A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder isn’t your typical teen whodunnit. This YA series dives deep into dark themes, including murder, rape, suicide, and grooming. The series follows Pip, a determined teenager, as she reinvestigates the supposed murder of Andie Bell, a local girl, five years after the official investigation closed with Andie’s boyfriend, Sal Singh, named as the killer before he allegedly committed suicide. Pip’s journey unearths shocking secrets and unexpected connections, leading to a truth far more complex than anyone imagined. But the central question remains: who killed Andie Bell?
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder book cover
The Original Suspect: Sal Singh and the False Alibi
Initially, Sal Singh, Andie’s boyfriend, was believed to have killed her. He supposedly confessed via text message before taking his own life. The police based their conclusions on a broken alibi: Sal claimed he was playing Super Mario Party with friends (Max, Naomi, and another unnamed person) until late. At first, they agreed with his version of events but later changed their statements, claiming he left when the pizza arrived at 10:15 PM. However, Sal didn’t return home until after midnight, placing him at the scene during the time of Andie’s murder.
However, the truth was that Sal was with his friends until after midnight, confirmed by a photograph showing the time as 12:06 AM. So why did his friends lie? Naomi confessed that the group, excluding Sal, was involved in a hit-and-run accident on New Year’s Eve. Max contacted Dan Da Silva (the brother of Andie’s friend, Nat, and a police officer), who covered it up. Da Silva then blackmailed Max for having a relationship with Andie when she was underage, a clear case of statutory rape. The friends received a threatening letter demanding they lie about Sal’s whereabouts to protect the hit-and-run secret, which is why Naomi felt guilty, believing it led to Sal’s suicide.
The “Older Guy” and His Motives: Elliot Ward’s Involvement
The investigation took a darker turn when Pip uncovered Andie’s relationship with an “older guy.” Andie and the older man checked into a fancy hotel together using the alias “Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan” and a specific phone number. Pip connects the phone number to Naomi, who reveals it’s an old phone belonging to her father, Elliot Ward. Elliot Ward was the one blackmailing the group about the hit-and-run to make Sal look guilty, protecting himself and his secret affair with Andie.
Cara and Naomi’s dad, Elliot Ward, was the older guy Andie was sleeping with. He had been tutoring her, and they started an affair, until she ended it. She went to him the night she died and asked for £5,000. He refused, they argued, and he pushed her against a wall. She was bleeding, so he went to call an ambulance, but she left. Elliot Ward thought he was responsible for her death and that she had died somewhere. He blackmailed the group so that Sal would seem guilty instead.
Did Sal Really Commit Suicide? Unmasking the Real Killer
Despite the initial belief that Sal killed himself after sending a confession text, Ravi points out that Sal, while being intelligent, wasn’t a good texter. The text was written with perfect grammar and spelling, which was uncharacteristic of him. It turns out that Elliot Ward wrote the text, drugged Sal, suffocated him, used his phone to send a confession, and left him in the woods. Elliot, initially trying to cover up what he thought was his accidental role in Andie’s death, became a murderer.
The Woman in the Attic: Isla’s Captivity and Elliot’s Deceit
Pip discovers Isla, a homeless woman, being held captive in Elliot’s old house. Elliot offered her a place to sleep one night, and after she overheard him admitting to murdering Sal, he locked her up to keep her silent. This is where Elliot was going whenever he was “tutoring”.
The Truth About Andie Bell: Unveiling a Darker Side
So, who really killed Andie Bell? The truth is complex, with multiple people contributing to her death.
Andie was also a drug dealer, selling ketamine, weed, and roofies. Her younger sister, Becca, attended a rave called Calamity, where she was roofied and raped. When Andie returned from her fight with Elliot, Becca wanted her to report her rapist, Max Hastings. However, Andie refused to help, as she was the one who sold him the roofies. Andie also announced she was leaving the next day, leaving Becca alone with their father.
Becca loses her temper and pushes Andie, causing her to hit her head against the wall, which worsens her existing head injury. Becca watches as Andie dies. Becca then lured Pip to the site of Andie’s body and roofied her, intending to kill her. Luckily, Ravi and Cara arrive and save Pip.
Justice for Barney: The Innocent Victim
Becca, fearing Pip was getting close to the truth, sent the threatening text messages and murdered Pip’s dog, Barney.
In conclusion, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a twisted tale of secrets, lies, and the devastating consequences of choices. The series showcases how one event can trigger a chain reaction, impacting multiple lives and revealing the hidden darkness within a seemingly idyllic community.
