I was so excited to be chosen as an early reader for this book for NetGalley, as I was intrigued by the title and premise. Unfortunately, I only made it about 1/3 of the way through before I realized I felt no connection to any of the characters and no desire to find out who the killer was. I skimmed the rest of the book and was similarly disappointed. I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers and very rarely DNF because I feel the need to know the whodunnit, but I truly didn’t care with this book.

I found Cyra to be unlikeable, something I didn’t think would be possible considering she was the victim’s sister. I just found her to be too closed off and naive, and I didn’t feel any connection to her character. The serial killers were also very hard to keep track of, with their silly nicknames like Sand Fly and Pea Crab.

If you’re fine with unlikeable main characters and able to suspend disbelief, maybe you’ll enjoy this book!

The title and cover art got me interested in this book, but sadly the final product fell flat. None of the characters were fleshed out enough to feel real or to make me feel anything for them. The protagonist, Cyra, is hellbent to find out who murdered her sister. That urge, and help from her sister's best friend's boyfriend Eli leads her to a group of serial killers who meet once a week to talk about murder. All she had to do to be in with the in crowd was a 'favor' for them - getting rid of a mysterious package. From then on, the night before the meeting the group leader, 'Python' (because every murderer had a really lame name) would let them know that the meeting was on and where it was.

In the meetings, Cyra went by the name 'Mistletoe', and wore a full-on disguise and everything. She broke the rules as soon as they were told to her, essentially, by fraternizing with another group member, 'Lamprey', outside of group sessions. Each killer had their own personality - 'Mockingbird' was the secretive murderin' trucker, 'Pea Crab' was the murderous tweaker, and on and on it went. By the end of the book, Cyra became the monster she claimed to hate, claimed to want to learn more about so she could solve her sister's murder.

The action scenes towards the end of the book ALMOST made me like it more, but it really devolved into a mess for me. I didn't like any of the characters, the storyline fell flat, and, for a thriller, sadly, nothing felt all that exciting. While I think it could be a good book for someone, I am not that person.

Absolutely amazing book. Omg the continued guessing and puzzling the pieces together. The life of the characters as their story was told ❤️❤️❤️

It took me a while to get into this book and it took me until at least halfway to actually start enjoying myself while reading this book. But once I reached that halfway point I was hooked. I didn't like how at the beginning she seemed to join the group out of literal nowhere and the serial killers were all one-dimensional villains that I couldn't find myself caring about. However once it picked up I enjoyed it so much and couldn't put it down.

As much as I liked the premise and the title of the book, I wasn't intrigued into the story. The plot was too convenient in some places making it a bit unbelievable. I struggled with the pacing because it was slow which is generally not my preference.
Overall, the story eventually did get better towards the end but I feel the book simply wasn't the right fit for me.

Incredible. Amazing. Chilling. Page turning. I love love loved this book. It is a wonderful commentary on human evil and what makes a killer. As someone obsessed with wondering what causes someone to cross that line and take someone's life again and again to become a serial killer, this book is a wonderful thought experiment. Rhe twists and swerves and fights and murders are all top notch. The author also totally avoids romanticizing crime that I am very grateful for, but delivers slasher like excitement in a mystery/crime genre that could 100% in a city near you. And you'd never know. 10/10 will read again

I really enjoyed this book and the topics it covered, the only gripe I found was that a lot of the times when a character achieved something it just felt too easy. Overall the writing was solid and there was always a reason for me to turn the next page, something I wanted to figure out.
3.5/5 stars

Cyra Griffin is in the throes of grief following her younger sister's murder. Unable to process and furious with the slowness of criminal justice, Cyra takes matters into her own hands. After learning police suspect her sister's murder to be the work of a serial killer, Cyra sneaks her way into the scariest extra curricular: the serial killer support group. As Cyra infiltrates the group, she chips away at the mystery of her sister's death--and at herself as she once knew.

Serial Killer Support Group is a fun read, with horror elements, but nothing too gory. Some of the elements are cheesy, but it's full of camp and easy to read. 3.5 stars from me.

I pretty much devoured this book in one sitting wanting to find out what happened and who did it and I really enjoyed reading this book! Great for thriller, mystery, and suspense lovers alike. 4.25/5

This was a great idea and had some very intriguing moments. However, I felt as if the execution was a little lacking. I had no connection to the characters whatsoever. I was invested in the journey of revenge and grief. I think a lot of people will love this one, but it just didn’t hit the spot for me.

Cyra's sister gets murdered and the police suspect its a work of a serial killer but police are slow so Crya decides to take matters into her own hands, she gets insider information that there is a serial killer support group, which her sisters killer might be attending so she decides to infiltrate it by pretending to be one of them.
I could understand Crya's love for Mira since I also have a younger sister but she was way too cold inside, due to which it was very difficult to connect with her. I didnt like some of the decisions at all.
Talking about the support group, it was a literal support group with introduction, snacks and coffee stuff but the whole concept was very unique but the way she infiltrated the group was way too easy.
The twist at the end with who actually killed Cyra was good.
It was dark, fast paced and unique but it wasnt humorous.

"Serial Support Group" hooks you with a killer premise (pun intended): a woman infiltrates a support group for serial killers to avenge her sister. It's dark, sharp, and drenched in feminist rage, but sadly it only scratches the surface of its potential. Instead of digging into the twisted psyches of the murderers around her, the book focuses too much on Cyra, who isn't nearly as compelling as the murderers she's trying to outwit. The potential for something great lurks beneath the surface, but unfortunately, it never quite cuts deep enough.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Thank You for the opportunity to read Serial Killer Support Group by Saratoga Schaefer.

A sister is out to take revenge for the killing of her sister. I knew I had to read it and the title helped.

I guess I had too many expectations from this book.

While it was good but some coincidences that led to Cyra Griffin's entry into the support group a bit forced.

I'm not saying it needed to be realistic because it is fiction but it felt forced and that took away the joy a little.

Still worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced reader copy.

The premise for this novel--a woman who infiltrates a support group for serial killers in order to find out if any of them murdered her sister--was much more interesting than the execution of it. Cyra got into the support group much too easily and she was a character with such a lack of emotion that she wasn't compelling enough to want to follow.

YES! A support group for serial killers?? I need this in my life.

And here I am, less than 24 hours after starting it, wishing there was even more.

When Cyra’s sister Mira is murdered in the park and the police let it slip that there are some similarities to a serial killer - she knows she has to track the murderer down. It doesn’t matter that the police and FBI haven’t found them yet - Cyra is determined. And with a little help from an inside man, she learns about an underground support group in NYC for serial killers.

So she sets out to join them and discover which one killed her little sister. Herself slipping into the role of serial killer, it soon becomes hard to distinguish fiction from reality.

grieving, grief, twisted, mental-health-issues, depression, panic-attacks, PTSD, sisters, murders, disguises, serial-killer, obsession, abandoned, abandonment-issues, LGBTQIA, debut-novel, thriller, abuse, triggers, dark-humor, revenge, NYC****

Cyra isn't buying what the police are selling about the murder of her only sibling/relative. The police believe it was the work of a serial killer, so Cyra does whatever it takes to enter into a social group for serial killers. Say what? I really had to suspend disbelief before I could get into this strange story, but it was worth it.
I requested and received a temporary review copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thanks
Avail Mar 18, 2025

"Serial Killer Support Group" offers an intriguing premise that combines dark humor with an exploration of trauma and redemption. The characters are quirky and memorable, making for some entertaining moments. However, the pacing can be uneven, and certain plot points feel rushed or underdeveloped. While it has its share of clever dialogue and interesting ideas, it doesn’t fully deliver on its potential. Overall, it's a fun read, but it might leave some readers wanting more depth and cohesion.

This was a tricky one for me to rate.
I had a lot of problems with the logic, and found that you almost need to suspend reality to enjoy this and not get frustrated (like the ease in which Cyra gains access to the Dark Web).
Once you do that, it’s a funny wee thriller that does leave you guessing but for me there were a lot of things I couldn’t ignore so in the end I rated it a 3/5 ⭐️
The first twist I only figured out a little before the FMC, so that was great but in my opinion the second twist was glaringly obvious. I did enjoy all the action sequences, however if no one ever refers to “eye jelly” again I will be quite happy 😂

I felt a lot of the characters lacked depth and needed more fleshing out, but I did enjoy Cyra’s evolution into Mistletoe, particularly when we learn more about her history. I really liked the odd chapters from the Serial Killers POVs, it shook everything up and provided a wee change in pace that was needed. I didn’t like any of the characters with the exception of Lamprey - a classic charismatic sociopath - and I didn’t feel connected to anyone.

I was really excited for this book but it unfortunately didn’t meet the mark for me. The idea is great but I wasn’t a fan of the execution, and I feel like a lot of it was under researched where you really should be fairly knowledgeable.
It’s a quick read, and like I said - if you suspend all common sense and reality, you’ll have a good time but it’s honestly very mediocre.

Wow, I really had a good time reading this one! The concept of infiltrating a support group for serial killers was so interesting and immediately had me drawn into the storyline. I also really enjoyed how there were chapters thrown into the mix that went over the backstory of how the other characters ended up the way they did. Mockingbirds in particular really had me the most anxious as I read through. I was lowkey hoping things would end in a different way with Lamprey but I suppose I can’t say I’m shocked. I also feel like I should have seen the twist coming in the end but this was written in such a good way that my attention was focused on everything else.

Who doesn’t love serial killers? This is a solid addition to those who love serial killers. The beginning started out slow and probably could have been done slightly differently. However, towards the end I felt the book racing, particularly when the dynamic with Lamprey begins. Overall a fun story just slow at beginning!

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.