A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

By Holly Jackson

The New York Times No.1 bestselling YA crime thriller that everyone is talking about. Soon to be a major BBC series!

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the crime, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth … ?

Perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying, Gone Girl, We Were Liars and Riverdale

Holly Jackson started writing stories from a young age, completing her first (poor) attempt at a novel aged fifteen. She lives in London and aside from reading and writing, she enjoys playing video games and watching true crime documentaries so she can pretend to be a detective. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is her first novel. You can follow Holly on Twitter and Instagram @HoJay92

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: May 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781405293846

Holly Jackson

Holly Jackson is the international bestselling author of the YA crime series: A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER, which has sold millions of copies and adapted into a major television show.  Don’t miss her bestselling standalone novel FIVE SURVIVE and look out for THE REAPPEARANCE OF RACHEL PRICE, coming soon! Follow Holly on TikTok @hojax92 and Instagram @HoJay92

Reviews for A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

[Kyriaki Kefala · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

loved it! Very interesting story and very likeable main character!

[ahef1963 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very enjoyable YA book about an academically-focused teen who has decided to re-investigate the murder of a teenage girl for her senior project. What she finds puts so many people in danger, herself included (of course). It was definitely a quick read; I whipped through it in a day.

[riida_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This has all the trappings of a YA murder mystery...but it turned out to be so much more sophisticated. Sure, there were moments of levity that were welcome breaks from the surprisingly dark plot (i think this should come with some trigger warnings), and I really enjoyed the protagonists' humor...but this was a really complicated cold-case murder mystery, a very well crafted puzzle, with satisfying twists and ending. The titular good girl makes for a brilliant detective too. By the end I was exhausted and heavily invested and very much looking forward to the second book in the series.

[Demmy Ijimakinwa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book that I've been putting away for a while now.

I give it four stars because I kind of felt like towards the end, the mystery fell a tad bit flat. I loved the twist of the actual Andie Bell though and that elevated the reveals a bit for me.

[Khalisa Fatihani · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

GOODDAMN THAT WAS SO GOOD!! had me guessing the whole time

[Morgan Joffrion · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Didn’t realize it was YA when I started it but I’m I’m in my 30s and loved it. Full of red herrings and easy to binge. I’ve read some critical reviews on Goodreads saying the main character is too angelic/perfect and that the author didn’t handle the issue of race properly. I feel those are somewhat fair criticisms , but honestly it didn’t stop me from really enjoying the book. I believe the author was trying to introduce race issues in a simplified way that young people could understand, especially white kids who may never hear such things from their parents. I’m from the US and in my experience this is indeed how most towns with a majority white population react to the murder of a white girl/woman. Anyway, I’m excited to read the other 2 books in the trilogy!

[zino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Omg, this is my first time writing a review and boy I must say this book kept me on the edge. My anxiety level was on the highest, I left reality and pictured myself in the book!. I enjoyed every bit of it and mostly importantly the plot twist. For the first time I wasn’t able to figure out anything, I couldn’t guess either. I kept my fingers crossed all through; Holly Jackson really did her thing.

[Nicole Solarte-Tobon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When did young adults books get so dark?! As i’ve seen written before, this book has quite a few unbelievable interactions but if you don’t think too hard about it, it’s a very thrilling read. I got through it so fast just cause i seriously wanted to find out the answer to the mystery and the language was super easy to read and process. Surprised at some of the mature content but as an adult, this kept the book interesting to me.

[Tamia John · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very entertaining and twisted novel. I enjoyed every page.

[Dee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant, brilliant book! Puts you through a rollercoaster of emotions, laughing out loud one minute to being teary eyed the next. Couldn’t put it down. 10/10, would highly recommend.

[Sab Chy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

AMAZING FANTASTIC SUPERB I AM SO IN AWE OF HOW THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN
HAD ME HOOKED!

[kanwal_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My first read of Holly Jackson books and I am hooked. Although, it's a classic "who dunnit" type of story, her style of narrating it is so refreshing!! I cannot wait to start "Good Girl, Bad Blood".

[susan.macura · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a young adult book where Pip, the main character, decides to solve a cold case murder for a school project. Along the way, she encounters many diversions and difficulties, but along with the brother of one of those murdered, ultimately makes some horrible discoveries about a number of people in her small town. It was an entertaining read.

[vanessa_menez-453497 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just loved this! It was way beyond my expectations. I was hooked on from the first page till the end.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I must say, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The plot was gripping and had me hooked from the first page. I had a number of theories throughout the story and while I was partially right, I definitely didn't solve the crime completely. I also enjoyed the various formats the author chose including interview transcripts, diary entries, maps, diagrams and suspect lists.Pip was a terrific character. She was an intelligent, feisty young lady who wasn't afraid to stand up against injustices. She did annoy me at times, but I liked that she was determined to find the truth regardless of the cost."A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" was an engaging YA mystery from a debut author. Well done, Ms Jackson.

[melissa_o-399736 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great story full of page-turning suspense. I read this in one setting because I just had to know what happened. Definitely kept my attention and am looking forward to the next one in the series.

[purple_pisces22 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I had a love/hate relationship with this book. There were times I was able to suspend my beliefs long enough to really get into the story, but the back of my mind kept screaming “In what world does it really work like this with a teenage girl and the cops?”
The idea is interesting. I’m just not sure it worked for me.

[fionaanne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ultimately, this felt too convoluted for my tastes.

[Falen Jade Butler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

amazing in every way the twists and turns make for a great read, I couldnt put it down read it in a day on to the next part of this trilogy

[YAVUZ KALFA · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the best books i have ever read.

[Priyal Inani · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Damn this book is so awesome. the besttt book ever I've read. damn how the theme was plotted. all the brains were exploited in it. the author rocks

[Aespa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel was brilliant!! Go give it a try! All the characters are so lovable with amazing plot. It is one of my most page-turner read! I even stayed up late until 5 AM simply cause I can't put it down!

[deslivres5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cool whodunit framed as a capstone project of Pip, a high school senior.Pip wants to re-investigate a murder/suicide which took place 5 years ago in her small town.Seems a bit preposterous as a capstone topic, but just go with it.Lots of red herrings thrown in to really keep things interesting!Pip is very smart one minute and then turns around and takes too many naive risks. She makes deals/keeps secrets when it suits her, which I found a bit disingenuous. But overall, I enjoyed the chase and the outcome.

[rosands-494665 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great Mystery. Lots of twists and turns.

[ktreads22 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Let me tell you, this book took me by the throat and said "sit down and listen up." I found myself staying up late and even reading it while at work, just so I could find out what happens next. This book was so exciting, with so many twists and turns I was even more fervent in my need to know whodunnit.

It started out as tame as a Nancy Drew novel, which people use as a negative, but I'm a huge Nancy Drew fan. It was a bit unbelievable that a school would allow a student to investigate a still-relatively recent murder as a senior project, but you find it pretty easy to let it slide. Pip goes into this investigation looking to prove that a guy who she never directly interacted with wasn't the murder. She didn't outright say racism was a factor, but everyone who grew up in a small town knows how to read between the lines here. This was a noble task and I liked where Pip's head was at.

Some of the investigation had me staring at the book like "Pip...you're not being careful at all and this is like the third threatening letter you've gotten...safety in numbers babes...please." Many times she was needlessly reckless in her pursuit for answers. But once she got relatively deep into the investigation, the action took off at lightning speed. It was enthralling, the need to know what happens next. The narrative was like a winding road that you brought the wrong map for. So many twists and turns you didn't see coming.

Chapter 23 man... I didn't expect her dog to die. I didn't expect that at all. When I read it, I about threw my Kindle across the room and had to hold in a scream. I felt Pip's absolute agony and rage and I was ready to make all sorts of John Wick references...haha

I devoured this book. I loved everything about it and I can't wait to read the others. Ravi was so cute too and I loved that the developing romance was a side action and no stupid mistakes were made for love during all of the action of solving the case. I loved during Pip's presentation that Ravi got to speak to basically the entire town as well. Pip gave the facts and didn't sugarcoat them to fit the narrative that made the town (and media) comfortable. *chef's kiss* A wonderful book.

It's not often that I'm so excited and intrigued by a book that I can't put it down. It consumed my nights and my breaks during work until I finished it. That's why I give it 5 out 5 stars. Things that I didn't like didn't deter me from the excitement I was feeling. I highly highly recommend reading this to everyone who was curious enough to pull up this book's page on Goodreads.

[ewyatt_16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pip decides her capstone project is going to be to prove Sal innocent of the murder that everyone assumed he commitment after his girlfriend disappeared and he turned up dead by suicide. This is Pip's investigative notes and her narrative of what is happening in her life as she digs deeper and deeper, disturbing people who would rather the truth stay hidden. Pip is clever and at times careless about putting herself in danger. Luckily she connects with Sal's brother who has her back in a number of ways throughout the book. Twists and turns and sketchy characters about as Pip discovers more and more about golden girl Andie. An addictive page turner.

[June Clarke · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well worth the read. This goes places that leave you amazed at this YA contemporary thriller. Yes, the hype is legitimate.

[shellypya · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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. This is the story of an investigation turned obsession, full of twists and turns and with an ending you'll never expect.

[Anshika Pandey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the BEST mystery/suspense novels I have EVER read. I was on the edge for the entirety of the novel. IT WAS SO GOOD. And the ending was absolutely unpredictable. Every twist, every turn was so good. I finished the entire book in ONE sitting and stayed up the whole night to do so. ABSOLUTELY A MUST READ. Can't wait to start book 2.

[jclavet17 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Super fun and fast read. Loved the characters and the storytelling.