impotent idiots who all thought they were the smartest man in the room, but desperately needed the attention of the others to feel elite. The random chapters from their perspectives could have been chilling, and Lampreys felt the most suited to the book, but the rest fell flat.

Around the 65-70% mark, the book started to pick up. Lamprey made her character more dynamic, however her constantly falling into her persona was almost too predictable. Her choice to deal with who she thought was the murderer before actually hearing them out immediately sealed that she chose the wrong individual. I enjoyed the conclusion and seeing who Cyra always was and became at the end. However, coming to the realization that the killer wasn't who she expected came so much earlier than she did, which made the book drag a bit to finally pull to that point. The mystery and twists were almost too predictable to be satisfying.

The conclusion was the vibe that I wish the whole book carried through. It had so much more personality, depth, and interest than any other point in the book. Witnessing the loss of her sister and finding retribution, encouraging her to spiral into who she's truly been - a serial killer with a God complex of killing to do the right thing - was a very satisfying conclusion

Overall, the book was okay. If other readers are willing to suspend logic and not be too interested in the development of any other characters, they'll most likely enjoy the book.

I loved the idea of this book and feel as though the plot started off really strong. However as we went through the story I found I was losing interest, wasn't able to keep up with the characters and ultimately felt less invested in the characters too - which was a shame!

Whew!!! This book kept me on my toes, BIG TIME! The story behind the title is all that and so much more. When you think you know, you don't! This was a breath of fresh air after reading a couple not-so-good books lately. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

The concept of this book was so cool but ultimately fell a little flat. A Serial Killer Support group, totally unhinged, much like main character Cyra. It took a while to become invested in this book because all of the characters were so unlikable for me. However, early on I formed some assumptions about how I thought the story would play out and honestly I wish I had not done that because almost none of them came true and I was disappointed. I kept waiting for a "gotcha, just kidding" moment but it never came. Was the premise cool? Yes. Do I regret reading it? No. Was the book my favorite? Also, no.

I was digging the vibes of this book! I’m totally down for a woman taking things into her own hands when incompetent males fail her 😅. But this book takes a dark turn fast, because, like the title implies, the FMC joins a support group… for *serial killers*. And this isn’t one where they’re meeting so they can help stop each other from committing murder. No, this is to encourage them to. Cyra joins this group, posing as a fellow serial killer almost effortlessly. And then what ensues is a dark thriller as she tries to uncover which one of them killed her sister.

Cyra is a dark character herself, and while she’s hard to love, I did immensely enjoy cheering her on. Even when she made some pretty stupid mistakes, which when you’re surrounded by other serial killers, is a definite no-no.

What I really enjoyed about the book was that some of it was a bit easier to predict, but I loved that prediction anyway. However, some of it was harder to guess, and so I felt like I was on my toes for the last quarter of the book or so. Overall a really fun read if you’re okay with a little darker vibes. You might be double checking your doors are locked before going to bed, though, and looking over your shoulder as you head home from running errands- juuusttt to make sure no one’s following you. 😈

4.5/5 rounded up

Serial Killer Support Group by Saratoga Schaefer caught my eye because of its interesting premise, a young woman who goes undercover to infiltrate a group of serial killers in order to find her sister's killer, but unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as I hoped to. While I don't mind suspending my disbelief if I am enjoying a book, the less I like the book the more likely I am to find flaws and in this case I struggled quite a bit. I don't mind unlikeable or unreliable narrators, but if you do, this book is definitely not for you. Cyra, the protagonist has few redeeming features and seems willing to go to any lengths to achieve her aims. The various serial killers who are part of the group that she infiltrates are very one dimensional, there is no depth to any of them beyond the tropes associated with such characters in the media. The ending was well telegraphed in advance so did not come as a surprise to me. Good idea but the execution was not what I was hoping for.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis really hooked me! Sadly, the book did not and I had to give up about halfway after trying for the 3rd time to get into it. Every character felt bland and although the plot started quickly, I felt like I was trudging through it. Maybe i’ll be willing to give this another chance in the future but for now, I’m leaving it unfinished.

The book had a very unique premise. The idea of a serial killer support group is kind of wild and not something there actually is and I have never read another book that had the same idea. I felt like the characters fell a little flat they weren’t my favorite, the beginning of the book started with the ball rolling, it got me hooked and then just fell flat. The ending wasn’t really that great either. Not my favorite book.

The concept of a support group for serial killers seems goofy on the surface, but what debut novelist Saratoga Schaefer was able to accomplish with Serial Killer Support Group was twisted and unexpected.

After her sister is murdered, a woman infiltrates a support group for serial killers in this biting queer feminist debut thriller, perfect for fans of The Final Girl Support Group and My Sister, the Serial Killer. When Cyra Griffin’s younger sister is murdered by a serial killer, Cyra knows better than to expect justice from the hands of the police department. With the investigation already dying its own slow death, Cyra follows the blood trail and finds her own way forward.

Using insider information (don’t ask), Cyra infiltrates a support group for serial killers by pretending to be one herself in the hopes of finding the person who ended her sister’s life. Proving herself to them comes at a cost, but it’s one Cyra is willing to pay in the name of revenge. But the dangerous men in the group aren’t the only obstacle in Cyra’s path for vengeance, and the further Cyra descends into the deadly world of serial killers, the harder it becomes to hold on to her own humanity.

I didn't expect much when opening the first page of Serial Killer Support Group. That is not because of it being a debut novel for Saratoga Schaefer, but more so because it seemed like a similar (yet different) trope I have read before. However, Schaefer crafts a novel that set itself apart from others in the genre with an intricate plot, shocking twists and an ending that I didn't see coming.

The characters, from our main protagonist Cyra to each and every serial killer from the support group, are well development and artfully crafted. While the main story is a murder mystery with Cyra trying to hunt down her sister's killer we get a deeper understanding of each serial killer attending their meetings along the way. The breakup of the main storyline to dive deeper into the serial killer background was a nice change of pace and allowed for more in-depth knowledge of each character.

Schaefer does a wonderful job of using humor as both a copying mechanism for Cyra and a satirical lens through which societal issues are examined. The juxtaposition of such grim subject matter with playful dialogue creates a unique narrative tension. This provided moments of levity amid a suspenseful plot while keeping me on edge from cover to cover. It's this balance between horror and humor that makes Schaefer’s voice standout in the vast genre.

The fun, suspense and mystery within the pages of Serial Killer Support Group was a fun and exhilarating journey all wrapped up in a nice bow with a culmination that fit perfectly. A good book is only as good as its ending and the author was able to finish strong in this debut novel. Each twist, turn and story within the pages was all made worth it by a stellar ending.

Serial Killer Support Group is a gripping tale that lures you in with its bizarre premise and keeps you hooked with its unexpected twists. While the concept might sound whimsical at first—a therapeutic circle for those who live outside society's moral code—but Saratoga Schaefer deftly turns it into an intense journey. Serial Killer Support Group gives me reason to read more from Schaefer in the future and that is all you can hope for in the end.

Ever wonder if serial killers get together and workshop new ideas? If you have, you are the perfect reader for this book. And if you have, you’ve probably also wondered, “How would that even work? Wouldn’t they eventually turn on each other? Who coordinates everything? Where do they meet? How do they protect themselves?” Schaefer has an answer for every question, and builds up an insanely intense plot in between the explanations.
I really enjoyed this book! We follow Cyra, a woman in her late twenties, as she decides to avenge her murdered sister, Mira. After piecing together information, Cyra learns about a serial killer support group that could include the killer. So Cyra infiltrates the group and sets about determining which one of the six killed Mira. But as she gets closer to an answer, the group starts to fall apart.
I loved the premise of the book and how Schaefer wrote the six serial killers and Cyra. We get one chapter with each killer, and a mini snapshot of their life. But the majority of the time is spent with Cyra, switching between serial killers and Mira’s friends, with neither group fully satisfied with her actions. I enjoyed the twists at the end, but overall, the ending left me feeling a little underwhelmed.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a slow starter and I was tempted to DNF @35% but the second half picked up and it was a wild ride.

Cyra, the FMC, is unlikeable but you do root for her to get her revenge.

Glad I kept going and followed Cyras transformation....

Thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC.

3.5 stars rounded down for the slow beginning.

This book fell a little flat to me. The serial killers seemed to be uninteresting. Nothing super severe or intriguing. Could have been a more provoking plot in my opinion. I finished it but it was just too slow for me.

This was different from anything I've read before and I loved it! I loved Cyra as she isn't your typical main character. She's one of those characters that will stick with you for a while after reading this one, or at least it has for me. I loved that we had a main character that wanted justice for her sister's murder and goes into one of the craziest places...a room filled with serial killers that no one knows exist due to them being good at what they do. The story does give you a little chapter here and there giving a bit of background on these killers but the majority of the story is about Cyra and her plan to get justice. I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Cyra and Lamprey as it kept things sort of fun and interesting. Once the story got going with her finding out about the group, I couldn't put this one down. It's one that I will recommend to anyone who is interested in a good thriller and wants something a bit different.