Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC and Minotaur Books, #partner for the advanced copy of The Serial Killer Guide to San Franciso in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Minotaur Books / Macmillan Audio
Published: September 24, 2024
Summary:
In Michelle Chouinard’s clever mystery The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco, the granddaughter of a serial killer shows readers another side of the beloved city.
Welcome to San Francisco, a city with killer charm.
The chill of a San Francisco summer can be deadly. No one knows this better than Capri Sanzio, who makes her living giving serial killer tours of the city. Capri has been interested in the topic since she was a kid, when she discovered she’s the granddaughter of serial killer William ‘Overkill Bill’ Sanzio. She’s always believed in his innocence, though she’s never taken the leap to fully dive into the case.
But now an Overkill Bill copycat has struck in San Francisco. And Capri’s former mother-in-law, Sylvia, just cut off Capri’s daughter’s tuition payments. Needing cash, Capri wonders if this is the time to exonerate her grandfather. The case is back in the news and the police will be looking to understand the past to catch a present-day killer. Capri could finally uncover the truth about Overkill Bill—documenting the process with a podcast and a book—and hopefully earn some money.
Before Capri can get very far, the cops discover the copycat’s latest Sylvia. Capri soon finds herself at the heart of the police’s investigation for an entirely different reason. She and her daughter are prime suspects.
My thoughts:
I originally read this last year when it first came out but for some reason never got around to writing my review. With the second book in the series coming out soon, I decided a reread was in order and I’m so glad I did…I forgot how fun this book was and now I’m totally ready and eager to pick up that 2nd book!
This was such a fun, engaging little mystery that had equal parts dark and cozy elements. Yes, there are most definitely some murders to be solved and there is the possibility of a copy-cat serial killer, but I loved amateur sleuth Capri Sanzio’s character – and I’m so glad more stories with her are forthcoming! I loved that she uses her family history – she is the granddaughter of a serial killer – to make a living by giving serial killer tours of San Francisco! This was just such a cool way to impart history into the story.
This is the type of book that is going to appeal to anyone that loves an amateur sleuth, great family drama – this one has it in spades! – a quirky main character – Capri is great, but does have her quirks, and of course a murder mystery, or two, to be solved. It’s a fast-paced, engaging story that is sure to have you laughing out loud a few times. If you enjoy the Finlay Donovan series or the Vera Wong series, this is definitely a series to try.
Audio thoughts:
I listened to this one and the narrator, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, did an amazing job bringing this book to life. She infused just the right amount of emotion, tension and humor into her voice as needed. I hope she will be back to narrate the second book as I love when there is consistency with narrators in series, when it makes sense to do so.
Books in this series:
- A Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco
- A Tour to Die For – due out September 23rd
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