Where Is Your Bookmark: My Bookish Mewsings on The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco & Other Friday Fun

I am in the middle of an audiobook as I write this (my print and e-books are upstairs), which makes sharing excerpts difficult, so I thought I would feature a book I read last month but hadn't had a chance to review yet. I hope your New Year has gotten off a good start! I look forward to seeing what you are reading!

Along with this mini review, I am linking to both Book Beginnings, a meme in which readers share the first sentence of a book they are reading, hosted by Gillion of Rose City Reader and First Line Friday hosted by Carrie of Reading is My Super Power, as well as Friday 56 hosted by Anne of My Head is Full of Books, in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading.  

Katherine Harper hurried out of the Legion of Honor as fast as the slippery pavement and limited visibility allowed. [opening of The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco]

               ★                    

Sylvia immediately stood and turned toward the camera. The recording abruptly stopped--but not before I got a clear look at her face, this time drawn tight with fatigued resignation. [excerpt from 54% of The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco] 

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco (#1) by Michelle Chouinard

Minotaur, 2024; 336 pgs  

Mystery/Suspense

Source: The publisher via NetGalley

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 victim. Capri soon finds herself at the heart of the police’s investigation for an entirely different reason. She and her daughter are prime suspects. [Goodreads Summary]

My thoughts: If you are in the mood for a cozy mystery with a good dose of humor, a hint of romance, and a little bite, you may want to check The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco. This was such an enjoyable read. San Francisco is one of my favorite cities to visit, and I was thrilled that the author included notable landmarks and local crime history trivia throughout the novel. Capri (short for Capricorn--but don't call her that!) has a unique job--and her serial killer city tours are quite the rage among tourists. 

When Capri's former mother-in-law announces she will no help Capri's daughter with her college tuition, Capri decides she must pull out all the stops to make sure her daughter is still able finish school. Add to that the recent copycat murders and the connection to her own family, it doesn't take much for Capri's friend to talk her into deciding a book and podcast series are the way to go. Especially if it includes doing a little investigation of her own to clear hers and her daughter's names as suspects. If she can find out what really happened all those years ago that lead to her grandfather's arrest and conviction, perhaps she can find out who the copycat is. 

Even though she is divorced, Capri is very close with her ex-husband and her father-in-law. Her former mother-in-law was another matter. It is obvious she is very protective of them. Capri's relationship with her father is complicated due to his uncompromising stance on not talking about the serial murders his father was convicted for, which makes Capri's search for the truth all the more difficult, but not impossible. She is tenacious and resourceful. Her father's not wanting to deal with it was never really an option for Capri given how notorious the case was and remains. I could understand where her father was coming from but, at the same time, agreed with Capri that his way was not healthy and had done more damage to his family in the long wrong. 

I found the novel to be a fast, page-turning read. Capri's journalistic skills come in handy, along with the help of her coworkers, in uncovering the truth in both the past and present crimes. Capri's choices aren't always the wisest, and it's a wonder the handsome homicide detective didn't arrest her for obstruction. There was a lot going on, which unfortunately came at the expense of more fully developing many of the side characters. Just the same, The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco kept me fully engaged and entertained. I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next in the series!  

Does this sound like something you would enjoy? If you have read it, what did you think? 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

How do you celebrate New Year's Eve/the New Year? 

My preferred way to bring in the New Year is to keep it low-key and spend a quiet night in, although there are years we have spent out with friends. Sometimes there are movies, TV, music, or games. Other times it is just like any other night. 

For years I have tried to make hot fudge sundaes a New Year's Eve tradition, but it is hit and miss whether that happens. This year, for example, we had them on New Year's Day instead. We skipped the last two years before that because we were celebrating the ringing in the New Year at a friend's house. When I was growing up, my brother and I would bang pots and pans with wooden spoons at the stroke of midnight, yelling, "Happy New Year!" into the cold night air. I carried that over with Mouse, when she was younger. The banging of pots and pans went out of favor somewhere along the way, but I still try with the sundaes. 

New Year's Day itself is recovery day--from a late New Year's Eve and the holidays in general. It's usually the day I update the calendar, if I haven't already, and whine about having to go back to work the next day (which I definitely did this year). 

Do you celebrate New Year's Eve/Day? If so, what do you do? Do you have any New Year's traditions? 

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

It's 2025; are you looking forward to any highly anticipated book releases or reading events in January or the following months? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

I am sure there are many books coming out this year that I will be excited about once I remember or become aware! As for book events, I am looking forward to my upcoming book club meetings. This will be my book club year if my propensity to overcommit has anything to say about it. I doubt I will be able to attend the diverse romance book blub, but I currently am reading this month's pick just in case. I or sure plan to attend the fiction book club this month. Oh, and the mystery and historical fiction book clubs too. Which reminds me, I need to start those books soon!

Are there any upcoming releases or book events you are looking forward to? 

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

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