novelswithariana's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Genre: Mystery, Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary, Novella
In this prequel to the “A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder” series, Holly Jackson takes readers on a thrilling journey into the world of murder mysteries and fiction within fiction. The story centers around Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a character beloved by fans of the series, and gives us a deeper understanding of her origins and detective skills.
The premise of the book is absolutely captivating. The murder mystery party set in a 1920s world called Joy promises to be an immersive and enchanting experience. I could envision the elaborate costumes, the atmospheric setting, and the suspense hanging in the air. The combination of the murder mystery party with a fictional island creates a unique and intriguing backdrop for the story to unfold.
As Pip reluctantly takes part into the game, she finds herself quickly drawn into a web of intrigue and deception. What starts as a fun event soon transforms into a real-life investigation when a murder occurs within the game. I could sense the adrenaline pumping as Pip, driven by her natural detective instincts, becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the murder of Reginald Remy.
But it doesn’t stop there. “Kill Joy” introduces another mystery that captures Pip’s attention, leaving readers eager to unravel the secrets that lie beneath the surface of Little Kilton. This additional layer of suspense adds depth to the narrative and keeps the readers hooked, page after page.
What truly stands out in Jackson’s writing is her ability to create complex and relatable characters. Through Pip, readers are given a protagonist who is not only intelligent and resourceful, but also flawed and vulnerable. Her development throughout the book allows readers to form a strong connection with her, making every twist and turn in the plot all the more suspenseful.
Overall, “Kill Joy” is an enthralling read. With its immersive setting, intricate mysteries, and well-developed characters, it’s clear that Holly Jackson has crafted a prequel that will captivate fans of the “A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder” series and new readers alike.
People who have read ‘One Of Us Is Lying’ (Karen M. Macnus), ‘The Inheritance Game’ (Jennifer Lynn Barnes) and ‘How To Survive Your Murder’ (Danielle Valentine) may like this book.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Blood
kirstenpod_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Cursing and Blood
Moderate: Murder and Death
Minor: Cancer
serendipity421's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Cursing
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Terminal illness and Cancer
librarymouse's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
There's also a really good depiction of the fear of the dark and the unsettling feeling of being seen by someone/something unseen.
Spoiler
It's unsettling to see Elliott interacting with the kids, knowing what he's done. It's funny that Ravi was actually the inspiration for the incept on of Pip's capstone, after his joke at the end of the first book.Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Death, Medical content, Sexual content, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcohol
wishyouweresober's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I wasn't expecting anything spectacular from a novella, but wow I absolutely loved it.
+ I would honetly say for the people who haven't read A Good Girls Guide To Murder, that they should read this first.
Minor: Medical content, Blood, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Gaslighting
_mariah_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Cancer
abbyisabellas's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Blood
whosgina's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Minor: War
giulianalb99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Although it’s not obligatory to read it (because this is just Pip playing a mystery game with her friends), in this short novella of less than a hundred pages you can take a peek of how the main character likes to solve mysteries and how/why she decided to solve the case of Andie Bell for her school project (which is the main plot of the first book). It was a really fast read so I recommend it to anyone who wants to start these books.
Graphic: Addiction, Infidelity, Blood, Murder, Death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Cursing, Terminal illness, and Cancer