Hi friends! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve written anything on the blog. A lot of life things have been happening lately, but now that I’m settled again I figured it’s time to get back into the swing of things. Today I’ll be discussing my A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series review!
I’ll try to keep it spoiler-free, but there might be some here and there.
I received a copy of the box set from Jonathan Ball Publishers. All opinions are my own.
May 2022 Reading Wrap-Up!About A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Synopsis: The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it. But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?
One of the main questions I’d like to answer with this review is, is this series worth your time? As you may know, I hardly ever finish a series in the same year I started it. Series takes time, commitment, and good memory. I have none of those things. Let’s dive in.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series Review
I initially picked up the first book in November of 2021, and had no plans to read the rest of the series. While the first book was good, I found it in no way ground-breaking (the hype surrounding this series is huge).
Fast forward to 2022, and I picked up the audiobook of Good Girl, Bad Blood on a whim. Then decided since I was already halfway through, I might as well read the last book.
The Plot
Overall the first book is very enjoyable as a standalone. The plot is easy to follow, but there are a few twists here and there and enough red herrings to keep you guessing. For the most part, the mystery stays within reason.
Out of the three books, the second one is my favourite. Book one focused a lot on the mystery, but book two focused more on Pip’s emotional state. Some harrowing stuff happens in the first and second books, and I feel like the emotional aftermath of solving a crime isn’t often discussed.
Book three, As Good as Dead, is where I lost the plot. It takes a sharp left and never recovers. While I do admit that the choices made by the characters are not out of character, they are hard to swallow. I’m caught between loving and hating it.
The Characters
Pip and Ravi are by far my favourites. Pip has the whole “good girl” thing going on, but she is smart and capable. While romance wasn’t a major part of the plot, there was a little here and there that added to the story. There are plenty of personal conflicts between the characters as well, and I loved seeing them all grow, or devolve.
The Writing (and the audiobook)
I highly recommend the audiobooks. They have a full cast and it’s a wonderfully immersive experience. Jackson’s writing is also amazing. She captures your attention and makes you feel for the characters. I would definitely read more mystery books by her.
I would also highly suggest reading the novella, Kill Joy, after you’ve completed the main series. It’s set before the first book, but it really helped me to get over the last book.
Is the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series Worth It?
One – A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – 4 Stars
Two – Good Girl, Bad Blood – 4 Stars
Three – As Good as Dead – 3 Stars
In short, yes. This is a great series with a good mystery, excellent writing, and a hero you can root for. I highly suggest reading it.
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AHHHH HAVE I EVER MENTIONED THAT YOUR BLOG DESIGN IS LITERAL PERFECTION AND I AM OBSESSED WITH IT????? plus all of your photos are THE MOST STUNNNINGGG EVER AND I COULD KEEP STARING AT THEM FOR HOURS 😭😭 i love love love the review obviously and am so glad you enjoyed the series!! I AM RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED TO GET TO THEM!!! AND DID I MENTION I AM IN LOVE WITH YOUR GLORIOUS BLOG???? BECAUSE I AM 😭❤❤
THANK YOUUUUU 😀 It means so much to me!
Thank you so much for this series review because I have almost succumbed to the hype multiple times over the years and just… was never sure, which usually means I won’t love it. The premise sounds good and I love that the books delve with the aftermath of solving a crime, but I am the kind of person who will be very mad if they felt the third book jumped the shark. I might check out the audiobooks from my library — I didn’t know they were fullcast — for when I am working on spreadsheets at work.