Book Review- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

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I can’t stop smiling, someone please pinch my cheeks or stretch them, to make me stop!
I loved reading this book so much, it made me so happy. After seeing the 4-star ratings, I had high expectations going in and damn it did live up to the mark!

The story basically revolves around a teenage girl, Pippa Fitz-Amobi, who chooses a five-year-old murder case that took place in her small town, for her final year project. The case that was closed years ago concluded that Sal Singh murdered Andie Bell, a schoolgirl when she was Pippa’s age. The whole town believes he killed her. But Pippa is not so sure about that. While working on this project she uncovers some shocking 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?

As a murder mystery, it was satisfying in so many aspects.

1) Writing: I loved the writing and pacing of this story. It could have easily turned into a boring and unrealistic murder mystery but the author kept the balance. I love how there is some investigation going on, continuously. The only time we take a break is when Pippa & her family have some quirky moments or when she’s with Ravi (Sal Singh, the murder suspect’s brother who’s helping Pippa with the investigation).

Other than that it’s well-paced. You won’t be bored at all. There is always something happening in the book that’s part of the investigation. And the humorous exchange in between some characters made it so much more entertaining to read (I was not expecting that). The Production log entries written by Pippa, for her project, were my favorite parts.

2) Plot & Characters: The plot was pretty good. You know the book is great, when the author has managed to convince you that whom you suspect is innocent every. fricking. time. And, you are left thinking if not that character then who??

There were many suspects to look for, in this book. I liked that, as it was so fun to find the new shreds of evidence with Pippa. I would have complained about the killer not having a strong motive but in this plot it actually makes sense. Why things happened the way they did? It was interesting to know even the side character’s stories. It was a lot of fun to read and attention was given to the details too.

Now let’s talk about Pippa, our Savage Queen, who is brave, intelligent, attentive, and reckless *shaking my head* (you’ll know what I mean. This girl literally doesn’t stop even when threatened though she should, I was so scared for her!). What I loved about Pippa’s character was she wasn’t afraid to call out people for their disgusting and inhuman actions (Yes I’m talking about you Stanley and M for….let’s not even take his name *sigh*). She also cared about her best friend’s feelings (again you’ll know what I’m saying lol), she did not give up even when threatened (it was a bit reckless but still gotta applaud her courage), and also that she always kept a backup of her projects like me🤭 for a safe side..hehe

She did not treat Ravi like everybody else in the town. Even her family treated him so nicely.

About her family….ok I understand, she did not want to tell her parents about her project turning into a real dangerous investigation, so as no to endanger their lives. But still, someone should have gauged something from her expressions, and should have you at least (I don’t know) tried to see if she’s safe? What is she working on? What text messages she was getting??

As she seemed chill and close with her family, I think they should have played some part here. They were too ignorant of the whole issue.
(I don’t like it when no elder people in the story have any clue, that their teenage child is running around the town solving dangerous cases and taking on scary missions)

And Ravi well, he was a nice addition, her partner in crime or should I say her partner in solving a crime hehe.

I didn’t like him at first. But then as the story progressed, we got to know about him some more, I started to find him interesting.
His chemistry with Pippa was so good. (They were really cute, I wasn’t expecting this either)
I literally highlighted all of their conversations, because they were an iconic duo!

They had more chemistry than some YA Romance couples lol, and I mean it!
They were hilarious together, worked well as a team (though Pippa did a lot of the work as she could interview people with the Project thingy, and with Ravi’s reputation it was difficult to do some things so, that’s understandable. But Ravi was there with her as much as he could. I just wish even Ravi would have told someone elder. I think he did tell his parents?? maybe, but it all hadn’t gotten serious at that time.)
And the other side characters and suspects were interesting, they added a lot to this murder mystery.

I liked the ending, the way it was all concluded was satisfying to me. Also the thing that, Pippa wasn’t fully safe and interviewing whoever she wanted, to all the time. She was in danger and it was highlighted, that’s what made the book more realistic. And, why she wasn’t hurt or threatened earlier in the story is also understood after you finish reading.🤫 (I gave you a clue now, think about it while you are trying to figure out who’s the killer)

In conclusion, if you are looking for a murder mystery set in a small town with savage teenage detectives determined on uncovering the truth, then what are you waiting for?
A Good girl’s guide to murder is the best choice!