I was incredibly excited when I heard “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” was being adapted into a series. As soon as it was available, I binged it immediately. Here are my thoughts and feelings – both positive and negative – regarding this adaptation of a beloved book.
One of the first things that struck me was the pacing. To be honest, I found the first three episodes rather slow. It felt trivial, lacking a sense of urgency or high stakes. While I understand the challenge of developing compelling drama with newly introduced characters, the absence of a genuine connection for three episodes felt like a significant lull. That’s a considerable amount of time for a TV series to struggle to hold the viewer’s attention.
Alt text: Emma Myers portrays Pip Fitz-Amobi thoughtfully in a scene from the “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” TV series adaptation.
(Minor Spoiler – Doesn’t affect the main plot): I appreciated the inclusion of the Duct Tape Killer reference. Fans of the books will know he becomes a key figure in the final installment of the trilogy. I thought it was a clever move to introduce him early, as he isn’t explicitly mentioned until the third book. This clever easter egg provides a subtle nod for dedicated readers.
The charisma levels of certain characters were impressive. Zain Iqbal’s portrayal of Ravi was spot-on – endearingly awkward in all the right ways. Emma Myers as Pip was good, but not exactly as I’d imagined her from the books. Henry Ashton’s Max Hastings was surprisingly charismatic, perhaps a little too likable. Asha Banks as Cara was great. Oddly, Dan da Silva (Jackson Bews) wasn’t as hateable as I remembered from the books. I’ll stop there with characters, as the rest didn’t particularly stand out.
One thing that bothered me was trying to feel the romance between Pip and Ravi. Their chemistry just wasn’t quite there, which was disappointing. The romantic subplot felt somewhat forced and didn’t translate as well from page to screen.
In terms of plot, the series largely follows the book’s core threads (though not always chronologically). However, without having read the book, some aspects of the mystery might feel a little too conveniently resolved. All in all, the plotting was well-executed after the initial slow start in the first three episodes.
Alt text: Zain Iqbal and Emma Myers embody the roles of Ravi Singh and Pip Fitz-Amobi, engaging in a conversation during a scene from the television adaptation of “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.”
The ending was a decent setup, mirroring the twists and turns of the book’s climax. However, some things were left unsaid, creating a slight sense of incompleteness.
Overall, I’d give the series a 3.5 out of 5. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t the best either. However, if you approach it without direct expectations from the book, the series is enjoyable enough, especially if you focus on the mystery rather than expecting a strong romance. The “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” book vs. show debate is complex, with each offering a unique experience.
Where to Watch: Netflix
