*spoiler-free*
Having really enjoyed A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, I went into Holly Jackson’s Good Girl, Bad Blood with high expectations, and I’m so happy that it delivered. This sequel manages to retain everything that made the first book so gripping while expanding its world, its stakes, and its emotional depth. It’s a fast-paced mystery/thriller that avoids feeling overly dramatic, instead grounding its tension in realistically unfolding events.
In this story, Pip Fitz-Amobi is not a detective anymore, at least, that’s what she keeps telling herself. With the help of Ravi Singh, she’s released a true-crime podcast about the case they solved the year before. The podcast has gone viral, but Pip insists her investigative days are behind her. Of course, that promise can’t hold for long. When someone she knows goes missing and the police refuse to treat the disappearance with urgency, Pip steps in once again to find Jamie Reynolds. In doing so, she uncovers even more of her town’s hidden secrets, but this time with her listeners hanging onto every word.
One strength of this sequel is how well it recaps the plot of the first book. I was glad to see so much of it discussed throughout; it reminded me just how strong the original mystery was and helped solidify the story without feeling repetitive. Jackson also makes creative use of mixed media: maps, podcast transcripts, court sketches, and other formats that break up the narrative in clever ways. The podcasts, in particular, are incredibly engaging to read and add to the realism of Pip’s situation.
I also enjoyed the character development in Jackson’s writing. In this book, Pip grows even more confident, fiery, and determined, whilst also growing in her blossoming relationship with Ravi. Their relationship is warm, supportive, and refreshingly genuine, offering moments of softness amid the tension of the overall plot.
Another aspect handled well is the role of social media. The book’s exploration of how online communities latch onto trends, theories, and speculation, especially surrounding true-crime storytelling, felt accurate.
As for the mystery itself, the plot twists are intricate but still easy to follow. Jackson maintains a delicate balance between complexity and readability, making this a gripping experience from start to finish. The ending, in particular, was so good and had me almost rushing through the book so I could get to the end. It was compelling enough that I went straight into the third book afterwards, and I’ve added all of Jackson’s work to my TBR list.
Overall, Good Girl, Bad Blood is a strong, suspenseful, and immersive book that I’d definitely recommend.
4/5 stars
Soph's Library 
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