A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
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4.6 • 3.1K Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
THE MUST-READ MULTIMILLION BESTSELLING MYSTERY SERIES—NOW ON NETFLIX! • This is the story about an investigation turned obsession, full of twists and turns and with an ending you'll never expect.
Everyone in Fairview knows the story.
Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.
But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?
Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.
And don't miss the sequel, Good Girl, Bad Blood!
"The perfect nail-biting mystery." —Natasha Preston, #1 New York Times bestselling author
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
A curious teen cracks open an old murder investigation in this fast-paced YA mystery. Five years earlier, teenager Andie Bell went missing—presumably murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who then committed suicide. But Andie’s body was never recovered, prompting 17-year-old sleuth Pippa Fitz-Amobi to research the cold case for a school project—and turn up a whole host of new suspects and motives in her small New England town. Author Holly Jackson’s super-smart and spirited young sleuth is like a 21st-century Nancy Drew, giving us a heroine to cheer for even when she breaks the rules (and, occasionally, the law) in her relentless hunt for the truth. Jackson’s clever use of media, from texts to online maps, meshes with Pippa’s daredevil investigative methods to keep this whodunit humming. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a breathless must-read for young mystery fans.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Five years prior to this book's start, 17-year-old Andie Bell disappeared from the small town of Fairview, Conn. Her body was never found, but her boyfriend, Salil Singh, was blamed for her murder after he texted a confession to his father and died from an apparent suicide. High school senior Pippa Fitz-Amobi remembers how kind Sal was, and she thinks he may have been innocent; via her senior project, she aims to prove it. Though Pip, an adept snoop, is forbidden from contacting the victims' families, Sal's younger brother, Ravi, insists on helping, and Pip begins interviewing anyone who might have information about the spring night Andie went missing. Pip assumes they're on the right track when she starts to receive threatening notes that place her in the crosshairs of someone determined to keep a dark secret. Jackson sprinkles the fast-paced narrative with Pip's notes, project logs, and interview transcripts as well as several cleverly placed red herrings while exploring how the Singh and Bell families suffered in the aftermath of the alleged crime. Jackson caps her suspenseful, well-plotted mystery with a few twists that readers likely won't see coming. Fans of Veronica Mars and its ilk will find plenty to enjoy in Jackson's assured debut. Ages 14 up.
Customer Reviews
See AllMy first 5 star review!
Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a masterfully crafted YA thriller that blends true crime obsession with a twisty, edge-of-your-seat mystery.
Plot Summary:
Five years ago, high school senior Andie Bell was murdered, and her boyfriend, Sal Singh, was blamed. The case was closed—except, Pippa Fitz-Amobi doesn’t buy it. For her senior capstone project, Pip decides to investigate the case herself, determined to uncover the real truth. But as she digs deeper, she starts receiving threats, and it becomes clear that someone in town wants this case to stay buried.
What Makes It Stand Out?
✔ Smart, Determined Heroine – Pip is an incredible protagonist: intelligent, persistent, and refreshingly logical. Unlike many YA protagonists who stumble through mysteries, she actively pieces together clues, making her journey feel authentic and engaging.
✔ True Crime Format & Multimedia Elements – The book creatively includes interview transcripts, text messages, and Pip’s research notes, making readers feel like they’re solving the case alongside her. This interactive element sets it apart from typical mystery novels.
✔ Twisty, Fast-Paced Plot – Jackson masterfully builds suspense, layering red herrings and shocking twists that keep you guessing until the very end. Every chapter leaves you desperate for more.
✔ Dark Themes but Balanced Tone – While dealing with murder, lies, and corruption, the book avoids unnecessary graphic content, making it accessible yet thrilling for teen and adult readers alike.
Final Thoughts:
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is an absolute must-read for fans of thrilling mysteries, true crime, and strong female leads. It’s Serial meets One of Us Is Lying, with a brilliant protagonist and a mystery that delivers right until the final page. Holly Jackson has created a modern classic in YA crime fiction, and once you finish, you’ll be racing to pick up the sequels.
Perfect For:
✔ Fans of One of Us Is Lying and Verity
✔ Readers who love fast-paced mysteries
✔ True crime junkies who love solving puzzles
Verdict: A gripping, unputdownable thriller with an unforgettable heroine.
<3
loved it
Perfection
Too lazy to right review rn 😑 but this was rlly good. Unexpected ending!