A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is a young adult mystery thriller novel by Holly Jackson, introducing Pippa "Pip" Fitz-Amobi, a determined high school student. The story centers on Pip's senior capstone project, through which she re-investigates the closed case of Andie Bell, a popular schoolgirl believed to have been murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who subsequently died by suicide five years prior. Convinced of Sal's innocence, Pip embarks on a quest to uncover the truth, peeling back layers of secrets in her small town. The narrative is presented through a mix of traditional prose, interview transcripts, and Pip's project notes, immersing readers in her amateur detective work.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe core plot revolves around a murder investigation with unsettling details, including a supposed murder-suicide and the discovery of a body. The protagonist, Pip, faces direct threats, is held captive, and experiences the death of her pet. The book discusses instances of self-harm and statutory rape as part of the backstory.
The narrative centers on the brutal murder of Andie Bell and the supposed suicide of Sal Singh, with the discovery of Andie's hidden body in an old septic tank being a key plot point. Pip is held captive and almost strangled to death by Becca Bell during her investigation. Additionally, Pip's dog, Barney, is stolen and tragically killed, which is a distressing event for Pip.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe book contains significant discussions of mature sexual themes, including sexual assault, sexting, and affairs. These elements are integral to the murder mystery, revealing dark secrets about the town and its inhabitants, though graphic depictions are generally avoided.
The investigation uncovers that a girl was drugged at a party and allegedly raped, leading to a friend helping her track down a 'morning-after pill'. There are references to a teen sending a topless photo in sexting that gets passed around, and a teen girl having an affair with an adult man, Mr. Ward. It is also revealed that a character, Dan, committed statutory rape against 15-year-old Andie Bell two years before her death.
Profanity
HighThe book includes frequent use of profanity, with multiple instances of strong language (f-words, s-words) and moderate curse words. The language used by teenage characters is described as reflective of common teen dialogue.
Reviews indicate 'several f- and s-words in the dialogue, along with other profanities,' noting that 'teens tend to use some pretty foul language on the whole'. Specific counts from one review note approximately '11 uses of strong language, 22 uses of moderate language, 15 uses of mild language, and 17 uses of the name of Deity'.
Substance Use
HighSubstance use is a significant plot element, involving teenagers drinking alcohol and smoking. More seriously, the investigation uncovers a high schooler selling marijuana and prescription drugs, with these drugs being used in instances of sexual assault.
The narrative portrays high school kids engaging in frequent partying and drinking, and some smoking cigarettes. A key revelation is that Andie Bell was illegally selling drugs, including Rohypnol, to students like Max Hastings, who then used these drugs to sexually assault teen girls at parties.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe book is a suspenseful thriller centered on a murder, creating an intense and often frightening atmosphere. It includes physical threats, the death of a beloved pet, kidnapping, and the protagonist being in life-threatening situations.
Pip receives threatening notes and text messages warning her to 'stop digging' into the case. Her dog, Barney, is abducted and killed, serving as a severe threat to Pip. Pip is also drugged and almost strangled to death by Becca Bell.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe book features a prominent LGBTQ character, Cara, who is Pip's best friend and is openly gay. Her sexual orientation is casually mentioned and not a source of conflict. The TV adaptation also includes a character, Jesse, portrayed by a trans actor, who is described as clearly androgynous/gender non-conforming, with their queer identity being a natural part of the narrative.
Pip's best friend, Cara, is explicitly stated to be gay in the book and has a crush on a girl named Ruby, which is mentioned during a party scene. In the TV adaptation, the character Jesse, portrayed by trans actor Oliver Wickham, is noted as clearly androgynous/gender non-conforming, with their queerness presented as a simple fact without conflict.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe protagonist, Pip, exhibits significant rebellious behavior in her pursuit of the truth, often disregarding rules and authority figures. While her parents are supportive, her methods involve actions such as breaking into houses, catfishing, and blackmail, all done outside official channels.
Despite her school officials' reluctance, Pip defiantly pursues the murder investigation for her project, often going against their wishes by focusing on the actual crime rather than just media representation. In her investigation, Pip 'catfishes people, breaks into houses, blackmails drug dealers' to gather information, demonstrating her willingness to disregard rules for her objective.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe book has minimal and non-committal references to occult themes. There is a scene where characters bring a Ouija board for recreational purposes, but it is not actively used, and no supernatural events occur.
Pip and some friends bring a Ouija board along for 'creepy fun' while camping at the end of summer break. However, due to other events and some characters expressing discomfort, they never actually use the board.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThere are no explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery of Christian beliefs, or sacrilegious acts depicted in the book. Religious content or criticisms of Christianity are absent from the narrative.
Reviews specifically state that there are no Christian beliefs or anti-Christian themes present in the book.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
This book is generally recommended for readers aged 14 and up. While the publisher suggests this age range, parents should be aware that the content deals with mature and sensitive themes such as murder, sexual assault, drug use, and profanity, which some may find more suitable for older teens (16+). The narrative style is engaging for young adults, but the intensity and nature of the criminal investigation delve into adult situations.
Additional Notes
The book is the first in a trilogy, and subsequent installments may introduce new or intensified content. The TV adaptation of the series is rated TV-MA, suggesting potentially more mature and explicit content in that format compared to the book, though the book itself contains many mature themes. Parents should consider discussing the sensitive topics covered with their teens.
Related Reviews
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