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Serial Killer Support Group: A Novel
✳Performed by dual narrators: When her sister’s murder goes unsolved, Cyra takes justice into her own hands. Posing as a killer, she infiltrates a secret support group for murderers to hunt the monster who destroyed her family — but revenge comes at the cost of her own humanity… ⭐“Buckle up for a dark and twisted ride” (Lisa Gardner)!
After her sister is murdered, a woman infiltrates a support group for serial killers in this biting queer feminist debut thriller, perfect for fans of The Final Girl Support Group and My Sister, the Serial Killer.
When Cyra Griffin’s younger sister is murdered by a serial killer, Cyra knows better than to expect justice from the hands of the police department. With the investigation already dying its own slow death, Cyra follows the blood trail and finds her own way forward.
Using insider information (don’t ask), Cyra infiltrates a support group for serial killers by pretending to be one herself in the hopes of finding the person who ended her sister’s life. Proving herself to them comes at a cost, but it’s one Cyra is willing to pay in the name of revenge.
But the dangerous men in the group aren’t the only obstacle in Cyra’s path for vengeance, and the further Cyra descends into the deadly world of serial killers, the harder it becomes to hold on to her own humanity.
This dark, witty debut novel is a cunning homage to women’s wrongs that will have you wondering exactly how many monsters walk unseen among us.
Audible Audio
First published March 18, 2025
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About the author
Saratoga Schaefer
7 books221 followersSaratoga Schaefer (they/them) is a thriller and horror author. They have a background in marketing, PR, film, and wellness, and spends a great deal of time hiking mountains and climbing rocks. Originally from Brooklyn, Saratoga now lives upstate with several needy animals and a haunted clown table.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,251 reviews
September 22, 2025
ARC for review. To be published March 18, 2025.
Well, you can at least say the author is not playing hide the ball here. This is about…exactly what it says.
Cyra Griffin’s younger sister Mira was murdered by a serial killer (or so the police believe. She thinks. Which is problem number one, right off the bat. But wait. Because more to come.) However, the police aren’t doing much to find him (because police always sit on their hands with serial murder), so Cyra, with her grand total of zero experience in anything useful takes on the investigation herself. As you would do.
Using insider information she obtains from a friend with access to the police files Cyra manages to infiltrate a support group for serial killers. Because, yeah, that strikes me as a group that would like to share feelings. And meet. With snacks. I kid you not. And the manner in which she gets in is so ridiculous that if you want to throw the book across the room at this point, please, feel free (only if it’s a real book, not if it’s on your phone or a tablet, though. I mean, if you break one of those, how are you going to access the dark web while you drink your morning coffee, because it is, apparently, very easy to do.)
Can Cyra stay alive and find Mira’s killer? Because, he would just HAVE to be in this group, right? Do you care? Are you secretly hoping Cyra gets killed by one of these killers because it’s no more than she deserves? Are all of these killers the worst killers ever? Aren’t they probably just losers who live in their mom’s basement who are cosplaying serial killers and then THEY are going to get killed by a serial killer?
Look, everyone involved in the mess is dumber than the last one, not quite as stupid as the next. I would be a better serial killer and detective and snack bringer than all of these people. I beg of you not to waste your precious time with this.
Well, you can at least say the author is not playing hide the ball here. This is about…exactly what it says.
Cyra Griffin’s younger sister Mira was murdered by a serial killer (or so the police believe. She thinks. Which is problem number one, right off the bat. But wait. Because more to come.) However, the police aren’t doing much to find him (because police always sit on their hands with serial murder), so Cyra, with her grand total of zero experience in anything useful takes on the investigation herself. As you would do.
Using insider information she obtains from a friend with access to the police files Cyra manages to infiltrate a support group for serial killers. Because, yeah, that strikes me as a group that would like to share feelings. And meet. With snacks. I kid you not. And the manner in which she gets in is so ridiculous that if you want to throw the book across the room at this point, please, feel free (only if it’s a real book, not if it’s on your phone or a tablet, though. I mean, if you break one of those, how are you going to access the dark web while you drink your morning coffee, because it is, apparently, very easy to do.)
Can Cyra stay alive and find Mira’s killer? Because, he would just HAVE to be in this group, right? Do you care? Are you secretly hoping Cyra gets killed by one of these killers because it’s no more than she deserves? Are all of these killers the worst killers ever? Aren’t they probably just losers who live in their mom’s basement who are cosplaying serial killers and then THEY are going to get killed by a serial killer?
Look, everyone involved in the mess is dumber than the last one, not quite as stupid as the next. I would be a better serial killer and detective and snack bringer than all of these people. I beg of you not to waste your precious time with this.
March 12, 2025
It's an overall good and entertaining thriller. The premise is fairly original, and I liked the execution.
I had to consciously suspend my disbelief to get in the story, but once I did, it was quite enjoyable.
There is a lot of angst and guilt but I found the characters well constructed and their dynamics interesting.
The story has plenty of suspense and twists and turns, and it's a short read, so worth the time if you are into the genre.
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrators were really good.
To me it's a 3,5 overall.
I had to consciously suspend my disbelief to get in the story, but once I did, it was quite enjoyable.
There is a lot of angst and guilt but I found the characters well constructed and their dynamics interesting.
The story has plenty of suspense and twists and turns, and it's a short read, so worth the time if you are into the genre.
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrators were really good.
To me it's a 3,5 overall.
March 25, 2025
Wow!! What a debut!! Thank you SO much to @crookedlanebooks for my gorgeous gifted copy!! 🥰 I absolutely loved it!! Well you know in a murdery thriller way. 😂🖤 Five stars! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date was 3/18! So run 🏃♀️ like a final girl and get a copy!! 🥳
SO your sister was murdered…😭 You are hell bent on finding her murderer. A detective 🕵️ leaks that they suspect it is a serial killer. 😳 Now what? Guess what? You get another lead.. just get on the dark web and get accepted into a secret group…. of serial killers..that meet…to talk it out. WHAT? 😧😳🤯 Yes just go ahead and say WTFFFF out loud.. go ahead…
I will wait…😂😳
That is exactly what our girl Cyra did.😳 She is getting in tight with these serial killers… even if.. it kills HER. 😬
This book was SO much fun! Well fun and dark…and kind of creepy. I mean what a unique premise. I held my breath pretty much the entire book. I was like NO Cyra!! 😳 These dudes were scary. 🫣 Well they were but there was one… that well… he was almost likeable…😳😳😳🤷♀️ That my friends is how you get stolen.😂😳
On that note… I will leave that right there. You all LOVE your serial killer books… Now you have an entire room of them. 😳😂
Pub date was 3/18! So run 🏃♀️ like a final girl and get a copy!! 🥳
SO your sister was murdered…😭 You are hell bent on finding her murderer. A detective 🕵️ leaks that they suspect it is a serial killer. 😳 Now what? Guess what? You get another lead.. just get on the dark web and get accepted into a secret group…. of serial killers..that meet…to talk it out. WHAT? 😧😳🤯 Yes just go ahead and say WTFFFF out loud.. go ahead…
I will wait…😂😳
That is exactly what our girl Cyra did.😳 She is getting in tight with these serial killers… even if.. it kills HER. 😬
This book was SO much fun! Well fun and dark…and kind of creepy. I mean what a unique premise. I held my breath pretty much the entire book. I was like NO Cyra!! 😳 These dudes were scary. 🫣 Well they were but there was one… that well… he was almost likeable…😳😳😳🤷♀️ That my friends is how you get stolen.😂😳
On that note… I will leave that right there. You all LOVE your serial killer books… Now you have an entire room of them. 😳😂
February 11, 2025
Release Date: 18h March 2025
After her sister is murdered, a woman infiltrates a support group for serial killers in this biting queer feminist debut thriller, perfect for fans of The Final Girl Support Group and My Sister, the Serial Killer.
I really loved the concept of this book and the read didn't disappoint, I'm not sure if I was supposed to like the characters, but they were well rounded and human, and had an engaging quality about them, that I was fascinated spending time with them and loved the dynamics of the relationships.
This book has heart and dark wit, twists and turns that really captured me.
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
After her sister is murdered, a woman infiltrates a support group for serial killers in this biting queer feminist debut thriller, perfect for fans of The Final Girl Support Group and My Sister, the Serial Killer.
I really loved the concept of this book and the read didn't disappoint, I'm not sure if I was supposed to like the characters, but they were well rounded and human, and had an engaging quality about them, that I was fascinated spending time with them and loved the dynamics of the relationships.
This book has heart and dark wit, twists and turns that really captured me.
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 5, 2025
while I was not surprised by the killer and the motive, my god did I have a fun time waiting for her to come to the same conclusion
October 18, 2024
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
The premise of the book was quite interesting, especially as I never heard of a serial killer support group before in any other books. Since I only knew support groups for victims/survivors I thought that the title was quite funny.
But did the premise promise what it said?
Somewhat.
I did like the beginning and how it didn't take long at all to get rolling. As well, as the first plot twist was shocking. I did predict it, before it happened, but it was very smart done and I read lots of books with smart plot twists before, so it isn't hard for me to find them out. Nevertheless, this plot twist wasn't right in front of your eyes, which made it well-done. Cyra was an interesting character to get to know and her backstory as well. I was surprised when I got to know Mira more and seemed to dislike her even though I liked her at first. It changes a lot when a different person, with different perspective, tells the story.
Even though I liked the first plot twist, I disliked the second and in general felt like the ending was not good enough.
Except the protagonist, everyone else was flat. I surprisingly could distinguish their names, but they felt just like the others. Yes, we good backstory of them which was actually cool, as they had their own chapter for this, but they all were one-dimensional. What many don't get is that when you describe a character every time you meet them, like the first time you met them, they won't get any depth. The reader actually needs to get to know them, by seeing more of them and not just reading some backstory.
Lastly, the depiction of serial killers, but also sociopaths wasn't done correctly, at all. It depends on what kind of sociopath you have, but they can show emotions and borderline sociopaths have even outbursts. So when I saw once again the wrong myth in this book that sociopaths don't have emotions or don't have empathy (which both isn't true, they just lack empathy, but they can still feel it), I felt a bit betrayed.
The book is supposed to be about serial killers, but no research was done for it. Every serial killer in this group seemed dangerous and they acted like a typical film serial killer, nothing special or in general different.
———————————————————————————
Thank you Crooked Lane Books, for the advanced reader copy of Serial Killer Support Group by Saratoga Schaefer
Started the book: 17. October 2024
Finished the book: 17. October 2024
Wrote the review: 18. October 2024
The premise of the book was quite interesting, especially as I never heard of a serial killer support group before in any other books. Since I only knew support groups for victims/survivors I thought that the title was quite funny.
But did the premise promise what it said?
Somewhat.
I did like the beginning and how it didn't take long at all to get rolling. As well, as the first plot twist was shocking. I did predict it, before it happened, but it was very smart done and I read lots of books with smart plot twists before, so it isn't hard for me to find them out. Nevertheless, this plot twist wasn't right in front of your eyes, which made it well-done. Cyra was an interesting character to get to know and her backstory as well. I was surprised when I got to know Mira more and seemed to dislike her even though I liked her at first. It changes a lot when a different person, with different perspective, tells the story.
Even though I liked the first plot twist, I disliked the second and in general felt like the ending was not good enough.
Except the protagonist, everyone else was flat. I surprisingly could distinguish their names, but they felt just like the others. Yes, we good backstory of them which was actually cool, as they had their own chapter for this, but they all were one-dimensional. What many don't get is that when you describe a character every time you meet them, like the first time you met them, they won't get any depth. The reader actually needs to get to know them, by seeing more of them and not just reading some backstory.
Lastly, the depiction of serial killers, but also sociopaths wasn't done correctly, at all. It depends on what kind of sociopath you have, but they can show emotions and borderline sociopaths have even outbursts. So when I saw once again the wrong myth in this book that sociopaths don't have emotions or don't have empathy (which both isn't true, they just lack empathy, but they can still feel it), I felt a bit betrayed.
Cry. Do something. Don't just stand there like a sociopath,[...]
The book is supposed to be about serial killers, but no research was done for it. Every serial killer in this group seemed dangerous and they acted like a typical film serial killer, nothing special or in general different.
———————————————————————————
Thank you Crooked Lane Books, for the advanced reader copy of Serial Killer Support Group by Saratoga Schaefer
Started the book: 17. October 2024
Finished the book: 17. October 2024
Wrote the review: 18. October 2024
December 16, 2025
In today’s world,buying a house would be one of the most stressful things you can do. So much competition, fewer opportunities and prices soaring. So glad we found somewhere before the market went mad. Taking all this into account, Best Offer Wins, shines a light on the insanity of that process, and the lengths that people will go to get their dream home.
Margo is such a fun character. She is obsessive and unhinged which makes for great reading right. She would stop at nothing to get the house she has her eye on, nothing, After so many failures, this is the one. Her husband Ian is not so sure, so she does so much behind his back. She doesn’t know where the line is, or if she does she doesn’t care. She wants this house, and she wants a baby.
This is a super fast read and I read it under 24 hours. Once you start reading you get so caught up in Margo’s craziness that you just can’t put it down. A fantastic and funny debut from Marisa Kashino. I will be looking out for more from this author.
Thank you Random House UK, Transworld Publishing, Doubleday on NetGalley for my early copy of this book to read. Publishes on January 15th.
Margo is such a fun character. She is obsessive and unhinged which makes for great reading right. She would stop at nothing to get the house she has her eye on, nothing, After so many failures, this is the one. Her husband Ian is not so sure, so she does so much behind his back. She doesn’t know where the line is, or if she does she doesn’t care. She wants this house, and she wants a baby.
This is a super fast read and I read it under 24 hours. Once you start reading you get so caught up in Margo’s craziness that you just can’t put it down. A fantastic and funny debut from Marisa Kashino. I will be looking out for more from this author.
Thank you Random House UK, Transworld Publishing, Doubleday on NetGalley for my early copy of this book to read. Publishes on January 15th.
March 26, 2025
TW/CW: Language, grieving, mourning, drinking, toxic family relationships, alcoholism, death of sibling, abusive relationship, child abandonment, cheating
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
When Cyra Griffin’s younger sister is murdered by a serial killer, Cyra knows better than to expect justice from the hands of the police department. With the investigation already dying its own slow death, Cyra follows the blood trail and finds her own way forward.
Using insider information (don’t ask) Cyra infiltrates a support group for serial killers by pretending to be one herself in the hopes of finding the person who ended her sister’s life. Proving herself to them comes at a cost, but it’s one Cyra is willing to pay in the name of revenge.
Unfortunately, the dangerous men in the group aren’t the only obstacle in Cyra’s path for vengeance, and the further Cyra descends into the deadly world of serial killers, the harder it becomes to hold on to her own humanity.
Release Date: March 18th, 2025
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Each killers story about themselves
What I Didn't Like:
1. Serial Killers are boring and bicker too much
2. Cyra not like other girls
3. Boring
4. Predictable
5. The ending
Final Thoughts:
I rolled my eyes so much reading this book. So stupid. I didn't know serial killers could be so boring. I just can't imagine serial killers getting together to NOT brag about their murders. They join the group and it's banned. Yeah, because serial killers listen.
So much happens in this book that makes little sense. Like a serial killer helping Cyra find the man that killed her sister.
I hated Cyra painted herself as this person out to save innocent people when she's out there killing people too.
I hated how it's beat over our heads that she's taken classes to fight when it's so obvious that it'll come up later and she'll need to fight someone. Of course she wins against this much bigger and stronger man.
The way everyone just throws names around is so comical. Jason gives up his name in like 2 seconds.
It's all so convenient that the group that's on the black web is right in the same area where all these killers live. Plus to get in was so unbelievably easy. It didn't make sense why the police (other than the one) didn't try to get into it more.
I did enjoy how the killers broke down their killing tendencies one by one.
This book did that thing that drives me insane in books;
Our character remembers something one way or forgets to mention it - acting dumb but when we get to the ending it's a reveled that they actually knew everything. It doesn't make any sense to withhold information from the main character in their own brain and no one does that in real life. She did it with PJ. She acted like she was remorseful and an accident when she hit him but at the end we find out that she did it on purpose and actually finished him off with a rock. It makes no sense to spin the inner narrative.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane, and Spotify Audiobooks for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
When Cyra Griffin’s younger sister is murdered by a serial killer, Cyra knows better than to expect justice from the hands of the police department. With the investigation already dying its own slow death, Cyra follows the blood trail and finds her own way forward.
Using insider information (don’t ask) Cyra infiltrates a support group for serial killers by pretending to be one herself in the hopes of finding the person who ended her sister’s life. Proving herself to them comes at a cost, but it’s one Cyra is willing to pay in the name of revenge.
Unfortunately, the dangerous men in the group aren’t the only obstacle in Cyra’s path for vengeance, and the further Cyra descends into the deadly world of serial killers, the harder it becomes to hold on to her own humanity.
Release Date: March 18th, 2025
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Each killers story about themselves
What I Didn't Like:
1. Serial Killers are boring and bicker too much
2. Cyra not like other girls
3. Boring
4. Predictable
5. The ending
Final Thoughts:
I rolled my eyes so much reading this book. So stupid. I didn't know serial killers could be so boring. I just can't imagine serial killers getting together to NOT brag about their murders. They join the group and it's banned. Yeah, because serial killers listen.
So much happens in this book that makes little sense. Like a serial killer helping Cyra find the man that killed her sister.
I hated Cyra painted herself as this person out to save innocent people when she's out there killing people too.
I hated how it's beat over our heads that she's taken classes to fight when it's so obvious that it'll come up later and she'll need to fight someone. Of course she wins against this much bigger and stronger man.
The way everyone just throws names around is so comical. Jason gives up his name in like 2 seconds.
It's all so convenient that the group that's on the black web is right in the same area where all these killers live. Plus to get in was so unbelievably easy. It didn't make sense why the police (other than the one) didn't try to get into it more.
I did enjoy how the killers broke down their killing tendencies one by one.
This book did that thing that drives me insane in books;
Our character remembers something one way or forgets to mention it - acting dumb but when we get to the ending it's a reveled that they actually knew everything. It doesn't make any sense to withhold information from the main character in their own brain and no one does that in real life. She did it with PJ. She acted like she was remorseful and an accident when she hit him but at the end we find out that she did it on purpose and actually finished him off with a rock. It makes no sense to spin the inner narrative.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane, and Spotify Audiobooks for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 23, 2025
this.... sure was a book.
it's right what it says in the description. there's a support group for serial killers, there are snacks, and you really have to rely on suspension of disbelief to get through it. the dialogues feel unnatural, veering too much into meta comments about how we consume true crime irl and view serial killers; while it CAN be done well, it felt forced and clunky to me in this case
jumping to conclusions about mira's killer being part of the group made no sense to me. i understand we see what we want to see, but cyra was too convinced of this and didn't even have a backup plan. the twists were predictable, imo, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but i wanted to be surprised. every character but cyra felt flat and underdeveloped.
overall, this was just fine. not glaringly bad or anything, but underwhelming.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
it's right what it says in the description. there's a support group for serial killers, there are snacks, and you really have to rely on suspension of disbelief to get through it. the dialogues feel unnatural, veering too much into meta comments about how we consume true crime irl and view serial killers; while it CAN be done well, it felt forced and clunky to me in this case
jumping to conclusions about mira's killer being part of the group made no sense to me. i understand we see what we want to see, but cyra was too convinced of this and didn't even have a backup plan. the twists were predictable, imo, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but i wanted to be surprised. every character but cyra felt flat and underdeveloped.
overall, this was just fine. not glaringly bad or anything, but underwhelming.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
April 9, 2025
3.25 stars pretty good story
April 24, 2025
This was a good and unique take on a serial killer thriller, which is difficult to pull off in such a saturated genre. It kept my attention the whole way through and I really liked the ending. I was super conflicted with my like/hate relationship with the MC throughout and I thought that added a really nuanced and interesting layer to the book.
December 16, 2025
“The Serial Killer Support Group” is a sharp, darkly entertaining thriller that leans heavily into satire while still delivering real suspense. It takes a wildly original premise: a group meant to help people resist violent urges, and twists it into something unsettling, clever, and often uncomfortably funny.
What makes the book stand out is its tone. It walks a fine line between humor and menace, offering biting commentary on accountability, morality, and the way society packages “rehabilitation.” The characters are disturbing by design, yet oddly compelling, and the group dynamics create constant tension. You’re never quite sure who’s telling the truth, who’s changing, and who’s simply getting better at hiding who they are.
The pacing is solid, with a steady buildup of unease rather than nonstop action. The story thrives on psychological tension and sharp dialogue, though a few plot turns feel slightly predictable if you’re a seasoned thriller reader. Some moments could have pushed deeper emotionally or lingered longer on consequences.
Still, the originality, dark humor, and unsettling atmosphere more than make up for it.
Overall, “The Serial Killer Support Group” is a clever, provocative read that’s both entertaining and uncomfortable.
What makes the book stand out is its tone. It walks a fine line between humor and menace, offering biting commentary on accountability, morality, and the way society packages “rehabilitation.” The characters are disturbing by design, yet oddly compelling, and the group dynamics create constant tension. You’re never quite sure who’s telling the truth, who’s changing, and who’s simply getting better at hiding who they are.
The pacing is solid, with a steady buildup of unease rather than nonstop action. The story thrives on psychological tension and sharp dialogue, though a few plot turns feel slightly predictable if you’re a seasoned thriller reader. Some moments could have pushed deeper emotionally or lingered longer on consequences.
Still, the originality, dark humor, and unsettling atmosphere more than make up for it.
Overall, “The Serial Killer Support Group” is a clever, provocative read that’s both entertaining and uncomfortable.
March 15, 2025
Some books hook you with a clever premise, but Serial Killer Support Group delivers far beyond that initial intrigue. Saratoga Schaefer’s debut is a fast-paced, darkly funny thriller that manages to be both a nail-biting suspense novel and a sharp character study.
The setup: Cyra Griffin, devastated by the unsolved murder of her sister, infiltrates a support group for serial killers, posing as one of them in a desperate bid to unmask the culprit. It’s a high-risk game of deception, and Schaefer wrings every drop of tension from it. The support group isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a whole ecosystem of dangerous individuals, forced into a setting that demands introspection, even as their very nature fights against it.
What makes this book stand out is its balance of tones. It’s dark—sometimes very dark—but Schaefer laces it with biting humor and a keen sense of the absurd. Think Dexter meets Fight Club, but with a queer feminist edge that brings fresh perspective to the genre. Cyra’s journey isn’t just about revenge; it’s about identity, trauma, and the weight of justice—both the kind society allows and the kind we take into our own hands.
Schaefer’s prose is sharp and efficient, keeping the pages turning at a relentless pace. The escalating tension, the claustrophobic setting, and the psychological cat-and-mouse game make for an addictive read. And while the premise is outlandish, the emotions feel raw and real.
This is a thriller with teeth—smart, unique, and unafraid to ask uncomfortable questions. If you want a book that keeps you on edge while making you laugh at the audacity of it all, Serial Killer Support Group is well worth your time.
The setup: Cyra Griffin, devastated by the unsolved murder of her sister, infiltrates a support group for serial killers, posing as one of them in a desperate bid to unmask the culprit. It’s a high-risk game of deception, and Schaefer wrings every drop of tension from it. The support group isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a whole ecosystem of dangerous individuals, forced into a setting that demands introspection, even as their very nature fights against it.
What makes this book stand out is its balance of tones. It’s dark—sometimes very dark—but Schaefer laces it with biting humor and a keen sense of the absurd. Think Dexter meets Fight Club, but with a queer feminist edge that brings fresh perspective to the genre. Cyra’s journey isn’t just about revenge; it’s about identity, trauma, and the weight of justice—both the kind society allows and the kind we take into our own hands.
Schaefer’s prose is sharp and efficient, keeping the pages turning at a relentless pace. The escalating tension, the claustrophobic setting, and the psychological cat-and-mouse game make for an addictive read. And while the premise is outlandish, the emotions feel raw and real.
This is a thriller with teeth—smart, unique, and unafraid to ask uncomfortable questions. If you want a book that keeps you on edge while making you laugh at the audacity of it all, Serial Killer Support Group is well worth your time.
February 18, 2025
This was a fun book! It was fast paced novel that I could not put down. Full of feminine rage and revenge.
Cyra’s sister was murder and now she is going undercover into a serial support group to find her killer.
I loved the main character in this book! She was so determined and witty through out the entire book. I loved the side characters especially the serial killers in the group.
Did I hope for a romance between two of them?? Maybe…. I think I’ve read too many dark romances.
The ending was not what I except but it was a perfect ending for Cyra.
Genre: Thriller
APK: Ebook
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone.
Thank you Crooked Lane Publishing for a free copy of The Serial Killer Support Group for a honest review.
Cyra’s sister was murder and now she is going undercover into a serial support group to find her killer.
I loved the main character in this book! She was so determined and witty through out the entire book. I loved the side characters especially the serial killers in the group.
Did I hope for a romance between two of them?? Maybe…. I think I’ve read too many dark romances.
The ending was not what I except but it was a perfect ending for Cyra.
Genre: Thriller
APK: Ebook
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone.
Thank you Crooked Lane Publishing for a free copy of The Serial Killer Support Group for a honest review.
January 8, 2025
This book was so unique it earns points for that alone, the title gives it away, however I do wish the execution (excuse the pun) had been better.
Our main character Cyra is a bit of an emotional dud, so when her sister Mira is murdered and the police suspect it is the work of a serial killer, Cyra hears rumours of a supposed serial killer support group which she plans to infiltrate. With her own unique characteristics Cyra pulls of the charade and infiltrates the group putting herself in extreme danger and at the mercy of New York's current active serial killers.
We learn about each one slowly, their back story, what made them tick and Cyra slowly starts to feel like her true self is actually the mask she puts on for the group.
With no guarantee of success, her mission is very high stakes which keeps you at the edge of your seat.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book, however I think the pace could have been improved had we not had this back and forth going on right in the middle of the chapters. One thing is have a dual time line before and after so we see the backstory building up in conjunction to the present, however this is not how it was done. Right in the middle of the chapter you will get no warning and it will spiral off into a memory completely throwing you off track.
I would also like to point out the short chapters of the individual killers were highly entertaining and would have loved if we had got perhaps 2 chapters for each one instead of just the one.
All in all a book with a lot of potential, perhaps the premise is a bit too unbelievable but I like to suspense my disbelief and go for the ride!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane books for providing me with the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Our main character Cyra is a bit of an emotional dud, so when her sister Mira is murdered and the police suspect it is the work of a serial killer, Cyra hears rumours of a supposed serial killer support group which she plans to infiltrate. With her own unique characteristics Cyra pulls of the charade and infiltrates the group putting herself in extreme danger and at the mercy of New York's current active serial killers.
We learn about each one slowly, their back story, what made them tick and Cyra slowly starts to feel like her true self is actually the mask she puts on for the group.
With no guarantee of success, her mission is very high stakes which keeps you at the edge of your seat.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book, however I think the pace could have been improved had we not had this back and forth going on right in the middle of the chapters. One thing is have a dual time line before and after so we see the backstory building up in conjunction to the present, however this is not how it was done. Right in the middle of the chapter you will get no warning and it will spiral off into a memory completely throwing you off track.
I would also like to point out the short chapters of the individual killers were highly entertaining and would have loved if we had got perhaps 2 chapters for each one instead of just the one.
All in all a book with a lot of potential, perhaps the premise is a bit too unbelievable but I like to suspense my disbelief and go for the ride!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane books for providing me with the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 11, 2025
a daring idea and creepy
amazing characters make
cyra's adventure in honor
of her murdered sister
really engaging. ♡
amazing characters make
cyra's adventure in honor
of her murdered sister
really engaging. ♡
July 19, 2025
A support group for serial killers. What an interesting premise. I liked this book it was dark and our main character is not very likeable at all but that's a good thing. Cyra is out to avenge her sister's murder and along the way she discovers that she may not be all that different from the monsters in this group.
This is a fun read. I love an unhinged woman.
This is a fun read. I love an unhinged woman.
May 2, 2025
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved the whole concept of this book! Think AA for serial killers…absolute insanity! I really enjoyed how I had no idea where the story was headed and it had so many twists and turns, it made my head spin! I found the whole book intriguing and it held my attention throughout. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes books about serial killers and solving familial murders!
I really loved the whole concept of this book! Think AA for serial killers…absolute insanity! I really enjoyed how I had no idea where the story was headed and it had so many twists and turns, it made my head spin! I found the whole book intriguing and it held my attention throughout. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes books about serial killers and solving familial murders!
December 11, 2025
Serial Killer Support Group is the first novel by American author, Saratoga Schaefer. In New York City, in 2019, a secret group of serial killers, meeting to support each other, accessible only via the dark web: why would a woman who works as a marketing coordinator for an Aged Care Facility want to become part of that?
A month after her younger sister, Mira was murdered, Cyra Griffin leaves the police station more frustrated than ever. Detective Bellows hinted that Mira was the victim of a serial killer, but there’s been zero progress in the case. What the police apparently do have is a possible access point to a serial killer support group, according to Eli, working in Police Records, boyfriend of Mira’s best friend.
Cyra’s grief, and guilt for not protecting Mira, is numbing: she no longer cares what happens to her, as long as she can find the killer. To hand over to law enforcement? Maybe. But she’s angry enough, and her MMA training makes her fit enough, to mete out just deserts herself, and she thinks the probability of the killer being in that group is high.
She makes contact, meets the group’s moderator, passes the test, and finds herself in the basement of a former recreation centre in Queens, meeting six serial killers. To be convincing, and to cover the revulsion she initially feels, she adopts a persona, and eventually finds herself comfortable enough as “Mistletoe” that it’s a concern.
This is a well-plotted tale with enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing and the pages turning. The perpetrator will only be on the radar of the most astute reader. Chilling and thrilling, this is an impressive debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers
A month after her younger sister, Mira was murdered, Cyra Griffin leaves the police station more frustrated than ever. Detective Bellows hinted that Mira was the victim of a serial killer, but there’s been zero progress in the case. What the police apparently do have is a possible access point to a serial killer support group, according to Eli, working in Police Records, boyfriend of Mira’s best friend.
Cyra’s grief, and guilt for not protecting Mira, is numbing: she no longer cares what happens to her, as long as she can find the killer. To hand over to law enforcement? Maybe. But she’s angry enough, and her MMA training makes her fit enough, to mete out just deserts herself, and she thinks the probability of the killer being in that group is high.
She makes contact, meets the group’s moderator, passes the test, and finds herself in the basement of a former recreation centre in Queens, meeting six serial killers. To be convincing, and to cover the revulsion she initially feels, she adopts a persona, and eventually finds herself comfortable enough as “Mistletoe” that it’s a concern.
This is a well-plotted tale with enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing and the pages turning. The perpetrator will only be on the radar of the most astute reader. Chilling and thrilling, this is an impressive debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers
September 21, 2024
LOVE LOVE LOVE.
If you are a “that wouldn’t happen in real life” reader, hopefully you read the title and politely set the book back down. This one isn’t for you.
EVERYONE ELSE - THIS BOOK IS GOLD.
The concept of this book is what originally caught my attention. A girl finds herself in a Serial Killer Support Group, trying to find her sister’s murderer. The character’s dialogue kept me chuckling, while simultaneously appreciating the characters ongoing development.
If you are a “that wouldn’t happen in real life” reader, hopefully you read the title and politely set the book back down. This one isn’t for you.
EVERYONE ELSE - THIS BOOK IS GOLD.
The concept of this book is what originally caught my attention. A girl finds herself in a Serial Killer Support Group, trying to find her sister’s murderer. The character’s dialogue kept me chuckling, while simultaneously appreciating the characters ongoing development.
November 1, 2024
Not the darkly humorous book I thought it would be…
1.5 stars rounded up.
The book’s title, cover, and the support group rules at the beginning - and not least its description as a “biting” thriller - all had me thinking this was a deeply sarcastic and/or darkly humorous book (think “Dexter”, but in a support group setting). Well, it’s not.
The book takes itself extremely seriously, and while that still could have worked, just in a different way than I expected, its frankly ridiculous (albeit original and potentially fun) premise (that there would be such a thing as a support group for serial killers, who *of course* absolutely seem like the type to want to share their feelings, but then also - don’t, merely bicker?) and even more ridiculous, not at all tongue in cheek storyline (that a grieving, otherwise completely incapable sister who accesses the dark web from her home computer could get where the NYPD could not) were not the best starting points for an earnest - or thrilling - exploration of evil.
It doesn’t help that the descriptions of the serial killers in question are flat and the individuals (if you can even tell them apart) are, for the most part, pretty dumb (or don’t even technically belong in the group), and it’s a stretch to think most of them would have gone undiscovered for so long. But Cyra is honestly the worst character of all. She is just a horrible, deeply unlikeable person who becomes worse with every chapter, so much so that I found myself wishing one of her support group pals would just do us all a solid and end the suffering.
And finally, there is the absolutely weird “twist” at the end. I actually liked the idea, and it might have worked under any other circumstances. However, the execution was just so flawed - it was at complete odds with chapters upon chapters of previous internal dialogue (while also being predictable and honestly not at all surprising, given how horrible Cyra is being portrayed), and for that reason, made absolutely no sense. If you want to end on that note, please set it up properly - then it actually would have improved this book a bit.
I wish I could have liked this book more, but I found it neither witty nor especially thrilling, and I had a hard time getting through it after the first few somewhat promising chapters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
“Serial Killer Support Group” is slated to be released on March 18, 2025.
1.5 stars rounded up.
The book’s title, cover, and the support group rules at the beginning - and not least its description as a “biting” thriller - all had me thinking this was a deeply sarcastic and/or darkly humorous book (think “Dexter”, but in a support group setting). Well, it’s not.
The book takes itself extremely seriously, and while that still could have worked, just in a different way than I expected, its frankly ridiculous (albeit original and potentially fun) premise (that there would be such a thing as a support group for serial killers, who *of course* absolutely seem like the type to want to share their feelings, but then also - don’t, merely bicker?) and even more ridiculous, not at all tongue in cheek storyline (that a grieving, otherwise completely incapable sister who accesses the dark web from her home computer could get where the NYPD could not) were not the best starting points for an earnest - or thrilling - exploration of evil.
It doesn’t help that the descriptions of the serial killers in question are flat and the individuals (if you can even tell them apart) are, for the most part, pretty dumb (or don’t even technically belong in the group), and it’s a stretch to think most of them would have gone undiscovered for so long. But Cyra is honestly the worst character of all. She is just a horrible, deeply unlikeable person who becomes worse with every chapter, so much so that I found myself wishing one of her support group pals would just do us all a solid and end the suffering.
And finally, there is the absolutely weird “twist” at the end. I actually liked the idea, and it might have worked under any other circumstances. However, the execution was just so flawed - it was at complete odds with chapters upon chapters of previous internal dialogue (while also being predictable and honestly not at all surprising, given how horrible Cyra is being portrayed), and for that reason, made absolutely no sense. If you want to end on that note, please set it up properly - then it actually would have improved this book a bit.
I wish I could have liked this book more, but I found it neither witty nor especially thrilling, and I had a hard time getting through it after the first few somewhat promising chapters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
“Serial Killer Support Group” is slated to be released on March 18, 2025.
January 5, 2025
⭐️ 5 stars ⭐️
Searching for the serial killer that killed her sister, Cyra might find out more than she thought.
Especially about herself.
It’s Christmas Eve and here I am reading about revenge plots and a serial killer support group.
Very festive isn’t it? But hey, it’s vaguely Christmassy — the main character’s nickname is Mistletoe. So I’m kind ofbut not really in the right spirit?
I was weirdly happy that I guessed the plot twist early on. Usually it’s like oh, bummer, ‘cause it sort of sucks out all the fun. Not here, though. I was just amped, waiting for it to be unveiled, waiting to see if I was right.
It’s thrilling, being a part of the investigation, uncovering clues, putting the pieces together before the MC does. The second plot twist? That surprised me. And I loved that even more.
I really liked Cyra’s characterization. She might be cold-hearted and eerily emotionless, but she was also very fucking badass. I can’t stand the whiny female protagonists lots of authors love using, and sure, Cyra wasn’t the best of people, but she was strong, quick on her feet, managing to outsmart seasoned killers.
The plot was well-paced, kept its claws in me. Between the hunt for the right serial killer, the uncovering of Cyra’s past, the meetings, there really wasn’t a dull moment throughout.
The ending was perfect. Nail-biting tension, plot twists on plot twists, Cyra being even more badass, and a quite kismet resolution.
I really enjoyed Serial Killer Support Group, it’s take on a common trope, it’s fully fleshed-out characters, the engaging writing style. I will most certainly be on the lookout for more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Was this real? Was she really bantering with a room full of murderers like it was normal?
Searching for the serial killer that killed her sister, Cyra might find out more than she thought.
Especially about herself.
It’s Christmas Eve and here I am reading about revenge plots and a serial killer support group.
Very festive isn’t it? But hey, it’s vaguely Christmassy — the main character’s nickname is Mistletoe. So I’m kind of
If they wanted her to be Mistletoe, she would embrace it. She would bring out the poison they wanted to trivialize.
I was weirdly happy that I guessed the plot twist early on. Usually it’s like oh, bummer, ‘cause it sort of sucks out all the fun. Not here, though. I was just amped, waiting for it to be unveiled, waiting to see if I was right.
It’s thrilling, being a part of the investigation, uncovering clues, putting the pieces together before the MC does. The second plot twist? That surprised me. And I loved that even more.
“Which one is the act, I wonder? The bereft sister looking for justice or the cold-blooded woman in front of me?”
I really liked Cyra’s characterization. She might be cold-hearted and eerily emotionless, but she was also very fucking badass. I can’t stand the whiny female protagonists lots of authors love using, and sure, Cyra wasn’t the best of people, but she was strong, quick on her feet, managing to outsmart seasoned killers.
The plot was well-paced, kept its claws in me. Between the hunt for the right serial killer, the uncovering of Cyra’s past, the meetings, there really wasn’t a dull moment throughout.
People can try to change, they can hope to evolve and become better, but there are some parts of them that will always remain the same.
The ending was perfect. Nail-biting tension, plot twists on plot twists, Cyra being even more badass, and a quite kismet resolution.
I really enjoyed Serial Killer Support Group, it’s take on a common trope, it’s fully fleshed-out characters, the engaging writing style. I will most certainly be on the lookout for more by this author.
Now, Cyra thought, we are done.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
May 28, 2025
1.5 stars maybe idk what to rate this. 1 feels unfair bc I didn’t hate it but I did DNF.
I really wanted to like this and I thought the writing style flowed very nicely, but it just didn’t land for me. It was an interesting premise but the characters all annoyed me deeply until I couldn’t force myself through another single interaction. Also I feel like if we were supposed to care about who did it, the sister should have been actually likable because I genuinely hated her in all the flashbacks to the point that I couldn’t care less what happened to her.
I really wanted to like this and I thought the writing style flowed very nicely, but it just didn’t land for me. It was an interesting premise but the characters all annoyed me deeply until I couldn’t force myself through another single interaction. Also I feel like if we were supposed to care about who did it, the sister should have been actually likable because I genuinely hated her in all the flashbacks to the point that I couldn’t care less what happened to her.
October 18, 2024
Serial killer support group. Who would have thought it. Cyra is looking for the killer of her sister. This was an exciting book to read. The writer even had me really liking some of the characters. Many twists I didn’t see. If you are looking for a good thriller I definitely recommend this one.
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 28, 2024
B O O K • R E V I E W
#ad Much love for my advance copy of this book @crookedlanebooks #partner
🔪Serial🔪Killers🔪Support🔪Group🔪
Clue on steroids…
When Cyra’s younger sister is murdered, the cops won’t tell her much about their investigation. She doesn’t think they’re moving fast enough to find who killed her. Lucky for Cyra, she has a friend who works in records, Eli, who can get his hands on crucial information that the cops are withholding from her.
The cops suspect Mira, her sister, was murdered by a serial killer. Now Cyra must infiltrate their support group - where they help each other with serial killer issues. But Cyra might have more in common with the other serial killers in the group than she realizes.
The question she needs to figure out: Which one, if any, of these serial killers killed her sister?
This is a super fun book to read. It’s a Russian nesting doll of mysteries. With its super fast-pace you’ll fly through this one while being fully entertained along the way.
I also liked how every few chapters there would be a backstory to one of the serial killer’s lives. As the support group has a few rules, we don’t find out a ton of info about them thru the meetings. So I enjoyed these chapters.
A fun thriller that’ll keep you guessing.
#ad Much love for my advance copy of this book @crookedlanebooks #partner
🔪Serial🔪Killers🔪Support🔪Group🔪
Clue on steroids…
When Cyra’s younger sister is murdered, the cops won’t tell her much about their investigation. She doesn’t think they’re moving fast enough to find who killed her. Lucky for Cyra, she has a friend who works in records, Eli, who can get his hands on crucial information that the cops are withholding from her.
The cops suspect Mira, her sister, was murdered by a serial killer. Now Cyra must infiltrate their support group - where they help each other with serial killer issues. But Cyra might have more in common with the other serial killers in the group than she realizes.
The question she needs to figure out: Which one, if any, of these serial killers killed her sister?
This is a super fun book to read. It’s a Russian nesting doll of mysteries. With its super fast-pace you’ll fly through this one while being fully entertained along the way.
I also liked how every few chapters there would be a backstory to one of the serial killer’s lives. As the support group has a few rules, we don’t find out a ton of info about them thru the meetings. So I enjoyed these chapters.
A fun thriller that’ll keep you guessing.
October 28, 2024
4.5⭐️ Thank you so much Saratoga Schaefer, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for the early release of Serial Killer Support Group. I loved this book! It was fast paced , kept me guessing , had a lot of unreliable but likeable characters and a crime to be solved.
A sister will stop at nothing to figure out what really happened on the morning of her sister’s murder. Dealing with grief and hitting a new rock bottom Cyra takes things into her own hands to avenge her sister Mira’s killer. Mira’s murder was similar to a local serial killer and when Cyra learns this information she will stop at nothing to make the killer pay even if that means going undercover. Cyra goes undercover as a serial killer to a dark web support group for serial killers. By infiltrating this group she knows she is closer to solving this crime more than anyone else.
This book was dark but hooks you from the very start. So many gruesome characters that were still likeable. Told from multiple points of view between each member of the support group find out just how far a sister will go to find justice for her sibling.
This book publishes March 2025 be sure to add it your tbr!
A sister will stop at nothing to figure out what really happened on the morning of her sister’s murder. Dealing with grief and hitting a new rock bottom Cyra takes things into her own hands to avenge her sister Mira’s killer. Mira’s murder was similar to a local serial killer and when Cyra learns this information she will stop at nothing to make the killer pay even if that means going undercover. Cyra goes undercover as a serial killer to a dark web support group for serial killers. By infiltrating this group she knows she is closer to solving this crime more than anyone else.
This book was dark but hooks you from the very start. So many gruesome characters that were still likeable. Told from multiple points of view between each member of the support group find out just how far a sister will go to find justice for her sibling.
This book publishes March 2025 be sure to add it your tbr!
December 16, 2024
This was a solid read. The premise of the book really caught my attention. Someone just has to whisper the word serial killer to me and my head will snap around. Add in some dark humor and you've got me.
I highly enjoyed getting to know the different serial killers through their own POV's and we love a female main character on a mission.
This kept me on my toes and at no point was I able to predict what was coming.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this!
I highly enjoyed getting to know the different serial killers through their own POV's and we love a female main character on a mission.
This kept me on my toes and at no point was I able to predict what was coming.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this!
March 28, 2025
I was lucky to be a beta reader for this book! It was so fun to read it again after two years and not only experience it again but with new parts after edits. Twisty and fun! I appreciate Toga mentioning me in their acknowledgments!
October 1, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️ a dark mystery with twists and turns, a fun whodunit from the perspective of the victim’s older sister. Great for fans of Frieda McFadden and Lisa Jewell.
I liked it but didn’t love it. I can’t help but compare it to Assasins Anonymous, which was a better story and premise, also released in 2024. Cyra plans to infiltrate a Serial Killer Support Group, they aren’t trying to stop killing but are supporting each other in their murder. They use code names and she soon has a partner to help her determine who killed her sister Mira. He knows there is a snitch in the group and needs her help to find out who. So, who is the snitch and who is Mira’s killer?
All is revealed in time. An easy to follow page turner that will keep you guessing.
Thanks to @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for the ARC. Book to be published March 18, 2025.
#booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #arcreview #booktok #netgalley #bookrecommendations #serialkillersupportgroup
I liked it but didn’t love it. I can’t help but compare it to Assasins Anonymous, which was a better story and premise, also released in 2024. Cyra plans to infiltrate a Serial Killer Support Group, they aren’t trying to stop killing but are supporting each other in their murder. They use code names and she soon has a partner to help her determine who killed her sister Mira. He knows there is a snitch in the group and needs her help to find out who. So, who is the snitch and who is Mira’s killer?
All is revealed in time. An easy to follow page turner that will keep you guessing.
Thanks to @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for the ARC. Book to be published March 18, 2025.
#booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #arcreview #booktok #netgalley #bookrecommendations #serialkillersupportgroup
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