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adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Suicide, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed reading this for the most part. The disappearance of Jamie Reynolds was compelling and the fact that it made Stanley Forbes more sympathetic and actually have some character growth was a plus. Ravi and Pip finally say "I love you" to each other, which I adore. Absolutely love their relationship. I loved the added podcast element, it was very interesting to see it implemented into writing. And the kind of poetic line spacing in the end with Pip dealing with Stanley's death. I don't think I've really seen that in a novel before. Very cool!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder
adventurous
dark
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This novel is a fantastic continuation of the series. The main story line wraps up very neatly in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, but Holly Jackson did such a fantastic job planting the seeds of future mysteries to be unraveled as the plot developed, that Good Girl, Bad Blood felt like a natural progression of the story. Just now, after finishing the book, it's hit me how short the timeline of the story is. Pip is still a high school student in this second book.
She discovers her best friend's dad (a second dad to her) is the man who murdered his oldest daughter's best friend, solving a five year mystery that the rest of the town had believed to be solved, and nearly dying in the process. In this novel, during the same school year, Pip is forced to reckon with who she has become, beyond the good student she's always been, while searching for her friend's missing brother in a town that thinks he just ran away.
In the prequel novella Kill Joy, Jackson plants the seeds for Ant to show his true colors. He's an asshole, poking fun at the murder of Andie Bell multiple times throughout the murder mystery birthday party they're attending and prank scaring his friends, disregarding his friends' feelings when they ask him to stop. In this novel, he is so wrapped up in his relationship with Lauren and he believes online comments, that he disregards Connor's pain, as does Lauren. He mocks Pip the day Max Hastings is pronounced not guilty, provoking her into attacking him by joking that she's hidden Jamie for more internet clout, calling his disappearance "convenient". I hope they're dropped from the friend group in the next novel.
This sets the stage really well for Ant's dad to be one of the people who protest the funeral. Jackson does a fantastic job depicting the negatives of small towns - the bigotry, and the closing of ranks. Ravi is the blueprint boyfriend, and his willingness to be there for Pip, supporting her through everything, is really beautiful. He understands what she's going through more than most. I'm also glad Pip was able to repair her relationship with Nat DeSilva.
I guessed the killer was Pip's neighbor, about 3/4 of the way through the book, but it was a feature of the clues peppered through the writing, and I'm not disappointed that I was able to guess it. The twist was still satisfying to read. Pip's suffering because of Charlie's actions, killing a man in cold blood, in front of her, is thoughtfully written. Her tenderness for a man she barely knew, and who most would say didn't deserve it, whether it be for his past and apologized for racism, or his part in his father's crimes as a child, juxtapose greatly with the reactions of the townsfolk who new and loved Stanley before his identity was revealed. Pip cares about the truth and the preservation of life, and her coming to terms with her new perception of right and wrong, and who she is as a person make for a very compelling subplot to this novel.
I'm excited for the next book, but I'm sad I have so little time left with these characters.
Great story if you love to read about feminine rage.
In the prequel novella Kill Joy, Jackson plants the seeds for Ant to show his true colors. He's an asshole, poking fun at the murder of Andie Bell multiple times throughout the murder mystery birthday party they're attending and prank scaring his friends, disregarding his friends' feelings when they ask him to stop. In this novel, he is so wrapped up in his relationship with Lauren and he believes online comments, that he disregards Connor's pain, as does Lauren. He mocks Pip the day Max Hastings is pronounced not guilty, provoking her into attacking him by joking that she's hidden Jamie for more internet clout, calling his disappearance "convenient". I hope they're dropped from the friend group in the next novel.
This sets the stage really well for Ant's dad to be one of the people who protest the funeral. Jackson does a fantastic job depicting the negatives of small towns - the bigotry, and the closing of ranks. Ravi is the blueprint boyfriend, and his willingness to be there for Pip, supporting her through everything, is really beautiful. He understands what she's going through more than most. I'm also glad Pip was able to repair her relationship with Nat DeSilva.
I guessed the killer was Pip's neighbor, about 3/4 of the way through the book, but it was a feature of the clues peppered through the writing, and I'm not disappointed that I was able to guess it. The twist was still satisfying to read. Pip's suffering because of Charlie's actions, killing a man in cold blood, in front of her, is thoughtfully written. Her tenderness for a man she barely knew, and who most would say didn't deserve it, whether it be for his past and apologized for racism, or his part in his father's crimes as a child, juxtapose greatly with the reactions of the townsfolk who new and loved Stanley before his identity was revealed. Pip cares about the truth and the preservation of life, and her coming to terms with her new perception of right and wrong, and who she is as a person make for a very compelling subplot to this novel.
I'm excited for the next book, but I'm sad I have so little time left with these characters.
Great story if you love to read about feminine rage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Confinement
Minor: Drug use
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After finishing the second book, I had to go back to the first book because I realized what was missing when I was reading the first book: the anger and the emotion. Now, Pip is a very hopeful, and at times, forgiving character that it annoys me because some things aren't black or white but because she has one goal in mind or see things in glitter, she can't see the gray area and why it can be hard to root for a victim or a villain. But when I saw her anger towards a certain trial, I was proud to see that she is able to feel emotions other than hope and this kidlike sadness (sometimes, I felt like she was too kiddy though she's 18). I appreciated it and it made me connect with her, though it will always be difficult for me to see myself in a young girl who doesn't think and just do (the amount of times she puts herself into near death experiences, knowing darn well her family and friends warned has made me want to claw my eyes out).
I did like this book a bit better with the plot, though it was a bit predictable who the culprit was. The emotion and intensity was definitely there that i could not put down this book.
I did like this book a bit better with the plot, though it was a bit predictable who the culprit was. The emotion and intensity was definitely there that i could not put down this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Some people are pretty good at hiding who they really are.”
I must admit I was guessing along Pip, like one line before she revealed something I already knew and I too was blindsided by THAT man,how could I know see it? the whole speech and the fact that I was suspicious of the "new neighbors" ofc, but I did NOT guess why they were suspicious.
Ravi is literally the boy EVER, like when I say "I hate men" I never EVER mean him or Sal ok?
my rating is actually 4.5 stars, I felt kinda meh at times and it did not scare me as much as the first book (or the third but we'll talk about that on that review) but I'm so worried for Pip after all she went through my girl needs a break (which she won't get bc the third book will be sm worse)
Truly cannot wait to see the adaptation and omg I love the casting sm
Upon April 2024 reread: I am preparing a video about these books and even tho the first time I read this one I fave it only 4.5 stars I feel like it deserves the 5 stars now bc I truly didn't know how it was setting up the next book for us and oh it was.
'kay, bye
I must admit I was guessing along Pip, like one line before she revealed something I already knew and I too was blindsided by THAT man,
Ravi is literally the boy EVER, like when I say "I hate men" I never EVER mean him or Sal ok?
my rating is actually 4.5 stars, I felt kinda meh at times and it did not scare me as much as the first book (or the third but we'll talk about that on that review) but I'm so worried for Pip after all she went through my girl needs a break (which she won't get bc the third book will be sm worse)
Truly cannot wait to see the adaptation and omg I love the casting sm
Upon April 2024 reread: I am preparing a video about these books and even tho the first time I read this one I fave it only 4.5 stars I feel like it deserves the 5 stars now bc I truly didn't know how it was setting up the next book for us and oh it was.
'kay, bye
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual harassment
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail