As a kid who grew up loving to read books, there was somewhere along the way that I hit a point where I just couldn’t finish a book anymore. A total reading slump, not only for weeks or months, but years! I think it’s more than 5 years. Yes I did try to pick a few books, but I kept losing my focus halfway through.
That was until I found myself completely hooked to a young-adult mystery thriller book called A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson.
You might recognize the title from the Netflix series starring the lovely Emma Meyers. I’ve seen some reviews saying the series didn’t quite hit the mark, whether by the long fans of the book or those who watch it fresh. But, if you haven’t read the book yet, hear me out, it’s beyond what you see on screen!
So, let me introduce you the ‘Good Girl’ who pulled me out of my years-long reading slump 🙂
Also Read: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – Book Review
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Book Synopsis
- Title: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
- Author: Holly Jackson
- Genre: Thriller Mystery, Crime, Young Adult
- Published: May 2, 2019
Disappeared. Officially presumed murdered by the boyfriend. Everyone believed it. Case closed.
Andie Bell was killed by Sal Singh.
That’s the story this small town has held onto for the past five years. But for one teenager, Pippa Fitz-Amobi, the story never quite sat right.
The police wrapped up the case quickly, but Pip has always felt something was off. She might be too young to understand it all back then—but the case stuck with her. And now, for her final year project, she finally has a reason to dig deeper.
Even though some people around her think it’s a little “controversial” to bring it up again, Pip feels it’s worth uncovering. So she starts small—interviewing people who were connected to the case. Bit by bit, she begins peeling back layers of a mystery that was never truly solved.
Everyone thinks it’s over.
But someone out there is working hard to keep the truth buried.
This isn’t just about who did it—but how, and why.
Personal Thoughts & Feels
To be honest, before I started reading, I thought the whole murder case sounded a bit cliché. You know, the whole “years-old case buried in a small town, and then someone decides to dig it up and finds the truth” kind of thing.
Also, the book is written in third-person POV, which made me wonder about how the plot twist will be submerged by the narrator who knows everything. But all my doubts vanished the moment I started reading.
My first impression of Holly Jackson’s writing was that it pulled me in right away. From the way she introduces the characters, to how the events unfold—and what I love most is how Pippa Fitz-Amobi’s personality and mood come across so vividly through the writing. And not in a detailed-boring way! I could totally picture her in my head.
As someone whose first language isn’t English, I found Holly Jackson’s chosen words really accessible and fun to read. Plot wise, it’s pretty neat and I don’t think there’s a plot hole.
Once I read the first page, I couldn’t stop! I finished the entire book in just three days. As someone who’s been stuck in a reading slump for years, that says a lot. This book seriously captivated me and pulled me right back into reading.
What makes it even more engaging is how Holly Jackson includes some visuals—like Pip’s notes and case files. It really helped me dive deeper into the story and feel more connected to the characters.
Speaking of characters… get ready to point fingers. You’ll find yourself suspecting someone different in almost every chapter. And like I said earlier, the plot twist didn’t just shock me because of who it was—but also how and why.
My Personal Rating
4.7/5. It’s definitely captivating and page-turner.
A Must-Read for You Who…
If you are a plot-twist sucker, you will definitely love this book! Also, if you’re a mystery story lover who enjoy how to crack up some case, be ready to get attached with this book.
Read with Cautions (!)
Before reading, please be aware that this book contains: Drug use, death (including animal’s death), sexual assault, inappropriate adult-minor relationship, bullying, grief, threats.
So, are you ready to accompany Pip to finish her final project? 😉 Please let me know your thoughts in the comment!
