Dive deep into Holly Jackson’s “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” exploring its gripping mystery, complex characters, and cultural impact. Perfect for true crime and YA mystery fans
Have you ever wondered what would happen if a teenage girl decided to investigate a closed murder case for her senior project? That’s exactly what Pippa Fitz-Amobi does in Holly Jackson’s riveting young adult mystery novel, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. As someone who’s devoured this book multiple times, I can’t wait to take you through the intricacies of this compelling story that’s taken both the literary world and TikTok by storm.
Table of Contents
The Story That Captivated Millions
Picture this: a small town called Little Kilton, where everyone knows each other’s business—or at least they think they do. Five years ago, pretty and popular Andie Bell disappeared, presumably murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who later took his own life. Case closed, right? Not according to our protagonist, Pip Fitz-Amobi, who believes there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
What starts as a simple school project quickly evolves into something far more dangerous as Pip, along with Sal’s brother Ravi Singh, uncovers layers of secrets that certain people in Little Kilton would prefer to keep buried. Trust me, once you start reading, you won’t be able to put this book down.
Why This Book Stands Out in the YA Mystery Genre
I’ve read my fair share of young adult mysteries, but “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” brings something uniquely refreshing to the table. Here’s what makes it special:
Innovative Storytelling Format
The narrative isn’t just told through traditional prose. Jackson cleverly incorporates:
- Interview transcripts
- News articles
- Text messages
- Production logs
- Maps and diagrams
This mixed-media approach makes you feel like you’re investigating alongside Pip, piecing together clues and forming your own theories.
Complex Characters with Depth
Pip isn’t your typical YA protagonist. She’s methodical, sometimes to a fault, with a determination that occasionally borders on obsession. Her partnership with Ravi Singh adds both emotional depth and necessary comic relief to the darker elements of the story. Their dynamic feels authentic, developing naturally as they navigate both the investigation and their growing friendship.
Themes That Resonate
While on the surface this might seem like just another murder mystery, Jackson weaves in several thought-provoking themes:
Racial Discrimination
The book doesn’t shy away from addressing how racial bias affected the original investigation into Sal Singh’s case. Through Ravi’s perspective and the town’s treatment of the Singh family, Jackson explores how prejudice can influence justice.
The Price of Truth
One of the most compelling aspects of the story is how it examines the cost of pursuing the truth. Pip learns that uncovering secrets can have real, sometimes devastating consequences, not just for herself but for everyone involved.
Family Dynamics
The novel expertly portrays various family relationships:
- Pip’s supportive but concerned parents
- The broken Singh family dealing with loss and stigma
- The complex dynamics of the Bell family
Social Media and Modern Investigation
Jackson brilliantly incorporates how social media and technology impact modern-day investigations, showing both their benefits and dangers. It’s fascinating to see how Pip uses these tools while also falling prey to their pitfalls.
The Impact on Popular Culture
The success of “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” has been nothing short of phenomenal. The book sparked a TikTok sensation, with readers sharing their theories and reactions, often using the hashtag #AGGGTM. This popularity led to:
- A complete trilogy plus a novella
- A BBC Three television adaptation starring Emma Myers
- International recognition and numerous awards
- A surge in similar YA mystery novels
The Series Continues
If you find yourself hooked after the first book (and trust me, you will), there’s more to explore:
📚 “Good Girl, Bad Blood” by Holly Jackson (Book 2)
📖 Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
📚 Synopsis: Pip vowed never to investigate another murder case, but when her friend’s brother goes missing, she starts a true-crime podcast to find him. As her investigation deepens, she discovers this disappearance might be connected to other crimes in Little Kilton, putting her in danger once again.
💬 Why Everyone Is Reading It:
- “Even better than the first book omg”
- “The podcast format is genius”
- “More Pip and Ravi content = serotonin boost”
- “I screamed at that ending NO WAY”
- “The way Holly Jackson raises the stakes >>”
😭 Why BookTok is obsessed:
- The podcast element feels so current and realistic
- Darker and more complex than book one
- Pip’s character development is the chef’s kiss
- More small-town secrets get exposed
- The tension builds SO WELL
- That last chapter had readers throwing their books
🔗 Where to Buy: [amazon.com]
📚 “As Good As Dead” by Holly Jackson (Book 3)
📖 Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
📚 Synopsis: Pip is dealing with PTSD from her previous investigations when she realizes someone is stalking her. As she tries to uncover who’s behind it, she finds herself trapped in a deadly game with a killer who’s been hiding in plain sight all along.
💬 Why Everyone Is Reading It:
- “THIS BOOK BROKE ME”
- “The darkest one yet and I’m here for it”
- “Holly Jackson really said no more YA rules”
- “My jaw? On the floor”
- “That moral gray area though 👀”
😭 Why BookTok is obsessed:
- The complete tonal shift shocked everyone
- Goes places NO ONE expected a YA book to go
- Pip’s character arc is controversial but compelling
- The psychological elements are intense
- That ending divided BookTok into teams
- The perfect conclusion to the trilogy
🔗 Where to Buy: [amazon.com]
📚 “Kill Joy” by Holly Jackson (Prequel Novella)
📖 Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
📚 Synopsis: Set before AGGGTM, this novella follows Pip at a murder mystery party that goes wrong when real secrets start coming out. It shows her detective skills before the events that would change her life forever.
💬 Why Everyone Is Reading It:
- “The perfect appetizer to the series”
- “Baby Pip solving mysteries is everything”
- “Such a fun quick read”
- “Easter eggs for series fans!!”
- “Made me want to reread the whole series”
😭 Why BookTok is obsessed:
- Shows Pip’s personality before the trauma
- Fun murder mystery party format
- Easter eggs that connect to the main series
- Perfect palette cleanser after book 3
- Great way to get new readers hooked
- Adds depth to the overall series
🔗 Where to Buy: [amazon.com]
These books took BookTok by storm not just because of their compelling mysteries, but because Holly Jackson wasn’t afraid to take risks and let her characters face real consequences. The series gets progressively darker and more complex, which really appeals to readers who grew alongside the books.
Each installment maintains the high stakes and intricate plotting of the first while developing the characters in unexpected ways.
For Fans of the Genre
If you love “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” here are some similar books you might enjoy:
📚 “One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus
📖 Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
📚 Synopsis: Five students walk into detention, but only four walk out alive. Simon, creator of a high school gossip app, dies under suspicious circumstances. Each surviving student had secrets Simon was about to expose, making them all suspects.
💬 Why Everyone Is Reading It:
- “The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars!”
- “Every time I thought I knew who did it… PLOT TWIST”
- “Couldn’t put it down omg”
- “The character development though 😭”
- “That ending had me SHOOK”
😭 Why BookTok is obsessed:
- Multiple POV narratives keep you guessing
- Everyone’s a suspect vibe
- Complex characters with real depth
- High school drama meets murder mystery
- Amazing friend group dynamics
- Netflix adaptation announced
🔗 Where to Buy: [amazon.com]
📚 “Truly Devious” by Maureen Johnson
📖 Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
📚 Synopsis: Stevie Bell is obsessed with solving cold cases. When she gets accepted to Ellingham Academy, she gets the chance to investigate its most famous case: the kidnapping of the founder’s wife and daughter in 1936, signed with the cryptic signature “Truly, Devious.”
💬 Why Everyone Is Reading It:
- “Two mysteries in one book? YES PLEASE”
- “The way it switches between past and present >>”
- “Stevie is literally me trying to solve cold cases.”
- “This book has my whole heart.”
- “The boarding school setting is everything.”
😭 Why BookTok is obsessed:
- Dual timeline mysteries
- True crime podcast vibes
- Perfect spooky boarding school setting
- Smart, anxiety-rep protagonist
- Amazing friend group dynamics
- Mystery spans multiple books
🔗 Where to Buy: [amazon.com]
📚 “Sadie” by Courtney Summers
📖 Genre: YA Thriller
📚 Synopsis: Sadie’s sister Mattie is found dead, and the police investigation goes nowhere. Determined to find the killer, Sadie hits the road following meager clues. Her journey is traced by a true crime podcast host trying to find her before it’s too late.
💬 Why Everyone Is Reading It:
- “This book DESTROYED me”
- “The podcast format is genius”
- “I’m not okay after that ending.”
- “Most haunting book I’ve ever read.”
- “Literally couldn’t stop listening to the audiobook.”
😭 Why BookTok is obsessed:
- Unique podcast/narrative format
- Raw and emotional storytelling
- Perfect audiobook adaptation
- Dark and gritty YA that doesn’t hold back
- That ending lives rent-free in everyone’s head
- The way it handles serious topics
🔗 Where to Buy: [amazon.com]
📚 “The Naturals” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
📖 Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
📚 Synopsis: Cassie can read people like open books. When the FBI recruits her for a program of teens with natural crime-solving abilities, she joins a team of profilers-in-training. But when a serial killer starts leaving messages for her, the case becomes personal.
💬 Why Everyone Is Reading It:
- “Criminal Minds but make it YA”
- “The profiling scenes are so satisfying”
- “This friend group has my whole heart”
- “The romance subplot >>”
- “Perfect for true crime fans”
😭 Why BookTok is obsessed:
- FBI profiling elements
- Found family dynamics
- The perfect mix of cases and character development
- Multiple books to binge
- Dark themes but not too graphic
- The romance triangle actually works
🔗 Where to Buy: [amazon.com]
These books share similar elements with AGGGTM that BookTok loves:
- Strong mystery elements
- Complex characters
- Dark themes are handled well
- Innovative storytelling formats
- Satisfying plot twists
- Strong emotional impact
The Television Adaptation
The recent BBC Three adaptation has brought new life to the story, with Emma Myers perfectly capturing Pip’s determination and intelligence. While some changes were made to television, the core mystery and themes remain intact, making it a worthy companion to the novel.
Content Considerations
It’s worth noting that while this is marketed as a young adult novel, it deals with some mature themes including:
- Drug abuse
- Sexual assault
- Violence
- Mental health issues
- Suicide
These elements are handled with care and sensitivity, but parents and readers should be aware that the recommended age is 14+.
Why You Should Read It Now
If you’re still on the fence about picking up this book, here’s my final pitch: “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” isn’t just another YA mystery. It’s a masterclass in plotting, character development, and modern storytelling. Jackson has created something special—a book that respects its readers’ intelligence while delivering genuine thrills and emotional depth.
Whether you’re a fan of true crime podcasts, and mystery novels, or just looking for your next great read, this book deserves a spot on your TBR list. And with the television adaptation now available, there’s never been a better time to dive into the world of Pippa Fitz-Amobi and the secrets of Little Kilton.
Ready to Start Reading?
You can find “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” at:
📚 “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson
📖 Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
📚 Synopsis: High school senior Pippa Fitz-Amobi takes on a closed murder case for her capstone project. Five years ago, pretty and popular Andie Bell was allegedly killed by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who then died by suicide. But Pip doesn’t believe the official story. Working with Sal’s brother Ravi, she uncovers dangerous secrets that someone in their small town wants to keep buried forever.
💬 Why Everyone Is Reading It:
- “The mixed media format hits different – interview transcripts, maps, and diagrams make you feel like a real detective!”
- “Literally couldn’t put it down, stayed up until 3 AM to finish”
- “Pip and Ravi’s dynamic is everything 😭”
- “The plot twists had me SHOOK”
- “If you love true crime podcasts, this book is your next obsession”
😭 Why BookTok is obsessed:
- The investigation format feels super immersive and fresh
- Genuine shocking twists that nobody sees coming
- The slow-burn friendship/romance between Pip and Ravi
- The perfect mix of dark mystery and humor
- The series gets even more intense with each book
- Emma Myers from Wednesday is playing Pip in the TV adaptation
- True crime podcast vibes but make it YA
- Deals with serious topics while staying respectful
- That ending… IYKYK 🤯
🔗 Where to Buy: [amazon.com]
Have you already read “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder”? What theories did you develop while reading? Share your thoughts in the comments below, but remember—no spoilers for new readers!
