A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Admittedly, I went into this audiobook with high expectations. I've heard that the Netflix series is good, and a couple of coworkers enjoyed books by this author, so I grabbed an eAudiobook copy at my local public library.

I listened to his audiobook two weeks ago and I'll be honest, I don't remember much. And that may be the problem because it was ... fine. It had some twists and secrets, but it wasn't the 'edge of my seat' kind of read I was expecting. It was a bit too repetitive, with characters like Pippa who needed more depth and a story that required readers to suspend disbelief too far - like how easy it was for teenage Pippa to get everyone to share their secrets, and she bested even the police at figuring out the culprit. 

Despite a solid and tense ending, I don't think this book lived up to its hype. I wasn't emotionally connected to any of the characters, and I found the cast and the story to unfortunately be quite forgettable. 

I'm happy that so many other people have loved this book and the popularity of the Netflix show proves it has found its audience! I'm in the minority with my views (and not in the teenage target audience) so take my review with a grain of salt. 

 

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Holly Jackson

Genre: Suspense, Teen

Series: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder 1

Type and Source: ebook from public library

Narrators: Bailey Carr, Marisa Calin and more

Run Time: 10 hrs, 53 min

Publisher: Listening Library

First Published: May 2, 2019

Read: Nov 25-28, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: Everyone in Fairview knows the story.

Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.

But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?

Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.