Book Summary and Reviews of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

by Holly Jackson

  • Critics' Consensus (0):
  • Readers' Rating (6):
  • Published:
  • Feb 2020, 400 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

For readers of Kara Thomas and Karen McManus, an addictive, twisty crime thriller with shades of Serial and Making a Murderer about a closed local murder case that doesn't add up, and a girl who's determined to find the real killer--but not everyone wants her meddling in the past.

Everyone in Fairview knows the story.

Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.

But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?

Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent...and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.

This is the story of an investigation turned obsession, full of twists and turns and with an ending you'll never expect.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
  1. Talk about the characters, both good and bad. Describe their personalities and motivations. Are they fully developed and emotionally complex? Or are they flat, one-dimensional heroes and villains?
  2. What do you know...and when do you know it? At what point in the book do you begin to piece together what happened?
  3. Good crime writers embed hidden clues in plain sight, slipping them in casually, almost in passing. Did you pick them out, or were you...clueless? Once you've finished the book, go back to locate the clues hidden in plain sight. How skillful was the author in burying them?
  4. Good crime writers also tease us with red-herrings—false clues—to purposely lead readers astray? Does your author try to ...
Please be aware that this discussion may contain spoilers!

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What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (09-25-2025)
A good girl's guide to murder - Holly Jackson She left us - Callista Arden Play nice - Rachel Harrison All excellent reads!
-Marijana_Bankovic

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Jackson's debut is well-executed and surprises readers with a connective web of interesting characters and motives...A treat for mystery readers who enjoy being kept in suspense." - Kirkus Reviews

"Jackson caps her suspenseful, well-plotted mystery with a few twists that readers likely won't see coming. Fans of Veronica Mars and its ilk will find plenty to enjoy in Jackson's assured debut." - Publishers Weekly

"A wonderful addition to any library collection, especially where mystery novels like Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious is popular." - School Library Journal

"Fun, gripping, and skillfully constructed." - Emily Arsenault, author of All the Pretty Things

This information about A Good Girl's Guide to Murder was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

Write your own reviewwrite your own review

Natalie

Gripping, fun, and twisted
Jackson’s book is very fun and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

AJ

One of the best books on my shelf!
This read is enjoyable for anyone that enjoys crime and mystery with a hint of romance. It does talk about drugs and there is a bit of language. I would say it is appropriate for teens that are good with crime topics. I also enjoyed the way the author approached racism a bit.

bela

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
AMAZING novel and GREAT ending to a murder mystery novel

Someone

One of the best
This is the best book ever, I personally loved it, the plot was amazing,I loved Pip, my fav girl!

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Author Information

Holly Jackson

Holly Jackson started writing stories from a young age, completing her first (poor) attempt at a novel aged fifteen. She graduated from the University of Nottingham with an MA in English, where she studied literary linguistics and creative writing. She lives in London and aside from reading and writing, she enjoys playing video games and watching true crime documentaries so she can pretend to be a detective. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is her first novel.

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More Recommendations

Readers Also Browsed . . .

more YA thrillers...

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