***** - The Serial Killer Support Group
- Kindig
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
THE SERIAL KILLER SUPPORT GROUP
DB STEPHENS
*****
Justice will be served…
Therapy just got deadly
When Jess Pendle agrees to attend a support group to meet other women who have lived similar experiences, she doesn’t expect much.
The group has been set up for like-minded women to come together, but when their therapist leaves, they close the blinds and find a new, and altogether more deadly way to support each other…
MY REVIEW
*****
I hadn’t realised when I requested this book that DB Stephens is a pseudonym for Darren O’Sullivan. I previously read The Players and really enjoyed it (read my review here), so I was excited to read this one!
When Jess finds herself in hospital in New Years Eve, being asked if her ‘trip down the stairs’ was really an accident, she decides to take her life into her own hands and leave her abusive boyfriend. However, when the exes of those in her support group begin to be murdered, she starts to question who may be behind the killings.
I should mention straight away that The Serial Killer Support Group may be triggering to those who have experienced domestic violence, but it does have a good message at its heart. From the outset I was hooked, with the easy writing style keeping me engaged. I particularly enjoyed the chapters from The Caretakers perspective, and I had initially thought I had guessed the twist – how wrong I was! All three perspectives – Jess, Detective Sophie and The Caretaker all felt distinct and different as well.
The book references a previous case a few times which I think is from The Players, (it was a very long time ago that I read it though, so apologies if I’m wrong on this). I love an author creating a world that links their novel together, but this felt strange, as The Players was published under Darren’s main name and not his pseudonym.
The ending may divide people – the book is so cat-and-mouse throughout, but this fizzles out a bit in the conclusion. However, the after-notes mention that this is the first book in a series which I was not expecting - so this is not the end of the story! It can easily be read as a standalone book though, so don’t let that put you off!
Overall, The Serial Killer Support Group is a twisty narrative and a great spin on an important subject. Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Collins UK – One More Chapter for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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