Characters – 7/10

Pip is a high schooler with the investigative skills of an FBI agent, which is impressive—if not a little unbelievable. She’s smart, determined, and almost too good at everything, making her feel more like a Sherlock Holmes in Converse than a real teenager. Ravi is charming but underdeveloped, mostly existing to remind us that his brother was wrongfully accused (as if we’d forget). The rest of the cast? Serviceable, but they exist mostly to push Pip’s story forward rather than stand out on their own. And the villain? Well, let’s just say the big reveal isn’t as earth-shattering as it wants to be​.

Little Kilton is your classic small town with dark secrets, but somehow, it never feels as ominous as it should. For a book about murder, wrongful accusations, and deep-seated prejudice, the atmosphere is surprisingly tame. A little more grit, a little less “suburban teen sleuth,” and this could have had real True Detective energy. Instead, it’s more like Veronica Mars Lite™.

Holly Jackson knows how to keep a story moving, I’ll give her that. The mix of prose, interview transcripts, and Pip’s production logs keeps things fresh and engaging. But Pip’s inner monologue? A little too quirky at times—like a Buzzfeed listicle come to life. And while the dialogue mostly works, there are moments where characters sound more like they’re performing for a CW drama than having actual conversations​.

The plot is intriguing, sure, but let’s be honest—Pip solves things way too easily. Either this town’s police department is staffed by goldfish, or Pip is the reincarnation of Poirot. The red herrings are about as subtle as a neon sign, and some of the twists are so heavily foreshadowed that they land with a dull thud instead of a gasp. And the ending? Tied up in a neat little bow, because god forbid we have lingering questions​.

Despite the nitpicks, I couldn’t put this book down. Even when I rolled my eyes at how conveniently Pip uncovered every clue, I kept turning pages like I was running out of oxygen. Jackson knows how to keep the suspense going, even if some of the tension fizzles out when you realize Pip is practically untouchable. It’s gripping, but could’ve been so much more nail-biting if she actually faced real consequences​.

This is where things get shaky. Pip’s ability to outsmart law enforcement at every turn is ridiculous, and the ease with which people spill their darkest secrets to a teenager is just plain laughable. The romance with Ravi? Cute, but rushed. Her friendships? Barely explored. And don’t even get me started on the town’s collective ability to just accept the most obvious explanation for everything. Suspense of disbelief is one thing, but this book asks for a full-blown trust fall​.

Was it a masterpiece? No. Did I have fun? Absolutely. The pacing is lightning-fast, the mystery is engaging, and Pip is a protagonist you want to root for, even when she’s insufferably competent. If you don’t think too hard about the logic gaps and just go along for the ride, it’s an enjoyable thriller. Just don’t expect to be blown away by the realism​.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a fun, fast-paced YA mystery that doesn’t always make sense but is entertaining enough that you won’t care (much). It’s like eating an entire bag of popcorn—you enjoy it in the moment, but afterward, you realize it wasn’t the most satisfying meal. Would I recommend it? Sure. Would I put it on a “must-read” list? Not quite.