“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson has captivated readers with its thrilling mystery and compelling characters. This young adult crime novel follows Pip, a high school senior determined to uncover the truth behind a closed murder case. Was Sal Singh really guilty of killing Andie Bell, or is there more to the story?
A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Summary
Pip decides to reinvestigate the case for her senior capstone project. The official story says Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then committed suicide. However, Andie’s body was never found, leaving room for doubt. Pip dives deep, gathering evidence and interviewing people connected to the case.
She starts by contacting Sal’s brother, Ravi. Initially hesitant, Ravi eventually joins Pip, determined to clear his brother’s name. Together, they delve into the investigation, uncovering secrets and lies that the town has kept hidden for years. Pip meticulously organizes her findings, documenting every clue and lead in a comprehensive file.
As Pip gets closer to the truth, she starts receiving threatening notes, warning her to stop her investigation. Despite the danger, and with her family also threatened, Pip perseveres, determined to solve the mystery. Pip’s dog Barney becomes a victim of the investigation, which spurs her on further. She uncovers a darker side to Andie Bell, learning that she was a bully and involved in selling drugs, including Rohypnol to Max Hastings. Andie was also discovered to have had an inappropriate relationship with a teacher. Mr. Ward.
Pip confronts danger head-on to discover the truth about Andie and Sal. Sal Singh was murdered by Mr. Ward, who needed someone to take the blame for Andie’s supposed death. It turns out Andie’s death was accidental. After being confronted by her sister about the drug dealing, and the negative impact it had on people around her, Andie was choked and died. Panicked, Becca buried Andie in the septic tank of an abandoned farmhouse. The novel concludes with Pip receiving praise for her work and Sal’s family finally getting the truth.
Good Girl, Bad Blood Summary
In the sequel, “Good Girl, Bad Blood,” Pip tries to leave her detective days behind her after the obsession and danger of the first case nearly cost her her life. She starts a podcast, “A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder,” detailing the Andie Bell/Sal Singh case, gaining notoriety. However, she’s also made a few enemies in the process.
When her friend Connor’s brother, Jamie, goes missing, Pip is drawn back into the world of investigation. Despite vowing never to solve another case, she can’t stand by while her friend is in need.
Teaming up with Ravi again, Pip investigates Jamie’s disappearance. As they delve deeper, they uncover strange behavior and secrets. Jamie was seemingly stealing items from neighbors and communicating with someone online under the fake persona Layla Mead. Layla is discovered to be new neighbours Charlie and Flora, who are looking for Child Brunswick whose father was a serial killer. Charlie murdered Stanley right in front of Pip.
As Good As Dead Summary
“As Good As Dead,” the final book in the series, finds Pip dealing with the aftermath of her previous investigations. Traumatized and battling anxiety, she’s trying to move on with her life and prepare for college. However, she soon realizes she has a stalker.
As the threats escalate, Pip turns to the police for help, but they dismiss her concerns. Feeling failed by the system, she takes matters into her own hands. Pip and Ravi uncover a connection between her stalker and a series of unsolved murders from years ago, the DT Killer.
Pip is abducted by Jason Bell and kills him to protect herself. She and Ravi work together to cover up the murder and pin it on someone else. While everyone around her helps to fake alibis and dispose of evidence, Pip still lives in fear of getting caught.
Final Thoughts on the Series
“A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder” is the standout of the series, with its intricate plot, compelling characters, and shocking twist. The second book, “Good Girl, Bad Blood,” is also enjoyable, though not quite as strong as the first. However, “As Good As Dead” falls short, with some feeling that Pip and Ravi’s actions are out of character and the darker themes detract from the story.
Overall, the “A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder” series is a thrilling and engaging read, recommended for fans of young adult mystery and crime novels. However, be aware that the series gets progressively darker and more intense.
