Good Girl, Bad Blood

January 15, 2021
In this suspenseful follow-up to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (2020), Pippa Fitz-Amobi breaks her promise to give up sleuthing when a friend goes missing. Pip's viral true-crime podcast detailing her successful investigation into the murder of Andie Bell has earned her both fans and detractors and cemented her reputation as a notable young detective. She remains close to Ravi Singh, whose older brother was under suspicion in that case. When her friend Connor Reynolds begs for her help because his older brother, Jamie, has disappeared, she declines to investigate but offers to speak to the police about it. College dropout Jamie, 24, has a history of leaving home without notice, so the police write off his case, compelling Pippa to take matters into her own hands despite her promise to her parents that she would be more careful. From his strange internet search history to his private conversations with a catfish, the truth behind Jamie's disappearance is darker than anyone expected. Pip is haunted by the repercussions of her first case--including the ongoing trial of a serial rapist--and undergoes an identity crisis that challenges her beliefs about what makes a person good. Podcast transcripts, Instagram messages, and news articles with time stamps marking the growing length of Jamie's absence piece together a thrilling puzzle that will keep readers asking questions even after the story's end. Most main characters are White. Psychologically stirring and truly modern. (Mystery. 14-18)

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January 22, 2021

Gr 9 Up-Pip Fitz-Amobi is once again putting her detective skills to work. After everything that happened when she worked on the Andie Bell and Sal Singh case, Pip decided to leave her crime-solving days behind her. Sure, her podcast, "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder," went viral, but other than reporting on Max Hasting's trial, she is done. Then Jamie Reynolds disappears, and the police won't do anything about it, so Jamie's brother Connor turns to Pip to help locate him. After much debate, Pip agrees to use her skills and platform, thus beginning "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" season two. Jackson has brought readers another page-turning mystery/thriller starring the fantastic crime-solver Pip. Jackson brilliantly lays out the clues which may or may not be necessary for finding Jamie. Interwoven into the story are transcripts from Pip's podcast and interviews she conducts, as well as her case notes. The cast of supporting characters is diverse, though Pip, Connor, and Jamie are all white. This fast-paced read is filled with twists and turns and is sure to keep readers guessing until the end. VERDICT A recommended purchase, especially where the first book is popular.-Amanda Borgia, Uniondale P.L., NY

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