Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen detective "unsolves" murder in riveting thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 33 parent reviews
Parents say that this book is engaging and suspenseful, featuring a mix of mature themes such as drugs, sex, and violence, which leads to differing opinions on its suitability for younger readers. While many praise its well-crafted plot and recommend it for teens aged 14 and up, some feel its content may be inappropriate for tweens and younger kids, suggesting parents should be mindful of their child's maturity level before allowing them to read it.
- mature themes
- suspenseful plot
- age recommendations
- engaging writing
- parental caution
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 273 kid reviews
Kids say this book is engaging and well-written, but it contains numerous mature themes, including violence, drug use, and references to sexual violence that may not be suitable for younger readers. Many reviewers recommend it for mature teens, noting a captivating plot and strong characters, but also caution parents due to its graphic content.
- mature content
- thrilling plot
- strong characters
- recommended age
- sensitive themes
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER by Holly Jackson, Pip Fitz-Amobi has decided that murder will be the subject of her senior capstone project. She doesn't believe that Sal Singh murdered his high school girlfriend, Andie Bell, and she intends to prove it. After signing a school contract that says she will have no contact with any of the families involved, the first thing she does is ring the doorbell at the Singh house and talk with Sal's younger brother, Ravi. But after telling Pip in no uncertain terms that he wants nothing to do with her investigation, Ravi soon joins her in trying to clear Sal's name. It's a tough job: Andie's body has never been found, and all the evidence seems to point to Sal. But as Pip begins to dig deeper, lie after lie is revealed, and a growing list of suspects emerges. When Pip begins receiving notes threatening her if she doesn't stop digging into Andie's murder, she's certain she's on the track of the real killer.
Is It Any Good?
This smart page-turner of a thriller brims with unexpected suspects and head-spinning twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Rather than depending solely on the text to tell the story, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder includes revealing journal entries and transcripts of Pip's interviews with police who worked on Andie's case, a reporter who covered it, and Andie and Sal's friends and family—interviews that sometimes lead to that person being put on the suspect list. Criminal elements enhance the thrills and highlight Pip's bravery. But her questionable choices—some of them illegal—are casually made and ultimately rewarded. And while Pip admits her "pasty" white skin and "good girl" reputation afford her advantages, her character borders on White saviorism and sometimes puts others at risk. Still, this is an addictive story that tackles complex subjects and characters, and it can inspire thoughtful dialogue around social justice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how race and ethnicity might have played a part in the case in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Do you think the police, the press, and the town would have been so quick to make Sal the prime suspect if Andie hadn't been White and Sal Indian American?
Has anyone you know had something shared on social media that hurt or humiliated them? What precautions have you taken so that your personal photos and posts can't be shared without your permission?
The book uses interesting facts, such as stating that only 1% of missing persons are never found. Do you think this is true? If you aren't sure about something you read that's being presented as the truth, how would you go about fact-checking it?
In the book, Pip engages in illegal activities during her own private investigation. Is her law-breaking justified because of good intentions? Why, or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : February 4, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 18
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : February 25, 2026
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