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A review by tvintrs
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson
adventurous
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a brilliant follow up to 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' - just as engaging and fast paced, with a whole new mystery to follow along with Pippa and co. However, I believe there's enough context added from the first book that someone could read this quite easily without having read AGGGTM first, which is always impressive for a sequel.
As before, the story and the mystery were engaging and well paced. I could not put this book down and finished it in one sitting. Pippa really grew on me in this book, helped I think by her circle of friends, and particularly Ravi, who help to make her likeable. Also as before, I love that this story uses mixed media alongside typical storytelling, pulling us along with Pippa as she documents her evidence and types up her interview logs. It really helps you feel part of the story and keeps the engagement high.
The only thing keeping this book from a full 5 stars for me is just that in comparison to the first book, the mystery felt a little more lacking. I kept expecting more and then sat in shock for a little while at the sudden and quick endwhen Stanley is killed. I will say though, that this was done pretty perfectly. The way the text rolled through Pippa's thoughts as she realised he was gone, the way the gun sound pervaded her every thought was done just so well, but it did feel like the ramp up was very sudden. However, that is my only tiny criticism and as a standalone book I don't think I even would have processed that as a problem.
If you enjoyed the first book, definitely give this one a go. If you enjoy mysteries, also give it a go. There's a really good feeling you get inside when you realise you have put the clues together for yourself and discovered something important just before the characters do.
A brilliant sequel,and particularly happy there were no animal deaths this time! . Looking forward to reading more of Holly Jackson's writing in the future.
As before, the story and the mystery were engaging and well paced. I could not put this book down and finished it in one sitting. Pippa really grew on me in this book, helped I think by her circle of friends, and particularly Ravi, who help to make her likeable. Also as before, I love that this story uses mixed media alongside typical storytelling, pulling us along with Pippa as she documents her evidence and types up her interview logs. It really helps you feel part of the story and keeps the engagement high.
The only thing keeping this book from a full 5 stars for me is just that in comparison to the first book, the mystery felt a little more lacking. I kept expecting more and then sat in shock for a little while at the sudden and quick end
If you enjoyed the first book, definitely give this one a go. If you enjoy mysteries, also give it a go. There's a really good feeling you get inside when you realise you have put the clues together for yourself and discovered something important just before the characters do.
A brilliant sequel,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicide