So I will just be beginning my review of this book with a huge WOW!!!! This completed the trilogy so unbelievably well, it was insane how much I have loved this series!! Prior to reading this I have read and reviewed both books in the series, A good girls guide to murder and Good girl Bad blood. You can read my reviews by clicking on the links. I will do my best not to include any spoilers in this review but it is difficult if you haven't read the previous books!
Blurb
The third thrilling book in the bestselling, award-winning A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is The New York Times No.1 bestselling YA crime thriller and WINNER of The British Book Awards' Children's Book of the Year 2020 and SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2020
Pip Fitz-Amobi is haunted by the way her last investigation ended. Soon she’ll be leaving for Cambridge University but then another case finds her . . . and this time it’s all about Pip.
Pip is used to online death threats, but there’s one that catches her eye, someone who keeps asking: who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears? And it’s not just online. Pip has a stalker who knows where she lives. The police refuse to act and then Pip finds connections between her stalker and a local serial killer. The killer has been in prison for six years, but Pip suspects that the wrong man is behind bars. As the deadly game plays out, Pip realises that everything in Little Kilton is finally coming full circle. If Pip doesn’t find the answers, this time she will be the one who disappears . . .
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is The New York Times No.1 bestselling YA crime thriller and WINNER of The British Book Awards' Children's Book of the Year 2020.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2020
My thoughts
If you enjoy a YA crime thriller with clever teens and a lot of suspicion within the town then this is the series for you! I loved how Pip's character changed and grew darker as the series progressed, understandable due to everything she had been through but still great to read. You wouldn't just jump back to happy teenager after all the death and despair she had witnessed! Her transgression into dark moods and her complete disillusionment when it came to the law doing the right thing was so sad to see. She became completely alienated from those she had begun to work with, the detectives who originally she had respect for, she turned away from in her hour of need as she realised they just wouldn't believe her.
The story is told in two parts and we see Pip spiralling into an even darker place after the events of the second book. The first part is her hunt for the serial killer who she believes is responsible for the death threats she is receiving. The threats to her are disturbing as to anyone other that Pip they look completely innocent and actually cause the police to doubt her. After everything she has gone through and her own mental health dips after the incidents in book two, you can see that she is almost starting to count her own sanity in these moments. Thankfully her rock Ravi believes her and they work to uncover who may be behind it before it is all too late. I loved that this part of the story had all the usual thought processes of Pip and how she looks at all the evidence logically and documents everything perfectly. Alongside this we also see her hatred of Max after the events from book 1 and 2, I loved how angry and twisted she was towards him. Holly Jackson really portrayed it well, as this is a completely believable reaction to such a terrible human.
The second part moves onto the repurcussions of her hunt for the serial killer and everything that follows. This I feel is where all the books have been leading towards and wow did it pack a punch. I can't say much without giving away serious spoilers so let's just say it was a very clever, fitting end for her character and the darkness becomes more and more dense. Her team of friends who would do anything for her, step up in this final and Ravi especially, my heart just breaks for him. The last line of the book left me with such a happy smile though despite how much angst there had been throughout.
I enjoyed the two parts of the story, both a different style but equally as dark and twisty. Pips character progression was realistic and clever, the first twist to the story I did manage to work out but it didn't detract from the enjoyment and I didn't forsee the second part. My heart was in mouth for a lot of the book, especially the scenes with Max!! Honestly if you haven't read this series yet you have absolutely got to read it this second! Stop whatever you are doing and buy the books, you won't regret it!