If you devoured Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and are now craving more thrilling mysteries with amateur sleuths and twisty plots, you’re in the right place. This series, starting with A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, captivated readers with its compelling characters, true-crime podcast elements, and suspenseful investigation led by the unforgettable Pip Fitz-Amobi. Luckily, the YA mystery and thriller shelves are brimming with books that capture a similar spirit. Here are some must-read novels if you’re searching for books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Thrilling Reads for Fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
For those who love a blend of boarding school intrigue and amateur detective work, Truly Devious is your next obsession. Set at Ellingham Academy, a prestigious private school with a dark history, this novel introduces Stevie Bell, a new student with a passion for true crime. When Stevie arrives, she becomes determined to solve the decades-old kidnapping of the founder’s wife and daughter, a case that has baffled investigators for years. Just like Pip in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Stevie is smart, tenacious, and uses her sharp mind to piece together clues. The Truly Devious series offers multiple books to binge, ensuring you’ll be engrossed in mystery after mystery, much like the addictive nature of Pip’s investigations. The complex puzzle and engaging characters make this series a perfect choice for readers seeking books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
If you were drawn to the high-stakes drama and ensemble cast of suspects in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, One of Us Is Lying delivers a similar adrenaline rush. This gripping young adult thriller throws five high school students into detention, but only four walk out alive. Simon, the creator of a notorious gossip app, dies in the detention room, and the remaining four students – Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper – all become prime suspects. Each had a secret Simon was about to expose, giving them motive for murder. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, revealing hidden agendas and tangled relationships, mirroring the intricate web of secrets Pip uncovers. For readers who enjoy suspenseful whodunits with a focus on teenage dynamics, One of Us Is Lying is an excellent choice among books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
For a mystery with a deeply atmospheric setting and a focus on family secrets, We Were Liars offers a compelling read. Set on a private island off the coast of Massachusetts, the Sinclair family, wealthy and seemingly perfect, harbors dark secrets. Cady Sinclair, the protagonist, experiences a traumatic accident one summer, leaving her with memory loss. As she returns to the island years later, she begins to piece together fragmented memories and uncover the truth about what happened. Like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, We Were Liars keeps you guessing until the very end, with a shocking reveal that will leave you reeling. If you appreciated the suspense and emotional depth of Pip’s journey, We Were Liars provides a similarly captivating and thought-provoking experience, making it a strong recommendation for books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
If you enjoyed the blend of mystery with a touch of humor and a relatable protagonist in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, meet Finlay Donovan. Finlay Donovan Is Killing It introduces a struggling single mom and romance novelist who gets mistaken for a contract killer. Desperate to solve her financial woes and the mysteries in her own life, Finlay accidentally accepts an offer to “dispose” of a problem husband. While leaning more towards comedic thriller than YA mystery, the book shares the fast-paced plot and engaging voice that makes books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder so appealing. Finlay’s witty narration and chaotic life, combined with unexpected crime-solving, create a fun and entertaining read for those seeking a lighter but still suspenseful mystery.
Nanny Needed by Georgina Cross
For readers who appreciate the suspense and close-quarters tension in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Nanny Needed offers a chilling domestic thriller. Sarah Larsen, in need of a fresh start, takes a nanny position with a wealthy New York City family. However, she quickly realizes that things are not as perfect as they seem. The mother never leaves the apartment alone, and the mystery surrounding the previous nanny casts a dark shadow. As Sarah delves deeper into the family’s secrets, the atmosphere becomes increasingly claustrophobic and unsettling. If you enjoyed the suspense and the feeling of unease that built in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Nanny Needed provides a similarly gripping and suspenseful read, solidifying its place among books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
The Maid by Nita Prose
If you loved the unique perspective and protagonist in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, The Maid offers another compelling and unconventional sleuth. Molly Gray is a hotel maid who finds comfort in routine and order. When she discovers a wealthy guest dead in his room, her life takes a dramatic turn as she becomes the prime suspect. Molly, who struggles with social cues and understanding others, must navigate a complex investigation to clear her name. Her unique perspective and determination to uncover the truth, despite her social challenges, echo Pip’s drive and resourcefulness. The Maid is a charming and suspenseful mystery with a protagonist you’ll root for, making it a great pick for fans of books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
For those who enjoyed the psychological suspense and twisty reveals in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, The Silent Patient is a must-read psychological thriller. Alicia Berenson, a famous painter, shoots her husband and then refuses to speak another word. Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist, becomes obsessed with unraveling her silence and uncovering the truth behind the shooting. The story unfolds through Theo’s investigation and excerpts from Alicia’s diary, creating a suspenseful and mind-bending narrative. While more of an adult thriller, The Silent Patient shares the captivating mystery and shocking twists that appeal to readers of books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, offering a darker and more psychologically intense read.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
If you appreciated the focus on community secrets and interconnected lives in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Big Little Lies is a compelling domestic mystery that explores the hidden tensions beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect suburban town. Set in a wealthy seaside community, the story revolves around a group of mothers whose lives become intertwined, leading to a shocking death at a school trivia night. The novel unravels the events leading up to the tragedy, revealing secrets, rivalries, and lies within this close-knit community. Like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Big Little Lies keeps you guessing about who the victim is and what really happened, focusing on character development and social dynamics, making it a great choice for readers seeking books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder but with a more mature and domestic focus.
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
For readers who enjoyed the element of revisiting a past crime and uncovering long-buried secrets in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, The It Girl offers a captivating mystery set in the halls of Oxford University. A decade after the murder of April, the “It Girl” of Oxford, her supposed killer dies in prison. However, when new evidence surfaces, April’s friend Hannah begins to question the original verdict and starts her own investigation. As Hannah delves into the past, she uncovers hidden relationships and conflicting accounts from her group of friends, all of whom seem to be concealing something. The dual timelines and academic setting add layers of intrigue, creating a suspenseful mystery about loyalty, secrets, and the elusive truth, making The It Girl a recommended read for fans of books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder who enjoy collegiate settings and complex character dynamics.
These books like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder offer a range of thrilling mysteries, from YA investigations to adult suspense, ensuring that fans of Pip Fitz-Amobi’s adventures will find their next captivating read. Dive into these pages and prepare to be hooked!
