Book Review
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Book 1 A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series
by Holly Jackson
Delacorte Press © 2020
Summary:
Pip Fitz-Amobi is a smart and successful high school student with sights set on attending Columbia next year. Before she can graduate, she must complete a “capstone project”. In order to graduate, each student in her high school must complete this capstone project which they work on throughout their entire senior year. The project ideas and execution are entirely at the student’s discretion, though they must receive approval from their supervisor at the beginning of the year.
When Pip was just 13 years old, a popular high school senior, Andie Bell, went missing, presumed murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh. Sal’s confession was his suicide just days after his girlfriend’s disappearance.
Pip’s memory of Sal Singh made her suspicious of the investigation. Sal had been so kind to her. How could he be a killer? Pip decided to re-examine Sal’s presumed guilt as her capstone project, hoping to clear his name.
Pip thought her investigation would bring answers. She never thought those answers would put her life in danger.
My Thoughts:
This is a great mystery for readers, including adults.
Pip is a heroine for which we can all rout. She is smart and witty. Her selflessly-motivated tenacity and drive to solve this mystery in order to clear an innocent man is truly endearing. She reminded me of a Nancy Drew or Veronica Mars-type heroine.
Sal’s brother, Ravi Singh, is another character in whom readers will become invested. His witty banter with Pip provides some well-needed tension relief. Our love for Ravi also invests readers in Pip’s cause: clearing his brother’s good name!
Of note (though not bothersome to me) Holly Jackson is British, and this book is subtly British English vs. American English. Additionally, Holly Jackson’s approach to telling the story is a little different. The book set up includes forms, transcripts and Pip’s project entry notes. I believe the layout difference only enhances the flow and pacing of the story. I thought it was clever and unique; it might be off-putting to some readers, however.
This book did surprise me. It is a debut novel for Holly Jackson, however her plot, pacing and overall story telling feels more like a seasoned professional’s work. This is also classified as a Young Adult novel. Perhaps the inclusion of the transcripts and project entry notes was a nod to Young Adult readers? I found the story suitably complex and compelling to please adult readers as well. I would (and have) recommended this story to fellow mystery lovers.
I am super excited to begin reading the sequel, just released a few months ago!