I stumbled upon the A Good Girl’s Guide series amidst a wave of online buzz, initially dismissing it as just another YA read with a somewhat juvenile-sounding title. It was reminiscent of Nancy Drew, which sparked a nostalgic curiosity, but I wasn’t entirely convinced it would be my cup of tea. However, fueled by my enjoyment of the “Truly Devious” series and a craving for more books in that vein, I decided to give A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder a try, and I was immediately hooked.
Unraveling Mysteries with Pippa Fitz-Amobi
This thrilling trilogy centers around Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a bright, determined, and incredibly likeable high school student whose sharp intellect and unwavering pursuit of justice lead her down treacherous paths. Set in the seemingly peaceful town of Fairview, the A Good Girl’s Guide series plunges readers into a web of secrets and unsolved murders that shatter the town’s tranquility. Pippa, with her natural investigative prowess, becomes entangled in these mysteries, driven by an intrinsic need to uncover the truth.
So far, I’ve immersed myself in the first two installments of this captivating series, and here are my thoughts:
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: Where It All Begins
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Book Cover: Featuring the title prominently in white text against a dark, textured background, hinting at mystery and suspense.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.
But having grown up in the same small town consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?
My Take
This book was a delightful surprise! My initial reservations were completely unfounded. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a compelling mystery with well-developed characters that immediately draws you in. Imagine a modern Nancy Drew, but with sharper edges, a more intricate plot, and thankfully, without any distracting romantic subplots.
The story kicks off with Pippa selecting a controversial local murder case for her school project – a premise that, while slightly convenient, effectively launches her investigation. From there, the narrative gains momentum rapidly. Pippa’s methodical approach to her project soon transforms into a genuine quest for the truth.
We are taken along on Pippa’s investigation step-by-step as she conducts interviews, meticulously documents her findings in case notes, and starts to ruffle feathers in the small town. Holly Jackson masterfully employs a multimodal narrative style to present Pip’s investigation. The story seamlessly transitions between third-person narration, interview transcripts, diary entries, and email exchanges. This technique not only maintains a brisk pace but also adds layers of realism and engagement to the unfolding mystery, making you feel like you are piecing together the clues alongside Pippa.
Pippa’s partner in crime-solving, the charming Ravi Singh, also adds a delightful dynamic to the story. Their interactions are engaging, and their systematic approach to unraveling the mystery is captivating.
While the book excels in building suspense and developing characters, the climax felt somewhat less impactful. The killer’s motivations seemed a tad weak, and the resolution, for me, stretched the boundaries of believability.
However, despite a slightly underwhelming ending, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is undeniably an enjoyable read. I had the pleasure of buddy-reading it with my daughter, which amplified the fun as we speculated about potential suspects and their motives, turning it into a shared detective experience.
Good Girl, Bad Blood: Diving Deeper into Darkness
Good Girl, Bad Blood Book Cover: Showcasing the title in bold red letters against a dark background, suggesting a more intense and perilous mystery than the first book.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Pip isn’t a detective anymore.
With the help of Ravi Singh, she released a true-crime podcast about the murder case they solved together last year. The podcast has gone viral, yet Pip insists her investigating days are behind her.
But she must break that promise when someone she knows goes missing. Jamie Reynolds disappeared on the very same night the town hosted a memorial for the sixth-year anniversary of the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh.
The police won’t do anything about it. And if they won’t look for Jamie, then Pip will, uncovering more of her town’s dark secrets along the way, and this time, everyone is listening. But will she find him before it’s too late?
My Review
Good Girl, Bad Blood takes a darker turn, both thematically and in terms of the stakes involved. Pippa is now somewhat of a local celebrity due to her true-crime podcast about the Andie Bell case – a podcast which mirrors my own recent fascination with the genre. Her relationship with Ravi has blossomed into a romance, and life seems to be settling into a comfortable rhythm.
However, this peace is shattered when Jamie Reynolds, the brother of a friend, disappears. When the police show little interest in investigating, Pippa is drawn back into the world of amateur sleuthing. True to Holly Jackson’s signature style, Pippa dives headfirst into the investigation, employing her now-familiar methods: interviewing key individuals, recording her findings (this time for a new podcast season), and meticulously following every lead.
In Good Girl, Bad Blood, the mystery is significantly tighter and more intricately plotted than in the first book. I genuinely didn’t anticipate any of the twists, and the ending was genuinely thrilling and impactful. There’s an undeniable addictive quality to these books, which led to my daughter and I devouring them in quick succession.
My daughter, who has already completed the trilogy, warns that the final book, As Good as Dead, takes an even darker and, in her opinion, less believable turn. Unfortunately, she also couldn’t resist dropping some spoilers, for which I am still recovering! This spoiler-induced pause means I’ll need to take a break to let the details fade before I can brace myself for As Good as Dead.
Have you ventured into the world of A Good Girl’s Guide series? What were your impressions? And if you’re a fellow mystery enthusiast, are there any similar YA thrillers you would recommend?
