4.25⭐

The Serial Killer Support Group by new to me author D.B. Stephens cleverly explores the concept of a support group that inadvertently inspires a serial killer.

This group meets weekly to discuss their lives, their exes, and most importantly, their personal achievements.

In a chilling twist, the serial killer uses the truths shared in these meetings to select their targets.

But who is the mysterious serial killer, and how are they connected to the support group?

And as the story unfolds, the author plays with the killer's likability. Are they a deranged murderer or a vigilante taking justice into their own hands? Each character has their own opinion, and by the end, I found myself forming an opinion too.

The story also features a strong detective who grapples with their own challenges, both past and present and highlights the harsh realities of domestic abuse through the lives of main characters Jess, Kelly, Madison, and Hannah. Whose dark and unsettling backstories will resonate with many survivors of abuse, illustrating the difficulties of acknowledging it, seeking help, and, in some cases, not receiving the support they need.

And with twists galore and the potential for a sequel. This was an intriguing, complex and eye-opening story. That I would happily recommend to others.

Ok this one messed with my head bc I was totally rooting for the killer & then questioning my own moral fiber. I guarantee you will be in the same situation if you pick this one up! When Jess’s boyfriend hurts her to the point of needing stitches, the doctors slips her the info for a support group for abused women. There, Jess meets the women who will become her support system & good friends. As Jess finally finds a place that gives her comfort & strength, the ex-partners of the women begin to get attacked. A killer, calling himself The Caretaker, brutally murders these men & leaves videos telling the police the attacks will stop when they handle abuse reports seriously. As the media begins to focus on the women their group is forced to disband, ending the only solace some of them have. They need the killer to be found so their group can stay alive - but do they all really want the murders to end? This is such a wild ride and makes you question what justice really means. Definitely recommend!

The serial killer support group was an interesting read, I enjoyed the air of mystery when people started turning up dead. This novel touched upon tough subjects such as DV but I felt it was handled with sensitivity and the storyline played out so well.

Thank you to Harper Collins, One More Chapter and Netgalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jess has finally left her abusive boyfriend and joins a group of women going through the same things in their own lives. Suddenly some of the women's abusers begin to meet untimely deaths. Who is responsible for these deaths? Jess finally realizes the ramifications of joining the group, it gives her the support and strength she lost during her abusive relationship and she's not about to give them up.
The story unwinds in a very predictable way and yet it felt very satisfying.

Fast paced novel with a vigilant vibe sure to be loved by all mystery and suspense readers out there.

I received a free copy of, The Serial Killer Support Group, by D. B. Stephens, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Jessica is a victim of domestic violence, when she finally gets the courage to leave her abuser, she joins a support group, but this support group is not like other support groups. I dont know if I liked this book yet, I did not care for the language though.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. At key points in the story, when you think that you know what is going to happen, something completely different happens, what a way to keep you on your toes!

Jess is going through things in her personal life, and to deal she joins a support group. This group is very helpful to her, and she begins to open up to them, heal, and become stronger. However, a string of incidents occur that seem unrelated at first, but then it seems that the group has something to do with them somehow, but how?

I loved this book. It was exactly what I needed right now, I thought this book was going to be one thing, but it turned into something else, in a good way. I believed that I was going to need to get my detective cap out for this one, but instead I ended up enjoying the ride!

This book does have realistic depictions of violence, including domestic violence. I'm not sure if trigger warnings may be needed for this book but it's a thought.

What?! This was such a wild ride! I'm still in shock after putting the book down. I loved the unexpected twists and turns. I had so many ideas of who The Caretaker was, and boy, was I wrong. The ending also completely shocked me!! Such a great book. It truly gripped me the entire time and had me on the edge of my seat. Be sure to cancel your plans once you pick this one up, as you won't want to put it down til you finish it! Such a great read that will sit with me for a long time. (Please note this has several triggers in it including DV, @buse, mur3dr... please skip over this one if those may trigger you, as they're major themes in the book.)

I received this ARC from NetGalley and One More Chapter (HarperCollins UK) to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

After seeing review after review calling this book unputdownable, I couldn’t resist. And wow, were they right. I was hooked. This is one of the most gripping page-turners I’ve read in a while, and it’s just the start of a brand-new series. I’m already itching for the next instalment!

On New Year’s Eve, Jess Pendle finds herself in A&E, beaten and bruised by her boyfriend Lewis – but this time is different. It’s worse. The staff see through the lies she’s been trained to tell and offer her a lifeline. She takes that terrifying first step… but when the system fails her and Lewis walks free, Jess is left to fearfully pick up the shattered pieces of her life.

Enter the support group: a circle of women with eerily similar scars, offering comfort and solidarity. Soon, the men who hurt them begin to turn up dead. One by one. Victims of a mysterious vigilante calling himself The Caretaker.

Is it justice? Revenge? Or something even more dangerous?

The tension is sharp, the pacing relentless, and just when you think you know where it’s going—bam, another twist. And with DS Sophie Salam’s own secrets simmering beneath the surface, the intrigue for future books is perfectly set. I can’t wait to dig deeper into her story as the series unfolds.

This is a fierce, high-stakes thriller that will have you racing through the pages and side-eyeing everyone.

I’m on a roll with group therapy reads; however, this one couldn’t be more different than the last one. It’s about a serial killer, known as the Caretaker, who targets men that have abused women. The community is split over it, and the detective working on the case uncovers a pretty chilling secret.

The story revolves around a group of women who have escaped the clutches of abusive relationships. They form a friendship forged through shared pain, and I found myself rooting for them wholeheartedly. But the plot thickens as a mysterious killer known as The Caretaker begins targeting the women’s former partners. The tension is palpable, and I felt every bit of the women’s fear and resilience.

Again, I’m not a fan of multiple perspectives, but each character brought something unique to the table, allowing me to connect with them on different levels. They felt like real people with real struggles. The way the author balanced the terrifying reality of domestic violence with the gripping tension of a serial killer plot was intriguing. It really makes one rethink their values.

If you’re a fan of thrilling, emotional reads that also make you stop and think, then The Serial Killer Support Group should definitely be on your list. It’s a thought-provoking book that gets you thinking about the justice system, police, and how survivors are treated.

Thank you to D B Stephens for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

This book! If you love a good revenge book with kick ass women trying to take back control of their lives when the system fails them, this book is for you. We open this book with Jess who is being force to recount a false story about how she obtained her injuries before she goes to get treatment. During the course of the evening she finally decides to try to escape. Unfortunately not only is her abuser not arrested, he begins to stalk and torment her. Jen, seeking help and some support starts to attend a Support group for abused woman. When the men who have been the source of so much pain to the woman of the group start become unalived, the spotlight starts to shine on the group while a dogged detective is determined to uncover who is behind the deaths.

I loved the premise and the way this story turned out. There were a lot of twists but you do quickly discover who is responsible, then the story really gets good. This book is full of strong women who are all working to overcome some significant issues. What I loved about this book is they way the women lean on each other to heal. Despite the system failing them so spectacularly, they really do want to move forward in a way that makes them feel safe. I don’t read a lot of mystery/thriller novels but I am so glad I took a chance on this one. Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read and voluntarily review this book.

I enjoyed this book and I'm glad it is going to be a start of a series.

I got hooked from the very beginning. The way this author wrote about domestic violence was tasteful.

The support group helped women come together and talk about there experience and to get their power back. I loved how they all supported each other in there time of need.

The twists weren't big, but it was still fun to read. I guessed wrong right away because that would of been too obvious, but then I came to knowing who the caretaker was before the author revealed it.

I'm excited to see what the second book has in store since it was left on a cliffhanger.

Jess Is abused by her partner Lewis when she finally gets the courage to leave she discovers the promised help and protection doesn't come to much till she joins a support group for victims of domestic abouse. Jess has no idea just how supportive the group can be for her.
This book was brilliant I flew through it in one sitting. The twist at the halfway point I was not expecting at all ! Would definitely recommend for a quick thriller read.
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK and D B Stephens for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to this book by the title and it didn’t disappoint.

Jess Pendle leaves her abusive boyfriend Lewis and finds a support group for victims of domestic violence. When the ex partners of several of the group are attacked the Police link them and Jess is left to question if she would want Lewis to be attacked by the vigilante ‘The Caretaker’

The author weaves some shocking statistics on domestic violence into the plot to help explain some of the characters actions.

I presumed the author was female due to the realistic way that the characters and their relationships with each other have been written. I was pleasantly surprised to find out the author is male.

The book leaves the reader pondering what they would do if they were in the same situation and if two wrongs make a right.

I was so excited when I reached the end to find out it is the first in a series and the can’t wait to catch up with the characters and see what happens next!

I really enjoyed this book. Didn’t think it would keep me hooked but I could not put this down. Will definitely keep an eye out for more books from this author. Thank you!

I have read a few of Darren's books over the last year or two, some of his older work and some of his newer releases and honestly I am yet to come across one that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed.

This story follows Jess who joins a domestic abuse support group in hope of helping her heal and cope with her ex's abuse. She becomes good friends with the other women in this group. Shortly after killings start by someone called 'The Caretaker'. The Caretaker is killing the other women's abusive exes.

This might possibly be my favourite read by Darren so far! This book was only released a few days ago and I really recommend it!

Jess has finally had enough. Her boyfriend has hit her and put her in the hospital for the last time. She decides to tell the police and her family about the abuse she's been subjected to. Unfortunately, the police are barely any help and she continues to be victimized and threatened by her boyfriend. Jess decides to reach out to a support group for victims of domestic violence. But there's something odd going on with this support group. Injury and death are occurring to the various partners and spouses who abused them, by someone known in the media as "The Caretaker." Is this group a blessing or a curse?

This was a really good book about women finding ways to take back their power when the system fails them. You really feel for the women and men suffering from domestic violence, and all the fight they go through to leave their partners and get help.

*** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ***

This book offers a powerful and unsettling exploration of morality, systemic failure, and the limits of justice. It challenges readers to reconsider deeply held assumptions about what is right versus wrong, fair versus unjust, particularly within the context of domestic violence and institutional neglect.

The narrative presents a haunting question: What recourse does one have when they’ve followed every rule, made every “right” choice, and yet find themselves unprotected by the very systems meant to ensure their safety? In that sense, the book mirrors the psychological tension seen in films like 1st Joker, inviting readers to grapple with the uncomfortable gray area between victimhood and resistance.

Although I anticipated the ending, the journey there was compelling, emotionally charged, and worthy of continued discussion. This would be an excellent book club selection, as it naturally lends itself to thoughtful debate on ethics, resilience, and systemic accountability.

Trigger warning: The book deals with themes of domestic violence and murder.

Domestic violence is a crime with so many elements; the scars are deep and sometimes never heal. In THE SERIAL KILLER SUPPORT GROUP, a group of DV victims come together to work through their thoughts and feelings. They are victims, yet the men who abused them and the systems meant to keep them safe have failed them. The group gives them a safe space to vent. Then one of the abusers is killed, and then another. The group now has a "Caretaker" who is giving revenge as they all had wished at one time or another.
The characters here are developed so well that your heart breaks for them each time they are hurt. Their fear and despair when their abusers are not punished stirs anger and disbelief in a system meant to protect them. When the Caretaker starts meting out revenge, you find it hard not to cheer. There are several stories left unfinished at the end, a book #2 would find many readers ready to see what happens next.

It took me a but to get into it and then I enjoyed it. However, I did notice a change between the first half and the second. Whereas I could sympathise with all the women and their reasons to do what they were doing, there wasn't a single character I liked. I liked the fact that t they took it into their own hands to solve a problem we have in real life that is getting no solution. Overall, it was an entertaining read.

This was such a good book. As a survivor, myself, of domestic violence, I recognized myself while reading. The fear is real. The learning to do what is asked immediately or suffer immensely is real. This book took me right back to when I was in the thick of the abuse. I love that the hero became a legacy and that women's voices were heard. I will say, I didn't care for the open ending. I felt some things were left unsaid and unfinished. It was a nice twist at the end, but to give that twist and then just end the book? Not a fan. Overall the book was a gripping read and I'd recommend.