A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder wasn’t the easy breezy teen mystery I thought I was picking up.
I would definitely not RECOMMEND this if you’re looking for a light fun summer read because it jumps right into some seriously dark territory and heavy emotional trauma that sticks with you.
I chose it expecting a clever high school girl playing amateur detective in her small town unraveling a case everyone already closed with the boyfriend killing Andie Bell then himself. Pip Fitz-Amobi starts off perfect for the role, smartly pairing up with Ravi, the brother of the accused, to prove Sal’s innocence through her senior project. It opens with that addictive true-crime podcast full of interviews, notes, red herrings and clues that pull you in like you’re solving it yourself.
The mystery grabs you fast with smart twists and strong buildup that keeps the pages turning. But the lighter tone drops away once the town’s ugly truths start spilling out. Pip’s drive turns risky. Some choices feel off even for the sharpest character and sections drag with repeated interviews and info drops that made me skim. It crams in every tough topic which turns it far more intense and real than a typical YA thriller. I wasn’t prepared for how raw and unsettling the bigger reveals became.
Even so I like that it doesn’t hold back on showing messy flawed people actual consequences and the flaws in small-town justice. The twists, especially the last one, hit hard, feel fair and Pip’s growth feels earned despite the frustrating moments. It was a strong gripping read overall but way heavier and more drawn-out than the cozy teen detective vibe I wanted.
Spoiler alert!!! The killer reveal and the way it all connects with that framing is clever but the final confrontation left me more worn out than pumped. It’s solid, just not the simple escape I signed up for.
Reviewed by Teen Volunteer, 1/14/2026.