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Secret Vigilante #1
The Serial Killer Support Group
The support group was supposed to be a chance to meet like-minded women and receive therapy in the wake of the terrible crimes committed against them, but when their therapist leaves, will they find other ways to support each other?
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2024
659 people are currently reading
2561 people want to read
About the author
D.B. Stephens
2 books19 followersPseudonym for crime and thriller writer, Darren O'Sullivan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 476 reviews
June 15, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
After Jess Pendle is assaulted by her boyfriend on NYE and ends up in the ER, she finally decides to press charges. She is given a card for a support group for women who’ve experienced domestic violence. But what she finds is more than just shared stories—she discovers a powerful circle of women who support one another in unexpected ways.
I appreciated that the women weren’t portrayed as meek—they were determined to reclaim control of their lives. I also enjoyed the dynamic within the support group, but I wish the other women had been more fully developed. It would’ve been nice to get to know each of them better as individuals. I also appreciated the thought-provoking questions the story raised—like what truly makes someone a hero, and whether vigilante justice can be justified when it feels deserved and has the potential to protect others.
As the characters try to uncover the identity of The Caretaker, the person responsible for murdering the exes of the women, the reader is somewhat misled, which may feel unfair to those who enjoy piecing together the mystery themselves. It's difficult to explain further without giving away spoilers. Overall it was a good story, but the synopsis and the title reveal to much of the plot, which takes away from the suspense and lessens the overall thrill of the story. That cliffhanger ending leads me to believe there will be a book 2.
My thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.
After Jess Pendle is assaulted by her boyfriend on NYE and ends up in the ER, she finally decides to press charges. She is given a card for a support group for women who’ve experienced domestic violence. But what she finds is more than just shared stories—she discovers a powerful circle of women who support one another in unexpected ways.
I appreciated that the women weren’t portrayed as meek—they were determined to reclaim control of their lives. I also enjoyed the dynamic within the support group, but I wish the other women had been more fully developed. It would’ve been nice to get to know each of them better as individuals. I also appreciated the thought-provoking questions the story raised—like what truly makes someone a hero, and whether vigilante justice can be justified when it feels deserved and has the potential to protect others.
As the characters try to uncover the identity of The Caretaker, the person responsible for murdering the exes of the women, the reader is somewhat misled, which may feel unfair to those who enjoy piecing together the mystery themselves. It's difficult to explain further without giving away spoilers. Overall it was a good story, but the synopsis and the title reveal to much of the plot, which takes away from the suspense and lessens the overall thrill of the story. That cliffhanger ending leads me to believe there will be a book 2.
My thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.
February 19, 2025
3.5
As a mystery thriller fan, how could I resist that title? It’s certainly tantalising. Jess Pendle has been determined that she will not be a victim of domestic violence as her mother has been but here she is as Lewis looms over her and this time she’s really hurt. History is repeating itself. She courageously decides enough is enough and once the police statement is made, they give her an information leaflet for a support group. For some, the past will catch up with them.
I like the premise of the novel and it makes a lot of valid points from the perspective of members of the support group. It doesn’t hang back in certain areas, deservedly so and is thought provoking on aspects of morality. For example, what constitutes a hero? It’s scary, dark, fear inducing and there’s much understandable anger and frustration. I admire the strength of these women and their desire to take back the control they had lost. There are twists, there’s some tension but the wheels start to come off for me and it gets too far-fetched for my taste.
I’m not a huge fan of the way it’s written, it’s a bit one dimensional in places. There needs to be more substance, for example, some characters need further development. The ending is abrupt, one of those decide for yourself ones but I think it could be setting up for another book and I would like to see how one intriguing scenario plays out.
Overall, I applaud what the author is trying to do here in raising issues that need to be addressed, especially with regard to the law.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/One More Chapter for the much appreciated EPUB return for an honest review.
As a mystery thriller fan, how could I resist that title? It’s certainly tantalising. Jess Pendle has been determined that she will not be a victim of domestic violence as her mother has been but here she is as Lewis looms over her and this time she’s really hurt. History is repeating itself. She courageously decides enough is enough and once the police statement is made, they give her an information leaflet for a support group. For some, the past will catch up with them.
I like the premise of the novel and it makes a lot of valid points from the perspective of members of the support group. It doesn’t hang back in certain areas, deservedly so and is thought provoking on aspects of morality. For example, what constitutes a hero? It’s scary, dark, fear inducing and there’s much understandable anger and frustration. I admire the strength of these women and their desire to take back the control they had lost. There are twists, there’s some tension but the wheels start to come off for me and it gets too far-fetched for my taste.
I’m not a huge fan of the way it’s written, it’s a bit one dimensional in places. There needs to be more substance, for example, some characters need further development. The ending is abrupt, one of those decide for yourself ones but I think it could be setting up for another book and I would like to see how one intriguing scenario plays out.
Overall, I applaud what the author is trying to do here in raising issues that need to be addressed, especially with regard to the law.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/One More Chapter for the much appreciated EPUB return for an honest review.
May 8, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
*** Re-posting for publication day!
An effortless ride through a complicated subject.
This book deftly balances the care with which its themes demand, and the impellent pacing of a one-sitting thriller. It held my interest throughout, and never felt contrived or perfunctory.
I found myself rooting for the group at its core with an unashamed ease. It also managed to make me stop and think about my role in stopping these recursive cycles, so it was successful at conveying its central message.
Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for the advanced copy and the chance to provide an honest review. I think you have a winner with this one.
*** Re-posting for publication day!
An effortless ride through a complicated subject.
This book deftly balances the care with which its themes demand, and the impellent pacing of a one-sitting thriller. It held my interest throughout, and never felt contrived or perfunctory.
I found myself rooting for the group at its core with an unashamed ease. It also managed to make me stop and think about my role in stopping these recursive cycles, so it was successful at conveying its central message.
Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for the advanced copy and the chance to provide an honest review. I think you have a winner with this one.
May 19, 2025
A wonderfully unexpected book, I loved this angle and the twists and turns that came at me, leaving me hooked.
I really wish and hope that this book starts the right conversations about domestic abuse and makes people more aware of what is happening behind closed doors, the isolation of those who suffer at the hands of abusive relationships, without needing to be as drastic as this book.
I felt that this book focused more on the strengths of those being abused without diminishing the horrors they experienced. It is a book of power and support.
This is a fast paced book about revenge with plenty of gore and intrigue.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
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I really wish and hope that this book starts the right conversations about domestic abuse and makes people more aware of what is happening behind closed doors, the isolation of those who suffer at the hands of abusive relationships, without needing to be as drastic as this book.
I felt that this book focused more on the strengths of those being abused without diminishing the horrors they experienced. It is a book of power and support.
This is a fast paced book about revenge with plenty of gore and intrigue.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Threads || BSky || Fable || Uncover || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon || Bookmarks
Happy to make friends on all socials
May 11, 2025
This book offers a powerful and unsettling exploration of morality, systemic failure, and the limits of justice. It challenges readers to reconsider deeply held assumptions about what is right versus wrong, fair versus unjust, particularly within the context of domestic violence and institutional neglect.
The narrative presents a haunting question: What recourse does one have when they’ve followed every rule, made every “right” choice, and yet find themselves unprotected by the very systems meant to ensure their safety? In that sense, the book mirrors the psychological tension seen in films like 1st Joker, inviting readers to grapple with the uncomfortable gray area between victimhood and resistance.
Although I anticipated the ending, the journey there was compelling, emotionally charged, and worthy of continued discussion. This would be an excellent book club selection, as it naturally lends itself to thoughtful debate on ethics, resilience, and systemic accountability.
Trigger warning: The book deals with themes of domestic violence and murder.
The narrative presents a haunting question: What recourse does one have when they’ve followed every rule, made every “right” choice, and yet find themselves unprotected by the very systems meant to ensure their safety? In that sense, the book mirrors the psychological tension seen in films like 1st Joker, inviting readers to grapple with the uncomfortable gray area between victimhood and resistance.
Although I anticipated the ending, the journey there was compelling, emotionally charged, and worthy of continued discussion. This would be an excellent book club selection, as it naturally lends itself to thoughtful debate on ethics, resilience, and systemic accountability.
Trigger warning: The book deals with themes of domestic violence and murder.
May 7, 2025
The Serial Killer Support Group follows a group of women who have suffered and survived domestic violence. Despite repeatedly seeking help from the police, justice was never served. They find comfort in each other by sharing their stories in a support group for victims. But when the mysterious Caretaker begins targeting the men who hurt them, the story takes a dark and vengeful turn.
Although the pacing felt slow at times, this is an engaging and thought-provoking tale of social injustice and revenge, told in a dark and graphic style.
Although the pacing felt slow at times, this is an engaging and thought-provoking tale of social injustice and revenge, told in a dark and graphic style.
May 14, 2025
I received a free copy of, The Serial Killer Support Group, by D. B. Stephens, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Jessica is a victim of domestic violence, when she finally gets the courage to leave her abuser, she joins a support group, but this support group is not like other support groups. I dont know if I liked this book yet, I did not care for the language though.
April 15, 2025
I am a sucker for a book with a serial killer in it so it was a no brainer that ai would pick up this book. Right from the beginning I was hooked, and the short chapters had me reading into the night to find out what would happen next. I was shocked by the twists, very cleverly done.
This is a story about domestic violence survivors. A group of women who have managed to get away from their abusive partners meet once a week to talk and help each other. They form a bond, a friendship that is stronger than any they have known before, especially when the killer who calls themselves The Caretaker, starts to murder their former partners.
This was a tough read at times, and ai really felt for all of these women. The way the police treated them was just atrocious and made me so angry. It was emotional, it was inspiring, it was dark. A fantastic reading that I couldn’t stop reading.
Thanks so much to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for my early copy of this book to read. Publishes on May 8th.
This is a story about domestic violence survivors. A group of women who have managed to get away from their abusive partners meet once a week to talk and help each other. They form a bond, a friendship that is stronger than any they have known before, especially when the killer who calls themselves The Caretaker, starts to murder their former partners.
This was a tough read at times, and ai really felt for all of these women. The way the police treated them was just atrocious and made me so angry. It was emotional, it was inspiring, it was dark. A fantastic reading that I couldn’t stop reading.
Thanks so much to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for my early copy of this book to read. Publishes on May 8th.
May 14, 2025
What?! This was such a wild ride! I'm still in shock after putting the book down. I loved the unexpected twists and turns. I had so many ideas of who The Caretaker was, and boy, was I wrong. The ending also completely shocked me!! Such a great book. It truly gripped me the entire time and had me on the edge of my seat. Be sure to cancel your plans once you pick this one up, as you won't want to put it down til you finish it! Such a great read that will sit with me for a long time. (Please note this has several triggers in it including DV, @buse, mur3dr... please skip over this one if those may trigger you, as they're major themes in the book.)
I received this ARC from One More Chapter (HarperCollins UK) to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this ARC from One More Chapter (HarperCollins UK) to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
April 28, 2025
Edgy and modern and a great concept and I enjoyed racing through the text to see how it’d pan out. A group of women come together as a support group for domestic abuse and slowly their ex partners start being attacked and murdered by The Caretaker who seems to have lots of inside knowledge of the backstories and the lives of the offenders.
There were a few surprises which I honesty wasn’t expecting and enjoyed being caught out with and as such I’d recommend it as a great read. There did, however, feel like a few stretches too many of plausibility and a few storylines within the story felt a little incomplete which is why I’m not giving it a higher rating.
Definitely has lots of promise though and was a great premise for a story.
There were a few surprises which I honesty wasn’t expecting and enjoyed being caught out with and as such I’d recommend it as a great read. There did, however, feel like a few stretches too many of plausibility and a few storylines within the story felt a little incomplete which is why I’m not giving it a higher rating.
Definitely has lots of promise though and was a great premise for a story.
April 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s UK/One More Chapter for a complimentary early release copy of The Serial Killer Support Group by DB Stephen’s.
The Serial Killer Support Group is a read that held my attention from the beginning. I liked all of our characters and I’m glad that we get multiple perspectives throughout the book! The premise of the story is an interesting one indeed! I got hooked immediately from the first “The Caretaker” chapter, I found their parts to be thrilling and I really liked the way in which things had played out for those.
While I enjoyed this book I wouldn’t particularly say that I found any of the twist to be surprising it still didn’t lack that thrilling/dramatic element though. I was kind of hoping something more would be done with Sophie Salam character but I’m seeing in some of the other reviews that this might potentially become a series! (I couldn’t find anything on NetGalley or Goodreads but I seen on Libby that the series is called The Secret Vigilante) I’m interested to see what the next books will include, maybe we’ll get more of the caretaker or another vigilante name!
The ending is opened ended and I’m hoping for a certain scene with the caretaker, perhaps we will get it in the next book. I would definitely be interested in continuing the adventure of this serial killer support group.I liked the friends but I would have really liked to see more of their personalities come through maybe in the series we’ll see more of the healing process for them. Overall I’m pleased with this book, It was a quick enjoyable read with short chapters!
The Serial Killer Support Group is a read that held my attention from the beginning. I liked all of our characters and I’m glad that we get multiple perspectives throughout the book! The premise of the story is an interesting one indeed! I got hooked immediately from the first “The Caretaker” chapter, I found their parts to be thrilling and I really liked the way in which things had played out for those.
While I enjoyed this book I wouldn’t particularly say that I found any of the twist to be surprising it still didn’t lack that thrilling/dramatic element though. I was kind of hoping something more would be done with Sophie Salam character but I’m seeing in some of the other reviews that this might potentially become a series! (I couldn’t find anything on NetGalley or Goodreads but I seen on Libby that the series is called The Secret Vigilante) I’m interested to see what the next books will include, maybe we’ll get more of the caretaker or another vigilante name!
The ending is opened ended and I’m hoping for a certain scene with the caretaker, perhaps we will get it in the next book. I would definitely be interested in continuing the adventure of this serial killer support group.I liked the friends but I would have really liked to see more of their personalities come through maybe in the series we’ll see more of the healing process for them. Overall I’m pleased with this book, It was a quick enjoyable read with short chapters!
April 20, 2025
I picked this up thinking I'd just read a couple of chapters and ended up reading the whole book in one go.
The police have failed women who have suffered at the hands of their abusers. The perpetrators walk around free whilst the survivors live in fear. They’re not taken seriously and are made to feel like it's their fault. Enough is enough! Lurking in the shadows is a serial killer who calls himself 'The Caretaker'. He targets those men who have wronged women, taking the law into his own hands. Righting the wrongs of a broken justice system. Hero or villain, that's for you to decide.
A difficult subject to write about and a difficult one to read for some. It needs to be written about in the right way and I think the author does that well. It's not an overly detailed account of DV but it gives an insight to the reader and helps to draw attention to the subject. Unfortunately in today's society, there is a lot of victim blaming and shame attached to it. You will never fully understand unless you've lived through it.
This story highlights the aftermath of being in a DV relationship. It follows the pov of Jess Pendle who managed to get 'free' of her abuser, DS Sophie Salam who is investigating the Murders and The Caretaker.
All the characters are well-written and feel like real people. I felt a strong connection to these women and their stories. To live in fear every day is debilitating, and the toll it takes on you mentally, emotionally and physically. The abusers are written spot on. It felt like a true account of what they do. Both sides have been written with a good knowledge and understanding of a difficult subject matter.
The story is a slow burn but with its short chapters, it makes it easy to read and hard to put down. I couldn't stop reading and wanted these men to get their comeuppance. It certainly questions your moral compass. There isn't a big finale and it's set up for a follow on book. I was ok with that.
What I took from this story is how we as women cope in situations where we feel like there is no hope and support. When we feel let down by the systems that have been put in place to protect us. one of friendship, courage, strength and hope. A book that makes you question our justice system, our police force and the support survivors receive.
Thank you One More Chapter for my advanced copy.
My opinions are my own.
https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
The police have failed women who have suffered at the hands of their abusers. The perpetrators walk around free whilst the survivors live in fear. They’re not taken seriously and are made to feel like it's their fault. Enough is enough! Lurking in the shadows is a serial killer who calls himself 'The Caretaker'. He targets those men who have wronged women, taking the law into his own hands. Righting the wrongs of a broken justice system. Hero or villain, that's for you to decide.
A difficult subject to write about and a difficult one to read for some. It needs to be written about in the right way and I think the author does that well. It's not an overly detailed account of DV but it gives an insight to the reader and helps to draw attention to the subject. Unfortunately in today's society, there is a lot of victim blaming and shame attached to it. You will never fully understand unless you've lived through it.
This story highlights the aftermath of being in a DV relationship. It follows the pov of Jess Pendle who managed to get 'free' of her abuser, DS Sophie Salam who is investigating the Murders and The Caretaker.
All the characters are well-written and feel like real people. I felt a strong connection to these women and their stories. To live in fear every day is debilitating, and the toll it takes on you mentally, emotionally and physically. The abusers are written spot on. It felt like a true account of what they do. Both sides have been written with a good knowledge and understanding of a difficult subject matter.
The story is a slow burn but with its short chapters, it makes it easy to read and hard to put down. I couldn't stop reading and wanted these men to get their comeuppance. It certainly questions your moral compass. There isn't a big finale and it's set up for a follow on book. I was ok with that.
What I took from this story is how we as women cope in situations where we feel like there is no hope and support. When we feel let down by the systems that have been put in place to protect us. one of friendship, courage, strength and hope. A book that makes you question our justice system, our police force and the support survivors receive.
Thank you One More Chapter for my advanced copy.
My opinions are my own.
https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
May 5, 2025
Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC.
I have read a lot of thrillers in my time, and this one blew me away. If this book had a soundtrack I'm fully convinced it would be 'Who's Afraid of Little Old Me' by Taylor Swift.
The book deals with domestic abuse, and as a survivor of that myself, I was hesitant initially about reading it, but it's incredibly realistic, honest and highlights the ongoing hidden battles that survivors of DA face on the regular.
It follows a support group of domestic abuse survivors, who are continually failed, often blamed and not taken seriously by the police despite the heinous nature of the crimes.
At first it seemed so obvious who the killer was, even with the name. But it's not, the plot twists are magnificent and this is a book that I will be running to buy a physical copy of it once it's released on the 8th of May, this book is incredible, it's dark, harrowing and honestly healed a part of my soul.
I have read a lot of thrillers in my time, and this one blew me away. If this book had a soundtrack I'm fully convinced it would be 'Who's Afraid of Little Old Me' by Taylor Swift.
The book deals with domestic abuse, and as a survivor of that myself, I was hesitant initially about reading it, but it's incredibly realistic, honest and highlights the ongoing hidden battles that survivors of DA face on the regular.
It follows a support group of domestic abuse survivors, who are continually failed, often blamed and not taken seriously by the police despite the heinous nature of the crimes.
At first it seemed so obvious who the killer was, even with the name. But it's not, the plot twists are magnificent and this is a book that I will be running to buy a physical copy of it once it's released on the 8th of May, this book is incredible, it's dark, harrowing and honestly healed a part of my soul.
May 3, 2025
Rating - 3.75
75% of domestic violence victims, never receive justice. So the care taker has decided to take the law into his own hands. Jess has finally left her abusive partner and stumbles upon a support group, to help her find herself again. But suddenly abusers are being found dead..no one is safe.
I am pleasantly surprised by this one. I was draw in by the title and was not disappointed. Fast paced, short chapters and I was hooked by the first chapter. I didn’t see either of the twists coming and enjoyed the multiple POVs. Only reason the rating isn’t higher is because the ending was very lacking and a bit boring.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
75% of domestic violence victims, never receive justice. So the care taker has decided to take the law into his own hands. Jess has finally left her abusive partner and stumbles upon a support group, to help her find herself again. But suddenly abusers are being found dead..no one is safe.
I am pleasantly surprised by this one. I was draw in by the title and was not disappointed. Fast paced, short chapters and I was hooked by the first chapter. I didn’t see either of the twists coming and enjoyed the multiple POVs. Only reason the rating isn’t higher is because the ending was very lacking and a bit boring.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
May 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
From the moment I started The Serial Killer Support Group, I was hooked! 🪝 D.B. Stephens delivers a gripping narrative that holds your attention and keeps you guessing.
Stephens cleverly weaves multiple points of view into the narrative making it feel fresh and dynamic. The pacing is propulsive; I found myself racing through the chapters like a like a bowl of popcorn! 🍿
The way the book tackles such a tough subject is impressive, it’s both thought-provoking and engaging.
“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴: 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴.”
The descriptive writing is top-notch—you can almost feel the protagonist’s anxiety radiating off the pages. I found myself holding my breath during tense moments, which is quite the feat when you’re trying to read while sipping coffee. 😳 Spoiler alert: coffee and anxiety don’t mix!
Overall, this well-crafted thriller combines clever storytelling with great pacing. If you’re looking for an entertaining and mind-bending read, this one’s for you! Just be ready to clear your schedule; you won’t want to put it down!
Thank you Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review. 🙏🏽
From the moment I started The Serial Killer Support Group, I was hooked! 🪝 D.B. Stephens delivers a gripping narrative that holds your attention and keeps you guessing.
Stephens cleverly weaves multiple points of view into the narrative making it feel fresh and dynamic. The pacing is propulsive; I found myself racing through the chapters like a like a bowl of popcorn! 🍿
The way the book tackles such a tough subject is impressive, it’s both thought-provoking and engaging.
“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴: 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴.”
The descriptive writing is top-notch—you can almost feel the protagonist’s anxiety radiating off the pages. I found myself holding my breath during tense moments, which is quite the feat when you’re trying to read while sipping coffee. 😳 Spoiler alert: coffee and anxiety don’t mix!
Overall, this well-crafted thriller combines clever storytelling with great pacing. If you’re looking for an entertaining and mind-bending read, this one’s for you! Just be ready to clear your schedule; you won’t want to put it down!
Thank you Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review. 🙏🏽
February 26, 2025
The title alone promises something wild, and I was in the mood for a thriller that’d keep me up past my bedtime. It’s got this premise that hooks you right away—imagine a therapy group gone rogue, filled with women who’ve been wronged, turning their pain into something dark and vengeful.
But while it had its moments, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me the way I’d hoped. While the concept initially intrigued me—the “you kill for me, I kill for you” dynamic teased in the blurb, reminiscent of the film Kill For Me (2013) and probably a couple of Lifetime movies, the execution left me with mixed feelings.
Jess Pendle joins a Domestic Violence support group after her boyfriend lands her in the hospital needing stitches. She’s expecting to connect with other women who’ve been through hell.
I love the idea of these women flipping the script—there’s something satisfying about seeing the underdog bite back. I enjoy a good read or movie in where a woman gets her lick.
Til about the fifty percent mark, it was starting to read a little Frieda McFadden: here, look this shiny gimmick, so you won’t look at the purse snatcher making off with your wallet. The limp thing with Geoff and The Caretakers POV being he/him had me had me second guessing the blurb.
Where it stumbled for me was pacing and depth. The buildup was tense, but then it felt like Stephens hit the gas too hard toward the end—everything wrapped up faster than my attempt to assemble a desk (which, trust me, was a disaster). I wanted more time with the characters, especially the group members. They’re a fierce bunch, and you root for them, but I didn’t know them as well as I’d have liked…. At all. Just that they hate abusers because they’re survivors of abuse. Which, yeah. But that’s pretty much a golem of a character in a DV support group.
The writing’s easy, though, and there’s a dark humor that sneaks in, which I appreciated. It’s gory at times, but not gratuitous; it fits the tone. Fans of fast-paced thrillers will probably eat this up, especially if you’re into that “justice served cold” vibe. Definitely worth a read if you’re curious, just don’t expect it to linger with you too long after the last page.
But while it had its moments, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me the way I’d hoped. While the concept initially intrigued me—the “you kill for me, I kill for you” dynamic teased in the blurb, reminiscent of the film Kill For Me (2013) and probably a couple of Lifetime movies, the execution left me with mixed feelings.
Jess Pendle joins a Domestic Violence support group after her boyfriend lands her in the hospital needing stitches. She’s expecting to connect with other women who’ve been through hell.
I love the idea of these women flipping the script—there’s something satisfying about seeing the underdog bite back. I enjoy a good read or movie in where a woman gets her lick.
Til about the fifty percent mark, it was starting to read a little Frieda McFadden: here, look this shiny gimmick, so you won’t look at the purse snatcher making off with your wallet. The limp thing with Geoff and The Caretakers POV being he/him had me had me second guessing the blurb.
Where it stumbled for me was pacing and depth. The buildup was tense, but then it felt like Stephens hit the gas too hard toward the end—everything wrapped up faster than my attempt to assemble a desk (which, trust me, was a disaster). I wanted more time with the characters, especially the group members. They’re a fierce bunch, and you root for them, but I didn’t know them as well as I’d have liked…. At all. Just that they hate abusers because they’re survivors of abuse. Which, yeah. But that’s pretty much a golem of a character in a DV support group.
The writing’s easy, though, and there’s a dark humor that sneaks in, which I appreciated. It’s gory at times, but not gratuitous; it fits the tone. Fans of fast-paced thrillers will probably eat this up, especially if you’re into that “justice served cold” vibe. Definitely worth a read if you’re curious, just don’t expect it to linger with you too long after the last page.
August 4, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this title. Sorry I'm behind.
Jess has faced her demon and won. Well. Kind of. She got away from her abusive ex, but in keeping with a long-standing tradition, the police have let him go and not charged him. So of course, she is being stalked and threatened on the regular. She needs strength and comfort. Luckily, she gets an invitation to a domestic abuse support group where she meets people that are just like her. Then, the unthinkable happens. Abusive exes become the targets of a man called the Caretaker. Jess feels bad that she hopes her ex gets what he deserves at the hands of this DV vigilante. But the cost might just be too high.
I liked the book. The characters quickly become really people. You want their exes dead too. The whole thing is just very predictable. I kept waiting for a twist that I didn't see coming and it just never happened. I did finish the book because I needed to know my girls would be ok, but there was nothing surprising here.
Jess has faced her demon and won. Well. Kind of. She got away from her abusive ex, but in keeping with a long-standing tradition, the police have let him go and not charged him. So of course, she is being stalked and threatened on the regular. She needs strength and comfort. Luckily, she gets an invitation to a domestic abuse support group where she meets people that are just like her. Then, the unthinkable happens. Abusive exes become the targets of a man called the Caretaker. Jess feels bad that she hopes her ex gets what he deserves at the hands of this DV vigilante. But the cost might just be too high.
I liked the book. The characters quickly become really people. You want their exes dead too. The whole thing is just very predictable. I kept waiting for a twist that I didn't see coming and it just never happened. I did finish the book because I needed to know my girls would be ok, but there was nothing surprising here.
May 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this thriller, it was full of mayhem, vengeance, and bloody murders.
A ruthless killer known as The Caretaker kills abusive men who have rigged the system and escaped justice. A support group for survivors of DV begins to realize that they have personal connections to this murderer as their violent exes begin to receive their karmic dues.
I definitely wasn’t sure what to expect, I loved the characters and really felt for the battered and broken women, but I especially enjoyed seeing them on their healing journey. I felt the ending didn’t fully tie up a few loose ends (Sophie & Geoff especially), but otherwise the story was well formulated and executed.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and HarperCollins UK One More Chapter for a copy!
A ruthless killer known as The Caretaker kills abusive men who have rigged the system and escaped justice. A support group for survivors of DV begins to realize that they have personal connections to this murderer as their violent exes begin to receive their karmic dues.
I definitely wasn’t sure what to expect, I loved the characters and really felt for the battered and broken women, but I especially enjoyed seeing them on their healing journey. I felt the ending didn’t fully tie up a few loose ends (Sophie & Geoff especially), but otherwise the story was well formulated and executed.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and HarperCollins UK One More Chapter for a copy!
June 18, 2025
When justice fails, the caretaker prevails. Enjoyed this story about vigilante justice, and women empowerment.
When Jess joins a support group to help her cope with the emotional turmoil after escaping an abusive relationship, she slowly realizes that this is not your traditional support group. Skeptical at first to open up to these ladies, ultimately leads to her depending on them in ways that she could never have imagined. Enjoyed the narration in this audiobook, the narrator truly brought life to the characters. Readers will definitely form an emotional connection to the ladies in this group, as well as DI Sophie as the story dives into her detective skills and personal life.
Would recommend this story to fans of psychological thrillers, that touch on deep and emotional subjects. Trigger Warnings: physical & emotional abuse and murd3r. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
When Jess joins a support group to help her cope with the emotional turmoil after escaping an abusive relationship, she slowly realizes that this is not your traditional support group. Skeptical at first to open up to these ladies, ultimately leads to her depending on them in ways that she could never have imagined. Enjoyed the narration in this audiobook, the narrator truly brought life to the characters. Readers will definitely form an emotional connection to the ladies in this group, as well as DI Sophie as the story dives into her detective skills and personal life.
Would recommend this story to fans of psychological thrillers, that touch on deep and emotional subjects. Trigger Warnings: physical & emotional abuse and murd3r. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
April 30, 2025
So, I actually requested this book from NetGalley because I really wanted to buddy it with someone, so I ended up going in blind. It's not always a bad thing! Thanks to my buddy partner, Haley, who I hope to hear some more from in due time *nudge nudge*
This is a story about domestic abuse survival, which you wouldn't necessarily get from the title (I didn't, having not read the blurb!). It's a sensitive subject, which is dealt with well - but not necessarily in the way that we're used to it being treated...
Jess Pendle joins a support group for domestic abuse survivors after finally deciding to cut Lewis, her awful ex, from her life. He won't give up though, and the police aren't really helping, and it's really hard to be honest with your family about something like this, particularly when you get a feeling they might say, 'I told you so'. Or that there's a family pattern, and you promise yourself you'll never let yourself get into the same situation...
So, the support group quickly becomes Jess' only handle on the world, her emotions, how to deal with Lewis. But when there's first an attack, and then one of the other group member's ex-partner actually dies, Jess suspects there's something more going on here... When the obvious perpetrator is jailed, the attacks and deaths will stop... won't they?
This was a fast, easy read. I don't read thrillers all that often actually (this year seems to be an exception!), as they sort of feel like junk food: feels good at the time, but where does it get you? Wouldn't it be better to be reading some literary fiction? (Or a quinoa kale raw salad? :P)
Well, that's bookish snobbery on my part, because this was a good read. It was a page-turner and, what's more, all of the side characters were well-fleshed out and believable. I really felt like I could connect with a lot of them; that's a hard thing to do with a cast this big. And when I thought I'd guessed the 'big reveal', it turned out that there were lots more twists and turns around the corner...
One thing I was particularly dissatisfied with was one of the police officers inspecting the case, Sophie Salam, because I felt like there was so much more that could have come from her character! However, I realise that this is actually the first in a series - and I look forward to reading more!
Fast, page-turner, lots of U-turns and surprises. Not particularly realistic, but I suppose I mostly forgave that for the sheer thrill of the book. (Not entirely, it's annoying when things are just unlikely to the point of impossibility...)
I think this is D B Stephens' first book, but it's the pen name of Darren O'Sullivan, so maybe I'll check out his other books... after I've got some of my TBR read haha!
This is a story about domestic abuse survival, which you wouldn't necessarily get from the title (I didn't, having not read the blurb!). It's a sensitive subject, which is dealt with well - but not necessarily in the way that we're used to it being treated...
Jess Pendle joins a support group for domestic abuse survivors after finally deciding to cut Lewis, her awful ex, from her life. He won't give up though, and the police aren't really helping, and it's really hard to be honest with your family about something like this, particularly when you get a feeling they might say, 'I told you so'. Or that there's a family pattern, and you promise yourself you'll never let yourself get into the same situation...
So, the support group quickly becomes Jess' only handle on the world, her emotions, how to deal with Lewis. But when there's first an attack, and then one of the other group member's ex-partner actually dies, Jess suspects there's something more going on here... When the obvious perpetrator is jailed, the attacks and deaths will stop... won't they?
This was a fast, easy read. I don't read thrillers all that often actually (this year seems to be an exception!), as they sort of feel like junk food: feels good at the time, but where does it get you? Wouldn't it be better to be reading some literary fiction? (Or a quinoa kale raw salad? :P)
Well, that's bookish snobbery on my part, because this was a good read. It was a page-turner and, what's more, all of the side characters were well-fleshed out and believable. I really felt like I could connect with a lot of them; that's a hard thing to do with a cast this big. And when I thought I'd guessed the 'big reveal', it turned out that there were lots more twists and turns around the corner...
One thing I was particularly dissatisfied with was one of the police officers inspecting the case, Sophie Salam, because I felt like there was so much more that could have come from her character! However, I realise that this is actually the first in a series - and I look forward to reading more!
Fast, page-turner, lots of U-turns and surprises. Not particularly realistic, but I suppose I mostly forgave that for the sheer thrill of the book. (Not entirely, it's annoying when things are just unlikely to the point of impossibility...)
I think this is D B Stephens' first book, but it's the pen name of Darren O'Sullivan, so maybe I'll check out his other books... after I've got some of my TBR read haha!
May 8, 2025
Thanks NetGalley for letting me read an ARC copy of this book, for an honest review.
Okay all I can say is WOW, that was not what I was expecting to read or to happen in this book. I did go in blindly but I'm so glad I did. I liked the suspense and the fact that until it was revealed you really didn't know who The Caretaker was. I'm super impressed that someone actually took on the concept of a support group for people who are dealing with domestic violence. Becky is of course the strong group leader who just wants to be there for anyone who needs help. Poor Jess never asked for any of the things that have happened to here, Lewis is absolutely terrible. But, once she meets the rest of the support group she gets stronger and knows that she will get through it.
The plot twists are so creative and the waiting for the who is the caretaker is what kept me reading, but once I knew I just wanted to see how everything played out, I'm so glad I continued to read this book.
Okay all I can say is WOW, that was not what I was expecting to read or to happen in this book. I did go in blindly but I'm so glad I did. I liked the suspense and the fact that until it was revealed you really didn't know who The Caretaker was. I'm super impressed that someone actually took on the concept of a support group for people who are dealing with domestic violence. Becky is of course the strong group leader who just wants to be there for anyone who needs help. Poor Jess never asked for any of the things that have happened to here, Lewis is absolutely terrible. But, once she meets the rest of the support group she gets stronger and knows that she will get through it.
The plot twists are so creative and the waiting for the who is the caretaker is what kept me reading, but once I knew I just wanted to see how everything played out, I'm so glad I continued to read this book.
May 24, 2025
I went into The Serial Killer Support Group intrigued by the concept, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver for me. The story felt dragged out in places, and I struggled to stay engaged. One of the biggest letdowns was the lack of character development — I never really felt connected to anyone, which made it hard to care about what was happening.
The writing style wasn’t quite my cup of tea either. I’m used to more polished, intellectual prose, and this felt a bit unrefined by comparison. That said, I will give credit where it’s due: the ending was definitely the strongest part. It wrapped things up with more energy and direction than the rest of the book.
Overall, it had an interesting premise but didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Wouldn’t rush to recommend it, but others might enjoy it more.
Thank you NetGalley, OneMoreChapter and Harper Collins for the advanced readers copy in return for my honest feedback.
The writing style wasn’t quite my cup of tea either. I’m used to more polished, intellectual prose, and this felt a bit unrefined by comparison. That said, I will give credit where it’s due: the ending was definitely the strongest part. It wrapped things up with more energy and direction than the rest of the book.
Overall, it had an interesting premise but didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Wouldn’t rush to recommend it, but others might enjoy it more.
Thank you NetGalley, OneMoreChapter and Harper Collins for the advanced readers copy in return for my honest feedback.
June 5, 2025
Serial Killer Support Group is a dark thriller. Jess and her friends all have chilling tales of domestic abuse, but fortunately for the women, “The Caretaker” is out there protecting them. Killing the men who have evaded justice, and exacting revenge of his own.
“The past always catches up with you, one way or another”
This was a really emotive book. It made me angry, sad and everything in between. The short and engaging chapters kept me turning the pages and I felt sympathy for the women in the group. It’s unusual to be on the side of the killer, and I did enjoy that spin.
As the mother of an autistic child, I felt Lottie was a nice bonus character, and the way she was depicted was accurate and well done.
I thought the way we found out who the caretaker was was a bit meh though. I felt that could’ve been a little better done and the book felt longer than I needed to be.
Apart from that, a good 4* read.
“It had been years since he had rested so well, and it told him that what he had done, the suffering he had caused, was justified. He slept like a baby because a bad man has finally faced justice for his crimes… Soon they would know this wasn’t an isolated murder. More would be killed before he was done”
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for my advanced copy.
“The past always catches up with you, one way or another”
This was a really emotive book. It made me angry, sad and everything in between. The short and engaging chapters kept me turning the pages and I felt sympathy for the women in the group. It’s unusual to be on the side of the killer, and I did enjoy that spin.
As the mother of an autistic child, I felt Lottie was a nice bonus character, and the way she was depicted was accurate and well done.
I thought the way we found out who the caretaker was was a bit meh though. I felt that could’ve been a little better done and the book felt longer than I needed to be.
Apart from that, a good 4* read.
“It had been years since he had rested so well, and it told him that what he had done, the suffering he had caused, was justified. He slept like a baby because a bad man has finally faced justice for his crimes… Soon they would know this wasn’t an isolated murder. More would be killed before he was done”
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for my advanced copy.
February 23, 2025
I love a book when I think I have it all figured out and then i don’t at all. Really short choppy chapters that I absolutely flew through. Really important messages laced throughout as well!!
February 8, 2025
What a fantastic premise for a book! I read this book based on the title alone so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this book far exceeded my expectations.
When Jess finally decides she has had enough physical abuse from her boyfriend, she decides to open up to the nice doctor treating her latest round of wounds. She is given a card with the name of a support group for battered women, and it is here that she can finally open up and confront her situation with other women who are going through the same thing. As a vigilante starts terrorizing and killing abusive men, these women become closer and stronger, especially as each of their abusers becomes victims themselves.
With twists galore, this book gets better with the turn of each page. It seems as though there might be a sequel, given how this ended, and I will most definitely be checking for one. Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collin’s, UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this 5-star book.
When Jess finally decides she has had enough physical abuse from her boyfriend, she decides to open up to the nice doctor treating her latest round of wounds. She is given a card with the name of a support group for battered women, and it is here that she can finally open up and confront her situation with other women who are going through the same thing. As a vigilante starts terrorizing and killing abusive men, these women become closer and stronger, especially as each of their abusers becomes victims themselves.
With twists galore, this book gets better with the turn of each page. It seems as though there might be a sequel, given how this ended, and I will most definitely be checking for one. Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collin’s, UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this 5-star book.
February 18, 2025
The Serial Killer Support Group drew me in with it's title and premise. I was really in the mood for a fast-paced thriller, so picking this up seemed like a great choice.
I really liked some of the characters in this book, Jess and Sophie's dynamic was very interesting and I wish we would have seen them interact more. The author did a very good job at representation of children with autism in this book, and portraying the struggles for these children and their parents.
Unfortunately I didn't really end up connecting to this book. The writing style wasn't really for me, and I felt a certain lack of tension. I guessed most of the plotpoints and twists pretty early on, which made for a less exciting experience. I was really struggling through the first half of this book, but the last hundred-ish pages did pick up a bit.
There were some stylistic choices in the writing that I didn't really like, such as some words being used repetitively. A couple of times I noticed certain adjectives being used in multiple sentences back to back. I feel like this book could have benefited from some more editing, as I noticed some typos as well, which I will include in the note for the publishers.
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I have seen a lot of other people speaking very positively about this though, so if you're interested in this, I'd definitely recommend just giving it a go.
Thank You to HarperCollinsUK, One more Chapter and Netgalley for providing me with the ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked some of the characters in this book, Jess and Sophie's dynamic was very interesting and I wish we would have seen them interact more. The author did a very good job at representation of children with autism in this book, and portraying the struggles for these children and their parents.
Unfortunately I didn't really end up connecting to this book. The writing style wasn't really for me, and I felt a certain lack of tension. I guessed most of the plotpoints and twists pretty early on, which made for a less exciting experience. I was really struggling through the first half of this book, but the last hundred-ish pages did pick up a bit.
There were some stylistic choices in the writing that I didn't really like, such as some words being used repetitively. A couple of times I noticed certain adjectives being used in multiple sentences back to back. I feel like this book could have benefited from some more editing, as I noticed some typos as well, which I will include in the note for the publishers.
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I have seen a lot of other people speaking very positively about this though, so if you're interested in this, I'd definitely recommend just giving it a go.
Thank You to HarperCollinsUK, One more Chapter and Netgalley for providing me with the ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2025
Thank you to the Publisher One More Chapter and Net Galley for the ARC!
I couldn’t out this book down! Female strength, feminine power, taking control …. There are so many themes that were very well done. There’s also suspense, surprise, and some cliff hangers!
I couldn’t out this book down! Female strength, feminine power, taking control …. There are so many themes that were very well done. There’s also suspense, surprise, and some cliff hangers!
May 10, 2025
3.5 stars
This book tackles heavy subject matter such as domestic violence, survivor trauma, and the failure of institutional justice systems, with admirable boldness. For a large part of the book, it succeeds. The emotional impact of the women’s stories is raw and powerful, and the vigilante setup taps into something deeply cathartic, even if the moral lines are deliberately blurred.
The twist surrounding the Caretaker is clever and surprising, but for me, it also marked the point where the novel began to unravel slightly. The emotional focus gives way to a more familiar cat-and-mouse thriller structure that feels less compelling than the themes the first half promised. The truth about the Caretaker drifts into near-superhero territory, which is a stretch that doesn’t quite align with the grounded, trauma-informed setup. It weakens the overall believability of the narrative.
Jess, the protagonist, is one of the more convincing characters, and her arc is strong in the first sections of this book. It's Jess that best displays the emotional strength of this book, probably because her story is first person POV and fresh in the eye of the reader. But her shift into darker territory felt abrupt. I had expected her to take on a more complex role—perhaps trying to expose or challenge the group from within—and was surprised when that nuance was lost.
The book raises important questions about justice, survival, and systemic failure. Even though it doesn’t always explore these themes deeply enough, I don't know if the needs to accept that role. I'm on the fence with that. However, I do feel that the portrayal of law enforcement often feels a little too surface-level, missing the opportunity to show why the system fails and how it could be challenged or improved. I also felt the police were written as very hands off on the investigation, something almost alien in feel compared to how police would normally react to crimes such as explored in the story.
This is a hard book to review because criticizing its structure or tone risks seeming dismissive of the painful realities it represents. But stories that tackle serious topics still deserve the same narrative scrutiny as any other genre. And while this book is emotionally striking and timely, it struggles to maintain its initial momentum and leaves behind some of its most interesting ethical and psychological questions.
I appreciate the difficulty an author faces when writing this type of story, trying to find the correct tone and balance, and trying to write with care and empathy.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book tackles heavy subject matter such as domestic violence, survivor trauma, and the failure of institutional justice systems, with admirable boldness. For a large part of the book, it succeeds. The emotional impact of the women’s stories is raw and powerful, and the vigilante setup taps into something deeply cathartic, even if the moral lines are deliberately blurred.
The twist surrounding the Caretaker is clever and surprising, but for me, it also marked the point where the novel began to unravel slightly. The emotional focus gives way to a more familiar cat-and-mouse thriller structure that feels less compelling than the themes the first half promised. The truth about the Caretaker drifts into near-superhero territory, which is a stretch that doesn’t quite align with the grounded, trauma-informed setup. It weakens the overall believability of the narrative.
Jess, the protagonist, is one of the more convincing characters, and her arc is strong in the first sections of this book. It's Jess that best displays the emotional strength of this book, probably because her story is first person POV and fresh in the eye of the reader. But her shift into darker territory felt abrupt. I had expected her to take on a more complex role—perhaps trying to expose or challenge the group from within—and was surprised when that nuance was lost.
The book raises important questions about justice, survival, and systemic failure. Even though it doesn’t always explore these themes deeply enough, I don't know if the needs to accept that role. I'm on the fence with that. However, I do feel that the portrayal of law enforcement often feels a little too surface-level, missing the opportunity to show why the system fails and how it could be challenged or improved. I also felt the police were written as very hands off on the investigation, something almost alien in feel compared to how police would normally react to crimes such as explored in the story.
This is a hard book to review because criticizing its structure or tone risks seeming dismissive of the painful realities it represents. But stories that tackle serious topics still deserve the same narrative scrutiny as any other genre. And while this book is emotionally striking and timely, it struggles to maintain its initial momentum and leaves behind some of its most interesting ethical and psychological questions.
I appreciate the difficulty an author faces when writing this type of story, trying to find the correct tone and balance, and trying to write with care and empathy.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing me with an advanced copy of The Serial Killer Support Group by D.B. Stephens in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was a solid 4-star read for me! One of the standout aspects of this book was its morally grey cast of characters. There are no clear-cut heroes or villains here—just people operating in shades of gray, making decisions that teeter on the edge of right and wrong. The protagonist herself is far from a traditional heroine, and the lines between justice and revenge blur in fascinating ways. Even the so-called villain had layers that made them compelling, and I found myself constantly shifting my perspective on who I should be rooting for.
While this wasn’t a traditional thriller in the sense that the “who” and “why” were revealed early on, that didn’t take away from the suspense. Instead, the tension came from watching everything unravel—seeing how these morally ambiguous characters would navigate the chaos and what the final fallout would be. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see where it would all lead.
This was my first book by D.B. Stephens, but I’m now very interested in going back to read the previous book referenced in this story. It sounds fantastic, and if this novel is any indication, I have high hopes that it will deliver just as well.
As the mother of a little boy on the spectrum, I especially appreciated the unglamorized and unsensationalized representation of an autistic child. It was refreshing to see a portrayal that felt real and honest rather than exaggerated for dramatic effect.
Overall, this was a gripping read with complex, flawed characters and a premise that kept me engaged until the very end. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author!
This was a solid 4-star read for me! One of the standout aspects of this book was its morally grey cast of characters. There are no clear-cut heroes or villains here—just people operating in shades of gray, making decisions that teeter on the edge of right and wrong. The protagonist herself is far from a traditional heroine, and the lines between justice and revenge blur in fascinating ways. Even the so-called villain had layers that made them compelling, and I found myself constantly shifting my perspective on who I should be rooting for.
While this wasn’t a traditional thriller in the sense that the “who” and “why” were revealed early on, that didn’t take away from the suspense. Instead, the tension came from watching everything unravel—seeing how these morally ambiguous characters would navigate the chaos and what the final fallout would be. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see where it would all lead.
This was my first book by D.B. Stephens, but I’m now very interested in going back to read the previous book referenced in this story. It sounds fantastic, and if this novel is any indication, I have high hopes that it will deliver just as well.
As the mother of a little boy on the spectrum, I especially appreciated the unglamorized and unsensationalized representation of an autistic child. It was refreshing to see a portrayal that felt real and honest rather than exaggerated for dramatic effect.
Overall, this was a gripping read with complex, flawed characters and a premise that kept me engaged until the very end. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author!
March 13, 2025
The Serial Killer Support Group by D. B. Stephens
4.7⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0.2/5
Cursing: min-
Format/Source: ebook ARC from NetGalley
Genres/Tropes: Thriller, twisty
Audience: Adult
Setting: UK
Characters: Jess, Caretaker, Becky, Lewis, Mads, Geoff, Kelly, Sophie, Jenny, Hannah
👍 short chapters, multi POV, vigilante, abuse survivor rep, twists, little cursing, advancing awareness to domestic violence, characters
�� too short
Description:
The support group was supposed to be a chance to meet like-minded women and receive therapy in the wake of the terrible crimes committed against them, but when their therapist leaves, will they find other ways to support each other?
My opinion:
Stephens pens a fast-paced thriller novel with very interesting characters that are very enjoyable to read. The short chapters and multiple POV make for a quick and easy reading. I always love reading a story with a "good" vigilante, and The Serial Killer Support Group does not disappoint. I'm pleased that this story brings awareness to domestic violence and represents those abused well. The twists are different and unexpected, adding to the pleasure of this book. I absolutely adore that there is little cursing in this novel. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thriller with twists and brilliant personas.
#bookstagram #arcreader #booklovers #thrillerbooks #booktok #twisty #domesticabuseawareness #vigilante
4.7⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0.2/5
Cursing: min-
Format/Source: ebook ARC from NetGalley
Genres/Tropes: Thriller, twisty
Audience: Adult
Setting: UK
Characters: Jess, Caretaker, Becky, Lewis, Mads, Geoff, Kelly, Sophie, Jenny, Hannah
👍 short chapters, multi POV, vigilante, abuse survivor rep, twists, little cursing, advancing awareness to domestic violence, characters
�� too short
Description:
The support group was supposed to be a chance to meet like-minded women and receive therapy in the wake of the terrible crimes committed against them, but when their therapist leaves, will they find other ways to support each other?
My opinion:
Stephens pens a fast-paced thriller novel with very interesting characters that are very enjoyable to read. The short chapters and multiple POV make for a quick and easy reading. I always love reading a story with a "good" vigilante, and The Serial Killer Support Group does not disappoint. I'm pleased that this story brings awareness to domestic violence and represents those abused well. The twists are different and unexpected, adding to the pleasure of this book. I absolutely adore that there is little cursing in this novel. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thriller with twists and brilliant personas.
#bookstagram #arcreader #booklovers #thrillerbooks #booktok #twisty #domesticabuseawareness #vigilante
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