Written by Holly Jackson

About the author

Ms. Jackson is a British author of mystery novels. She is best known for her series “ A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Her debut was the novel ‘A good girl’s guide to murder’ in 2019. She then followed up with two more books and a prequel: Good Girl’s, Bad Blood’, ‘As Good as Dead’, and ‘Kill Joy’. The books were shortlisted for the 2021 YA Book prize.

In 2022, Ms. Jackson released her first standalone novel called, ‘Fie Survive and was published in the US by Delaocrote Press. I 2024 she then released her second standalone novel titled ‘ Te Reappearance’.

She is currently living in London where she loves to read and write. She also enjoys video games and watching crime documentaries.

The Review

A good girl’s guide to murder is a sharp, modern take on the classic mystery that blends true-crime obsession with a coming of age story that is both gripping and unsettling. Ms. Jackson does deliver a fast pace and cleverly structured novel that will keep you guessing until the very end.

This particular story follows a young girl, Pip Fitz-Amboi, A high achieving high school student, who has decided to investigate a closed murder case for her school project. This murder happened five years ago of a local girl that was murdered and her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who everyone believes is responsible for her death. Everyone in town believes the narrative except for Pip. As she seeks the truth, her school project becomes more dangerous, revealing all kinds of secrets around town.

One of the greatest characters in this story is Pip. She very intelligent, determined and flawed. In the way that makes her feel like a real person not just a character in a book. Her curiousity is admirable, but would led her into risky situations. The supporting characters, like Sal Singh helps add emotional depth and he challenges Pip’s assumptions about guilt, justice, and the truth.

This book has a mixed format of interviews, transcripts, notes, and messages, which I love. It grabs your attention right off the bat. It enhanced the investigation feel of the story. It made it seem like you are apart of the story. Like you are doing the investigation along with Pip. This story structure keeps the pacing tight and the story engaging, making it almost impossible to put it down.

Besides the mystery this book explores darker themes such as danger of assumpations, media sensationalism and how communities will choose what is comfort than the actual truth. It also shows how trauma still lingers far after a case may be closed.

Overall this novel is an excellent choices for readers who enjoy crime fiction and psychological thrillers. It’s suspenseful, smart and it stand out in the YA mystery genre, I give this two thumbs up up.