A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is Netflix’s latest highly anticipated release, based on Holly Jackson’s popular book series of the same name. Given its literary origins, the series was bound to face critical scrutiny, far beyond what an original Netflix production might. The story follows Pip (Emma Myers), a determined teenager who embarks on a personal investigation into a murder case that has haunted her and her town for years.
Five years prior, Andie Bell (India Lillie Davies) was murdered, with her boyfriend Sal Singh (Rahul Pattni) confessing to the crime. Though the town accepted this as the end of the case, Andie’s body was never found. Pip, however, isn’t convinced and begins to uncover a web of secrets that might have been better left undiscovered—especially as the real killer takes steps to ensure Pip never unearths the truth.
Fans of the book series might have mixed feelings about the adaptation. While the show retains much of the book’s essence, it omits some critical details and introduces new plotlines that don’t necessarily advance the overall narrative. This review isn’t a comparison between the book and the show, but it’s worth noting that, while the series largely stays true to its source material, it lacks the unique charm of Holly Jackson’s writing. One downside of the transition from page to screen is the inability to delve deeply into the protagonist’s inner thoughts. Nevertheless, the show compensates by maintaining suspense throughout its six episodes.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (2024)
Mystery, Thriller
The series centers on Pip Fitz-Amobi, a tenacious teenager investigating a five-year-old murder case that her town considers solved. Schoolgirl Andie Bell was allegedly killed by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who later died by suicide. Convinced of Sal’s innocence, Pip reopens the case for her final year project, uncovering dark secrets that put her in danger.
Release Date: August 1, 2024
Cast: Emma Myers, Asha Banks, Raiko Gohara, Zain Iqbal, Jude Morgan-Collie, Yali Topol Margalith, Yasmin Al-Khudhairi, Carla Woodcock
Main Genre: Mystery
Seasons: 1
Creator(s): Poppy Cogan
‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ Is Short and Sweet
One of the most appealing aspects of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is its brevity, with each of the six episodes lasting under 50 minutes. While many recent TV series have adopted an 8-10 episode format, the choice to keep this series shorter is both smart and effective. The mystery at the heart of the show is compelling enough to have been extended into a longer season, but as it’s based on a book, there’s a clear sequence of events that needs to be faithfully followed.
Extending the series would have necessitated adding non-canonical moments, potentially diluting its faithfulness to the book. However, six episodes feel just right. Though another episode could have helped avoid a slightly rushed ending, the pacing overall is solid and far better than dragging out the plot with filler episodes. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder makes excellent use of its runtime, ensuring that every moment counts.
‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ Struggles Beyond Its Main Character
The show’s biggest flaw is the lack of depth in its world, especially after a lively introduction. The first episode begins with Pip being used as a decoy so her friends can purchase alcohol with a fake ID. After she fails and flees with her friends, we get a glimpse of the dynamic group of characters we’ll be following. Unfortunately, this is the last time any character, aside from Pip, shows much personality. After the first episode, everyone else fades into the background, including Pip, who doesn’t quite command the screen as strongly as she should.
The book benefited from being inside Pip’s head, where readers were immediately drawn to her as the narrator. The series lacks this advantage, meaning that viewers miss out on deeper connections with both Pip and the people around her. For example, Pip’s stepdad, Victor (Gary Beadle), had a charming relationship with her in the book, calling her “Pickle” as a term of endearment. However, this dynamic feels unimportant and lacks the warmth in the show. Most characters, except for Pip and Ravi (Zain Iqbal), are underdeveloped, which diminishes the show’s overall appeal. This oversight isn’t enough to ruin the show, but it does make it less engaging than it could have been.
‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ Takes Its Time to Build Suspense
Whether or not you’ve read the books, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder may take a while to hook you. For those familiar with the story, the setup might feel a bit underwhelming. The show reuses a flashback multiple times—Pip sees a crying Andie in a hallway, followed by Sal asking where she went. This moment hints at something intriguing, but the show’s overall setup for the murder investigation feels lackluster. A bit more effort to engage viewers early on would have better served the adaptation.
However, once the series delves into the mystery, it does so with intensity. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder excels at delivering plot twists, keeping viewers on their toes. Despite working from the source material, the show effectively translates the book’s reveals to the screen, managing to surprise even those familiar with the story.
When the twists unfold, they bring a whirlwind of emotions, making it hard to predict what comes next. Impressively, the season wraps up neatly without leaving any loose ends, despite the potential for future seasons based on the remaining two books. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder ultimately proves to be a satisfying and suspenseful adaptation, leaving room for Pip’s story to continue if the series is renewed.
