Chapters, Clues, and Chaos

📚 Genre: YA Mystery / Thriller

✍️ Author: Holly Jackson

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

🚨 Spoilers ahead – clearly marked!

Ever thought you could solve a murder better than the police? If you’ve ever binge-watched true crime documentaries or shouted “That’s the killer!” at your TV, then A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder might be exactly your kind of book.

If you’re the kind of reader who loves puzzling over mysteries, questioning everything, and mentally collecting clues, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder may be your next favorite read. Holly Jackson’s debut novel blends a gripping whodunit with a compelling character study, all wrapped up in a small-town setting where nothing — and no one — is as simple as they seem.

The story centers around Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a smart, ambitious high school senior who decides to reopen a closed murder case for her final school project. Five years ago, Andie Bell, a popular student, disappeared and was presumed murdered. Her boyfriend, Sal Singh, was blamed after he died by suicide days later. The town moved on. But Pip doesn’t believe Sal was guilty — and she sets out to prove it.

Ask yourself this: if someone told you they were investigating a murder for a school project, would you support them? Or warn them not to stir up trouble? Pip chooses the first option — and as readers, we’re pulled along for every twist, misstep, and terrifying discovery.

Pip is a well-drawn character. She’s persistent and intelligent, but not without flaws. She sometimes acts impulsively, putting herself in danger. What makes her believable is how much she cares — not just about the case, but about truth, justice, and the people caught in the middle of it all. Her partner in the investigation, Ravi Singh — Sal’s younger brother — is a standout character as well. His guarded hope and quiet resilience add emotional weight to the story, and the friendship between him and Pip is one of the novel’s most rewarding elements.

The novel is also creatively structured. Holly Jackson incorporates interview transcripts, notes from Pip’s project journal, and other documentary-style elements that make the investigation feel grounded in reality. It’s not just a narrative — it’s an experience. Readers are invited to follow the clues and draw their own conclusions before Pip does. Were you able to piece things together as you read, or did the ending completely catch you off guard?

🚨 Spoiler Warning — Skip the next paragraph if you haven’t read the book. 🚨

As Pip digs deeper, she uncovers a tangled web of lies. Andie’s image as a perfect girl begins to crack, revealing secrets about her that few ever knew — including drug connections, manipulative behavior, and a hidden relationship. Even more disturbing is the truth about what happened the night she disappeared. It turns out Andie was not murdered by Sal. In fact, she wasn’t dead when Sal died. The real culprit is someone far closer to Pip than she could have imagined: her best friend’s dad and the Andie’s own sister... It’s a deeply unsettling conclusion — and a powerful commentary on how quickly society is willing to label and blame the “other.”

🚨 Spoilers end here. 🚨

What makes A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder truly effective is how Jackson plays with moral ambiguity. Nearly every character is hiding something. Motives are layered, and truth is never straightforward. The book doesn’t just ask, “Who did it?” It asks, “Who gets to be believed?”

In the end, this is more than just a murder mystery. It’s a thoughtful exploration of power, privilege, and the stories we choose to believe. It’s also a book that rewards close reading. If you enjoy solving puzzles, this one gives you all the pieces — but not always in the right order.

So, what do you think? Was Pip’s obsession with the truth courageous or dangerously naive? Did you trust the characters she trusted? Or did your instincts point you elsewhere?