Book Review Wednesday: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

My reading has been off the charts as of late. All I do is read, read, read. I have so many books I don't know what to do with but of course, I needed a new one because I've been hearing so much about it.

"A Good Girls' Guide to Murder" has already been on top of the NYT bestseller list and the premise had enticed me.

To me, it sounded like the perfect combination of YA and true crime... and really, what is better than that?

Publisher's Summary

Everyone in Fairview knows the story.

Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.

But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?

Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent...and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.

This is the story of an investigation turned obsession, full of twists and turns and with an ending you'll never expect.

My Thoughts

This book was really good. It was really good on all levels and honestly, unlike anything I've ever read. It kept my attention throughout the entire book and I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next. I didn't feel like it was too predictable, mostly because I had no idea how it was going to end. 

When it comes to mysteries, I've read so many of them, I can kind of see where the story is going but not with this one.

Note: There was some discrepancy in language; the author is British so sometimes it didn't sound like she was writing an American teenager and there was a lot of jumping from first to third person. 

I also loved the way Pip was written and her budding friendship with Ravi -- it was relatable as a teenage girl but also really mature. I loved Pip so much and I rooted for her the entire time - I didn't find one thing unlikable about her character which is saying a lot because I feel like protagonists are naturally unlikeable most of the time. 

The mystery of who murdered Andie Bell was completely intriguing. There were so many people that could've done it but truly no one has any idea. The plot development was on point; not too fast, not too slow and not a lot of pointless subplots. 

When I knew the book was going to be set in high school, I was worried that it would be a little juvenile for me but that wasn't the case. It was just as mysterious and gory as any other book I've read, but with a toned-down subplot. 

I really loved every second of this and I got a super satisfying ending -- both in the romantic subplot and the main mystery. It was truly incredible and a great read. As I write this, I probably will end up reading it again. 

Have you read "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder?" What did you think?

xoxo

B