A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Solid 4 Stars. Really captivating for a YA mystery/thriller.

It was a fun read until it devolved into nonsense.

Holly Jackson nails this young adult mystery thriller with her first book. This story gives you a motivated teen on a mission to reveal truths about a small town murder and missing person. Her investigation tactics vary from somewhat questionable, resourceful, to tech savvy and very thorough. Having an intelligent and resourceful protagonist really propels this adventure forward from plot twist to plot twist. As a reader it was an enjoyable read and kept me guessing at every little detail or suspicion tossed into the story without muddling things so much as to confuse me. I loved the reveals, yes, multiple reveals. I also love how everything wrapped up nicely only to discover there's more leading into the rest of her series. Recommended read, well written, intriguing and didn't feel like a young adult novel at all.

HOLY MOLY!!! Just when you think you know where this book is going to go, it takes another twist! Pippa has decided to look into a murder that happened 5 years ago in her town, convinced that the boyfriend is innocent, and really just looking for answers. What she uncovers is definitely not what she expected! This is truly a phenomenal YA thriller! This is like Nancy Drew times 100! This book is one that is hard to put down, not only because of the story itself but in the way that it is written. Between narrative, Pippa's journal entries, interviews, and emails, the story just flows so well even with every twist and turn. Pippa's dedication to finding out the real answers no matter what was so amazing to read. The relationship between her and Ravi is adorable and the banter between them is so entertaining. I could read a whole series of just the two of them solving crimes! If you are ready to be sucked in to the most gripping, disturbing, and mind-blowing mystery ever, this is the book for you!

Favorite quotes:
"And the forest in the dead of night came alive around her. Crackling twigs, wingbeats through the trees, and screams. Fox or deer, she couldn't tell, but they shrieked and cried, and it was and wasn't Andie Bell, screaming through time. Stop digging Pippa" pg. 99
"And when the police asked him about their arguing, he wasn't being evasive to hide his own motive. He was protecting Andie. He didn't think she was dead. He thought she was alive and coming back, and he didn't want to get her in trouble with the police by telling them she was dealing drugs. And the final text he sent her on that Friday night? .... You know, your brother has never looked more innocent than right now. "Thanks. You know, I've never said this to a girl before, but I'm glad you came knocking out of the blue to interrogate me." pg. 179
"The hum split into a ringing sound, shrieking and stuffing her head. Pip felt sick, a metallic taste in her mouth. Mr. Ward's SIM card. Mr. Ward's old phone number scribbled out in Andie's planner. Andie calling Mr. Ward an asshole to her friends the week she disappeared. Mr. Ward" pg. 317
"And just like that, with crushed flowers and a rotation of hugs, the Singhs took away the suffocating and confused sadness that had taken over the house. They'd opened the door and let out the ghost, for at least a little while. Because there was one happy ending in all of this: Sal was innocent. His family set free from the weight they'd carried all these years. And that was worth hanging on to" pg. 360
"But there was one final player in this story, Fairview, and it's us. Collectively, we turned a beautiful life into a myth of a monster. We turned a family home into a ghost house. And from now on we must do better" pg. 387

One of my favourites of all time! A girl who did something the police couldn't just for her project! Twists, suspence with romance!