Read every series in the right order
A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Books in Chronological Order – Complete Reading Guide
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A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
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Table of Contents
Quick Answer (TL;DR)
If you want A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder in Chronological Order, read Kill Joy (prequel novella) first, then the main trilogy: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder → Good Girl, Bad Blood → As Good as Dead. That’s also the publication order—so you’re safe following either, but starting with the prequel adds fun context for Pip’s sleuthing spark. For format: paperbacks are compact, hardcovers look great on shelf, and the full-cast audiobooks absolutely sing. Pages and age guidance come from the U.S. publisher (Delacorte/PRH).
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A Good Girl's Guide Series Boxed Set
Includes all three thrilling novels
This boxed set compiles the complete thrilling series exploring mystery and suspense. Perfect for readers who love a gripping storyline with twists and turns.
Introduction
There’s a reason Holly Jackson’s trilogy is a staple of every “unputdownable YA thriller” list. Set in a small town with long shadows, the series follows Pip Fitz-Amobi, a whip-smart teen who treats an Extended Project Qualification like it’s a cold-case brief. What begins as curiosity becomes a compulsion—and a gripping, carefully plotted arc across three novels (plus a prequel) that escalate in stakes, theme, and moral gray.
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A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Encapsulating suspense and drama
This novel dives into a captivating murder mystery that challenges perceptions and uncovers dark secrets. An essential read for mystery enthusiasts.
This guide is your Books in Chronological Order playbook for the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder universe: we’ll give you the A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder in Chronological Order, no-spoiler blurbs, media tie-ins (hello, BBC/Netflix), and the best formats to buy. Whether you’re a parent vetting age-range, a teacher looking for discussion-rich mystery, or a binge-reader planning a weekend sleuth-fest, we’ve got you covered.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Series | A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (3 main novels + 1 prequel novella) |
| Primary Genre | YA Mystery/Thriller; True-crime-adjacent structure |
| Ideal Age Range | 14+ (publisher guidance). Expect mature themes across the series. |
| Reading Difficulty | Moderate: short chapters, multimedia inserts (case notes, transcripts), mature content |
| Pages (U.S. editions) | AGGGTM: ~400 pp; GGBB: ~416 pp; AGAD: paperback ~480 pp (HC ~464 pp). |
| Estimated Read Time | ~7.5–9.5 hrs per book at typical YA pace; full trilogy ~24–30 hrs (depending on reader speed) |
| Content Warnings | Murder, stalking, threats, drug use, sexual assault references, grief/trauma; occasional profanity |
| Media Adaptations | TV: BBC Three (UK) July 2024; worldwide on Netflix Aug 1, 2024; Season 2 confirmed (date TBD). |
| Audio | Full-cast-style productions with multiple narrators; lengths roughly 10h–15h. |
| Collector/Deluxe | PRH U.S. deluxe editions (sprayed edges, extras) announced for books 2–3. |
About the A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Book Series
Holly Jackson builds a distinctive mystery engine: Pip’s EPQ acts as a procedural framework, with transcripts, emails, and maps that let readers sleuth in real time. Book one interrogates a closed case; book two explores visibility and responsibility after true-crime fame; book three dives into trauma, escalation, and the costs of vigilantism. The tones shift—from amateur-sleuth curiosity to relentless, adult-level stakes—yet the series stays grounded by Pip’s voice and the nuanced relationship with Ravi Singh, brother of the boy the town condemned.
A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Books at a Glance
| Title | Amazon Buy Link |
|---|---|
| A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder | Buy On Amazon |
| Good Girl, Bad Blood | Buy On Amazon |
| As Good as Dead | Buy On Amazon |
| Kill Joy | Buy On Amazon |
About A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Chronological Reading Order
- Kill Joy (prequel novella)
Where it fits: Before Book 1.
Why it matters: Pip attends a 1920s murder-mystery party and—despite herself—finds she likes the logic game of evidence, motive, and pattern. The story is lighthearted compared to the mainline books, but it seeds the mindset and methodology that make Pip such an effective investigator later. If you enjoy the series’ transcript/artefact feel, this appetizer primes you for the multimedia style to come. U.S. readers got a 2023 print release after its 2021 UK debut as a World Book Day title. - A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (Book 1)
Core idea: Five years after Andie Bell’s disappearance and Sal Singh’s supposed confession, Pip frames her EPQ around re-examining the case. What starts as “just testing the official story” escalates into a real risk to her safety. The book’s taut chapter design and clue-drop rhythm make it rocket-readable; the ending recontextualizes the town’s myths while refusing easy answers. U.S. paperback lists 400 pp; age guidance 14+. - Good Girl, Bad Blood (Book 2)
Core idea: Pip has hung up her detective hat—publicly. But after her viral true-crime podcast, she’s thrust back in when someone she knows goes missing. The sequel examines ethics, platform, and the weight of fandom on an amateur investigator. The case is different in flavor (missing person vs. cold murder) and it’s where Ravi grows as more than a side-note. U.S. hardcover/paperback list 416 pp; age guidance 14+. - As Good as Dead (Book 3)
Core idea: The darkest, most polarizing entry. Pip’s prior choices echo; threats turn focused; and the book interrogates what justice looks like when institutions fail. Readers split on the moral lines here—by design. It’s a bold, conversation-starting finale that pushes YA thriller into adult-thematic territory. U.S. paperback lists ~480 pp (HC 464); age guidance 14+.
Series Timeline & Character Development
- Pip’s arc:
- Curiosity & conviction (Book 1): school project into obsession; growth in investigative rigor; first brushes with danger.
- Visibility & responsibility (Book 2): dealing with platform and parasociality; how going public changes evidence, witness behavior, and risk.
- Trauma & transformation (Book 3): hypervigilance, PTSD-coded reactions, and ethically thorny choices that test how far “a good girl” can go.
- Ravi Singh: From wary collaborator to emotional anchor, Ravi’s role matures with the narrative—balancing earnestness with agency, especially mid-series.
- Fairview’s fabric: The town (and its UK counterpart in adaptations) morphs from a postcard setting into a web of secrets: friendship cliques, family legacies, and socioeconomic currents that explain why the “obvious” culprit was so easy to accept.
- Thematic through-lines: media narratives vs. truth; how systems handle (or mishandle) victims; the gap between what’s lawful and what’s just.
A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder in Chronological Order (in-universe events)
- Kill Joy (pre-Book-1 birthday party; fictional 1920s game ignites real investigative itch)
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (EPQ-framed cold case; five-years-ago crime revisited)
- Good Girl, Bad Blood (one year after Book 1; missing person during a high-profile memorial)
- As Good as Dead (senior-summer into pre-college transition; stalker escalation and serial-killer questions)
Novels Sorted in Order of Publication
- UK (Electric Monkey):
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder — May 2, 2019
- Good Girl, Bad Blood — Apr 30, 2020
- As Good As Dead — Aug 5, 2021
- Kill Joy (World Book Day) — 2021
(UK dates from publisher catalogues/industry records; see also reference round-ups and retailer listings.)
- U.S. (Delacorte/PRH):
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder — Feb 4, 2020 (HC); Jan 5, 2021 (PB); 400 pp
- Good Girl, Bad Blood — Mar 2, 2021 (HC); Mar 1, 2022 (PB); 416 pp
- As Good as Dead — Sep 28, 2021 (HC 464 pp); Jan 31, 2023 (PB ~480 pp)
- Kill Joy — U.S. print pub Feb 28, 2023 (after UK WBD 2021 release)
Editions & Formats (hardcover, collector, audio)
- Hardcover vs Paperback:
- Hardcover gives you longevity and display value.
- Paperback is budget-friendly and backpack-ready; U.S. paperbacks clock in at ~400/416/~480 pages respectively.
- Deluxe / Collector:
- PRH has announced deluxe editions for Book 2 (Good Girl, Bad Blood) and Book 3 (As Good as Dead) featuring sprayed edges and exclusive content. If you like special shelf candy, keep these on your radar.
- UK Electric Monkey Collector’s Editions also exist if you prefer the British jackets. (Retailer listings vary.)
- Audiobooks:
- AGGGTM: ~10h 54m, multi-narrator cast.
- GGBB: ~10h 49m, multi-narrator.
- AGAD: ~15h 05m, multi-narrator.
These play brilliantly thanks to the podcast/transcript elements; they feel like a true-crime series in your ears.
Why Read A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Books in Chronological Order ?
- Character continuity: Starting with Kill Joy amplifies Pip’s “aha, I like sleuthing” switch and makes her Book-1 choices feel inevitable.
- Escalation done right: Each main novel widens the lens—from a closed case, to public platform, to hyper-personal danger—so your investment grows linearly.
- Spoiler-safe: Reading out of order risks dulling book-two’s reveals and book-three’s gut punches.
- Adaptation alignment: Season 1 of the TV series adapts Book 1; Season 2 is set to tackle Book 2. Reading in order lets you compare while the beats are fresh.
Author Spotlight: Holly Jackson
Holly Jackson burst onto the scene with A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, written with the sharp pace and puzzle-logic of prestige crime TV. She holds a master’s in English from the University of Nottingham and cites true-crime media as a craft influence—obvious in the series’ documentary feel. Jackson followed the trilogy with standalones like Five Survive and The Reappearance of Rachel Price. She lives in London and enjoys video games and…more sleuthing (vicariously, of course).
Media Adaptations (films, TV, radio)
TV Series:
- Commissioned by BBC Three, produced by Moonage Pictures, written by Poppy Cogan with Holly Jackson attached; Emma Myers stars as Pip, Zain Iqbal as Ravi.
- Release: UK streaming on BBC iPlayer began July 1, 2024; international release on Netflix Aug 1, 2024.
- Status: Season 2 confirmed by Netflix/BBC; no date yet, but S1 is streaming now.
- Scope: S1 adapts Book 1; S2 is aligned with Good Girl, Bad Blood. (Network statements and trade coverage indicate the adaptation plan.)
Tip: Watching before reading? Then still follow A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder in Chronological Order for the books; the show tweaks setting details (UK) and a few plot beats, but the core arc remains.
FAQs
Do I need to read Kill Joy first?
No—it’s optional. But if you want A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder in Chronological Order, slot it before Book 1. It enhances Pip’s origin story without spoiling later twists.
Is the Netflix/BBC series faithful?
Broadly, yes, but there are notable differences (tone, localization to England, and some character path changes). It’s designed to stand alone for non-readers while rewarding book fans.
Age guidance?
Publisher guidance is 14+; content includes violence, threats, drug use, and sexual assault references. Consider maturity/trigger sensitivity.
How long will it take to read?
Plan ~7.5–9.5 hours per book for an average YA reading pace; trilogy total ~24–30 hours.
What format should I choose?
Paperbacks are light and affordable; hardcovers/collectors are giftable; audiobooks are particularly strong due to the podcast motif.
Are there deluxe editions?
Yes—PRH has deluxe U.S. editions for Book 2 & Book 3 (sprayed edges + extras), with dates around late-2025 windows for some listings.
What order should I read if I’m watching the show between books?
Still follow Kill Joy → Book 1 → Book 2 → Book 3. After finishing Season 1, jump to Book 2—you’ll be in sync with the adaptation’s progression.
Is there a boxed set?
Yes, PRH lists a complete paperback boxed set in the U.S., a convenient one-click way to collect.
Are there teacher resources?
PRH provides an educator guide for Book 1 with discussion prompts—great for teen book clubs, too.
Final Thoughts
For mystery lovers who like their clues crisp and their ethics messy, Holly Jackson’s cycle is as bingeable as a prestige podcast. If you came here hunting for A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder in Chronological Order, the path is simple: Kill Joy → Book 1 → Book 2 → Book 3. Grab formats that fit your life (audio for commutes, deluxe for the shelf, paperback for the couch), and—if you’re show-curious—queue the BBC/Netflix adaptation after Book 1 to watch the case from a fresh, on-screen angle.
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Good Girl's Guide To Murder Box Set
All 3 books in one package
Experience the complete narrative journey with this box set of the acclaimed series. Perfect for binge-reading fans of gripping mysteries.
Happy sleuthing. And remember: in Fairview, nothing is as tidy as the case files make it look.
