Good Girl, Bad Blood
Unknown
By: Holly Jackson
The New York Times best-selling, brilliantly crafted crime-thriller sequel to the no.1 debut of 2019, A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER. . A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER IS THE WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS' CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 AND SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2020 "Nail-biting, taut and pacy. Jackson [is] a homegrown thriller writer to watch.... - Guardian Pip Fitz-Amobi is not a detective anymore. With the help of Ravi Singh, she released a true-crime podcast about the murder case they solved together last year. The podcast has gone viral, yet Pip insists her investigating days are behind her. But she will have to break that promise when someone she knows goes missing. Jamie Reynolds has disappeared but the police won't do anything about it. And if they won't look for Jamie then Pip will, uncovering more of her town's dark secrets along the way& and this time EVERYONE is listening. But will she find him before it's too late? Perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying, Eva Dolan, C L Taylor, We Were Liars and Riverdale Praise for A Good Girl's Guide to Murder: 'A taut, compulsively readable, elegantly plotted thriller' - Guardian 'A fiendishly-plotted mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.' - Laura Purcell, bestselling author of The Silent Companions 'There is a lot to really enjoy in this story and there is great energy to the writing, as well as some fine characterization' - Peter James, award-winning and no.1 bestselling crime thriller author of Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series 'Twisty, compulsive and so, so clever' - Savannah Brown, author of The Truth About Keeping Secrets 'That ending! Pure genius' - Yasmin Rahman, author of All the Things We Never Said 'This book was a delight from start to finish. I laughed. I cried. And I very much enjoyed attempting to solve the case with Pip (who I now want to be my best friend). I didn't guess the twist, and I don't think many people will. Holly Jackson has absolutely killed it with her debut!' - Aisha Busby, author of A Pocketful of Stars and contributor to the award-winning A Change is Gonna Come 'Prepare to be murdered by this book. Dark, dangerous and intricately plotted - my heart literally pounded. I haven't been this addicted to anything since Serial. Holly Jackson is the next big thing, I promise' - Laura Stevens, author of The Exact Opposite of Okay 'Twisty and compelling' - Fiona Noble, Bookseller
AI Overview
Plot Summary: "Good Girl, Bad Blood" by Holly Jackson is the second book in the "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" series. The story follows Pip Fitz-Amobi, who has vowed to leave her investigative days behind after solving a murder case in the first book. However, when her friend Connor’s brother, Jamie Reynolds, goes missing under mysterious circumstances, Pip is drawn back into the world of crime-solving. Despite the police's lack of interest in the case, Pip starts a true-crime podcast to document her search for Jamie, which leads her to uncover a web of secrets, lies, and hidden dangers in her town.
As Pip delves deeper into Jamie’s disappearance, she discovers that he was being catfished by an internet scammer named Layla, who was using the photo of a real local girl to target young men. The case becomes more complex and dangerous as Pip navigates the dark side of the people and town she thought she knew. She must confront moral dilemmas and personal risks, questioning how far she is willing to go for justice.
Key Themes:
- Justice vs. Law: The novel explores the theme of justice as distinct from the law. It highlights the failure of police procedures and the moral implications of Pip's actions, which sometimes go beyond what is legally permissible.
- Social Media and Identity: The book delves into the use and abuse of social media, particularly how it can be used to manipulate and deceive people. It also explores questions of identity, as characters navigate their online personas and real-life selves.
- Pursuit of Truth and Justice: Pip's investigation is driven by her pursuit of truth and justice, even if it means exposing dark secrets and putting herself in danger. This theme is central to the novel, reflecting Pip's growth as a character and her willingness to confront the complexities of her town.
Critical Reception:
- Overall Reception: The book received generally positive reviews, with many praising its suspenseful plot and character development. However, some critics noted that it did not quite live up to the standards set by the first book, "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder".
- Characterization: Pip's character was particularly praised for her depth and complexity. The novel takes her into darker places, raising concerns about where she might end up in future books.
- Mystery and Thriller Elements: The mystery was described as fun to attempt to solve, with a fantastic twist at the end. However, some critics felt that the novel tipped into melodrama at the climax and that the resolution of the mystery was signposted a bit too early.
Summary: "Good Girl, Bad Blood" is a gripping and intense read that continues Pip Fitz-Amobi's journey into the world of crime-solving. It explores complex themes of justice, identity, and the consequences of seeking truth, all while maintaining a fast-paced and suspenseful narrative. While it may not have reached the same heights as the first book, it remains an engaging and thought-provoking thriller that keeps readers on edge until the end.