The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco, published in September 2024, is the first in a new series by Michelle Chouinard. Book 2 in the series is available for pre-order.
Our Sleuth: Capricorn “Capri” Sanzio, 49, has never believed in the guilt of her grandfather William, convicted of being the San Francisco serial killer known as “Overkill Bill.” But she’s parlayed her family’s infamous past into a successful business providing tours for true-crime junkies who want to see the homes and kill sites of the city’s multiple murderers.
The Setting: Present day, San Francisco.
The Premise: It’s been decades since Capri’s grandfather was convicted of killing three women by bashing them over the head, stabbing them to death and then slicing their throats postmortem. Then a San Francisco socialite is killed with the same “Overkill Bill” signature, followed days later by the similar murder of Capri’s former mother-in-law, another wealthy socialite named Sylvia Clement. When police learn Sylvia has just cut off funding for Capri’s graduate student daughter, Capri tops the suspect list. She fights back by trying to solve the murders herself, as well as searching for proof of her grandfather’s innocence.
My Take: A smart and lively read with a humorous and independent protagonist. This is really two mysteries in one, and the author skillfully juggles both as we move between present day and Capri’s childhood discovery of her grandfather’s notoriety and its impact on her family. The bonus is the San Francisco setting; short segments on the city’s true-crime history are interspersed throughout the book. For aspiring authors like me, this is a first-class course in how to pen a great debut in a modern cozy series.
Opening Lines:
“Ok, everybody, we have to get a move on if we’re gonna be on time for our next stop,” I said. I motioned toward the tour van and then positioned myself to monitor the guests’ safety as they boarded.
A pasty, forty-something blonde man who’d previously identified himself as Kevin sidled up to me, accompanied by Virginia, his blonde, skinny-jeaned wife whose pants were so tight they made me gasp for breath. “Hey, is it true you’re the granddaughter of — “
My hand shot up to cut off the question, and I pinned on my most charming smile. When I led any of my serial killer tours, it was a matter of when, not if, the question came up and I’d learned early on how to deal with it adeptly.
Heads Up: As a former journalist who reported on crime and criminal trials, I applaud the laws that prevent killers from profiting off their misdeeds. So I think it was wise of the author to tackle this issue head-on, explaining Capri’s desire to make a podcast and write a book about her family in a way that respects victims and their families.
Etc.: Author Michelle Chouinard has previously written a successful mystery series featuring a Massachusetts homicide detective, Jo Fournier, under the name M.M. Chouinard. And did I mention that Chouinard has a doctorate in psychology?
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