Okay, let me just say right off the bat that A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson completely pulled me in. Like I picked it up planning to read for maybe an hour and ended up finishing the half the book. It propels you forward from the first to last page, NO BORING MOMENTS!!! My boyfriend’s sister gave me this book for my birthday, and let’s just say she did NOT disappoint (gotta admit it’s always scary gifting a book to a book lover). This book is the kind of YA mystery that makes you feel smart while also totally invested in the characters and plot. I loved every minute of reading it, despite a few minor plot holes that I didn’t mind ignoring.
If you haven’t heard about it, here’s the gist: the story follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a high school senior who decides to investigate a murder that shook her small town a few years back. A local girl named Andie Bell was murdered, and the prime suspect was her boyfriend, Sal Singh. Everyone thinks it’s a closed case. Sal supposedly killed Andie and then killed himself, but Pippa isn’t convinced. She wants to uncover the truth herself, even though it means digging into dark secrets and putting herself in danger. Basically, she’s determined to prove that maybe the story everyone believes isn’t the whole story.
What I loved most about this book is Pippa herself. She’s smart, organized, and not afraid to ask the hard questions, but she’s also relatable. She’s not perfect, and she doubts herself a lot, which makes her feel real. I honestly found myself rooting for her from page one. She keeps detailed notes, makes spreadsheets, and even organizes her evidence like a pro detective, but she still struggles with anxiety and pressure from her school and family. Her character development is very clear and timely throughout the book.
The mystery is structured in a super fun way, too. Jackson includes text messages, interview transcripts, news articles, and even social media posts as part of the story. This makes it feel immersive, like you’re helping Pippa investigate yourself. I actually found myself flipping back and forth through the book to check details, trying to figure it out before she did. That little bit of “am I smarter than the detective?” tension made reading it so addictive.
Another thing I loved was how realistic the relationships felt. Pippa has friends who are supportive but also have their own lives and personalities. There’s also a hint of romance, but it never overshadows the mystery. Jackson handles it in a way that feels natural rather than forced, which is honestly kind of rare in YA thrillers. The family dynamics are interesting, too, because you get to see how Pippa’s parents react to her curiosity and determination. I will admit that I wanted to see a little bit more of the romance; the elements of it feel sort of awkwardly placed. It’s hardly even a subplot, and I just personally wish it was more prevalent.
Now, I have to mention the pacing because it’s INTENSE and consistent. The book starts quickly, but in a good place where it doesn’t feel like you started watching a movie halfway through. I usually am really good at predicting plot twists, but I wasn’t expecting it this time. It’s clever without being totally unbelievable, and it ties everything together in a way that actually makes sense.
The writing style is another reason this book is so easy to get lost in. Jackson has a way of explaining complicated clues without making it feel like a textbook. The story moves quickly, but the details are there when you need them. I highlighted SO many parts of this book. Plus, there are little bits of humor and sarcasm that make the darker moments easier to handle, which I appreciated because murder mysteries can sometimes get super intense.
If I’m being picky, I will add that the ending was quite rushed. The whole climax could’ve been another 300 pages, but it was way more condensed. I would’ve preferred the book to be a 10 hour read than have the ending so rushed, because the concept of it was SO GOOD. At the end I was like ‘wait, that’s it?’.
Overall, I would 100% recommend A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder to anyone who loves mysteries, thrillers, or just a really smart protagonist who doesn’t give up. It’s perfect if you like trying to solve a case along with the main character, because it gives you all the clues but still manages to surprise you. I think it’s especially great for teens or young adults, but honestly, anyone who enjoys a good twisty mystery could read this and have a blast.
My final thoughts: Holly Jackson nailed it. The plot is clever, the characters are relatable, and the mystery kept me glued to the page. I laughed, I gasped, and I felt that weird mix of satisfaction and sadness when I finished. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to immediately pick up the next one in the series, and yes, I definitely did.
If you’ve ever felt like there’s never enough time to read, this book is the kind that makes you forget about your schedule entirely. I promise you’ll be hooked, and you’ll probably stay up way later than you planned because you just have to know what happens next. So grab a copy, find a comfy spot that you likely won’t move from for 5 hours, and get ready to become obsessed with Pippa and her investigation.
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