This book took a while to get started for me. the first chapter was great but it was a slow going book for a while. You piece together a couple peoples lives together through the view points of two characters switching back and forth. It's not your standard serial killer book and you see a lot of really great character development for very many characters. it also sheds light on issues surrounding domestic violence and the issues behind reporting them and what the abuser goes through trying to get away from their abuser. overall a good book

I love a good serial killer book and I wasn't disappointed with this one. This book deals with domestic violence, control and coercion so if this is a trigger, I would probably stay away.

Despite moments where it is a little slow in pace, "The Serial Killer Support Group" is a gripping and thought-provoking story of a group of resilient women, domestic violence survivors let down by the police, who find solace and support in their shared experiences. The story takes a dark turn as the mysterious Caretaker intervenes, seeking revenge on their abusers in rather graphic ways.

This is a powerful exploration of social injustice and the desire for revenge which, whilst the subject matter was difficult to read (but sadly all to familiar for thousands of women), I enjoyed it and was rooting for the women and the Caretaker. The major twist wasn't a surprise for me but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book and I am eager to find out where the next one takes us.

Many thanks to the author, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the first book in a new series.

This psychological thriller is so dark and macabre!

Touching on heavy topics of domestic violence and the impact it takes on the victims was a bit hard to get through but it effectively conveyed the gravity of the issue. Jess and DS Salam added a compelling dynamic to the story that was greatly appreciated.

There are moments of graphic detail, but they didn't distract from the overall experience. If you enjoy thrillers and don't mind the darkness, then I suggest you give this a peek.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, Harper Collins, and One More Chapter for the ARC!

This thriller begins with Jess Pendle making the brave move to ask for help after ending up in the hospital getting stitches thanks to her abusive partner, but the police don't seem to be able (or even very willing) to take her complaints very seriously. The support group she joins is much more helpful, providing her with new friends who understand what she has gone through and help her regain her confidence. But when the abusive ex-partners of several group members are attacked, the police start to look harder at the group and the men around them. The story is told from several perspectives, mostly that of Jess and the detective in charge of the attacks, Sophie Salam, and I found myself in the awkward position of rooting for both sides. The author does a good job or providing the perspective and mindset of women who are victims of domestic violence, putting the reader in their head to understand why they stay in the relationship and the real fear they face if and when they try to leave. The author's note at the end suggests there will be another book with at least some of the same characters, and I will definitely be on the lookout for it.

Dark, daring, and absolutely gripping — Serial Killers’ Support Group is the kind of thriller that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. D.B. Stephens serves up a powerful, emotionally-charged page-turner that weaves vigilantism, trauma, and justice into a razor-wire-tight plot.

At its core, this is a story about women — survivors of abuse — and what happens when their abusers start turning up dead. The mysterious killer who begins offing these men doesn’t just leave bodies behind, but cryptic videos for the police, raising the stakes with every chilling message. It’s part murder mystery, part social reckoning, and entirely addictive.

Stephens masterfully balances suspense with heart, never sensationalizing the violence but instead giving weight to the experiences of the women at the center. The tension builds like a pressure cooker, and even when you think you’ve figured it out — trust me, you haven’t.

Clever, cathartic, and wickedly satisfying, this book earns every one of its five stars. Read it with the lights on — and maybe with a glass of wine ready for when you finish.

I really enjoyed this book, while the topic was quite heavy, domestic violence, the story moved quickly. Swapping between the main storyline about women who are victims of domestic violence and The Caretaker the book highlights the lack of support the women were receiving from the police when reporting what had happened to them. Whilst I thought I knew who The Caretaker was from the start, I was definitely on the wrong track and liked the twists the book had in it.

A unique and addictive thriller with just the right mix of tension and dark humor. The concept feels fresh, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish. Clever twists and memorable characters make it a standout. A fun, unsettling ride.

I wasn’t sure where this was going at first but then it all made sense. Jess is in an abusive relationship and finally has enough and joins a support group for abused women. Exes start being attacked, and then one is killed. There’s obviously a connection to their group but what could it be?
I thought I knew but I was so wrong.
The book began a bit slowly, but it then picked up pace nicely. The story took an unexpected turn, and the ending was intriguing, though I had hoped for a different one.
I found the book well-written and easy to relate to the characters.
I received this book as a free ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.

"Justice will be served..."

The Serial Killer Support Group by D B Stephens is a gripping and engaging psychological thriller that skillfully explores the themes of trauma, survival and healing.

When Jess Pendle arrives at the hospital one New Year's Eve, her boyfriend Lewis is right by her side, seemingly a caring partner to his injured girlfriend. When questioned what happened, Jess repeats the rehearsed lie for the doctor, "I tripped over the laundry basket". After her face is stitched up she is given a piece of paper for a women's support group. Jess doesn't have any intention of attending the group, but when Lewis starts harassing and stalking her she decides to give it a shot. Every Friday these women meet and share stories about how they are trying to survive an abusive relationship, often with no help from the police. Soon Jess starts to feel comfortable enough to share her story and is happily welcomed into the group. Meanwhile, a vigilante known as The Caretaker is going after men who are abusive towards their partners, attacking some, killing others, and sharing the reasons why online. When the ex-partners of several of the women in the group are targeted, suspicion shifts to one of the workers at the center where the group is held. As the police race to uncover the identity of The Caretaker, will Jess finally be free from Lewis's abuse?

First off, this book deals with domestic violence and the painful reality of being a victim. If this is triggering to you, just be aware of the heavy topics. This is a great book that is packed full of not just emotional depth but also some twists that pull the rug out from under you!! Told in three different POVs, Jess, Detective Salam who is investigating the case, and the elusive Caretaker. I don't want to go into too much detail, (no spoilers here!!) but take my word for it, check this book out!! Also it will be interesting to see if there is a sequel on the way?!?!

Thank you to NetGalley, D B Stephens, and One More Chapter for this ARC!! Publication date is May 8th 2025.

Thank you Harper Collins UK., One More Chapry and Netgalley for this ARC! When Jess finally has enough of being abused by her boyfriend, she finally asks for help and moves out, finding a support group was a big step forward and she finds a solace with the other women in her group. All of a sudden the abusers of the women are coming up beaten or dead. What is going on and who is the Caretaker taking responsibility for the deaths? A great page turner you won’t be able to put down with a lot of great twists and turns!

After Jess Pendle's boyfriend beats her so badly that he has to take her to the emergency room, Jess has finally had enough of his abusive behavior. When they slip her a paper for a women's support group, at first she has no intention of going. But after he continues to stalk her, she decides to give it a try. It is after group is over for the night, that the real work begins..... because these women have found a new, and altogether more deadly way to support each other…
This book was excellent. It was told in the viewpoints of the various members, as well as someone known as "the caretaker". You don't find out for sure who "the caretaker" is until over halfway through the book. I love the idea of vigilante justice, especially for abused women. Keep in mind, there are scenes of abuse in the book, if that is a trigger for you. The way the book ended, kind of left it open for the potential of a second book. I have my fingers crossed! If you love a good mystery/thriller, then you should definitely check this out.

The Serial Killer Support Group, by D. B. Stephens
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Happy pub day !!

I requested this book solely for the title, because how could a thriller lover resist?!
The book follows a group of domestic abuse survivors who are trying to find comfort and move forward through attending a support group. The mysterious and elusive “Caretaker” starts to seek out their abusive ex-partners - attacking them, killing them, and sharing about their abusive nature online.
This was easy to immerse myself in and had my interest from page one. Short chapters, multiple points of view, suspicious side characters, emotional topics and dark vibes. Reading about such a serious, heavy subject really left you rooting for the ‘bad guy’ to do some vigilante shit.
There’s a reason that all the reviews popping up have been great!! I’m excited to see where this series will go after this, as I was pretty invested in these characters. More Sophie Salam would only be a good thing IMO??

Thank you netgalley and onemorechapterhc for the ARC 🫶🏼

I was drawn by the synopsis of The Serial Killer Support Group and it started off well. It begins with a focus on Jess, a victim of domestic violence, who, when she is failed by the justice system joins a support group for those impacted by domestic violence. I found the parts of the novel that focused on Jess and the other women well written and insightful, However when the narrative switched to the ‘Caretakers’ point of view I felt the novel lost focus and impact.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Thank you so much to the publisher/author for this ARC!
I tried to start this one and just could not get into it enough to stay interested. The cover and title were both very intriguing so I’m disappointed that I was a bit uninterested in the story once I got into it. I will likely try to pick it up again maybe in the future, but for now I would say that I wouldn’t recommend.

Thank you for letting me read and review this book on Netgalley.

Rating: 2.5 Stars
Genre: Thriller
POV: Multi-POV

Thoughts: I really wanted to like this book but something was missing. I struggled to continue reading this book even though the premise was really interesting but it didn't work for me. I can't quite pinpoint what it was as I normally love books like this.

As the first book in a series, it introduces the characters and how they become involved in the support group. Insightfully written, it focuses on survivors of domestic violence and highlights the inadequacies of legal retribution and the need for justice. The issues explored are contemporarily relevant and disturbing, but the book is immersive and makes you question the right thing to do. I invested in the characters and their emotions and motivations.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

75% of abusers don't get charged. After being beaten, Jess dares to report her boyfriend to the hospital. Instead of it being a relief and closure, he starts stalking her and making threats. The nightmare is far from over. To cope with what happens, she starts attending a support group for abused women. One by one, the men who hurt the members and escaped justice start being punished by a 'caretaker'.
Such a fast-paced thriller, it gave me chills, and I finished it in one sitting. I can't recommend this enough, it deserves more popularity.

This book tackles heavy subject matter such as domestic violence, survivor trauma, and the failure of institutional justice systems, with admirable boldness. For a large part of the book, it succeeds. The emotional impact of the women’s stories is raw and powerful, and the vigilante setup taps into something deeply cathartic, even if the moral lines are deliberately blurred.

The twist surrounding the Caretaker is clever and surprising, but for me, it also marked the point where the novel began to unravel slightly. The emotional focus gives way to a more familiar cat-and-mouse thriller structure that feels less compelling than the themes the first half promised. The truth about the Caretaker drifts into near-superhero territory, which is a stretch that doesn’t quite align with the grounded, trauma-informed setup. It weakens the overall believability of the narrative.

Jess, the protagonist, is one of the more convincing characters, and her arc is strong in the first sections of this book. It's Jess that best displays the emotional strength of this book, probably because her story is first person POV and fresh in the eye of the reader. But her shift into darker territory felt abrupt. I had expected her to take on a more complex role—perhaps trying to expose or challenge the group from within—and was surprised when that nuance was lost.

The book raises important questions about justice, survival, and systemic failure. Even though it doesn’t always explore these themes deeply enough, I don't know if the needs to accept that role. I'm on the fence with that. However, I do feel that the portrayal of law enforcement often feels a little too surface-level, missing the opportunity to show why the system fails and how it could be challenged or improved. I also felt the police were written as very hands off on the investigation, something almost alien in feel compared to how police would normally react to crimes such as explored in the story.

This is a hard book to review because criticizing its structure or tone risks seeming dismissive of the painful realities it represents. But stories that tackle serious topics still deserve the same narrative scrutiny as any other genre. And while this book is emotionally striking and timely, it struggles to maintain its initial momentum and leaves behind some of its most interesting ethical and psychological questions.

I appreciate the difficulty an author faces when writing this type of story, trying to find the correct tone and balance, and trying to write with care and empathy.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

D.B. Stephens delivers a tension-filled, darkly humorous ride in "The Serial Killer Support Group," expertly weaving a narrative that grips the reader from the very first page. The premise sparks intrigue: a support group for women who have survived the horrors inflicted by serial killers. Jess Pendle, our central character, sets out to find common ground with others who have faced unimaginable trauma, but what begins as a healing journey quickly spirals into something sinister.

The book's premise is both compelling and unsettling. As Jess and her newfound companions turn to unconventional methods of support after their therapist departs, the narrative takes a sharp turn into the macabre. The transformation from a therapeutic environment to a deadly pact raises questions about morality, revenge, and the lengths one will go to assert control over their own narrative. This blend of psychological depth and thriller elements keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly flipping pages to discover what comes next.

Stephens excels in character development, breathing life into each member of the support group. Jess is relatable and raw, allowing readers to connect with her struggles and anxieties. The diverse backgrounds and experiences of the other women provide rich layers to the story, as they each bring their own complexities to the table. The bonds they form, forged in trauma and marred by bloodshed, create an interesting dynamic that keeps the reader invested in their fate.

The writing style is sharp and engaging, with dialogue that feels authentic and reveals the tension simmering beneath the surface. Stephens deftly balances moments of levity with darker themes, offering readers a chance to catch their breath before plunging back into the intense narrative. The pacing is well-executed, propelling the story forward while allowing for moments of reflection that delve into the psychological impact of their shared experiences.

However, "The Serial Killer Support Group" is not without its flaws. At times, the plot veers into predictability, with several twists that seasoned thriller readers may see coming a mile away. Additionally, some readers may find the premise hard to swallow, as it blurs the lines between comedy and horror in a way that may not resonate with everyone. Nevertheless, Stephens manages to keep the tone balanced enough to retain the story's gripping nature.

In conclusion, "The Serial Killer Support Group" is a thrilling exploration of trauma, survival, and the often darkly humorous paths we take to heal. D.B. Stephens has crafted a unique and engaging narrative that challenges societal perceptions of victimhood and empowerment. For fans of psychological thrillers with a twist of dark comedy, this book is definitely worth picking up. Justice may be served, but the journey to get there is one that readers won't soon forget.

This book was absolutely amazing. Five stars! I need a moment to simply gather my thoughts and to figure out how to word my review because it was that good! It got me out of my comfort zone of romance and sooooooo good.