A Map to Murder: A Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco Mystery

The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco #3

by Michelle Chouinard

Beloved true crime tour guide Capri Sanzio returns in Michelle Chouinard’s A Map to Murder, the next book in the USA Today bestselling Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco Mysteries.

True crime tour guide and serial killer aficionado Capri Sanzio knows how central the Summer of Love is to San Francisco’s identity—even if she’s always had conflicted feelings about it. She’s used to weaving feel-good hippie culture and music into her Haight-Ashbury true crime tales, centering her tours around what happens when a revolution looking to lift up the best ideals humanity has to offer clashes with the darkest souls hidden among humanity’s shadows. But what she’s not used to is a guest stepping out from those shadows to drop a murder investigation directly into her lap.

A woman has gone missing in San Francisco after trying to solve her aunt’s murder: a cold case from the Summer of Love. Capri sees herself in the missing woman—both were unable to find the answers they desperately wanted as kids—and sees her own daughter in the tour guest begging for her help. Unable to turn the case away, Capri finds herself following a trail of flower-power footprints turned deadly—straight to a killer who has her in their sights.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Cozy, Adult Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 22, 2026

Reviews

[SD · Rating 4 out of 5]

1967 - the Summer of Love and ... murder

San Francisco tour guide extraordinaire and true-crime journalist/podcaster Capri gets pulled into searching for Jenny Torres. Jenny came to town to find out all that she could about the death of her aunt Marilyn, who was killed in 1967. Hailey, Jenny's daughter, sought out Capri to help her find her mom, who has been radio silent for several days. Hailey listens to Capri's podcast and joins a tour in an effort to vet Capri. If you haven't read book 1, The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco, and book 2, A Tour to Die For, you won't be lost. This can be read as a standalone. However, I recommend you give them a read as well. The style of the book is to intersperse chapters of historical notes related to the tour and investigation. I haven't fact-checked them, and whether or not true is irrelevant to me; their existence does what I think the author intended - they pull me into Capri's world.

With thoughts of her close calls in the last investigation, Capri is being cautious in wading into the death of Marilyn. As the story unfolds, so many dead ends and so many secrets make it seem like this may just go unsolved, especially given the number of years that have passed. How can Capri find answers when many of the people and places no longer exist?  Lots of legwork and searching keep Capri busy while she continues to give tours and support her friends and family. The podcast was less prevalent in this book, and I am not sure how I feel about that. 

Capri has ongoing family concerns that cause a couple of sleepless nights. Given how they were woven in, I suspect it may be a book or two before they are resolved. Given Capri's name is Capricorn, fitting for the time period she was investigating, I was disappointed that it took her so long to speak with her mother about the case.  Marilyn ran away from home and stayed true to herself. She did not get swept into sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll that she was surrounded by. There were some things I would have liked more details about, but the lack of them did not detract from the story or my enjoyment of it. There were a few "obvious" things, but they too didn't detract from the story for me. 

Overall, I think this was a great story. I am looking forward to what's next for Capri and her crew.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MinotaurBooks for the early read and chance to share my thoughts.

Happy Reading!

[Just Blue Through Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and to St. Martin's Press for the ARC of A Map to Murder by Michelle Chouinard.

This is the third book in the series, and I would recommend reading the previous two first to have the best understanding of the story.

A month ago I had the opportunity to travel to San Francisco for work, and part of the reason I was excited was because of all the historical drops from this series that make the city feel so alive and like its own character. Chouinard continues that in A Map to Murder, and there is much to learn about the Summer of Love, and the ways its mission has been portrayed and distorted in the past fifty years, both for good and for bad.

The book description very accurately sets up the mystery so I won't recap it or expand on it to avoid any spoilers. I do think fans of the series will see a lot of growth in Capri since the first book - her investigative skills are more defined, and she looks before she leaps. It's a positive change for both her own safety and for those she cares about, and it makes her feel more real on the page because she's recognizing the reality of the danger she's pursuing and the actions that must be taken.

Capri and Petito continue their cute romance, though his family history is still shrouded in mystery (maybe for a later book?), and we do see some small and minor developments around Capri's ex husband and her daughter's new attempts at being a landlord. I think it was okay to move the ex-husband arc more to the background of this book because of how consuming Capri's personal life had to be in the first two books and those mysteries - here we see her to start to feel more settled and more willing to ask for help and think critically, and so I think having her further develop before that storyline runs back around is a smart choice.

The mystery was interesting, both because of the historical facts about the Summer of Love and some of its darker history, but also because of the way that Capri is following the leads of someone she has never met based on another person she has never met where most of the contacts are now deceased. It was layered with multiple red herrings, and had a lot of depth by cozy mystery standards. While some people may figure out who the murderer is before the big reveal, I think it's the way that Capri handles it that make this my favorite in the series so far.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Chouinard’s A Map to Murder was my patio-before-sunrise read this week, and San Francisco during the Summer of Love turned out to be a pretty irresistible place to disappear into while my coffee went cold. Thank you Minotaur Books for the gifted advance copy. Tell me I’m not the only one who hears “decades-old cold case” and immediately decides I’m qualified to solve it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the third book in The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco series, and I think this may be my favorite one yet. Capri Sanzio is once again doing what Capri does best: giving true-crime tours, asking a lot of questions, and getting herself involved in a case that most sensible people would probably leave to the professionals.

This time, a young woman approaches Capri looking for help finding her missing mother. Her mother had come to San Francisco searching for answers about her aunt Marilyn, who was murdered during the Summer of Love in 1967. A current disappearance tied to an unsolved murder almost sixty years earlier? Yep. I was in.

I especially loved how Michelle brought 1967 Haight-Ashbury into the story. The flower power, communes, Victorian houses, idealism, drugs, runaways, and darker side of the era gave the mystery so much atmosphere without making me feel like I was sitting through a history lesson. The glimpses into Marilyn’s life also made the cold case feel personal.

And Capri has definitely learned a few things after three investigations. She’s still curious enough to walk toward trouble, because apparently we can’t fix everything, but she’s smarter about it now. I also loved catching up with Petito, her daughter, and the people who have become Capri’s little found family.

There were plenty of people for me to side-eye, and I loved watching clues from the past slowly connect with the present. But San Francisco may have stolen the whole book for me. Three books into this series and I’m still wishing Capri’s true-crime tours were real because I would absolutely buy a ticket.

Which decade or historical moment would you love to see at the center of a modern-day mystery?

#AMapToMurder #MichelleChouinard #MinotaurBooks #CozyMystery #MysteryBooks #SanFranciscoBooks #HistoricalMystery #Bookstagram #BookReview

[Devi · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Read as a book
📃 320 pages
⏱ 4 hours reading time
🏷️ Minotaur Books
📅 To be published: September 22, 2026
📌 ARC received via NetGalley

There's a particular kind of reading anxiety that sets in when you love a series too much. Book one blew you away. Book two somehow topped it. By book three, you're convinced the author has used up all their magic and you're about to be heartbroken. Michelle Chouinard apparently did not get that memo, because A Map to Murder is brilliant, vibrant, and everything I didn't know I needed from this series.

The Summer of Love as a murder mystery backdrop was genuinely inspired. Chouinard doesn't just use San Francisco's history as wallpaper. She weaves it into the DNA of the mystery itself, letting the idealism of that era crash headlong into something much darker. The flower-power aesthetic and the cold case at its heart create this gorgeous tension between beauty and violence that feels uniquely San Franciscan. It's the kind of setting work that makes you want to immediately book a flight and take Capri's actual tour.

And can we talk about the relationships? Petito being endlessly supportive while Capri charges headfirst into danger is the kind of dynamic I will never get tired of. The found family element continues to shine, grounding the mystery in something warm and real. The pacing was tight, the tension was Constant. and I genuinely could not put this down.

Three books in, and this series just keeps getting richer. At this point, it’s not even a question that Michelle Chouinard isn’t just consistent, she’s leveling up with every book. And honestly, I need the next one immediately.

Would I recommend this?
A Map to Murder is the rare third book in a series that doesn't coast on goodwill. It earns every page. The mystery is clever, the setting is immersive, and the emotional core will sneak up on you in the best possible way. If you haven't started this series, please fix that immediately. And if you have, add this one to your TBR right now. Mark September 22nd in your calendar, because this is one release you do not want to sleep on.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Chouinard has a captivating way of writing. She draws you in right away and you feel a part of the story. There were two stories happening. And even though I am not a huge fan of this, it did work for this story. The main character Capri is great. Well thought out. Being middle aged myself I can certainly relate to her and how her drive to protect her daughter but also to help those in need really hits home for me. in this third iteration of this series you see Capri learning from past mistakes in her other mysteries. She definitely approaches this mystery with bringing others along with her to help keep her safe.

But on the other hand I thought that the character Marilyn was weak. As the story was about figuring out her murder maybe it seemed weak because you learned along the way. I would have loved more depth to her character but then that would take away from Capri. Having two story lines going is tough to do well. I think the author did well at it but could have had more in depth to the story in the past.

There are many references to the past solved mysteries and her ex and daughter and now boyfriend. If you are new to these stories you are missing some great back story if you are starting with this book. Go back and read, it adds so much to this story.
I love the characters and look forward to more stories.

So some of the mystery seemed on the nose so to speak. Some things I figured out right away and some I was sure of because there were so many pages left to go. The story does show all that people will be people, that some are just evil and that we need to accept that and try and come up with solutions but didn’t offer any. So this fell short. Like do we just do better? If people are people where is the hope in that. Maybe this is too deep for a cozy mystery but this sense of evil is out there was through out the story. Maybe it was just part of the learning and coming of age for some of the characters. But I personally believe there can be a greater hope.

If you like cozy mystery set in a beautiful city then this is the read for you. Thank you to Net Gallery for the opportunity to read this one early and share my thoughts.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy a bit of armchair detective work, this is a fun jaunt through San Francisco, known for its hippie past and bizarre serial killer history. I have to admit that the premise of this story, describes a weird fascination for tourists. Would you go on a bus tour called "SF Killer Crime bus tours" to hear some of that freaky history and immerse yourself in 1960's hippie vibes? Additionally, throughout the book you get quick articles with history about San Francisco and the Haight-Ashbury district, the Summer of Love in '67, and some murder tales to help set up the atmoshere of this story .

A tour guide / true crime podcaster, named Capricorn, aka Capri, with a cop boyfriend, is approached to help find a young woman's missing mother ---that mother was investigating the cold case of her murdered older sister , 50 + years ago, --- when she disappeared two weeks ago.

That daughter seeks out Capri since she's a fan of her true crime podcasts. The detail that Capri has a famous serial killer in her family history, adds confidence that this podcasting sleuth may have an inside track to discovering the mystery of her missing mom, and murdered aunt. The story is told in 2 rotating timelines which heightens the suspense of the story. The reader goes back in time to the 60's, to experience what the times were like from the POV of a murder victim. This is contrasted with present day sleuthing to unravel the mystery of what happened to Aunt Marilyn all those years ago.

This is the 3 rd book in what promises to be a popular mystery series. I haven't read the first two books but I understand those both provide some character background that will help you enjoy this cozy mystery even more. This quirky and unique novel does well as a stand alone mystery, too. Definitely recommended.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC of this mystery novel. I appreciate the opportunity to read it in advance of publication in exchange for my honest review.

[PJ S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur/St. Martin's for this egalley.

What a fun and charming mystery! This is my first in the series and first by the author, but I'm very excited to read the first books now.
The story progressed smoothly and in a way that made sense, while not resorting to cheap tactics or out-of-the-blue twists. I was invested from page 1 until the end.
And it was an educational read, too! I love the San Fran history thrown in, to enhance the full immersion in SF culture.

Our protagonist, Capri, agreed to help a young woman track down her missing mother, who in turn was tracking down her aunt's murderer 50 years after the fact. Capri's boyfriend, a police inspector, is just enough protective, but with a sense of humor, allowing Capri to make sometimes questionable investigative decisions. But this isn't a Stephanie Plum bumbling PI story. Capri, despite being a podcast host slash true crime influencer, is actually a skilled investigative journalist and makes the right steps to get where she needs to be.

With no "big twist", this book (and presumably series) is straightforward whodunit mystery, for readers who love that kind of intellectual suspense without the anxiety.
A Map to Murder is a dual timeline story, set largely in present day, but with flashbacks of our victim's POV during the 1967 Summer of Love. The backdrop of Haight-Ashbury hippie culture was fun, intriguing, and educational.

This is a quick read, if you're looking for palate cleanser or are just kinda noncommittal. I imagine this whole series would be pretty easy to binge through.

Thanks again to St. Martin's, for another winner.

[Kimberly Michel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series about Capri who runs a true crime tour business in San Francisco. In this third book, during one of her tours a young woman comes up to Capri to ask her for help in finding her missing mother. The missing mother had come to SF in search of answers regarding her aunt who had been murdered during the Summer of Love in 1967.

The good first - the mystery was great. I loved the back and forth between the two time periods. It was not one chapter in the present and the next in the past which I appreciate, too much back and forth doesn’t give the book a chance to breathe. There’s also bits of history from the tours Capri runs. Those were very fun to read because that’s definitely an interesting time in history.

The bad - the main character is very annoying. I will say, having read the first two books as well, that she is less annoying than in the prior book so maybe we are making progress. She is immature, is shocked by literally anything and everything, and never stops reminding everyone around her and the reader that she is an investigative journalist.

Now this of course is my own opinion so she might not bother anyone else. I put up with her because I enjoy the overall plot of the books and the history nuggets, but I really hope she gets a personality transplant before the next book.

Plot - 4 stars
Main character - 2 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! The characters are so fun. I love learning about the city’s history. I really wasn’t very familiar with the summer of love, and I learned a lot about it. It makes me wish I could join one of Capri’s tours. Of course, my favorite part is the crime that has to be solved. Cold cases are always difficult because so much time has passed, and I thought the author did a good job of showing that. I liked how she threw in some red herrings to keep you guessing.

I feel like Capri is growing as an investigator. She finally tells people where she’s going and has done the work so she can protect herself. I still feel like she takes a big risk, but I can see how it was necessary to solve the case. I just wish she had been a little smarter. It would be a spoiler to expound on that, so I won’t. I like how she and Pepito are figuring out how to juggle their somewhat opposing careers.

I felt like the romance really took a back seat in this one, which is fine, but I do hope we learn more about Pepito. I liked how Capri found the time for her best friend’s turmoil even amidst a missing person’s case. The found family aspect is one of the things I love about this series.

I’m can’t wait for more explorations of San Fran and case-solving with Capri. Every book in this series has been a quick, fun read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur/St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

This is the third in a series that follows Capri Sanzio, an investigative journalist who runs a tour company in San Francisco. I’m really glad that I read the first two prior to this one, because while the focal mystery stands alone in this book, the background story (family and relationships) progresses through the whole series.

A woman has gone missing while trying to find out who murdered her aunt Mari in the late 1960s. The woman’s daughter enlists Capri’s investigative skills to help find her mother. In the search, Capri also finds out who murdered Mari and what happened to her friend RiverSong. She’s much smarter about investigating than she is in the previous 2 books – her boyfriend Petito has a grounding effect on her, and their relationship is one of mutual respect and affection.

There were so many possibilities for the killer, and I was guessing until the very end! A Map for Murder is a love letter to San Francisco and the Summer of Love that I really enjoyed! Check this out for your next cozy mystery if you like:

🔎dual timeline
🔎cozy mystery
🔎amateur sleuth
🔎investigative journalism

[Kaylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Map to Murder is a cozy mystery set in San Francisco as our main protagonist investigates a murder dating back to the Summer of Love era. This installment is book three in "The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco" series, however, I read it as a standalone and was able to jump right into the plot without issue.

The novel is written as a dual timeline - featuring the majority of the plot in the present day mystery investigation, with flashbacks from the Summer of Love peppered in. I personally found the historical context to be the most compelling part of the story and I really enjoyed those flashbacks. Historic San Francisco is not a topic I have much background knowledge of and I found it interesting to learn about the beautiful Victorian homes, communes, and social movements that were hallmarks of that time period.

Overall, I really enjoyed observing Capri's investigative process as she tracked down clues and interviewed relevant people to her murder investigation.

Thank you to Michelle Chouinard and Minotaur for the copy of this book I received through Goodreads Giveaways!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic series—Map to Murder by Michelle Chouinard truly took me by surprise! I’m honestly blown away.

This book is a hidden gem for anyone who loves murder mysteries and mystery thrillers. Not only does it deliver all the classic investigative twists and turns, but it also adds a fresh angle with Capri’s true crime tours, where you pick up real-life facts about infamous killers along the way. I loved how the story wove in fascinating details about the “Season of Love” and the Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco—I genuinely learned a lot while trying to solve the mystery!

The dual perspective, especially with Marilyn’s point of view, adds even more depth and intrigue, making for an irresistibly compelling read.
If you’re looking for something unique in the mystery genre, this series is an absolute must-read!

Tropes you’ll find:
-Amateur Sleuth
-Dual POV
-Woman in Jeopardy
-Found Family (Marilyn)
-True Crime/Meta Mystery
-Police Procedural Elements
-Unlikely Allies

Highly recommend for fans of twisty, original thrillers—with a side of real history!

[Anna J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Capri is leading a true crime tour in San Francisco when a person on her tour asks for her help. Haley wants her help because her mother Jennifer came out to look into her Aunt Marilyn’s murder and has stopped answering her phone. She thinks it all goes back to the summer of love when Marilyn’s case was left unsolved. Capri starts retracing Jennifer’s steps and discovers the house that Marilyn had lived in. Once there she is able to discover secrets that have long been buried.

I liked how Capri’s learning and growing and being more careful to protect herself from harm. She is still juggling her business, tours, love life, worrying about her ex-husband and her daughter. I liked how the author shares Capri’s thoughts in her head and you can feel her frustration with trying to put all the pieces together to solve the crime. I love all the quirky characters and how they make their own found family.

I have enjoyed the whole series and can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Hope Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite book in the series so far! A Map to Murder had everything I love in a mystery—a cold case, a dual timeline, plenty of twists, and a setting that feels like a character all on its own. I loved how the story blended the history of San Francisco's Summer of Love with a present-day investigation. It made the mystery feel even richer.

Capri continues to grow as a character, and it's been so much fun watching her become more confident while still staying true to herself. The mystery kept me guessing, and every time I thought I had it figured out, another clue sent me in a different direction.

The pacing was great, the historical details were fascinating without slowing the story down, and I was completely invested from beginning to end. If you're a fan of mysteries with memorable characters, clever twists, and a unique setting, this series just keeps getting better. I already can't wait to see where Capri's next adventure takes her!
:::

[April Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for sending this ARC (DRC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this book. I think it's my favorite in the series. As someone who works in the tour business in San Francisco, I especially enjoy these stories. The specific locations mentioned are always geographically accurate and I can picture them in my mind. This one centered in the Haight-Ashbury and I loved all the references to the Victorian homes and famous people that lived there in the 60's. The mystery in this book was the best one yet and I couldn't put it down. I don't always love a dual timeline, but this one worked. I love Capri and enjoy seeing the progression of her relationship with Pepito. All the characters are great. Look forward to the next book in the series. *E-Book*

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far my favorite of the series!! I like that Capri shows growth. So often with series such as these the characters become formulaic, but Capri can (and does) learn from past cases and mistakes without it taking away from the story - I'd go so far as to say it enhances it.

There are threads from the previous books in here: Capri's issues with her ex, her daughter's land-lording, why she's working on getting a carry permit, but by and large this story stands out as its own good mystery. I was positive I had it figured out - spoiler alert, I did not. And I love when I don't see something coming but it makes perfect sense.

I have to say, this might be the first time I thought to myself "huh, maybe a SF tour would be kinda cool to do" - maybe the next time I visit!

Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley for this ARC.

[❆ Ashton ❆ (fable link in bio) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✦⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆✦
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Review ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧

★★★★ ½(Rounded up to 5)
THANK YOU NETGALLEY & MICHELLE CHOUINARD!
💚🌁🔪🗺️💛
I looove these books. By the third one, it's easily become my favorite because the characters are so well developed that I feel like I actually know them. Capri especially really grew on me, and I loved seeing how much she's come into her own throughout the series. The story itself kept me engaged from beginning to end, and I had such a fun time reading it. I really enjoyed the murder investigation and the way someone specifically sought Capri out to solve it; it made for a fresh and entertaining storyline. These books are the definition of a low stakes, cozy mystery. They're smooth, comforting reads that never feel too heavy, making them the perfect palate cleanser between more emotionally intense books.

[Britt | Britt Reads A Little · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to give this 3.5 stars.

This was a cute book. Full disclosure, I haven't read the other 2 books in the series, but I'm always intrigued by the covers. For someone who hasn't read the first two, this book did a good job of not dropping me off in the middle of nowhere, but also providing enough information to get me up to speed enough without spoiling anything.

This was a very fun and cute cozy mystery that also had some intense moments. The idea of a city tour around infamous San Francisco crime sites sounds interesting and like something I'd love, honestly. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. The mystery was entertaining and kept me guessing. If you like San Francisco and cozy mysteries then I'd read this book.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur for the ARC of this book!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. I haven’t read the first two books in the series, but I never felt like I was missing too much, which was nice. I really liked Capri and the whole idea of a true crime tour guide getting pulled into an actual murder investigation. (Avid true crime junkie here). The mystery kept me guessing and had plenty of twists to keep things interesting.

My favorite part was definitely the setting! I love San Francisco so much, and the way Michelle Chouinard described it honestly made me feel like I was back there. I also really enjoyed all the history about the Summer of Love and Haight-Ashbury. It added so much to the story and made the setting feel like a character itself.

What to Expect:
-Cozy mystery + amateur sleuth
-San Francisco setting
-True crime (!!!)

Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably my bad for a requesting this book (my thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for granting me access to this ARC) as I didn’t realize it was the third in a series and I definitely needed to have read those other two to even figure out what was happening in this one. I heartily endorse reading the first two before tackling this one.

This is a cozy mystery following Capri Sanzo, a true crime guide, whose grandfather was a convicted serial killer. In this book, the sequel to A Tour to Die For, Capri is approached by Haley Torres to help her find her mother, Jennifer. Jennifer was in San Francisco to investigate the 1967 murder of Haley’s Great Aunt Marilyn.

The book alternates between three time lines - Haley’s and Jennifer’s investigations and Marilyn’s life. These are investigating. The hippie-vibe of the ‘60s was the part I probably liked best as the period aligns with my youth so I have memories of that. The investigations are thorough. The romance between Capri and Petito continues. These minor characters are why one needs to read the first two books. The mystery was okay.

This book is definitely for those readers who have started the The Serial Killers Guide series.

[Emmy Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spending time with Capri and the gang is always a treat, and seeing the character growth over the last three books has been pretty cool. Capri has gone from being a bit of a loose cannon to a more mature detective who considers the real-world consequences of her actions—even if she has met with a few murderers along the way. 😉

I love how the author sets the stage with the vivid scenery and history of San Francisco. The POV chapters set during the Summer of Love helped move the mystery timelines forward while dropping little clues along the way. There were a couple of red herrings, but the ultimate reveal was satisfying, albeit a little rushed.

While this third installment can be read as a standalone, readers will get more out of it if they’ve read the first two books.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

[Elizabeth Valentin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, tour guide-turned-investigative journalist/podcaster Capri Sanzio finds herself investigating a murder; this time during the Summer of Love. The dual timeline allows readers to uncover what happened in 1967 while also following the search for the original victim’s niece, who disappeared after looking into her aunt’s death.

There are so many good things I can say about this book. The writing is familiar and straightforward, and the dual timeline adds a fun whodunnit element that keeps you guessing. The characters are relatable, and their personal lives are woven into the story without detracting from the central mystery. Reading this book really does feel like catching up with old friends!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for access to the NetGalley ARC.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️ I really liked the first two books in this series so I was excited to get an ARC for this. It followed the same storyline and setup as the previous two books where the main character is trying to solve a murder while also balancing her personal life and career. There is also always flashbacks/background information about an earlier period in time that links with the main story. I enjoyed the mystery in this one more than the first two and I think that’s because of the time period it was based around - the 60s. It was a quick read for me and kept me engaged the entire time. I recommend going and reading the first two if you haven’t already before this one. I will definitely continue to read this series.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capri finds herself helping a young woman find her mother who has disappeared while looking for answers to her sister's death back during the Summer of Love. Can she not only find the missing women but find out what happened almost 60 years ago?
I really enjoy mysteries that combine a modern day mystery/murder with a historical one and this series does a fantastic job of that. The story moves along at a quick pace, I didn't want to put it down. I'm enjoying the progress in Capri's relationship with Petito as well and like that he doesn't try to stop her from her sleuthing. Michelle Chouinard writes a smart, relatable character in Capri and I look forward to reading more about her, Petito, and the rest of her crew.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the ARC.

[Sunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The description for this one really caught my attention. A tour guide for serial killer? Check! A little bit of San Francisco culture? Check! Murder investigation? Check! And to top it off, it's all rolled into a comedy. On paper, this was the perfect book for me. I really enjoyed the twists and turns, and also the writing style. However, the pacing was too slow for my taste and this book didn't have the action that I was expecting from a murder mystery. That could just be me since I read a lot of detective novels though. Overall, I think the book was great, but I just wasn't the target audience.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC! This was one of my most anticipated reads this year!!!

In the third installment of this series, Capri Sanzio is off on yet another thrilling investigation. A young woman approaches her about her missing mother, and of course Capri helps investigate the situation.

I really enjoyed the dual point of views in the book which was new for the series as well, but I think it added so much to the story and gave a more in depth understanding of what happened and why.

Eagerly awaiting an announcement for a fourth book! Every single time I am shocked by the revelation of what actually happened, and I'm usually pretty good at guessing those things!

Highly recommend this book!

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and this book. If you haven't read the first two books, do not worry; you can read this book as a stand-alone. Yet, let me warn you that you will be so hooked that you will quickly want to read the first two books in the series.
I love all the covers in this series; they catch your eye right away and give a little hint to what is to come. Michelle Chouinard has a wonderful way of writing, and you want to meet her characters off the written page. I love her sense of humor, and her description of the city of San Fransico is amazing.
This story has true crime, history from the Summer of Love, and a continued growth of the main characters; I loved it all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Danielle D · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid, fast-paced cozy mystery with bits of real San Francisco history mixed in with the fiction. I did find myself getting frustrated with Capri’s habit of arguing out loud with herself while working through the case; it doesn’t feel like something a real person would do. I also wasn’t satisfied with the conclusion of the main mystery storyline this time. That said, I did enjoy the alternating timeline way the mystery unfolded, the side storyline was enjoyable, and I liked spending more time with the supporting cast. The character development in the series continues to be a strong point, and I’m still looking forward to seeing where things go in the next book.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series and I recommend reading them all in order to have the best possible experience. You can probably read them singly, but I feel like each book gets better as the relationships build.
This has a satisfying mystery as Capri starts to spend more time investigating a murder and a disappearance rather than doing her tour business. There are several possible suspects and Capri is getting smarter about telling people where she's going and carrying protection. I enjoy the friendships that Capri has with her friends and daughter and her personality. I liked how the characters are evolving.

[Jess Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series as it combines so many of my favorite things: mysteries, walking tours, history, and true crime.

This installment was riveting. When a young woman joins a tour looking for her missing mother, Capri goes down the rabbit hole of the past to find out what happened. I loved the additional history of hippie culture in San Francisco. There was so little I knew about the time period.

I actually guessed the ending wrong but it was such a great story and well tied together.

Thank you to #NetGalley #StMartinaPress and #MinotaurBooks for the ARC