My A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson pulled me right into the middle of a small-town mystery. The story follows Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi, a high school senior who chooses a local murder case for her senior capstone project. Five years earlier, everyone believed Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh—who supposedly confessed and then died by suicide. But I can’t help looking at the case with fresh eyes, just like Pip, and question what really happened. As Pip dives deeper, she connects with Sal’s younger brother, Ravi, and together they start picking at secrets the town wants to keep buried. The more evidence Pip uncovers, the more dangerous things get. Someone is watching her, warning her to back off. But Pip isn’t the type to let go. I loved the multimedia touch—interview transcripts, text messages, and diary-like notes—which made the investigation feel real and urgent. The whole book feels high-stakes, smart, and modern, like a cross between a true-crime podcast and a classic whodunit.
Why I Love This Book
I love how clever and addictive this book is. Pip is smart, resourceful, and just the right amount of stubborn—she’s easy to root for, even when her decisions put everyone on edge. The mystery completely hooked me; every time I thought I’d figured it out, another twist showed me I was wrong. There’s a thrill to the investigation, especially because of all the real-world touches—the texts, emails, and interviews—which break up the narrative and keep things moving fast. The tension gets under my skin; I never felt like Pip was truly safe. And the story doesn’t just stay on the murder—it looks at privilege, racism, and grief in ways that felt honest and painful. I also felt real warmth from Pip’s family and her deepening friendship with Ravi, which made the stakes feel even higher. The writing is direct, and the pacing is so tight that I found myself flying through the pages, desperate to know the truth. Even when some plot points stretched believability, I was too invested to care.
Who Will Like This Book
If you like YA mysteries, true crime podcasts, or fast-paced thrillers with plenty of twists, you’ll love this book. It’s for anyone who appreciates a clever amateur sleuth, a strong female lead, and smart use of modern storytelling with mixed media. The romance stays in the background, but it’s genuine and sweet. If you want a story that will keep you guessing but doesn’t rely on graphic language or violence, this is a good pick.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This story involves death, suicide, sexual assault, animal death, drug use, grief, bullying, kidnapping, and adult/minor relationships. The themes are intense, so it’s important to be aware before starting.
Tagged As
YA mystery, thriller, murder mystery, amateur sleuth, small town, crime, coming of age, strong female lead, investigative journalism, realistic fiction, suspense, friends to lovers, diverse cast, clean romance, found family, school setting, series, true crime, fast-paced, twists
Steam Level
🌶️ | Clean
