I've had A Good Girl's Guide To Murder, along with the sequels, Good Girl, Bad Blood and As Good As Dead on my TBR for a while and I was able to borrow them from a friend and read them. I have lots of thoughts to share, and as always, my book reviews contain spoilers. So, if you haven't read them yet, and you want to, come back later, or scroll to the bottom to hear my thoughts.
A Good Girl's Guide To Murder Summary
We meet Pip, our main character in her senior year of high school. As a graduation requirement, each student is to submit a capstone project. Pip decides she is going to solve a murder. Actually, the case has been closed, but she doesn't believe the police got it right. So she digs in and begins gathering new evidence.
The case involves a high school student, Andie Bell, who was supposedly murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh. Sal also happened to commit suicide was Andie was still missing. The most interesting thing about the case is that the body of Andie was never found. Pip starts by reaching out to Sal's family which includes his brother Ravi. Resistant at first, Ravi eventually comes around and decides he wants to help her find out what really happened that night.
Pip has organized all of her thoughts and evidence in a file, and adds to it everyday. But, someone knows she's getting close. Too close. And they want her to stop. She begins to receive threatening notes, but she keeps going. Her family is in danger too, but Pip doesn't stop. Her dog, Barney, unfortunately dies as a result. She also makes lots of enemies as she accuses those around her of murder. Pip also learns Andie isn't at all who she appeared. She learns Andie is not only a bully to her friends, but also was selling drugs to kids at her school. Including Max Hastings, who was buying Rohypnol to drug girls and rape them. Andie also had an inappropriate relationship with a teacher at school, Mr. Ward.
Pip eventually figures it out, but not before she's no longer in danger. She almost dies, but she finds the truth. Sal Singh did not commit suicide. He was also murdered by Mr. Ward, who thought he has killed Andie Bell. He needed someone to take the fall, and Sal was it. It's always the boyfriend, right? It turns out, Andie just had a concussion, and when confronted by her sister about her selling drugs that got her raped, Becca watches her choke and die. Panicked, Becca buries Andie in the septic tank of an abandoned farmhouse down the road. The book ends on a good note, with Pip being praised for her work and Sal's family getting the truth.
Good Girl, Bad Blood Summary
Pip returns after solving the double homicide of Andie Bell and Sal Singh. She has sworn off solving murder cases after she became obsessed the last time, and almost died. She started a podcase titled "A Good Girl's Guide To Murder" (very fitting), and becomes semi-famous by sharing details of the Bell/Singh case. Pip's also made a few enemies as well: Jason Bell, Max Hastings, and Nat de Silva to name a few. During the lantern ceremony for Andie and Sal, her friend Connor notices his brother acting strangely. It began a few weeks before, but seems to be escalating. Pip also takes note of Jamie's behavior. The next day, Connor shows up asking for Pip's help. Jamie is missing.
Pip and Ravi again get to work trying to find Jamie before it's too late. She tries to ask the police for help, but Jamie is an adult, and they don't have time to help her. While trying to find him, they uncover more strange behavior, including stealing things from neighbors. Pip also discovers he was talking to someone new: Layla Mead. Layla Mead is a fake persona though, and "she" knows who Pippa is. Following that lead, Pip and Ravi learn what's happening.
Many years ago, a man used his son to lure children and kill them. He was named Child Brunswick, and was given a new identity. Although he tried to forget, many people couldn't. Layla turned out to be Pip new neighbors Charlie and Flora. Charlie's twin sister was murdered by Child's dad and was searching for him. He created Layla in an attempt to find Child. And he did. Child Brunswick is Stanley Forbes from the town paper. Pip is able to uncover the truth, but she also witnesses an unfortunate murder. Charlie murdered Stanley right in front of her, and then sets the building on fire. She's never the same after that.
As Good As Dead Summary
Traumatized and addicted to Xanax, Pip is trying to move on and live a normal life. But witnessing a murder has left it's mark on her and it won't fade away. She is supposed to be heading to Columbia soon, but things have changed. Pip has a stalker. He's leaving dead pigeons, online messages, chalk figures, and more. She tries to go to the police, but again, the justice system fails her. She's told she's overreacting and everything will be fine. The only one who believes she's in danger is her boyfriend, Ravi.
Pip and Ravi do some research and find out the same thing that's happening to Pip has happened before. A few years ago, around the same time Andie Bell died, five girls were murdered by the DT Killer. The DT Killer was caught and is currently serving life in prison, so that can't be what's happening, right? Wrong. Very wrong.
Billy Karras's mother reached out to Pippa a long time ago, about looking into his case. She believes he was wrongly put away after being coerced into a confession. Pip comes to the same conclusion, which makes her uneasy. In a race against time, she tries to find out who really killed those girls. Andie Bell once again makes an appearance. Andie knew who the DT Killer is. She saw him frequently. It's why she was selling drugs; to get away from him before it was too late. Pip has a guess about who she was talking about, but she can't be certain yet.
While trying to uncover the truth about the DT Killer, Pip runs out of time. She gets abducted by Jason Bell, the real DT Killer. Using her problem solving skills and courage, she is able to escape. But, she comes back and does what any of us would do-she kills Jason. Panicking, she calls Ravi and asks him to come help her. Together, they use her knowledge of forensics to do the unthinkable. Pip is trying to get away with murder. Not only that, but she wants to pin it all on Max Hastings.
With the help of everyone close to her, she creates alibis and fakes Jason's time of death. By the time the body is found, Pip has already disposed of any incriminating evidence and is confident she got away with it. But did she? She has her doubts, and so do the police. In response to her fear, she breaks up with Ravi until she can be sure she won't go down for murder. In the end, it's implied that Max Hastings is charged with the murder of Jason Bell when we see Ravi reaching out to her again.
Final Thoughts
A Good Girl's Guide To Murder was, by far, my favorite. I loved the characters. I think Holly did a wonderful job, and I was fully immersed in the story every second. I love how realistic it felt and the twist at the end was phenomenal. I definitely didn't expect it. It reminds me a lot of Frieda McFadden's writing, and I love her books too.
Good Girl, Bad Blood was decent. It wasn't as good as the first one, but it was interesting and held my attention. The mystery was fun to attempt to solve in my head (I didn't), and again, the twist was fantastic. I felt for all of the characters involved and was connected throughout.
While all three books were unputdownable, As Good As Dead should've stayed in the drafts. This book has so much potential, but unfortunately it missed the mark. Pip and Ravi's behavior felt totally unhinged and out of character. I understand Pip felt failed by the system, but taking matters into her own hands was uncalled for. Also, it felt really dark with the drug addition. After two previous books, I felt like I didn't even know the characters. It does make sense since they were also processing trauma, but I wasn't a fan.
Overall, I'd recommend the series. My ratings are as follows: AGGGTM: 4.5 stars, GGBB: 4 stars, and AGAD: 3.5 stars. I didn't hate any of them, but keep in mind, they get darker and more intense as the series progresses. I am interested in reading Five Survive next! Have you guys read this series? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.
-xxAlycia
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