By: Kayla Mitchell

Media Production Editor

If murder mystery and teen romance are your idea of a perfect show, then you need to check out Netflix and BBC’s adaptation of Holly Jackson’s best-selling novel, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. With an intriguing plot containing numerous twists and turns, this mystery will leave you guessing until the very end. Watch as the show’s two lovable lead characters attempt to solve the dangerous case and form a strong relationship along the way.

When the teacher of true crime enthusiast Pippa “Pip” Fitz Amobi gives Pip free rein on a high school project, she immediately chooses to investigate the disappearance of student Andie Bell. Andie, a popular student at Pip’s high school, vanished one night five years prior and no one has uncovered what happened to her. Everyone in Pip’s town quickly assumed that Andie’s boyfriend, Sal Singh, killed her as he committed suicide shortly after her disappearance. While all evidence points to Sal as the murderer, Pip’s personal knowledge of Sal from her childhood leaves her doubting his capacity for such a crime. Teaming up with Sal’s younger brother Ravi, whose life has been scarred by Sal’s suicide, Pip works to establish Sal’s innocence and find out what actually happened on the night Andie disappeared. Digging into places she isn’t wanted and questioning people with many secrets to hide, Pip’s investigation uncovers details from the past that many people in her town desperately do not want to come to light. Death and threats plague Pip’s investigation, but she and Ravi do not give up until they find the true killer. 

Jackson’s novel A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder was published in 2019 as the first of a series of three novels plus an additional novella. The other books in the series are Bad Blood, As Good As Dead, and Kill Joy. Netflix released its adaptation of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder in July as a six-episode season. The show focuses solely on the first novel in the series, but the extra novels and storylines not shown in the first season leave hope for future episodes. BBC and Netflix have not announced a second season, but author Holly Jackson has told multiple news outlets that she would love to adapt the entire book series. 

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a gripping mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are relatable and well-developed, and the plot twists keep the answers hidden until the very end. The Guardian describes the show as a modern Nancy Drew that is quickly gaining popularity among teen viewers. The show explores topics of self-discovery, resilience, and racism as the characters dig into the mystery and learn about themselves in the process. If you love a good mystery and enjoy teen romance, check out A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. 

(Sources: Forbes, The Guardian)