Title: Good Girl, Bad Blood
Author: Holly Jackson
First published April 30, 2020
417 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781405297752 (ISBN10: 1405297751)
Rating: 4.35
Overview
Pip has hung up her detective hat for good, or so she thought. Her true-crime podcast with Ravi Singh has become a sensation, but Pip insists that she’s done with investigating.
That is until her friend Jamie Reynolds goes missing, and the police refuse to do anything about it. On the same night, the town held a memorial for the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh.
Pip can’t ignore the nagging feeling that the two events are connected. She embarks on a mission to find Jamie, unraveling the town’s dark secrets along the way.
This time, everyone is listening to her every move, but will she be able to find Jamie before it’s too late?
About the Author
Born in 1992 and raised in Buckinghamshire, Holly Jackson developed a passion for storytelling at a young age. Although her first attempt at writing a book was poor, she persevered and eventually wrote her debut novel, a YA Mystery Thriller called ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’.
Currently living in London, she enjoys reading and writing, as well as binge-playing video games and pointing out grammatical errors in street signs.
Editoral Review
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson: A Compelling Crime Thriller that Grapples with the Dark Side of Social Media
Holly Jacksons Good Girl, Bad Blood is a thought-provoking and fast-paced mystery that explores the consequences of social media and our obsession with sharing our lives online. Jackson, a young British author, burst onto the scene with her debut novel A Good Girls Guide to Murder, which won numerous awards and critical acclaim.
Her second novel in the series, Good Girl, Bad Blood was first published on April 30, 2020, and has already won the hearts of many readers. Set in an affluent London neighborhood, the story follows teenager Pip Fitz-Amobi, who has become an amateur detective after solving a murder case in her small town in the previous book.
This time, Pips best friends older brother, Jamie, goes missing, and Pip is convinced that he has been murdered. She decides to investigate, enlisting the help of her friends, hacking skills, and popular true-crime podcast.
As she delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and dangerous individuals that threaten her safety and that of her loved ones. Good Girl, Bad Blood tackles topical issues such as privacy, cyberbullying, and fake news with sensitivity and insight.
Jacksons writing is sharp and suspenseful, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Pip shining as a determined and resourceful protagonist.
The novel also addresses the difficulties of growing up and coping with trauma, adding another layer of emotional depth. While the novel is aimed at young adults, it is suitable for readers of any age who enjoy a good mystery.
Jacksons storytelling is engaging, and the pacing is perfect, making it difficult to put the book down. The themes are also relevant to todays society, making it a timely and insightful read.
It is hard to find any significant flaws in Good Girl, Bad Blood. Critics might argue that the story is too formulaic or that the characters are too stereotypical, but these are minor quibbles that do not detract from the overall quality of the book.
If anything, the novel could have benefited from more nuanced exploration of some of the themes it touches on. On a scale of 1 to 5, I would give Good Girl, Bad Blood a solid 4.5. The only reason I am not giving it the full score is that there is always room for improvement in any book.
The novel is a compelling crime thriller that expertly weaves together suspense, social commentary, and relatable characters. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, but also to those who are interested in exploring the darker side of social media and how it affects our lives.
Holly Jackson has once again proven herself to be a talented and insightful author who deserves to be noticed.