Like many captivating murder mysteries, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder adheres to a familiar narrative structure. This series, adapted from the novel by Holly Jackson, quickly became a hit, following amateur sleuth Pip Fitz-Amobi, portrayed by Emma Myers, as she revisits an old murder case in her hometown of Little Kilton. As she digs deeper, she questions long-held alibis, unearths buried secrets, and makes startling revelations, challenging the conventional understanding of the crime. While the Netflix adaptation leads viewers to an unexpected culprit, the series adds an intriguing twist by subtly revealing the true villain in plain sight, leaving audiences to ponder, “Who is the killer in a good girl’s guide” and question everything they thought they knew.
The central mystery revolves around the disappearance of Andie Bell (India Lillie Davies), a high school senior believed to have been murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh (Rahul Pattni), who then allegedly committed suicide out of guilt. However, Pip, familiar with Sal’s kind nature, disputes this official narrative. Partnering with Sal’s brother, Ravi (Zain Iqbal), she embarks on a mission to clear the Singh family name. Together, they delve into Little Kilton’s dark underbelly, uncovering Andie’s secret relationships, compromising texts, and incriminating online posts. This relentless pursuit eventually leads them to the shocking identity of the series’ true murderer.
Unveiling the Real Killer: Becca Bell’s Secret
For those familiar with the intricacies of the mystery genre, it’s not entirely surprising that the police’s initial suspect was incorrect. After Sal and Andie’s friends confess to being blackmailed into discrediting Sal’s alibi, Pip completely clears him of suspicion. A series of menacing texts and personal threats ultimately point back to Andie’s own home. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder‘s gripping climax reveals that Andie’s true killer is none other than her sister, Becca Bell (Carla Woodcock). Becca then attempts to dispose of Pip’s body in the same forest well where she dumped Andie, but Ravi and Pip’s best friend, Cara (Asha Banks), intervene.
Becca’s motivation for murder is complex. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder masterfully portrays its characters with moral ambiguity. Becca, having been drugged and sexually assaulted by Max Hastings (Henry Ashton), a local “bad boy,” is understandably furious when she discovers Andie was the one who provided Max with Rohypnol. While Becca’s anger is understandable, her true motive is revealed when she learns that Andie planned to run away with Sal, leaving Becca alone to deal with a far greater issue at hand.
The Sins of the Fathers: A Deeper Look at the Tragedy
Unlike many mystery shows where the killer bears sole responsibility, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder suggests that Becca’s actions are more sympathetic due to the neglect of the town’s fathers. Becca and the rest of the cast are tragically let down by the adults in their lives. The true forces behind Little Kilton’s conspiracy are actually the show’s fathers, with Jason Bell (Matthew Chambers) and Cara’s father (Matthew Baynton) both playing significant roles in Andie’s death.
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Cara’s father, Elliot Ward, admits to Pip that he murdered Sal to cover up his affair with Andie when she was his student. The English teacher also blackmailed his daughter’s friends to undermine Sal’s alibi, falsely claiming he was protecting his daughter (involved in a hit-and-run) from police scrutiny. On the night of her death, Andie asked Mr. Ward for money to elope with Sal, and he struck her head. This injury made it easier for Becca to kill her sister, a slight push during their final confrontation had devastating consequences.
Jason Bell, Andie and Becca’s father, contributed to Andie’s death by creating a toxic home environment. The series makes it clear that both girls are deeply afraid of their domineering parent. Jesse (Oliver Wickham) explains that Jason heavily controls his daughters in order to keep them safe. In reality, Jason’s controlling behavior created such a toxic environment that the mere thought of being left alone with him spurred Becca to fatally lash out against her sister.
The Broader Implications: Toxic Masculinity in Little Kilton
The actions of these men expose Little Kilton’s problem with violent masculinity. In their misguided attempts to protect their daughters, both Mr. Ward and Mr. Bell inflict suffering upon them. Jason’s controlling tendencies drove Andie into a dangerous relationship, and Becca to kill her sister. Mr. Ward caused his daughters unnecessary terror and shame by killing an innocent boy in the name of fatherly love, sabotaging the police’s investigation into Andie Bell’s death to protect himself.
Their actions betray the grave injustice at the core of Little Kilton’s community. In a town where Max Hastings could assault girls unchecked, and Mr. Ward’s involvement with Andie remained hidden, Emma Myers’ character confronts a hometown dominated by careless cruelty. The series reveals Becca as the killer while also indicting the men who enabled her murder. Although Pip confronts Max in the series’ final episode, there’s still hope that Little Kilton’s good girl will learn to overcome the ways boys can go bad. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is available to stream on Netflix.
