Book Description
Five years ago, popular 17-year-old Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Salil Singh. According to the police, that’s the truth, and everybody in Little Kilton believes it. So that should be the end. Case closed. However, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure.
Deciding to investigate the case further, Pippa makes the town’s most prolific murder case the topic of her independent project. Enlisting the help of the culprit’s younger brother, Ravi Singh, as her partner in crime, together they slowly unravel the events of five years ago, coming across twisted truths and shocking discoveries that may actually prove Sal’s innocence. Which begs the question: who is the real murderer? And what lengths are they willing to go to keep Pippa from uncovering their identity?
Review
I can’t remember the last time I read a YA mystery thriller novel, but I can honestly say I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction back into this page-turning genre. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series has been floating around BookTube and BookTok for what feels like forever, and with the new TV series out on BBC, I thought I’d better read the first book to see what the fuss was all about, and I can happily say it was ALL completely warranted. Holly Jackson did not hold back in the first book of her series. With loveable characters and an engaging writing style that complements the twists and turns of an intricate plot that will keep you guessing from start to finish, you’re guaranteed to be in for one hell of a ride!
The story takes place in a relatively small English town called Little Kilton (also referred to as Fairview, located within Connecticut in the US edition), where teenager Andie Bell was supposedly murdered by her boyfriend Salil (Sal) Singh. With Andie’s body still missing and Sal committing suicide not long after, the police, with their small amount of evidence, declared Sal guilty. Sal was a kind, friendly, and promising young student with a bright future ahead of him who was well-liked by his friends and family. So how does a guy like that turn into a raging killer overnight? A question no other townsfolk cared enough to consider, none other than Pippa and Sal’s younger brother Ravi. For them, it was too difficult to fathom that the Sal they knew could commit such a heinous crime. Their shared love for Sal generated a relentless dedication to uncovering the truth and hopefully proving his innocence.
There’s a beautiful and heart-breaking fragility to their unwavering belief in Sal that reflects their age, especially in Pippa’s case. She didn’t really know Sal; they barely communicated due to their significant age gap, yet in their few interactions, his heroic and kind nature left a lasting and somewhat idealistic impression on her. For Ravi, he wanted to reinstate the image of his model older brother, whom he admired.
Their emotional attachment and wholesome reasoning behind their drive gave them an edge over the police. They were able to pick up on overlooked potential leads and use immoral and possibly illegal means to investigate them. Their high level of determination was commendable despite their morally grey actions.
Both Pippa and Ravi are ultimately a Sherlock and Watson duo that balance each other perfectly, creating both an entertaining and formidable team.
Even though Pippa’s naivety and lack of awareness have put her in many dangerous positions, it doesn’t negate that she is probably one of the most pragmatic and intelligent character I have ever read. I was expecting more of an angsty teen, so I was pleasantly surprised by how methodical and analytical she was. Her production logs enriched the story in more ways than one. Not only were we able to stay intimately connected to Pippa’s investigation, but the first-person narrative also gave us further insight into her personality traits, which helped give us readers a full picture of her character.
Her insatiable desire to discover the truth pushed her through the most uncomfortable and scariest of situations. Even when her loved ones were on the chopping board, she made a point to investigate just as fairly as she would any other suspect, an admirable quality that I loved and admired. It also gave me faith in her amateur detective skills that much more. I don’t think I could have had the same strength and composure if I were in her shoes. Pippa was a true detective in my books, one I thoroughly enjoyed and was in constant awe over.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a fantastic YA mystery, look no further. Holly Jackson’s attention to detail in this book was second to none. The plot was meticulously constructed, with hidden clues wrapped beautifully into the story. It’s far from predictable, so don’t miss out on a YA mystery that will surely keep you on your toes!
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