This was a nice fast paced read! The ending is abrupt and leaving some questions unanswered, I’d love if there was a sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarpersCollins UK, One More Chapter for this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks for the ARC! The concept behind this one is sharp and original—what starts as group therapy quickly spirals into something darker. The pacing kept me turning pages, and the tension builds well. Some character motivations felt a bit underdeveloped, but the premise delivers on suspense. A solid read for fans of dark, twisty thrillers with a strong hook.

The Serial Killer Support Group is a gripping and emotionally intense thriller that follows Jess Pendle, a domestic violence survivor determined to break the cycle of abuse. When she joins a support group for women who escaped their abusive partners, the story takes a dark turn as a serial killer begins targeting the abusers. The novel tackles difficult themes like systemic failure, morality, and justice, forcing readers to confront the harsh realities survivors face. The bond between the women is powerful and raw, and the suspense keeps you hooked despite some predictable twists.

While the story’s premise is compelling and the subject matter important, the writing occasionally feels a bit one-dimensional, with some characters needing more depth. The ending is abrupt and leaves certain plotlines unresolved, possibly hinting at a sequel. Still, I commend D.B. Stephens for shining a light on domestic violence and the limits of the justice system. Overall, this is a dark, thought-provoking read that explores resilience and the desire to reclaim control in the face of trauma.

Special thanks to NetGalley and HarpersCollins UK, One More Chapter for this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jess decides to join a support group for domestic abuse victims and she finds support amongst others who have also been ignored by police. Shortly after she joins the group, the men that have hurt these women start getting murdered. The group gets put on hold while police investigate and the women themselves try to figure out what is happening.
This book was a quick read, that discussed serious topics and portrayed female bonds and friendship. The twist was only mildly surprising, but the characters are loveable and I wanted to keep reading.

I am a huge thriller fan and this book did not disappoint. It was a new approach to thriller novels which kept you guessing. I don’t want to give the story away and spoil it for people. Please read this book this summer you won’t be disappointed.

🔪 A chilling and twist-packed thriller that will keep you hooked from start to finish!

This book had me gripped from page one. The Serial Killer Support Group offers a darkly original concept, blending psychological suspense with jaw-dropping twists.

🧠 Key Highlights:
👥 A haunting look at trauma and how survivors cope
🕵️ Clever red herrings that will keep you second-guessing
❓ Who is The Caretaker? You will not see it coming
😱 An ending that truly shocks – unforgettable
📖 Addictive and impossible to put down

If you love thrillers that twist your brain and keep you up all night, this one is for you. Make sure your schedule is clear – once you start, you will not stop. An absolute must-read for fans of smart, dark and gripping psychological thrillers.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

3.75 stars

Great characters, and fast paced, with a thoughtful storyline. The subject matter was a little rough but understandably so. I look forward to the next installment.

I enjoyed this book. The writing was good and the storyline original . Im not sure I will read the sequel but I am sure it will have its audience. Thanks for the opportunity to review it!

What a wild, darkly funny, and surprisingly emotional ride. The Serial Killer Support Group is one of those books that sneaks up on you. You think you're walking into something campy or pulpy (and it does have that delicious dark edge), but then it hits you with sharp character work and twisted, thoughtful storytelling.

Stephens has crafted a bizarre premise: a support group for serial killers. Somehow, it feels grounded and unsettlingly plausible. The characters are memorable in that “I probably shouldn’t like this person, but I kinda do” way. There's a sly wit in the writing, and the tension builds steadily without ever losing that thread of grim humor.

What I especially liked was how Stephens keeps control of the tone. It could have easily gone off the rails into parody or pure gore, but it stays smart and compelling. I found myself flipping pages not just to see who would die next, but to see how the group dynamic would evolve. That says a lot, considering the cast. Think Dexter meets a twisted group therapy session.

If you're into dark thrillers with a sense of humor and don't mind morally murky waters, this one's definitely worth your time. It's sharp, odd, and just the right amount of disturbing.

I went into The Serial Killer Support Group intrigued by the concept, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver for me. The story felt dragged out in places, and I struggled to stay engaged. One of the biggest letdowns was the lack of character development — I never really felt connected to anyone, which made it hard to care about what was happening.

The writing style wasn’t quite my cup of tea either. I’m used to more polished, intellectual prose, and this felt a bit unrefined by comparison. That said, I will give credit where it’s due: the ending was definitely the strongest part. It wrapped things up with more energy and direction than the rest of the book.

Overall, it had an interesting premise but didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Wouldn’t rush to recommend it, but others might enjoy it more.

Thank you NetGalley, OneMoreChapter and Harper Collins for the advanced readers copy in return for my honest feedback.

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Looking for an unputdownable (yes I really mean that) thriller with a strong pinch of powerful women, twists that will leave you grabbing your jaw off the floor and keep your heart racing? Get ready for The Serial Killer Support Group by @darrensully.

When I picked up this book after being sent the ARC I wasn't sure what to expect, having a history of being a victim of domestic abuse I was slightly nervous but I can say in no uncertain terms that reading this was like therapy, the portrayals were unbelievably accurate and at times had me crying, nodding, laughing and really cheering for the characters.

We follow Jess, who joins a domestic abuse support group of women who have come from all walks of life and been let down by partners and police alike and are seeking solace in eachother but things take a very interesting turn one day...

It's been one of my easiest 5 star books this year and will stay with me. I think for the rest of my life, it's truly unlike any other book I've ever read.

Thankyou to @darrensully , @netgalley, @harpercollinsuk and @onemorechapterhc for the opportunity to read this and if any of you have a spare physical ARC it would look phenomenal on my bookshelf 😂

I really enjoyed this thriller, it was full of mayhem, vengeance, and bloody murders.

A ruthless killer known as The Caretaker kills abusive men who have rigged the system and escaped justice. A support group for survivors of DV begins to realize that they have personal connections to this murderer as their violent exes begin to receive their karmic dues.

I definitely wasn’t sure what to expect, I loved the characters and really felt for the battered and broken women, but I especially enjoyed seeing them on their healing journey. I felt the ending didn’t fully tie up a few loose ends (Sophie & Geoff especially), but otherwise the story was well formulated and executed.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and HarperCollins UK One More Chapter for a copy!

Some of the topics covered in this novel are of a sensitive nature and hard to read, but it is well written. You become emotionally invested in the characters because of their experiences

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?
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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