Holly JacksonA Good Girl's Guide to Murder: The first book in the globally bestselling thriller trilogy, now a major TV series starring Emma Myers from Netflix’ Wednesday: Book 1

When I saw this book all over my TikTok feed, I was curious but skeptical. A thriller with a high school setting and a murder mystery? It seemed a bit cliché, but the hype was undeniable. And let me tell you, "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" did not disappoint—it had me hooked from the first page!The story centers on Pip, a high school senior who decides to investigate a closed murder case for her senior project. The case? The mysterious death of Andie Bell, a popular girl, and the conviction of her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who allegedly killed her. But as Pip digs deeper, she starts uncovering secrets that don't add up—and the truth seems far darker than anyone expected.From the beginning, the writing is gripping, and the pacing is spot-on. I couldn’t put the book down, constantly wondering what would happen next. The mystery unfolds in a way that kept me guessing, with plenty of twists and turns. Just when I thought I had figured it out, another piece of the puzzle would fall into place, throwing me off course. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.Pip is an incredibly likable protagonist—smart, determined, and brave. She’s relatable and feels real, which made me care about her journey. What I really loved about this book was the balance between the intense mystery and the emotional depth of Pip's character. It wasn’t just about solving a crime; it was about understanding people, uncovering painful truths, and dealing with the consequences.The themes of justice, guilt, and the power of perception are explored in a way that feels fresh and thought-provoking. The twists were absolutely jaw-dropping, and the ending left me stunned and desperate to know what happens next. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the trilogy!If you're looking for a fast-paced, addictive thriller that will keep you guessing, I wholeheartedly recommend "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder." Trust me, TikTok didn’t steer me wrong, and I’m already hooked for the rest of the series.

From the moment this book came out, it has been so hyped and I kept putting it off because I was worried I wouldn't feel the same... But I'm happy to say that this is totally deserving of the hype! I can't believe this is Holly Jackson's debut and now I can't wait to pick up the other two books in this series. I read through this book in a matter of hours because it was simply unputdownable and I'm so glad that I can finally check it off my TBR!I really enjoyed Jackson's writing style—it was engaging and highly entertaining. As it's written in mixed media format (with maps, images, interview and email transcripts, text messages, etc.) it wasn't difficult to imagine this story playing out in my head like a movie/show and I think it would be awesome if they ever decide to make an adaptation! There are a lot of characters introduced throughout the story, and though not many of them were developed, it was easy to picture each one and I was pulled in right alongside Pippa as she delved deeper into the mystery of Andie Bell's murder and examining potential suspects. I really enjoyed the smart and witty humour of a lot of the characters too, which added a levity that was much needed at times. Jackson really knows how to keep raising the tension as the story gets murkier as more lies and secrets are uncovered! That said, the story was very well-paced and not once did I feel bored or overwhelmed as I read.Pippa was such a wonderful protagonist. She's a big nerd who knows it and embraces it wholeheartedly. She gets teased for always geeking out over homework and being too serious and her character was so well-formed around these traits that I felt as if I knew her and was friends with her, too. Aside from being the wickedly smart good girl, she's devoted to her family and friends, spouts random facts when she's worked up and is fiercely determined once she sets her mind to something. I loved how she tackled this mystery and made her deductions—nothing was so far-fetched or over-the-top and she made her conclusions very logically. I also really enjoyed her relationship with her family—her parents were wonderful (her dad Victor was amazing!) and though they weren't always there throughout the story, they were at least more present than parents usually are in YA! I also really liked how the relationship with Ravi developed. They had their rocky moments as they were figuring out their friendship but they came to know each other so well and developed a strong unshakeable bond through their investigation. They made a great team!Jackson really kept me on my toes with the mystery and had me suspecting pretty much everyone in this town because they were all shady AF! 😂 That said, the reason why I didn't give this a higher rating is that I felt the reveal was a bit anticlimactic? I was still surprised but I think I was expecting more of a gut-punch/breathless feeling by the time Pippa went for the final confrontation. It didn't make me enjoy the book any less though because I thought Jackson did a great job answering all the questions and tying in the pieces very nicely!