Hi Everyone, Happy Monday it’s been a while since I last written a review, I think I’ve got a bit rusty. I have to admit something as well…I read this back at the end of May and I’m only reviewing it now. But the amazing thing about this book is that I still remember it. Doesn’t that tell you something?! I hope you enjoy my review and let me know if you’ve read it or any amazing murder mysteries I should read.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson Published by Electric Monkey on May 2, 2019
Genres: Mystery, Murder, UKYA
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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 murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year 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?
A debut YA crime thriller as addictive as Serial and as page-turning as One of Us Is Lying.
So I’m going to admit something here. I read this back at the end of May and I’m only reviewing it now. But the amazing thing about this book is that I still remember it. Doesn’t that tell you something?!
An A-Grade student, Pippa Fitz-Amobi uses her Extended Project Qualification to solve the small town murder of Andie Bell. Andie’s so called boyfriend, Sal Singh was guilty for her murder, but Pippa feels very different about it. Using her EPQ and the help of Andie’s brother, she investigates and uncovers some dirty secrets, leading her to the real murder.
Pip is a young Miss Marple. She is a character, she won’t take no for answer, she’s nosy (in a good way), she’s unafraid of the consequences this closed case will lead her down. What she has gumption and I loved how that was reflected in her final statement. I revelled in the use of a real qualification of an A-Level student could be spun into reopening a murder investigation. We follow the investigation through her EPQ evidence just makes it so much more real, as I work on EPQ’s in my job I found that a really interesting aspect of the book. In some ways I sort of enjoyed it more than pure narrative As a true reflection of Andie’s life leading up to murder. A Good Girls’s Guide to Murder just has that edge that no other YA thrillers have. It’s what sets it’s apart in it’s own league.
Not only is the book bloody brilliant and keeps you guessing but Holly’s publisher Egmont/Electric Monkey did an amazing campaign to this book. I read this book in a good few days but the thing about the proof I received, the last 50 pages had been ripped out, I thought this was a error. *queue hysterical tweeting to publishers* Ha. I did not realise it was intentional, that I had to guess who the murderer is and wait for the end. That was excruciating. You know when the murder mystery is gone well when the guilty party is not you think it is. I was shocked and that makes for an amazing storyteller like Holly Jackson.
A Good Girls Guide to Murder is chilling, compelling new YA murder mystery novel, that will stay with you for a long time. It’s a book in league of it own and I would highly recommend for anyone who loves Karen McManus. This book was certainly one of my favourite UKYA books of 2019.
Thank you to Electric Monkey/Egmont for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. *Sorry it’s a bit late.*
I have seen this book everywhere!
I’m usually wary of YA thrillers, but this one sounds interesting. I may have to give it a shot!