A review by katheaton
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, by Holly Jackson

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

I would have never picked up this type of book, in this genre, if it wasn't for my friend coming to me and saying "let's do a book club together". She was the first to pick and this was her choice. At first, I was hesitant. Mainly because I never read contemporary and definitely not a murder mystery. I always start a book by writing my rating prediction in the margins of the inside cover. I predicted a 3.5 or less...oh man was I wrong.

This was a book I could not wait to pick up each week when we had our mini get-together. I was so desperate to know the ending, that this week I said "screw it, I am finishing it." So here we are.

TW: there is mentioned animal cruelty and death outside the main narrative

...I don’t know who I am when I’m not working, when I’m not focused on or totally consumed by a task. Who am I between the projects and the assignments, when there’s nothing to do?


There were so many things that I loved about this book.

First is the way the book was written. It was not written in a normal narrative, which is why I believe I was hooked, to begin with. It still had a normal narrative but on top of that, it also had: case studies, Pip's notes, instant messages, maps drawn, graphs, and tons of other compiling of evidence. The way it was written really drew me in and I loved seeing Pip compile her evidence together and document her thoughts, feelings, and suspicions on the case. It added a new level to the book that it otherwise wouldn't have had.

Then you have the characters. While there were plenty of side characters - Pip and Ravi were the main focus of the book. They both had great character development and their chemistry was unique. Although it was quite obvious they would either end up together in the end or be a couple fairly soon.

Pip is a go-getter, determined, and headstrong individual. I saw myself the most in Pip; especially in her work and study ethics. However, it's also these qualities that are also her downfall at times as well. If this case study were a real situation Pip would either be arrested for half the things she does, fired if she had an actual job in Journalism, or be seen as that shitty journalist who has their nose in everything. There is that question of How far are you willing to go to get the answers you are seeking? Pip crosses tons of ethical lines that make you question her own motive for the case as well.

The plot was gripping, which is what I want in a book. While at times the plot was predictable and if you really caught on quick, you could definitely guess the murder the mystery was quite enjoyable and had me at the edge of my seat. I also felt like there were some holes in the plot that could have been easily spotted and taken care of. 

There is one thing I have to point out that irked me. That is the author is English and writing a book with a setting in the United States...and it's noticeable. I can't tell you how many times I circled a word because it's an English saying/spelling (i.e "suitemates") or a setting that is more London-eque vs. Connecticut. Also, there were situations like teenage drinking that adults knew about but didn't care. Even Pip's own parents joke when she goes to her first drinking party with boys. I think the author forgot that in America underage drinking is illegal and no parent would be okay with a child going to a drinking party and be happy about it. It was instances like this that sometimes had me confusing the setting and location.
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