Bloggin' 'bout Books: Second Good Girl Novel Another Engaging Mystery/Thriller

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Second Good Girl Novel Another Engaging Mystery/Thriller

9:55 AM

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Good Girl, Bad Blood, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.

After all the chaos created by her last foray into amateur detecting, 18-year-old Pippa Fitz-Amobi is done with both sleuthing and podcasting. She doesn't need the drama or the danger. Instead, she's concentrating on hanging out with her sweet boyfriend, Ravi Singh, and getting ready to move on to college at Columbia. Then, a man goes missing after a community memorial honoring the sixth anniversary of the deaths of Sal Singh and Andie Bell. Although Jamie Reynolds is 24 and known for taking off unexpectedly, his little brother, Pip's good friend, is worried about him. When Connor asks Pip for help finding him, she really can't say no. Especially since the police aren't taking the disappearance seriously. Once more, Pip is on the hunt and on the air.

Pip's investigation soon takes a dark turn, putting her in harm's way once again. What happened to Jamie Reynolds? Can Pip solve the mystery?

I enjoyed A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, so I was all in for a second book. Like its predecessor, Good Girl, Bad Blood uses transcripts of Pip's podcasts and interviews as well as her case notes to flesh out the story of her search for Jamie Reynolds. What emerges is a tense, engrossing thriller that kept me glued to the page. In addition to a compelling mystery, the novel offers a cast of warm, likable characters; an engaging, upbeat vibe (despite its grim subject matter); and a heroine who's fun and root-worthy in her earnest adorkable-ness. Sure, the idea of everyone being willing to spill their deepest, darkest secrets to a teenage sleuth is a bit far-fetched, but still...I enjoyed this absorbing yarn that kept me reading and guessing throughout. Not surprisingly, I'm very much looking forward to As Good As Dead (available August 5, 2021). I definitely want to know what's going to happen next to the always-appealing, ever-intrepid Pippa Fitz-Amobi!

(Readalikes: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson as well as other YA mysteries, including those by Karen M. McManus and Ashley Elston)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for language, violence, blood/gore, disturbing subject matter, and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use (marijuana)

To the FTC, with love: Another library ~~fine~~ find

8 comments:

Lark 19 July, 2021 10:06
Glad this one was as good as the first one. I'm thinking I need to read all three of these books. More titles for my TBR list. :D
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Joy 19 July, 2021 12:02
I didn't know this one is a series! Definitely something to look more into, as I've been on a mystery kick lately.
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Cath19 July, 2021 14:51
I checked out your review for the first book and like the sound of it so will look into getting that. I enjoy murder stories that are a little bit different.
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Carla Loves to Read19 July, 2021 15:30
Nice review Susan. I have this series on my TBR and your review has me moving it up. It sounds like a lot of fun.
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Nicole20 July, 2021 09:28
YA mysteries are something I really enjoyed when I was younger, though they were hard to find! I'm glad there are more good ones being published now.
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(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea20 July, 2021 09:50
Thank you for reminding me I need to read The Disappearing Act - I've read all of her other books. I also like Sally H's writing.
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Catherine21 July, 2021 02:58
The girls in the stilt house sounds really interesting. I love middle-grade books for a quick read too, especially old favourites :)
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Helen's Book Blog21 July, 2021 09:57
I like it when authors incorporate different styles such as texts, podcasts, letters, etc. I feel it brings a new dimension to the story.
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