Having devoured the book “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” and appreciated its compelling pacing and presentation of evidence, the series unfortunately falls short of the high expectations set by the source material. A key question that arises is: is “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” scary? While the book effectively builds suspense and unease, the adaptation struggles to translate that feeling.
Let’s begin with the characters. The book, while not extensively delving into relationships, provides a foundation. The series, however, displays even less interest in showcasing the emotional depth and struggles of its characters. Even with protagonists like Ravi and Pip, their emotional scenes feel contrived and lack thorough examination. The supporting cast – friends, family, and suspects – come across as mere fillers to meet episode durations, lacking the genuine personification present in the books.
The acting is adequate, but lacks brilliance. There are moments that lean towards a “Disney Channel” style, perhaps reflecting the young adult nature of the book, but it ultimately fails to resonate with viewers during crucial, high-impact scenes.
The visuals are occasionally interesting, providing a believable small-town setting. However, the color grading appears somewhat off. The heightened saturation gives the impression of watching something like “Descendants” on Disney+, rather than a teenage murder mystery. While there’s no need for another “Riverdale” or “Winx Saga,” the aesthetic choices detract from the broodiness and darkness inherent in the story.
Regarding the plot, having read the book, it’s frustrating to see crucial information (including hints towards the conclusion) withheld until the very end. Six episodes prove insufficient to contain that amount of information, and the pacing is uneven, with two episodes feeling stagnant.
Characters are, essentially, sacrificed for the sake of episode length, resulting in disjointed and awkward pauses within the narrative.
Overall, the adaptation falls short of expectations. Much is lost due to the writing. The directorial choices are questionable. A voice-over, or even segments presenting the evidence in a manner similar to the book, would have aided in understanding Pip’s investigative progress and fostered greater viewer engagement.
It’s disappointing, as this adaptation had the potential to be a success. Perhaps future adaptations should consider reader feedback and adhere more closely to the source material.
