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A review by durrareadsstuff
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.75
I don't know if it's because I just got out of a reading slump, but this is honestly one of the best books I have ever read. In the beginning, I had my doubts and complaints but it all just ties up nicely in the end.
IT'S SO GOOD AND HILARIOUS AND THE PACING IS JUST PERFECT PLEASE READ IT!!!!
Especially if you find yourself unable to finish a single work of fiction in months like I did, this book will save you from the abyss! Okay that was a bit dramatic. But seriously, I thought I would be underwhelmed but this honestly lives up to all the hype it's getting.
I really enjoyed Pippa's character. I loved how she's so strong and independent and smart smart, you know? like not justa pretend detective who misses the most obvious details. like you can tell she's very analytical and resourceful and well-read. and the way that this was written, you can feel the adrenaline rush when the characters are theorising or on the hunt (?)
I also loved the friendship between Pip and Ravi and how it gradually turned romantic. Could it have been better? Yeah, maybe. But this book doesn't center on romance and I quite like it that way. It's very subtle and you know, just nice. Sometimes teen mystery/thriller books play too much with romance and making out and stuff that it becomes annoying, and so I really appreciate the lack thereof in this book. They also have perfect chemistry, nothing seems forced or "surface-level" if you know what I mean. I love how they're only co-dependent to an extent. Like, they can exist on their own perfectly fine but the relationship still feels complementary. IT'S JUST SUCH A NICE PAIRING AAAAH
I thought the characters were so well written, each with their own vulnerabilities and every suspect is very um, well, suspicious. I loved Pippa's family and friends, and how they're just really healthy relationships. I just want to know more about them.
I appreciate that the author managed the address some themes pretty well, such as racism, emotional abuse and bullying. (that's just off the top of my head, there's probably more)
There are minor details that I felt weren't completely resolved, but maybe it will be addressed in the coming books? (WHICH I AM SO EXCITED TO READ BY THE WAY) and a few other things I felt were a tad unnecessary, but I'll let it slide. Overall, it's a really really good book.
*oh and it's a bit hard to enjoy when you're reading the ebook, because there are production logs and emails and stuff which would be way cooler on print
I was convinced that Andie was still alive, especially after that whole grandma incident. Also, I thought Naomi was the killer, but ELLIOT?? WOW. I feel kind of stupid for not suspecting him earlier, given my claim that I like mystery books lol. But seriously, I like how the murderers aren't "evil", they're just haunted with their guilt, shame and other strong emotions and didn't deal with them the right way.
IT'S SO GOOD AND HILARIOUS AND THE PACING IS JUST PERFECT PLEASE READ IT!!!!
Especially if you find yourself unable to finish a single work of fiction in months like I did, this book will save you from the abyss! Okay that was a bit dramatic. But seriously, I thought I would be underwhelmed but this honestly lives up to all the hype it's getting.
I really enjoyed Pippa's character. I loved how she's so strong and independent and smart smart, you know? like not justa pretend detective who misses the most obvious details. like you can tell she's very analytical and resourceful and well-read. and the way that this was written, you can feel the adrenaline rush when the characters are theorising or on the hunt (?)
I also loved the friendship between Pip and Ravi and how it gradually turned romantic. Could it have been better? Yeah, maybe. But this book doesn't center on romance and I quite like it that way. It's very subtle and you know, just nice. Sometimes teen mystery/thriller books play too much with romance and making out and stuff that it becomes annoying, and so I really appreciate the lack thereof in this book. They also have perfect chemistry, nothing seems forced or "surface-level" if you know what I mean. I love how they're only co-dependent to an extent. Like, they can exist on their own perfectly fine but the relationship still feels complementary. IT'S JUST SUCH A NICE PAIRING AAAAH
I thought the characters were so well written, each with their own vulnerabilities and every suspect is very um, well, suspicious. I loved Pippa's family and friends, and how they're just really healthy relationships. I just want to know more about them.
I appreciate that the author managed the address some themes pretty well, such as racism, emotional abuse and bullying. (that's just off the top of my head, there's probably more)
There are minor details that I felt weren't completely resolved, but maybe it will be addressed in the coming books? (WHICH I AM SO EXCITED TO READ BY THE WAY) and a few other things I felt were a tad unnecessary, but I'll let it slide. Overall, it's a really really good book.
*oh and it's a bit hard to enjoy when you're reading the ebook, because there are production logs and emails and stuff which would be way cooler on print
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, and Self harm