3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

After Jess Pendle is assaulted by her boyfriend on NYE and ends up in the ER, she finally decides to press charges. She is given a card for a support group for women who’ve experienced domestic violence. But what she finds is more than just shared stories—she discovers a powerful circle of women who support one another in unexpected ways.

I appreciated that the women weren’t portrayed as meek—they were determined to reclaim control of their lives. I also enjoyed the dynamic within the support group, but I wish the other women had been more fully developed. It would’ve been nice to get to know each of them better as individuals. I also appreciated the thought-provoking questions the story raised—like what truly makes someone a hero, and whether vigilante justice can be justified when it feels deserved and has the potential to protect others.

As the characters try to uncover the identity of The Caretaker, the person responsible for murdering the exes of the women, the reader is somewhat misled, which may feel unfair to those who enjoy piecing together the mystery themselves. It's difficult to explain further without giving away spoilers. Overall it was a good story, but the synopsis and the title reveal to much of the plot, which takes away from the suspense and lessens the overall thrill of the story. That cliffhanger ending leads me to believe there will be a book 2.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. There are definitely trigger warnings for anyone wanting to read.

The author does a delicate job walking us through what DV looks like to different people and I liked the fact that they showed it doesn’t only happen to women.

We follow our fmc Jess, who has been with her partner Lewis for a while. One evening changes it all and Jess decides to tell the nurses that she is being abused and needs help. She then joins the support group, full of women who have experienced similar things to Jess.

The support group is great for Jess and she starts to regain her confidence again. That is until the partners of those in the group start dying, one by one.

Whilst I didn’t guess the plot in the beginning as we neared it I thought that was the case and gasped when I was right lol.

I enjoyed The blossoming friendship (can we call it that!?) between DC Salaam and Jess. And enjoyed the friendships that Jess formed by going to the group.

I would recommend this book.

The Serial Killer Support Group by D.B. Stephens  is the first in a series about a Woman's support group and the detective who thinks they are responsible for some deaths.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Harper Collins, One More Chapter, and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Jess Pendle is a carer for children with special needs. 

Lewis, her partner, has been abusing Jess for years.  She knows that if she doesn't do something soon, he's going to kill her at some point.  She is handed a pamphlet about a support group when she finally reports Lewis to the police.  It seems to do no good.  He was just warned to stay away.  He did not, and the police officer who visits after another call from Jess, seems to think Jess is encouraging Lewis.  

The support group that Jess attends consists of other women who have lived through physical and emotional abuse, some worse than Jess.  The police force cannot or will not do anything. When a second of the groups abusive partner's is killed, Jess silently, and then not so silently admits that someone should kill Lewis.

That is when a few of the members let her know that there may be a way to get some retribution of her own.

Meanwhile, Detective Sophie Salam, mother of a special needs child, meets Jess in a restaurant, where her daughter Lottie, is having a tantrum.  Jess goes over and gives Sophie a couple of tips that immediately silence the little girl.  Sophie and Jess bond over this encounter.

But that's before the police start investigating the "Caretaker" murders.  Sophie knows that Jess is hiding something.

 

My Opinions:
First, DB Stephens and Darren O'Sullivan are the same man....which explains why the blurb was so appreciative of O'Sullivan's book, and yet the book is written by Stephens.  Whew!

Next, this was a fast and entertaining read.  The plot was good and the characters engaging. 

I'm really hoping that the police are doing more than they were doing in this book for abused women (and men) in society today.   I liked how the book looked at how far some will go to escape their abusers, and at the end it showed how widespread this problem is.  The idea of revenge is interesting.  Yes, occasionally it was a little far-fetched, but it's fiction, and I enjoyed it.

I actually liked how the book foreshadowed up-coming books....especially since I was not aware that this was the first in a series.  I really wish publishers would tell you up front when you are about to commit to reading more than one book!

I do, however, recommend this.  It was really well done, with good characters, and a good pace.  I, for one, look forward to the next book

The first half of the book was slightly slow and repetitive BUT still intrigued me to continue. When you hit the twist in the middle it flies until the end! Overall a great book to read with a unique plot.

This was a good read and a strong look at how the police fail a lot of DV survivors. The plot follow from three different characters which I found good. Overall a good start to what maybe a great series

I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for more as it ended on a cliff hanger so surely is a series.

It was a lot more gory and deeper than the blurb and title suggest. I thought it was going to be a cosy murder mystery and was much more than that. Even though it was obvious from the blurb and title! What was going to happen and who the care taker would be I loved the unfolding of it and the different points if view

Thank you for the arc

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this!
I love thrillers but I typically don't read ones like this: a woman, suffering from domestic abuse, finds a group of supportive women that she can lean on in times of need. However, a serial killer is slowly taking out the abusers of their group, questioning the fine line between morality and justice.
This takes a ton of twists and turns: some very obvious, some a bit more surprising. There is no good way to review this and not give those up. But I really enjoyed it. A few times it was quite graphic and the content is really strong, but it really worked within the content of the story.
There is also a side story of a police officer with a young autistic daughter and I thought that was a nice touch: I wanted MORE from this side story, but it did really humanize the police officers.
I thought the ending was really ambiguous and I kind of liked that? Sometimes thrillers wrap themselves up really well with a clear 'who dun it' ending, and this just isn't that. It gives the reader a bit of something to chew on, and that questioning is a great way for a story to end.

OK this title had me hooked and I did enjoy this book. I did feel like that the story fell flat in some areas, but I was intrigued throughout the book and didn't want to stop reading. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC!

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐲𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝. 𝐅*𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲.

If it's a thriller about a serial killer, I'm going to read it. Jess Pendle arrives at the hospital one New Year's Eve accompanied by her partner Lewis, who shows care and concern to his injured girlfriend in front of the hospital staff. They have no idea that Lewis made Jess relentlessly practice her cover story on the drive there. A fall down the stairs thanks to an errant laundry basket? Jess received the injuries to her face not by an inanimate object but at the hands of the main who claimed to love her.

After confiding in a compassionate doctor, Jess is given information about a domestic violence support group, and after some trepidation, she attends. She finds solidarity, sisterhood, and a serial killer. That's right, someone calling himself The Caretaker is systematically hunting down the men who harmed the women who are part of this group because sometimes the police just can't help, and karma needs a little help getting started.

The topic of domestic violence can be triggering for some, but I found no prolonged or lengthy descriptions that were overly graphic. The narrative shifts from Jess, The unnamed Caretaker, and Detective Salam, the female detective investigating the murders. I would love for this to be the start of a series, but if not, this was completely satisfying as a standalone thriller.

Many thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the complimentary copy. This book published May 8, 2025.

The Serial Killer Support Group by D B Stephens

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A gripping read! 5 stars for the plot and delivery of this story. Jess has decided to finally leave her abusive boyfriend when she comes across a support group for survivors. What she finds saves her life and ends others.

I thought this was a fantastic read. A group of women taking matters into their own hands

Well I was not expecting that !!!

What a read very fast paced .so many plot twists , my mind was racing,. I look at therapy in a whole new light !! Lol .and it is pretty Gory

Characters jess the main character I found so interesting I felt I needed to help watch her back at times like I was in the story .

The writing perfect honestly it's the first time an author pulled the carpet from under me and still laying on the floor recovering .

Honestly easy gripping 5 stars 🌟

The Serial Killer Support Group
By DB Stephens

This book follows Jess Pendle, a domestic abuse survivor. Jess makes the courageous decision to join a DV support group and meets a wonderful group of woman. After reporting all incidents to police and not getting any help, the females all realise that there’s a vigilante out there targeting their abusers.

💭Review💭
This book was thrilling, fast paced and addictive. With so many unexpected twists I just couldn’t put it down. I loved how the story was told from 3 POV’s: Jess (the survivor of DV), The Caretaker (the vigilante) and Detective Sophie Salam. I loved the relationship between Jess and the other survivors, what an incredible bunch of people. I also liked the relationship between Jess and Sophie and can’t wait to read more about them in the next book😊

Overall this was a brilliant, engaging read that had me rooting for the victims from the outset.

This was an OK read, but read like a young adult novel to me in both how the characters acted and the writing itself. It centers on Jess, who finally gets the nerve to leave her abusive boyfriend, then joins a support group for survivors. Around the same time, someone starts picking off the abusive exes of the women in the group, and you start to also get chapters told from the POV of the lead detective on the case. While it did highlight the fact that society needs to do more to protect women, it didn't do a lot for me personally.

There were a couple red herrings but I was able to figure out pretty early who "the Caretaker" was, and felt frustrated at the way the police were handling the investigation- it did not ring true at all. Some of the murder scenes were pretty violent, if you like that kind of stuff (I can go either way, as long as it's a good story). I also felt like the side story around the policewoman and her daughter was unnecessary and also not fully resolved.

Overall, this one wasn't really for me, but I did appreciate the fact that it sends a clear message that more needs to happen to protect abused partners. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me a chance to review!

Genre: Psychological Thriller / Contemporary Fiction
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

The Support Group is a compelling and emotionally charged novel that explores the complex aftermath of trauma and the unorthodox bonds forged in its wake. At its core, the story centers on a group of women brought together by a shared experience of surviving terrible crimes. What begins as a traditional therapy group quickly evolves into something far more unpredictable and raw when their therapist unexpectedly leaves.

The author deftly navigates the emotional terrain of recovery, grief, and empowerment. Each woman is portrayed with nuance and depth, offering unique perspectives on victimhood, resilience, and justice. As the formal structure of their therapy crumbles, the group must reimagine what support means—and how far they’re willing to go for one another.

The pacing is deliberate, giving space for character development while building an undercurrent of tension. Readers may find themselves questioning moral boundaries as the women’s bond grows stronger—and darker. The novel flirts with themes of vigilante justice, sisterhood, and the gray areas of healing, challenging the reader to consider what true support looks like when institutions fail.

While the ending may leave some wanting a bit more resolution, it’s in keeping with the novel’s exploration of ambiguity and emotional complexity. The Support Group isn’t just a story about surviving trauma—it’s about reclaiming power, even when the methods are messy and unorthodox.

Highly recommended for fans of Big Little Lies, Sharp Objects, or anyone interested in character-driven narratives that blend psychological depth with suspense.

I knew I was going to love this book after I’d read the first page.

The vigilante element i enjoyed so much as we got to slowly find out how they justified what they did and the reason why they started in the first place.

It was difficult to read at times as it describes in detail how the women from the support group have suffered and are still suffering now but the author writes about it in an emphatic way.

It also made me angry about how women are treated and dismissed, which I know so many women will relate to.

I’m excited to see how this story progresses as I think book 2 is in the works.

Serial Killer Support Group is a dark thriller. Jess and her friends all have chilling tales of domestic abuse, but fortunately for the women, “The Caretaker” is out there protecting them. Killing the men who have evaded justice, and exacting revenge of his own.

“The past always catches up with you, one way or another”

This was a really emotive book. It made me angry, sad and everything in between. The short and engaging chapters kept me turning the pages and I felt sympathy for the women in the group. It’s unusual to be on the side of the killer, and I did enjoy that spin.
As the mother of an autistic child, I felt Lottie was a nice bonus character, and the way she was depicted was accurate and well done.

I thought the way we found out who the caretaker was was a bit meh though. I felt that could’ve been a little better done and the book felt longer than I needed to be.

Apart from that, a good 4* read.

“It had been years since he had rested so well, and it told him that what he had done, the suffering he had caused, was justified. He slept like a baby because a bad man has finally faced justice for his crimes… Soon they would know this wasn’t an isolated murder. More would be killed before he was done”

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for my advanced copy.

☆ARC REVIEW☆
Publication date: Available now!


When I'm saying I could not put this one down, I mean I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!!

While tackling such an important topic, domestic violence, D.B. Stephens managed to make me sit on the edge of my seat, while dare I say it, rooting for the serial killer.

If you are a Dexter and Saw(without the gore) fan, I'd highly recommend this heart-pounding vigilante thriller!!

Thank you, NetGalley, D.B. Stephens and HarperCollins UK for an early copy in exchange for a review!!

4,5 stars rounded up to 5

Domestic abuse is a tough subject. I always feel drawn to it because there is so much injustice in the way it works, it is handled, and how people suffering from it are treated.
This book is excellent in his characterization. I truly loved getting to know Jess and the rest of the group. I found myself filled with compassion, with fear, with anger. If an author can make me feel the feels, I am grateful. In a world of tell instead of show, D.B. Stephens showed, and did it so very well.
I flew through the pages and had to pace myself, devouring each chapter and innocently thinking I had gotten things figured out easily. HAHA. No, I was so far off it is laughable.
But what do you do when the system in place fails you?
I loved the blurred lines, the fear changing side, the undercurrent of fear, not only coming from what abusers could so but also from the risks taken by a group of survivors ready to do what it takes.
Only the ending felt a little too much, too rushed, too light after all the risks taken and the processes to ensure no one could ever find out (although definitely, the targeting of those men would have to point at the group anyway!)

I liked this thriller; it was full of mayhem, vengeance & murders.

I really enjoyed the writing style and the atmosphere the author created.

I did guess quite early on who the “caretaker” was but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book!

I’d definitely read more from this author, especially a sequel!

The serial killer support group


A serial killer that stands up for the women who are abused and ignored? Talk about anti hero right? This story definitely has its triggers so be aware friends. I loved the camaraderie, the support, the friendships and the strength that these women showed. Now listen this isn't strength that any woman should have to show in the first place but life doesn't deal it's cards fairly. These women experienced horrible abuse and tried to do something about it. They reported it and tried to protect themselves and the law failed them. While this story is fictional, it brings up real world problems. Women that are abused. According to the statistics, in the US 3 women are murdered by their current or past partner every day. This story may be fictional but the call for change is real. There needs to be a change.