A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Ratings778
Average rating4.2
I've listened to a few of Jackson's YA thrillers and it's clear why this is the most popular! Well paced and makes you feel closer to the characters than in others (possibly because there's less of them?) with a well built mystery. Naturally the MCs insistence of doing everything herself gets rather painful at times, but that's just the burden of the genre.
On the bad side the main character supposedly has a friend group of five, only one of which gets to have an actual personality, the "say no to drugs and alcohol" -message is very blatant but apparently littering is completely okay and doesn't deserve even a guilty conscience and some of the "suspects" keep being brought up but are never actually looked into, which makes their inclusion feel rather forced.
As a whole a good listen, but not quite worth five stars.
I loved this series soo much, but this book was by far my favorite in the series. Personally my favorite type of books are mysteries, so this book was so fun to read. This book can be a bit scary at times and a few inappropriate scenes. So I would suggest this book for late middle school to high schoolers, but it depends on their maturity level.
Too tense for me.
I always include major spoilers (hidden), to help with my memory issues. Read them at your peril!
17 yr old Pip investigates the 5 yr old murder of a student at her school, assisted by the brother of the supposed killer. Cleverly constructed. Didn't warm to the characters much. The murderee was A drug dealer, bully, and heartless to her sister, due to miserable upbringing. Sal, presumed to have killed her, and to have committed suicide, was murdered himself
pretty predictable and a lot of convenient circumstances. bruv is it really that easy to find people who are willing to give you that much detail? i didn't know it was that easy to find evidence that connects to each other wowe
still an entertaining read, though.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would after a friend recommended it. The story was gripping, but the fact that it's YA is very clear. The characters aren't well developed and there are some ridiculous plot points, but still a fun read.
Okay the shocking gasp of a 2 star rating from me. So I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE! when mystery/thriller/authors in general do this ring around the characters of omg it could have been them. omg it could have been this person....Oh look out for this person they could be the new guilty person. I just hate it. I was so pissed when i predicted cause I had multiple theories and it ultimately ended up being my first theory. I know this book was talked about A LOT and I'm so so disappointed it turned into a book i disliked. I am unhauling the remaining of the series because its definitely not for me. There were sooooo many instances of Pip the main character should have gotten caught for what she was doing and how somehow it was a miracle for escaping LOL. just so many things i could rip into but hey not my cup a tea but definitely others cup of tea.
A murder mystery in which a high school senior decides her final project is going to be to clear the name of Sal Singh - a boy people are convinced killed the popular girl Andie Bell five years prior.
This story features a decently sized cast of characters who could all have motive in some way, which I really appreciate! Nothing kills a mystery story more than being introduced to a character and immediately knowing they are going to end up being the culprit.
I listened to the audiobook version and I was very impressed with the quality! Different voice actors and effects really enhanced the experience. I don't know if I would have enjoyed the story as much by reading it, because it is quite slowly paced.
I have a few gripes with the story, but that's all spoiler territory so I'll not go into any details. Let's just say it kind of feels like Pretty Little Liars (the show, not the books), and the aspects of that show people generally have a problem with also occur here as well, except the unneccessary relationships that last two days.
Even though I didn't think this book was perfect, I'll still be checking out the rest of the series. I'm really interested to see where it goes!
6/10 - not perfect, but perfectly enjoyable.
Originally posted at www.goodreads.com.
Listened to this audiobook after I got a concussion and couldn’t read or watch movies for a few days. I hate audiobooks, and the dialogue was so cringe, but I was hooked and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Maybe it was the head injury.
Cringe behaviour of characters in this book has helped me get over haunting memories of things I did myself in school. Cheaper than therapy.
That was a very fast read. Usually, I take some time with any book, be it literary or mystery. But this one, I completed in 2 days. The author Holly Jackson got my attention from the very beginning to the end. I think this will be my first series that I shall ever read I guess.
This is the story of the town Fairview where Andie Bell, a 17 year old went missing and was declared dead upon the death of Sal Singh, the alleged murderer. There was never a confession nor a trial. But just a declaration that Sal Singh was the murderer. Five years later, Pip, a high school student, chooses to unravel the discrepancies in the investigation and for some reason, has a strong belief that Sal is not the murderer. Will Pip unravel the dark secrets in the disappearance and the murders of two high school students? Read to find out.
I think Holly Jackson did a phenomenal job in writing a captivating thriller. Although it has the familiar beats of every other thriller, I enjoyed it because I picked it up with one attention - a book that will make me pick it up rather than the phone and it absolutely delivered on it. This book had you guessing who the murderer was and that's something I like. Although, I found weaker intentions behind Pip's motivation, I think this is a great book.
If you are looking for something fun to read, not work your brain much and something that just captures your attention, you can safely trust me and pick this book up!
I I keep thinking of this one as 'Gidget solves a murder." Really enjoyed this one, had trouble putting it down.
Great read, love a good murder mystery. I liked the characters and the plot kept me engaged the whole way through. It started off somewhat slow but I never once found it boring.
A huge plus for me was the inclusion of the different format types in the book (interviews, production logs etc) - makes it so much more engaging. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Really engaging murder-mystery, great build up, believable characters and well- rounded storyline! There wasn't a single boring moment or meaningless filler👌
The only reason this isn't a 5⭐ is that at a few points the actions of some of the characters wasn't fully believable, like I just couldn't buy it that someone would do or say certain things.
But overall, a great thriller, I would recommend this to anyone!
I think what kept me hooked when reading this was because of the unique layout - it's portrayed like a project, with recorded findings, interviews and informative snippets from articles/newspaper clippings/etc.
Pip is clearly an overachiever, with hopes of standing out from the rest of the crowd by basing her final project on something outside the box. With her can-do attitude, she manages to navigate her academic and social life with ease. It seems that she's easy to like, but sometimes puts her nose in places where others would rather she didn't.
The plot is pretty interesting, with some red herrings thrown in (I'm looking at you, HH). I found myself investigating the murder along with Pip, almost like I had some sort of stake in it. There was an obvious interest blooming between herself and Ravi, but it didn't take anything away from the main focus of the story.
Overall, a great read.
Oh, I have so much to say about “A Good Girl's Guide to Murder”! I absolutely loved this book! From the very first page, Holly Jackson grabs your attention with a thrilling premise that sets the stage for an engaging mystery. The pacing is relentless, making it impossible to put down as we follow Pip, our determined protagonist, on her quest to uncover the truth behind a murder that rocked her small town.
The characters in this book are incredibly engaging, each one contributing to the rich tapestry of the story. Pip, in particular, is an intriguing character, although I found her not entirely relatable. Her drive and ambition to solve the case are commendable, but there were moments when her decisions felt distant from my own experiences. Nevertheless, her passion and determination made me root for her as she navigates the twists and turns of her investigation.
What really stood out to me was how immersive the story felt. I almost felt like I was one of Pip's friends, eagerly helping her with her project. Jackson masterfully creates a sense of camaraderie among the characters, and you can't help but feel a part of their world. The way Pip interacts with her friends and the dynamics of their relationships adds depth to the narrative, making it all the more captivating.
The suspense is expertly crafted, with each revelation pulling you deeper into the mystery. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Jackson throws in unexpected twists that keep you guessing until the very end. The exploration of themes like reputation, accountability, and the darker sides of small-town life adds layers to the story, making it more than just a typical murder mystery.
As I turned the last page, I found myself eagerly anticipating the next installments in the series. Holly Jackson has created a gripping world filled with intrigue, and I can't wait to see where she takes Pip next. If you're looking for a fast-paced, suspenseful read that keeps you on the edge of your seat, “A Good Girl's Guide to Murder” is a must-read!
This is my first mystery book and i absolutely loved it. I definitely wasn't expecting the ending, I'm still shocked by it. This book was indeed a work of art.
i genuinely wanted to cry in the final action sequence in the end and then you hit me with that speech
sal singh is so tragic i genuinely cant get over him , i genuinely cant , i absolutely cant , he was the brightest kindest guy ever
pipa is now my model of not procrastnating love her
this book is awesome