A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
by Holly Jackson
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Five years ago, Sal Singh allegedly murdered his high school girlfriend, Andie Bell, and later committed suicide. It is widely believed by the town that Sal perpetrated the crime, despite Andie's body never having been found. Seventeen year-old Pippa Fitz-Amobi never truly bought into Sal's guilt and, with a secret agenda in mind, chooses to base her senior year project on the crime. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder follows Pip as she uncovers her hometown's dark secrets and the truth of what happened that night five years ago - because Sal couldn't possibly have done it... right?

From front to back, this book was awesome. I was so impressed that this is marketed as a YA novel. Not only did we have a strong, intelligent, and determined female lead, but she was funny as hell, too. If I ever decide to actually grow up, I want to be Pip. 

The story dealt with some heavier themes such as s*xual assault, dr*g abuse, abuse of power, and racism. Holly Jackson did a phenomenal job weaving these darker topics into the narrative, as well as discussing and portraying them realistically. Our secondary characters (especially Ravi, Sal's younger brother who aids Pip in her investigation) added to the heart of the story and served to highlight some of Pip's best qualities throughout the book. 

This would've been five stars, but the ending was partly predictable for me. That's okay though, because A Good Girl's Guide to Murder was otherwise incredible!

Overall, this book was fun, dark, perfectly paced, intense, thought-provoking, and funny. Pip is a character that will hang around for a while in my mind. I highly recommend this one if you like mysteries and/or thrillers! I can't wait to read the sequel! 

- trigger warnings - s*xual assault, r*pe, su*cide, dr*g abuse, racism