A review by patelyne
The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco: A Novel by Michelle Chouinard

slow-paced

3.5

Capri, inspired by a lifelong belief that her grandfather is innocent of the killing spree he was imprisoned for, started out studying journalism to learn investigation techniques and ended up with a business giving serial killer tours in San Francisco about other cases she’d studied.  

Her daughter Morgan, for similar reasons, is perusing a degree in forensic psychology. At least she was, but after a surprise late night phone call from her Grandmother (on her dad’s side) her main tuition money is being immediately cut off without good reason.  

Desperate for money, Capri is considering her friend’s advice to do a podcast/book combo about her grandfather’s case. 

When a copycat killer strikes, the interest increases. 

The main difference being where the original killer targeted sex workers, the new one is after socialites. And when victim number two is the mother in law that just cut off Capri’s daughter’s tuition, the two become prime suspects.

Now she’s not just trying to clear her grandfather’s name but theirs as well.

I enjoyed the bits between chapters, the ones that felt like you were taking a tour by reading them. 

In fact, I wished it had been more about the tours, and less about tech companies and insider training because those parts lost my interest and made the story feel slower. 

I also would have liked more about the original objective spread throughout - trying to prove her grandfather’s innocence - because the last 10% of the book where he was the focus was my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and smp for the arc