Scan barcode
A review by olivialandryxo
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A complex, intriguing mystery like this makes for a quick read. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder might have even ended up a favorite, if not for one major issue.
I couldn’t stand the protagonist, Pip. She had no personality that I could pick up on. All she did for 95% of the book was work on the Andie Bell case. I know the tagline is “an investigation turned obsession” or something like that, but come on. A character should have hobbies, quirks, something to make them interesting and memorable. Pip had none of that.
I also have no idea why Pip cared so much about the case. Sure, she thinks everyone jumped to the easiest conclusion and wants to prove them wrong, but why does she care? She didn’t know Andie and barely knew Sal.
What bothered me most was her recklessness, which went hand in hand with being disrespectful, ignoring people’s boundaries, and doing incredibly dangerous, even illegal, things. Pip’s teacher specifically told her not to involve either of the two affected families when investigating, yet in the very first chapter, Pip interviews Sal’s younger brother. She interviews Andie’s younger sister multiple times.This seventeen year old girl has the audacity to blackmail a man, break into Andie’s family’s house, catfish one of Andie’s friends, and pretend to be a news reporter, all for the sake of more information she can use to solve the case. And yet, her project isn’t disqualified for breaking clearly explained rules, and no one questions how she got as much information as she did. You’re seriously lucky you didn’t get arrested, Pip.
My favorite character, the one that saved the book, was Ravi, the aforementioned younger brother who jumps at the chance to prove Sal is innocent. He and Pip become partners in crime, and let me
just say, this guy’s back must hurt from carrying the story. His maturity, kindness,
and sense of humor had me liking him almost instantly, and that never wavered as I kept reading. I really liked his friendship with Pip.If only they hadn’t kissed! It happened once at the end of the book, completely out of the blue. I don’t know if they’re a couple now or not??? There was zero indication that Pip had romantic feelings for him, yet she didn’t complain when he kissed her or object when he teased that she fancied him. I’m not saying I’m against a romance between the two of them—I could be convinced, honestly—but it would be nice if they stayed friends. They’re good friends and I don’t want to see any lovey dovey drama in their relationship.
Characters aside, Jackson definitely knows how to write a story that will keep you guessing, and I like that. I’m willing to give the second book a shot. Maybe Pip will find a personality next time she’s trying to catch a killer.
Representation
I couldn’t stand the protagonist, Pip. She had no personality that I could pick up on. All she did for 95% of the book was work on the Andie Bell case. I know the tagline is “an investigation turned obsession” or something like that, but come on. A character should have hobbies, quirks, something to make them interesting and memorable. Pip had none of that.
I also have no idea why Pip cared so much about the case. Sure, she thinks everyone jumped to the easiest conclusion and wants to prove them wrong, but why does she care? She didn’t know Andie and barely knew Sal.
What bothered me most was her recklessness, which went hand in hand with being disrespectful, ignoring people’s boundaries, and doing incredibly dangerous, even illegal, things. Pip’s teacher specifically told her not to involve either of the two affected families when investigating, yet in the very first chapter, Pip interviews Sal’s younger brother. She interviews Andie’s younger sister multiple times.
My favorite character, the one that saved the book, was Ravi, the aforementioned younger brother who jumps at the chance to prove Sal is innocent. He and Pip become partners in crime, and let me
just say, this guy’s back must hurt from carrying the story. His maturity, kindness,
and sense of humor had me liking him almost instantly, and that never wavered as I kept reading. I really liked his friendship with Pip.
Characters aside, Jackson definitely knows how to write a story that will keep you guessing, and I like that. I’m willing to give the second book a shot. Maybe Pip will find a personality next time she’s trying to catch a killer.
Representation
- side characters of color (includes Nigerian and Indian-American rep)
- sapphic side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Stalking, and Car accident