A Good Girl Guide to Murder

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Genre: Young Adult Mystery / Thriller

Rating: 5 stars

Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is one of those stories that quietly grabs your attention and refuses to let go. As someone who usually gravitates toward romance and character-driven narratives, I didn’t expect a murder mystery to captivate me this deeply. Yet from the first few chapters, I found myself completely absorbed — not just by the puzzle of the crime, but by the emotional depth woven into every discovery.

The novel follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a bright and determined high school student who decides to investigate a five-year-old local murder for her final year project. The case of Andie Bell’s death and her boyfriend Sal Singh’s supposed guilt has long been considered closed by the community. However, Pip doesn’t accept things at face value. Her curiosity — and quiet defiance — push her to re-examine the evidence, conduct her own interviews, and uncover the secrets that her small town has buried.

What makes this book stand out is its layered storytelling. Jackson cleverly combines traditional narration with interviews, research notes, and project entries, creating a format that feels modern and immersive. It’s almost as if the reader becomes part of Pip’s investigation, piecing together clues alongside her. The pacing is sharp but controlled, balancing suspense with genuine emotional tension. Every chapter ends with a reason to keep reading, and before you realize it, you’ve fallen down the same rabbit hole Pip has.

At the heart of the novel is Pip herself — smart, flawed, and deeply human. Her determination to find the truth, even when it puts her at risk, gives the story its moral weight. She’s not the fearless, polished heroine typical of thrillers; instead, she’s a student who believes that justice matters, even when no one else seems to care. That sincerity, more than anything, made me root for her.

While the story is primarily a mystery, it also explores themes of grief, guilt, prejudice, and the complexity of human relationships. Jackson doesn’t shy away from showing how quickly truth can be distorted by fear, bias, and small-town politics. There were moments where I found myself unexpectedly emotional — not because of the twists, but because of what those twists revealed about people and their choices.

If there’s one minor flaw, it’s that the final act can feel a little rushed and overly intricate. The number of revelations toward the end slightly blurs the impact of the central mystery. Still, this doesn’t diminish the overall experience. The conclusion is satisfying, the emotional resonance strong, and the message clear: sometimes, the most ordinary people are the ones who dare to seek the truth.

One line in particular stayed with me long after finishing the book:

“The world is never quiet; even silence has a sound.”

It perfectly captures the essence of this story — the idea that even when the world seems settled, there are always echoes of something hidden beneath the surface.

In the end, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is far more than a typical YA thriller. It’s a story about curiosity, courage, and the quiet persistence of truth. For readers like me who typically prefer romance or emotional fiction, this book is a wonderful surprise — proof that a well-written mystery can still tug at your heart. Jackson delivers a debut that is clever, moving, and impossible to put down.

Whether you’re a fan of true-crime podcasts, strong female leads, or stories that blend intellect with emotion, this novel deserves a spot on your shelf. And if, like me, you sometimes judge books by how they make you feel, this one will linger long after the case is closed.

xoxo

-T