Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this before publication.

Wow, this was a rollercoaster! I adored the writing style and the atmosphere the author created and I really appreciate how the author handled the DV subject. However, I did guess fairly early on who the Caretaker was, but that did not take away from my "enjoyment". I would love to read more from this author, especially maybe a sequel?!

This is dark and some of the descriptions are quite graphic, however this is an important story. Jess finally realises her abusive boyfriend is never going to be the person she wants him to be and joins a victim support group. Here she begins to make friends until someone statrs killing the ex partners of the other women in the group.

I am drawn to novels where abusers get their just deserts. The Serial Killer Support Group dishes it up, if you'll forgive the awful pun.

When Jess Pendle is admitted to hospital for treatment of the injuries inflicted by her partner, Lewis, she is given a leaflet about a support group for victims of domestic violence. Once Lewis is arrested (although not for long), she realises she must break free of him. She changes her locks and starts therapy in the group sessions.

Not long afterwards, one of the women's partners is attacked, then another, and another... Meanwhile, Lewis' behaviour is increasingly threatening.

The women whose husbands have been attacked or killed all have alibis. So who is the perpetrator? And who will be the next victim?

The Serial Killer Support Group is one of my favourite types of crime novel: it's a very readable, well written and well constructed mystery novel, but it also addresses a real and serious social issue. In this case, domestic violence and the lack of any effective legal protection for its victims. It's an added bonus that it's also about women supporting each other.

The writing is excellent. It's exciting and fast paced with tense scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well drawn, and the dialogue sharp. Keeps you reading deep into the night.

It's also emotionally charged. These women are living a nightmare, day after day, year after year, and the government, police and legal system do virtually nothing to really help them. Even those who have managed to pull themselves out of immediate danger know that the threat of violence is ever present. It's a dire situation faced by millions of women (and some men) in every country, in all strata of society. For many victims, the abuse continues for the rest of their [or their abuser's] life. In a huge percentage of cases, it ends with the victim being murdered by their abuser.

So of course you are rooting for the killer, whoever he is!

Apparently there's a second novel in the pipeline, The Serial Killer Support Network. I can't wait!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing an ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest no matter how I acquire the book.

This is one of the best books I’ve read EVER! I honestly was reading it thinking oh this isn’t what I thought it was going to be but in the best way! It was far better than I could have ever imagined it.
Jess doesn’t want to be a victim of domestic abuse, she is because of her abusive ex Lewis but she refuses to be a victim. She joins a support group for domestic violence and meets an amazing group of women but as each women are telling their story there is someone waiting in the background - the caretaker - who is picking the abusive men off one by one! As the group is ripped apart by the deaths of their abusers will the women still stick together to get the help they need?
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This dark and morally charged thriller dives headfirst into the aftermath of domestic abuse, told through the tense and often harrowing story of Jess Pendle. On New Year’s Eve, instead of ringing in a new beginning, Jess finds herself in A&E after yet another attack by her partner, Lewis. But this time, she reports it—setting off a chain of events that entangles her with a group of women whose pasts are just as scarred as her own.

The title might suggest a satirical or offbeat thriller, but what unfolds is a serious and emotionally layered narrative that handles domestic violence with great care. Stephens does an excellent job portraying the psychological grip of abuse—how leaving isn't always the end, and how the system doesn’t always protect those who need it most.

The whodunnit element adds a compelling mystery, and while I suspected the identity of the Caretaker early on, the tension stayed high thanks to the ethical gray zones and the emotional stakes. It's not just a thriller—it’s a story of survival, systemic failure, and the resilience of women who have been pushed too far.

While I didn’t quite get the jaw-dropping twist I hoped for, the book’s strength lies in its raw honesty and its refusal to offer neat resolutions.

Thank you to D B Stephens, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

A whodunnit with real life experiences. This book tackles domestic violence and also brings it to life. Not easy but well written and should be read with this in mind.
There is a whodunnit element to it which was satisfying when revealed and the characters were all likeable and easy to relate to.

A wonderfully unexpected book, I loved this angle and the twists and turns that came at me, leaving me hooked.

I really wish and hope that this book starts the right conversations about domestic abuse and makes people more aware of what is happening behind closed doors, the isolation of those who suffer at the hands of abusive relationships, without needing to be as drastic as this book.

I felt that this book focused more on the strengths of those being abused without diminishing the horrors they experienced. It is a book of power and support.

This is a fast paced book about revenge with plenty of gore and intrigue.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisers for this ARC

A quick thriller read based around a support group for abused women. When their therapist leaves, they only have each other to share their stories, fears, and abuses and rely on each other for strength and support. Their ex partners have escaped justice, and the police/ law are ineffecrive. Then the Caretaker materialises, swooping in to create vigilante justice...Are their actions, criminal or heroic? Either way, they pay the way for these women to stand tall and fierce once again. #theserialkillersupportgroup #DBStephens #netgalley

I loved this book! Characters were great! I didn’t see the ending coming! 5 stars, highly recommend. I enjoyed the originality!

4.5/5 stars

I raced through this book, fascinated by the many twists and questions it raised. This is a book about domestic violence, it is also a book about taking back your power and safety … but what lengths will someone go to in order to achieve this. This book addresses tough questions at so many levels and will leave your head spinning and wanting more … as I do! I was so glad to read it is the first in a series because I have so many questions still … but waiting for the next book will be hard!

There is so much that is cleverly handled in how this book comes together; and so much that makes you question the idea of justice and want so much better and more help for anyone who faces domestic violence or any other kind of abuse.

The additional dynamic of a detective with her own difficult backstory and her experiences with her autistic child add yet another level of depth to this story and I’m impatient to see how the rest will play out.

Thanks so much to the publisher HarperCollins, Netgalley and the author for intoducing me to such a challenging and surprising story about both a serial killer and the power and strength that can come from a support group. This was very much a case of expect the unexpected; and prepare to enjoy some very clever writing.

The Serial Killer Support Group tells the story of a group of women who have been subjected to domestic violence and come together to form a support group. But then, several of the support groups' abusers end up dead...

This book covers such a tricky subject matter, but it does it in a really clever way. The women find themselves questioning whether they hope their abuser turns up dead, but would this make them just as bad? I really liked that I found myself wondering how I felt in certain situations.

Overall, a really well written book that I enjoyed very much.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to the book based on the title and hadn’t realised DB Stephens is a pseudonym for Darren O’Sullivan. I have previously read a few of O’Sullivans’s books, which made me even more excited to read this one.

After finding the courage to leave her abusive partner, Jess Pendle is invited to join a support group for other DV survivors. Shortly after joining, the ex partners of some of the women within the group start finding themselves to a vigilante serial killer known as ‘The Caretaker’.

Although there are some difficult subjects explored in the book, Stephens does this respectfully. Domestic violence can be a trigger for some but I feel that Stephens gives us a good insight into the realities of DV and had clearly done a lot of research which was evident through the portrayal of Jess Pendle, a DV survivor.

I enjoyed the pacing which was even throughout with a good build up to some completely unexpected twists. I really thought I'd guessed the 'big reveal', however there was much more to come.

I cannot wait for the next instalment.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing this ARC!

4.25 ⭐️
Loved this twisty psychological crime thriller, drew me in, had me hooked and gave me that satisfied feeling at the end.

The writing was clever and pacey and full of tension throughout.

A revenge story with domestic abuse and the behaviours of those involved at its core, which has been skillfully crafted with great characters and an imaginative plot.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This was such a great psychological thriller. I loved everything about this book and will be recommending it to all my book loving thriller friends.
The writing is sharp, the pacing relentless, and the psychological tension is off the charts. This is the kind of book that keeps you reading long past bedtime, heart racing as you flip each page.
This is a book packed with sharp dialogue, tangled relationships, and twists that keep you guessing until the very end. If you love a tense, character-driven thriller where no one is quite what they seem, then The Serial Killer Support Group by D B Stephens is a must-read!

I enjoyed this book a lot even though it isn’t a book I typically would have choose. I was intrigued by the blurb and decided to read it. The main character Jess started out abused and small. By the end of the book she grew and became more confident and assertive. The friendships she built with 3 of the other ladies was beautiful. We all need a ride or die friend or two. D.B. Stevens had me on my toes and the twists this book took were wild. If you like suspense/mystery/thrillers, you are sure to like this book! But please take a look at the trigger warnings before diving into it!

Thank you to D.B. Stephens, the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of the ebook. This review is honest and freely given.

4.5 Stars

Be sure to read the trigger warnings before beginning this one because, wow! This book was quite the adventure. There are enough twists and turns in this psychological thriller/mystery to keep you hooked. Although I myself love true crime and serial killers, it's not for everyone. Your interest will be grabbed by this book from start to finish.

Jess Pendle finds the strength to escape her violent spouse because she has finally had enough. She agrees to attend a support group for women who have experienced domestic violence after she is no longer subjected to it. The caretaker pursues vengeance by taking on the roles of judge, the jury, and executioner as the group of women start to share their own tales of survival and suffering and the lack of action of law enforcement.

Please, add DB Stephens' Serial Killer Support Group to your summer must-read list if you enjoy suspenseful, heart-pounding thrillers.

I'd like to thank NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, and One More Chapter for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

As a preface, this book covers heavy and relevant topics. The main aspect of this book is centred around domestic abuse and that isn't something to take lightly.
That being said, even with such a heavy topic this was a fun read for a thriller. I enjoyed the pacing and style and I really enjoyed the different points of view.
At some points I did want to just kind of smack myself in the face for how I missed some things which is always a fun and engaging experience when reading.
It felt like a really good length and kept me engaged the whole way through, I'm really looking forward to reading some follow up books in this series because it flowed well and I really got to know all the characters.
Definitely looking out for more books and will probably call for a reread just to see what details I missed the first time around.
Favourite Quote - Murder was murder. Right? It was always wrong. Unless, of course, it wasn't.
Favourite Character - Lottie

Thanks to NetGalley, D. B. Stephens, and Harper Collins for the eARC! If you’re into vigilante stories, you’ll want to pick this one up. It had me feeling all kinds of emotions—heavy-hearted at times, but also secretly cheering. A really great read!

Who wouldn’t be interested in a title like “The Serial Killer Support Group”? I was expecting a fast-paced thriller and was happy to find that and more!

This book is not without its flaws, but let’s acknowledge its pros: first and foremost, a strong message. I like that this thriller centered on domestic violence and issues with the justice system. This is an ongoing issue in countries around the world and I appreciate that this book sought to bring attention to that fact.

Second, I enjoy women's’ rights, but I loveeee women’s wrongs. I don’t condone murder and some of the more graphic depictions in this book really made me question “how far is too far?” - but I was definitely rooting for revenge throughout the book.

The characters were likable and the pacing was great to hook me in and keep me interested in the story.

A few areas for improvement:
1. Some of the characters were shallow and could’ve been given more depth. I liked Jess and Sophie’s characters a lot. There relationship is what really made this feel like a feminist novel to me; they are both badasses and Jess never questions that Sophie is strong and should do her job to her full ability regardless of the outcome.
2. There wasn’t really a twist here for me. I found the story to be predictable and was not surprised but what I believe was meant to be the “big reveal.”
3. The ending was so abrupt! I expected to read more about the police department’s investigation and Sophie’s past relationship. I was invested in learning more about her situation and knowing her daughter would be safe.
4. Some language toward the end was confusing/inconsistent with the book’s messaging. It is weird to have a survivor refer to another survivor saying, “She is no better than us.”

Overall, I really enjoyed this read and would pick up another thriller by this author!

Jess makes the courageous decision to ask for help, soon finds herself living alone and remains terrified of her ex who is ignoring the warnings to stay away from her.
She joins DV support group and meets a wonderful group of ladies, all in the same position as her. They all asked for help but are still being threatened and harassed by their ex's and there is nothing the police can do.

One by one the men they are afraid of begin getting hurt and Jess and the group realise there is a vigilante targeting abusers. What follows is fast paced, tense and the ending is perfect.

If you enjoy thrillers this one needs to be on your list! While the identity of the vigilante isn't a complete surprise it takes nothing away from how good this book is.