Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco #2
Michelle Chouinard’s main character, Capricorn Sanzio – who goes by Capri – runs a serial killer tour business in San Francisco. She has a passion for San Francisco history as well as true crime. This started from a young age, thanks to her paternal grandfather having been known as Overkill Bill for the majority of her life. That mantel made life exceedingly difficult for her father’s childhood, and put her right in the suspect light for the murder of her ex mother-in-law. However, through determination, motivated by two most powerful instincts: self-preservation and protective mother mode, she not only proved her innocence but also managed to uncover and reveal the truth behind Overkill Bill. Capri is constantly evolving and adapting her life to best suit what she needs, and is happy that she can turn her fasciation and love of San Francisco and its killers into a career. She has even started an investigative podcast, and a book about her grandfather.
Capri’s relationship to Overkill Bill has always gotten her a few extra questions and attention from her tourists, and with the word out that she is writing a book it seems to have gotten even worse. That doesn’t stop her from showing off her city and educating them on the other killers that lurked in the San Francisco streets. She definitely does not expect that one of her tourists will claim to see a killer in action in the middle of a tour. Thankfully, Capri takes it very seriously and calls the police in to investigate while the group waits outside, only to have the police find nothing and instead warn them about filing false police reports. Despite hearing that they didn’t find anything, Capri can’t help but feel that there’s something more going on. She continues to poke around only to find out that her tourist had been correct, and a dead body does turn up. Now she must decide if she is going to see this investigation through, and if she is going to seriously pursue investigative reporting for more podcast entries as well. But it is the victims and their families that matter most to her, and she won’t do anything without the family’s explicit say so. The police aren’t thrilled, especially Inspector Petito, who just wants Capri to stay safe for not entirely altruistic reasons.
Michelle Chouinard peppers the start of some chapters with some interesting and sordid history about each location that Capri visits. Readers who like a bit of dark history will enjoy those, and they also tie in perfectly with the story itself. New readers will easily pick up on the characters and relationships thanks to Michelle Chouinard’s clear introductions and concise background information. Those who enjoyed the first book in the series will enjoy going on another adventure with Capri and seeing her relationships evolve. Her relationships with her family are messy and complicated, but that is part of the appeal of Capri. Her father might not approve of her career, her book, or really anything she does involving true crime, but she is determined to be her own person and follow her passions despite that hanging disapproval. It’s scary to not have that unwavering support from your family, but luckily she has her mother, friends, and her loving daughter to help build her up despite her insecurities. I look forward to seeing how Capri continues to push forward and see what she will conquer next. – Carla Schantz