Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson – A Sequel That Dares to Dig Deeper
If A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder was a quiet town’s scream for justice, Good Girl, Bad Blood is its haunting echo.
In this thrilling sequel, Holly Jackson proves once again that teen sleuth Pip Fitz-Amobi isn’t just a one-hit wonder. She’s persistent, brilliant, and this time—more emotionally entangled than ever before. The stakes are higher, the secrets are darker, and the cost of the truth? Potentially devastating.
After solving the high-profile murder case of Andie Bell in her first investigation, Pip is done. At least, that’s what she tells herself. She’s exhausted, traumatized, and wants to go back to being a regular student, focusing on her podcast, schoolwork, and finally not being in life-threatening situations. Her true-crime podcast, which recaps the case from book one, has gained popularity—but Pip has made a promise to herself and her family: no more investigating.
But the quiet she’s craving doesn’t last.
When a local boy—Jamie Reynolds, the older brother of her friend Connor—goes missing and the police refuse to take the case seriously, Pip is faced with a terrible choice. Stay out of it and live with the guilt, or break her vow and once again risk everything to find the truth.
And this time, the truth is messier than ever.
As Pip starts digging into Jamie’s disappearance, she uncovers layers of deception that ripple through their seemingly quiet town. But unlike her last case, this one doesn’t come with a convenient villain or clear timeline. Jamie wasn’t a perfect son or brother—he had secrets of his own. And so do the people closest to Pip. The more she investigates, the more she realizes: truth doesn’t always equal justice. And justice doesn’t always come without a price.
What makes Good Girl, Bad Blood so compelling isn’t just the mystery—it’s the emotional weight behind it. Pip isn’t just a girl with a notebook and questions. She’s someone who has already seen what chasing truth can do to a person, a family, a community. And now, that trauma follows her like a shadow. You see her wrestle with anxiety, with the burden of public attention, and with the chilling thought that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, some people stay missing.
The novel balances its intense plot with rich character development. Pip’s relationships evolve—her bond with Ravi Singh, her now-boyfriend and former partner-in-crime-solving, is one of quiet strength, mutual respect, and the occasional witty banter. But even their growing closeness is tested as Pip dives deeper into Jamie’s disappearance.
Holly Jackson also raises the bar with her sharp commentary on systemic failure, especially how the justice system and media treat missing persons differently based on race, age, and perceived “importance.” Through Pip’s podcast episodes, online sleuthing, and real-world confrontations, the story captures the frustrating reality of who gets searched for—and who gets forgotten.
Written in Jackson’s signature style—fast-paced, multi-format (including interview transcripts, text messages, and podcast scripts)—Good Girl, Bad Blood pulls you in and refuses to let go. The structure mimics Pip’s scattered, racing thoughts as she pieces together clues, making the reading experience all the more immersive.
The title isn’t just catchy—it’s a perfect reflection of the theme. In this story, “good” and “bad” blur together. Good people can lie. Bad things can happen for what seem like the right reasons. And sometimes, blood ties aren’t enough to keep someone safe—or honest.
This isn’t just a sequel—it’s a deepening. Of characters. Of emotions. Of stakes. And of what it really means to be a “detective” when you’re not backed by a badge, just a gut instinct and a mic.
Who should read this?
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Fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder who want more intensity and emotional depth
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Readers who enjoy layered mysteries with morally gray characters
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Anyone who appreciates true crime, podcasts, and sleuthing with heart
Good Girl, Bad Blood is raw, tense, and unforgettable. Holly Jackson doesn’t just write mysteries—she builds emotional puzzles with people at the center. If you think you’re ready to follow Pip down another rabbit hole of missing persons, half-truths, and broken promises, be warned: you might find more than you were looking for.