The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco: A Mystery by Michelle ChouinardSeries: The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco #1
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Pages: 336
Add on: Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon
Rating: ★★★★
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths
Publisher: Minotaur Books / Macmillan
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 fully explored all the details of 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 earn some real money.
Before Capri can get very far, the cops discover the copycat’s latest victim: 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.
REVIEW
Capri Sanzio isn’t your typical tour guide. Haunted by her grandfather’s legacy as one of San Francisco’s most infamous serial killers, she channels her family’s dark past into running the city’s quirkiest true crime tour. Life’s odd enough, but when a new string of murders starts mirroring her grandfather’s old crimes, Capri is thrust right into the center of a mystery that’s as personal as it gets.
Capri makes for a standout lead, witty, self-aware, and tough in a way that feels real. Her world is messy and complicated, but that’s what makes her easy to root for. The cast around her is colourful, from sharp-tongued friends to nosy journalists and cops, and the city’s shadowy charm pulses through every chapter. Chouinard’s writing is clever and quick, balancing dark subject matter with a breezy, conversational style that keeps things from getting too heavy. There’s plenty of suspense, but also a surprising amount of humour and heart.
The book shines brightest in its originality and atmosphere. San Francisco isn’t just a backdrop; it’s alive on the page, with its layered history and moody streets setting the perfect stage for murder and mayhem. The plot moves fast, packed with twists, and Chouinard never lets things drag.
A few quibbles: some endings tie up a little too neatly, and if you’re looking for a gritty, hard-boiled noir, the lighter tone might catch you off guard. Some side characters slip into familiar territory. But for most, that won’t spoil the fun.
Lively, smart, and more than a little addictive, The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco is a memorable mystery for anyone who likes their crime fiction with a side of wit and a real sense of place.
Rating: ★★★★☆
