A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, reviewed by Isobel

This book is a dark and engaging mystery novel with plenty of suspense, well developed characters, and moments of extreme danger. 

Sal Singh murdered Andie Bell – at least that is what everyone thought happened- and the investigation was closed five years ago. But, having grown up in the same town as the murder took place, and having known Sal Singh as he once defended her from a group of bullies, A- grade student Pippa Fitz-Amobi is certain that it wasn’t Sal who killed Andie. And she wants to prove it. But as she starts to uncover secrets she finds out that there is someone in town who wants them to stay hidden, and if the real killer is still out there then they will do anything within their power to conceal the truth from Pip. 

As you learn more about these characters and what they want, you begin to grow suspicious of everyone, conflicted between suspects. You become genuinely frightened when these characters find themselves in danger. 

Holly Jackson has written a gripping mystery story that  is impossible to put down. 

Isobel (known to her friends as Izzy) was born in Edinburgh and lived in Tudela (Spain) and Glasgow before settling in Shoreham-by-Sea by the time she was eight years old. She lives with her mum, dad, brother, sister and her cat, Peggy. She attends Shoreham Academy, having started there amid the global pandemic of 2020. In her spare time Isobel reads (obviously), draws, writes poetry and stories and makes plans for world domination. She is not a big fan of maths or meat-eating.

About the book:

The New York Times No.1 bestselling YA crime thriller that everyone is talking about!

THE WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS’ CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE 2020

‘A fiendishly-plotted mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.’ – Laura Purcell, bestselling author of The Silent Companions

A debut YA crime thriller as addictive as Serial as compelling as Riverdale and as page-turning as One of Us Is Lying

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the crime, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth … ?

Perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying , Gone Girl, We Were Liars and Riverdale

Holly Jackson started writing stories from a young age, completing her first (poor) attempt at a novel aged fifteen. She lives in London and aside from reading and writing, she enjoys playing video games and watching true crime documentaries so she can pretend to be a detective. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is her first novel. You can follow Holly on Twitter and Instagram @HoJay92