A Good Girl's Guide to Murder: Book Review

 A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is a crime thriller about a 17 year old's hunch about a closed case, subsequently leading her to solve it. Pippa Fitz Amobi chooses an interesting topic for her research project for school - a case about Sal Singh killing Andie Bell five years ago, deemed closed by the police and victim's family. But Pippa is not so sure and in her research about the case, she discovers some gaping holes and end up finding the real culprit, revealing the actual incident, the innocence of the falsely accused and several criminals hiding under a veil of good reputation.

Jackson has a great eye for detail and the clues and red herrings of the crime are carefully and complexly developed. The way almost all the characters who come into the story have an unexpected role to play in the story is quite amazing. A great dexterity with words along with a portrayal of expressions vividly expresses the various emotions playing in the scene.

The culprit is revealed in a shocking twist that will leave us dumbfounded as the person was not even a suspect. Just as we think that the thrilling ride is over, though, Jackson drops another unexpected bomb with yet another twist. The ending that draws a list of many, not one, culprits finally delivers justice for the victims.

One appreciable part is how Jackson does not sugarcoat Pippa's experience in her brief stint as a detective. It is not portrayed as a phenomenal experience that has her hungry for more, but all the hurt, disappointments and frustrations are expressed in a raw manner. She is tired and drained after the investigation in which her family was put into misery, when her dog was killed and Pip herself was attacked.

I would also like to appreciate the cover designer of the book Casey Moses (jacket photography by Christine Blackburne) for having designed such an attractive cover that rightly portrays the way a school student sees a murder case as a project.

But a Good Girl's Guide to Murder was a thrilling book that had good writing and the complex case that shows that people are not always what they seem to be. The book is completely worthwhile as it shows that with the right dedication and commitment, you can strive to do anything and that the easy way might not be always the right way.

Stay tuned for reviews on the sequels of AGGGTM!!

Written by: Ameya Harish