The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco

By Michelle Chouinard
** Publication Date 24 September 2024 **
4.25 stars

San Francisco has so much history and is such a perfect place to set a murder mystery. This  novel by Michelle Chouinard is a riveting look into the high society of San Fran and the dark underbelly.


Capri Sanzio is quite well associated with murder. Her grandfather was an infamous serial killer convicted and sentenced to life in prison back in the sixties. While Capri believes he was innocent, her father has always slammed that door shut. So when a copycat murder occurs, and Capri’s ex mother in law goes missing, she’s thrown right back into the history.


Only Capri’s connection to the past killer and her connections to the copycat murders bring her and her daughter onto the suspect list too. Capri decides to finally investigate what’s been stewing in her brain for decades - who really was Overkill Bill? More importantly, who has decided to copycat and throw her into suspicion now?


Really fun novel. So much embedded history about San Francisco’s history. I loved Capri’s best friend’s description of the wealthy as ‘puff adders’ and how they’d do anything to maintain their images. The many twists will keep you guessing about the actual murderer until the end. Easy and quick read. Definitely recommend for a chilly fall night by the fire (or a summer day in San Fran!)