Complete Review of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Trilogy Books
If you love a good mystery with plenty of twists, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder might be just what you’re looking for. This young adult series has become a favorite for readers who enjoy suspense, smart characters, and small-town secrets.
Whether you’re new to crime thrillers or just love following along as the pieces of a puzzle come together, this trilogy is packed with surprises. In this review, we’ll dive into what makes the books so captivating and why you should add them to your reading list.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (Book 1)
- Author: Holly Jackson
- Published: May 2, 2019
- Genre: Young Adult Mystery, Thriller
Plot Summary
Pip Fitz-Amobi is a high school senior with a curious mind and a passion for uncovering the truth. For her senior capstone project, she decides to investigate the murder of Andie Bell, a popular girl who was believed to have been killed by her boyfriend, Sal Singh. After Andie’s death, Sal allegedly took his own life, leaving the town convinced of his guilt. However, something about the case doesn’t sit right with Pip.
Determined to prove Sal’s innocence, Pip dives into the case with meticulous attention to detail, gathering evidence, interviewing key people involved, and piecing together clues that the police missed.
She partners with Ravi Singh, Sal’s younger brother, who is just as eager to clear his brother’s name. Together, they uncover secrets about Andie’s life that had been hidden from the public—secrets that suggest the real killer may still be out there.
As Pip’s investigation progresses, she uncovers a web of lies, deceit, and danger, with people in her town hiding shocking truths. The more she digs, the more she realizes that the real story behind Andie’s death is far more complicated than anyone imagined. Pip begins to receive threatening messages, warning her to stop her investigation, but her determination only strengthens.
The book keeps readers guessing, with plot twists and turns that reveal hidden aspects of the victim’s life, the town’s secrets, and even the darkness that can exist in seemingly perfect places. By the end of the novel, Pip solves the mystery, but not without putting herself in harm’s way.
The novel ends on a gripping note, providing closure to the main mystery but leaving enough open threads to hint at further investigations to come in the series.
Good Girl, Bad Blood (Book 2)
Image source: Pinterest
- Author: Holly Jackson
- Published: April 30, 2020
- Genre: Young Adult Mystery, Thriller
Plot Summary
After solving the Andie Bell case, Pip Fitz-Amobi has sworn off playing detective. She’s moved on with her life, focusing on her studies and her new passion project: a true-crime podcast that tells the story of how she solved the murder that rocked her town.
The podcast has gained popularity, and Pip is content to leave her detective days behind, but life takes an unexpected turn when her friend Connor’s older brother, Jamie Reynolds, goes missing.
Connor begs Pip to help, but at first, she is reluctant. She remembers how dangerous her last investigation became and doesn’t want to be pulled back into that world. However, as the police dismiss Jamie’s disappearance as not serious, Pip realizes she may be the only one who can help. Haunted by the idea that Jamie could be in danger, she agrees to investigate.
As Pip digs into Jamie’s last known whereabouts, she quickly learns that there’s more to his disappearance than meets the eye. Jamie’s secretive behavior before vanishing and the people he was associated with raise red flags.
Through interviews, evidence collection, and her trusty podcast, Pip uncovers leads that suggest Jamie was caught up in something dangerous. Meanwhile, the town begins to react to Pip’s podcast, and her fame brings unwanted attention.
With Ravi Singh still by her side, Pip delves deeper into Jamie’s life, uncovering a trail that leads to unexpected places and dangerous truths. Each discovery raises new questions, and Pip soon finds herself tangled in a web of lies, betrayal, and hidden threats. The investigation not only forces Pip to confront the darkness within her own town but also within herself.
The narrative builds with suspense as Pip races against time, knowing that every moment Jamie remains missing, his life could be in more danger. As her investigation takes darker turns, Pip begins to receive warnings that echo those from her first case, reminding her that getting too close to the truth can have deadly consequences.
The novel concludes with shocking revelations about Jamie’s disappearance, the people involved, and the impact of Pip’s podcast. Once again, Pip proves her detective skills, but the emotional toll of this new case leaves her questioning whether she can ever truly leave crime-solving behind.
As Good as Dead (Book 3)
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- Author: Holly Jackson
- Published: August 5, 2021
- Genre: Young Adult Mystery, Thriller
Plot Summary
After solving two major cases in her hometown, Pip Fitz-Amobi is ready to leave her detective work behind. She’s headed for college, but her traumatic past and the aftermath of her investigations continue to haunt her.
Pip is struggling with post-traumatic stress from the dangers she faced, and it’s clear that the darkness she has uncovered over the years has changed her. She’s also dealing with the unwanted fame brought on by her podcast, which makes it impossible for her to escape the past.
As Pip tries to move forward, unsettling things start happening. She notices small, eerie details: strange messages, the feeling that someone is watching her, and ominous signs that suggest she’s being stalked. At first, she brushes them off as paranoia, but soon the warnings escalate, and Pip realizes she’s in serious danger.
The stalker’s behavior begins to mirror that of a notorious local serial killer who was never caught. Pip’s fear grows as the threats become more direct, including cryptic messages telling her that she’s “next.” With nowhere else to turn, she begins her own investigation into the person stalking her, hoping to uncover their identity before it’s too late.
As Pip retraces old cases and dives deeper into the town’s dark history, she discovers disturbing connections between her previous investigations and the stalker’s motives. Her mental state deteriorates as she confronts terrifying truths about her past actions, her town, and herself. Pip is forced to question who she can trust, including her closest friends and family.
Throughout the book, Pip’s relationship with Ravi Singh is tested as the danger surrounding her grows. Ravi supports her, but Pip’s increasing paranoia and trauma strain their bond. The stakes rise as Pip finds herself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse, and she must use all her investigative skills to outsmart her stalker.
The final showdown is tense and gripping, as Pip uncovers the true identity of her stalker, who has deeper ties to her life and previous cases than she could have imagined. The revelation is shocking and forces Pip to make a decision that will change her life forever.
The novel ends with Pip facing the consequences of her actions, both emotionally and morally. The conclusion provides closure to the series but leaves readers with thought-provoking questions about justice, guilt, and the price of uncovering the truth.
Overall Review of the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Trilogy
Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy is a captivating and thrilling journey from start to finish. Each book adds depth to the overarching story, with escalating stakes, character development, and unpredictable twists that keep readers on edge. The series skillfully blends mystery, suspense, and real-world emotional complexity, making it more than just a typical young adult detective story.
What stands out most in this trilogy is Pip’s evolution as a character. In the first book, she is an ambitious and determined teenager, eager to uncover the truth. By the third book, she’s deeply affected by the dangers of her investigations, facing mental and emotional challenges that add a psychological dimension to the story.
Jackson’s portrayal of Pip’s struggles with trauma and morality gives the trilogy a compelling edge, making Pip’s journey both relatable and gripping.
The storytelling in all three books is engaging, with a pace that moves quickly but allows for plenty of suspenseful build-up. Jackson’s use of multimedia formats—like podcast transcripts, investigation notes, and interviews—adds an interactive layer to the reading experience, making it feel immersive and realistic.
One of the trilogy’s strongest aspects is how the mysteries are carefully constructed. Each book presents a new puzzle, and just when readers think they’ve figured it out, Jackson delivers a shocking twist. The unpredictability of the plot, combined with well-developed characters, ensures that the series never loses momentum.
For readers who love a well-paced, suspenseful mystery with psychological depth, the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy is definitely worth it. The books are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, exploring themes like justice, morality, and the impact of crime on a community. It’s a must-read for fans of young adult thrillers and crime fiction, offering plenty of twists, tension, and unforgettable moments.
