3.5 stars rounded down

The support group was supposed to be a chance to meet like-minded women and receive therapy in the wake of the terrible crimes committed against them, but when their therapist leaves, will they find ways to support each other?

Although the book held my attention from the beginning there was something lacking in the second half of the book. The story is told from multiple perspectives, and all the women characters were likeable. The premise was interesting and I was pulled in almost immediately. I thought I knew who "The Caretaker" was from the moment the character was introduced, but I was wrong. The police were failing to help these women from their abusers. The story does end quite abruptly, and it was a bit of a let down. I will read more books by this author.

Published 8th May 2025

I would like to thank #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #DBStephens for my ARC of #TheSerialKillerSupportGroup in exchange for an honest review.

To begin, I'm grateful for the ARC, thank you! It has been a pleasure getting to read this book.

A serial killer support group, a name and premise that would catch anyone's eye! While it may be a personal issue, I felt that the pacing of the story felt slow. Besides this fact, I did finish the book in a day. This book raises awareness of domestic violence, the reality that abusers are not who we may think, and how there may be flaws within the system for dealing with it. A vigilante decides to be the solution and handle the abusers himself. A fascinating premise! Stephens explores this with multiple perspectives of a victim, the detective, and the killer himself. The multiple point of views adds depth to the story, developing a beautiful and well-rounded story that explores personalities and histories. The book was thoroughly detailed, allowing for an easy read. However, it did feel slow for me, and I will say that around the 50-60% and around 80-100% I was struggling to finish it. Luckily, with the short chapters, the progression made it become easier where I told myself, "One more chapter."

I think the characters were well-written within their depiction of the fear, the slow acceptance, and the healing from their abuse. However, I did struggle with the realism of their personalities. Sometimes they felt one-dimensional, which could just be a me issue. In the end, I found myself rooting for the group. I enjoyed the twists that it contained, and it ultimately made me question the actual statistic of domestic violence cases. I think this book served its intended goal well.

Solid if predictable thriller. Satisfying vengeance plot, could have used a twist or two, enjoyable easy read, but feels like a set up for a bigger sequal

This was such a suspensful read, I loved how the women came together even if it was for a darker reason. It shows how they were lead to the group and what they had been through, definitely morally ambiguous. But there were elements that made me question right / wrong and it kept me hooked.

A good ,⭐⭐⭐⭐ From me, a quick read, no messing, straight into the action.

A difficult and important topic, handled and discussed reaaaaally well. Seeing as the police so sod all to get justice to those that suffer domestic abuse... the Caretaker cleans up!

We see from the perspective of a group of friends... survivors of domestic abuse, we grow to like each character although it's mostly Jess and Sophie we get to know a bit deeper. I definitely found myself rooting for the girls and on their side, but I didn't find myself pitting them, because we see them fight and come through the abuse which is a reflection of the writer's skill to handle a difficult topic so well.

Not really any scary bits, however we do get some gory details... all deserving. Kinda feel the story was predictable in a way, but that's okay, it doesn't ruin the story. I really enjoyed the ending, it was pretty perfect in fact and got me shouting hell yes girls!! Each scenario made sense, none of it was far fetched... as far as I can tell, but I'm not a serial killer either so not like Id know. Some research and thinking behind how the killer covered their track and not just to get away with ridiculous shit.

Thanks to Net galley, Harper Collins and D B Stephens for the Arc copy of the book. look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley! This book drew me immediately into the story. It was very heartbreaking at points and definitely pulled at my heart strings for those characters. I did not expect the twist when it was revealed and wondered what else would happen after that as it was early on in the story. But the ending did not disappoint

This book drew me in from the first chapter. We meet Jess and her seemingly charming boyfriend, Lewis who in reality is a controlling character who regularly abuses Jess physically and emotionally. Although this would on the surface appear a bleak topic, the book is uplifting and hopeful. Jess manages to separate from Lewis and finds a support group, which helps her in more ways than she initially realised. The writing is taught and the plot is well worked out. The principal characters are three dimensional and although I struggled to differentiate between a couple of the group, it didn’t matter. I believe this is going to be the first book in a series and I’m already excited to read the next one .

I admit, I wanted to read this book purely based on the title and not did not disappoint me. Several women attend a support group for victims of domestic violence, but when their therapist leaves, they have to take matters into their own hands and seek other ways to support each other. I was hooked from the start and the short punchy chapters really drew me in. The plot moves at pace and you will be pleased with the twists. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

I want to thank One More Chapter for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I loved this book and devoured it as quickly as I could. This story hit me deeply and I loved all the characters and felt for them through the story. I am excited to know that this is the first of a series that will continue to read once more are written.

Following a girl who suffers from domestic abuse, Jess finds the strength to speak out and leave her relationship and finds strength in a group of other DV survivors. This group helps to pull her out of her rut and bring life back into her. Then some of the men responsible for abusing the women in this group turn up murdered and Jess does not know if she should feel relief or nerves.

I recommend getting this book once it becomes available on May 8th. Just be aware of trigger warnings for this one!

I really liked what this book was trying to do in the exploration of domestic violence victims and how they regain their power and agency. I should have figured what the twist was before it happened, it was predictable once I got to that point.

I was disappointed for a minute when the caretaker was revealed, I thought it was too early. But the author definitely made up for it once we reached the end. I was very surprised at the ending of this one, and I won't spoil it, but will recommend you read this.

The support group for abuse survivors is a lifeline for Jess but is it also something else? She escaped her ex but he's still after her. Spending time with the other women in the group feels healing, But then one of their ex's is murdered and ......This plot might feel familiar but Stephens has created a strong group of women. Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc. A good one for travel or your beach bag.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book had a great idea and cast of characters that immediatly pulled me in. Unfortunatly I wasn't keen on the actual writing since it felt flat, and the plot was quite predictable. Nevertheless, a good thriller to spend your evening with.

I really liked the concept of this book, but the way it played out just wasn't for me. I especially did not like the ending because I was just let with so many questions that I truly felt like should have been answered. Was the copper okay with them being the Caretaker? Was the copper going to ask them for help now that her ex showed up? It felt odd that the copper's ex was found to be abusive in just the ending when nothing ended up coming of it for the storyline.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc! The plot - loove it! It was fast paced, and I got right into the story. A great thriller, with a twist!

So, I actually requested this book from NetGalley because I really wanted to buddy it with someone, so I ended up going in blind. It's not always a bad thing! Thanks to my buddy partner, Haley, who I hope to hear some more from in due time *nudge nudge*

This is a story about domestic abuse survival, which you wouldn't necessarily get from the title (I didn't, having not read the blurb!). It's a sensitive subject, which is dealt with well - but not necessarily in the way that we're used to it being treated...

Jess Pendle joins a support group for domestic abuse survivors after finally deciding to cut Lewis, her awful ex, from her life. He won't give up though, and the police aren't really helping, and it's really hard to be honest with your family about something like this, particularly when you get a feeling they might say, 'I told you so'. Or that there's a family pattern, and you promise yourself you'll never let yourself get into the same situation...

So, the support group quickly becomes Jess' only handle on the world, her emotions, how to deal with Lewis. But when there's first an attack, and then one of the other group member's ex-partner actually dies, Jess suspects there's something more going on here... When the obvious perpetrator is jailed, the attacks and deaths will stop... won't they?

This was a fast, easy read. I don't read thrillers all that often actually (this year seems to be an exception!), as they sort of feel like junk food: feels good at the time, but where does it get you? Wouldn't it be better to be reading some literary fiction? (Or a quinoa kale raw salad? :P)

Well, that's bookish snobbery on my part, because this was a good read. It was a page-turner and, what's more, all of the side characters were well-fleshed out and believable. I really felt like I could connect with a lot of them; that's a hard thing to do with a cast this big. And when I thought I'd guessed the 'big reveal', it turned out that there were lots more twists and turns around the corner...

One thing I was particularly dissatisfied with was one of the police officers inspecting the case, Sophie Salam, because I felt like there was so much more that could have come from her character! However, I realise that this is actually the first in a series - and I look forward to reading more!

Fast, page-turner, lots of U-turns and surprises. Not particularly realistic, but I suppose I mostly forgave that for the sheer thrill of the book. (Not entirely, it's annoying when things are just unlikely to the point of impossibility...)

I think this is D B Stephens' first book, but it's the pen name of Darren O'Sullivan, so maybe I'll check out his other books... after I've got some of my TBR read haha!

The Serial Killer Support Group doesn’t just pique your interest; it grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. As far as compelling titles go, this one earns a spot in the thriller hall of fame for sheer originality. Because honestly, how many more The Girl in the [Insert Predictable Noun] books can one reader take? This one promises something bolder, darker, and a little unhinged, and for the most part, D B Stephens delivers.

We meet Jess Pendle after a brutal assault by her boyfriend lands her in the hospital. Determined not to become a statistic like her mother before her, Jess seeks solace in a local support group. The women she meets are fierce, bonded by trauma, and done waiting on a broken system. Together, they begin to heal—while someone in their midst may (or may not) be helping them settle the score, one abuser at a time. It’s therapy by day, vigilante justice by night.

The book’s greatest strength is its premise. Stephens doesn’t shy away from tough questions: Why are survivors so often forced to fend for themselves? What do you do when the system built to protect you looks the other way? At its heart is a timely critique of how law enforcement often treats domestic violence—almost as if victims need to be truly broken before anyone will act.

Around the halfway mark, the narrative starts to lose its momentum. Dialogue grows repetitive and characters are often reduced to stock expressions—smiling at odd moments, locked in intense, silent stares that don’t quite ring true. I found myself rooting for the group, but I never felt like I really knew them.

There are also small but noticeable stumbles: the occasional typo, an obvious red herring that arrives too soon, and a final act that hits the gas just as you want it to slow down. Still, it feels like Stephens might be laying the groundwork for a sequel—and if so, I hope it digs deeper.

I was hooked from the start. Flaws aside, it’s an engaging, unputdownable read with a twisted take on justice. Stephens has taken a bold swing, and in a genre that too often recycles the same tired formula, originality counts for a lot.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it didn’t disappoint! For the first 30% I was thinking I knew exactly who murderer was, that this title didn’t match the book and felt it was super obvious….and then it turned out I was completely wrong and the title is perfect! This book tackles the topic of domestic violence and although these women have reported their now ex-partners, the police haven’t pressed charges! All these women come from different backgrounds and I feel that is such an important part of this book. It infuriated me that the FMC Jess was terrified of her ex- boyfriend Lewis and the police were doing nothing about it..which shows just how well this was written. Another great book that I would recommend!

This book dives into domestic abuse and the struggles faced by the victims. It’s a hard topic to read. But it was an enjoyable book regardless. The characters are well written and easily draw you in to their story. At times I found myself rooting for the group! It was powerful to see women come together and take their power, their lives, and their happiness back. Women flipping the script was fun to see play out. The importance of how serious domestic violence is and the overall message and impact of the story was great. I wished the ending gave us more of a conclusion but it did set it up for a possible sequel in the future.

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Serial Killer Support Group by D.B. Stephens
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery Thriller
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: May 8, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💛 Domestic Violence Survivor
💙 Secret Vigilante
💙 Twisty Thriller
💙 Moral Support Group

Review: While I have never personally suffered DV, I watched my mother fight for love in all the wrong places for what feels like most of my formative years, so the FMC and her moral support group friends all immediately had an impact on me. The author did an incredible job of highlighting the struggles of DV victims, especially showing how, even after leaving, their abusers still found ways to torment and harass them. I loved watching Jess grow throughout the book. This read was very satisfying for me, and while it might be difficult for some, I highly recommend!

Thank you so much, Harper Collins and NetGalley for the digital review copy!

Hooked… from page one! I absolutely devoured this revenge thriller, reading late into the night, desperate to find out who was seeking retribution. Darren handled difficult topics with the utmost respect, delving deep into the world of domestic abuse, covering not only physical abuse but emotional and financial too in parts, and not just of women, the abuse of men too which is a topic rarely covered. It was also nice to see discussion of neurodivergent children throughout and how tough that is on parents. Short snappy chapters leaving you hanging onto every word, a multiple POV and phenomenal character development, the relationships between the women were exactly what every woman needs! My half star deduction only comes from the ending, and although it was excellent, I didn’t want it to end! This is the first part in the series and I CANNOT WAIT!!