A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #1)

The story follows the protagonist, Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a high school senior who is determined to solve a murder case that happened five years ago in her small town of Little Kilton. The victim was a popular high school student named Andie Bell, who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then committed suicide. However, Pippa is not convinced that Sal was the killer and decides to investigate the case herself.

The audiobook begins with Pippa introducing herself and explaining why she decided to investigate the case. She explains that she is a straight-A student who is planning to study criminology at university. She also reveals that she has a personal connection to the case, as her older sister was friends with Andie Bell.

Pippa starts her investigation by reading through the police files and interviewing people who knew Andie and Sal. She also enlists the help of her classmate, Ravi Singh, who is Sal’s younger brother. Ravi is initially reluctant to help Pippa, but she manages to convince him by promising to clear his brother’s name.

As Pippa delves deeper into the case, she uncovers several inconsistencies in the police investigation. She discovers that there were several other suspects who were never properly investigated, including Andie’s ex-boyfriend, Greg, and her best friend, Becca. Pippa also finds evidence that suggests that Sal may have been innocent.

The audiobook is narrated in the first person, which allows the listener to get inside Pippa’s head and experience her thought process as she investigates the case. Phoebe Strole does an excellent job of bringing Pippa’s character to life. She captures Pippa’s intelligence, determination, and vulnerability perfectly.

One of the strengths of the audiobook is the way it handles the different voices of the characters. Phoebe Strole uses different accents and tones to differentiate between the different characters, which makes it easy for the listener to follow the story. She also manages to convey the emotions of the characters effectively, which adds to the overall suspense of the story.

The plot of the audiobook is well-paced and keeps the listener engaged throughout. The story is full of twists and turns, and just when you think you have figured out who the killer is, another piece of evidence is revealed that throws everything into question. The audiobook also deals with some heavy themes, such as domestic abuse, mental illness, and suicide, but it does so in a sensitive and respectful way.

One of the things that sets A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder apart from other young adult mystery novels is the way it subverts some of the genre’s tropes. For example, Pippa is not a detective or a police officer, but a high school student who is investigating the case on her own. She is also a female protagonist who is not defined by her romantic relationships. Instead, she is a strong, independent character who is determined to solve the case and bring justice to Andie Bell.

Another aspect of the audiobook that is worth mentioning is the way it explores the theme of truth. Pippa is determined to uncover the truth about what happened to Andie Bell, even if it means putting herself in danger. She is also willing to confront uncomfortable truths about the people she knows and loves. The audiobook raises important questions about the nature of truth and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is an excellent young adult mystery novel that is well-suited to the audiobook format. Phoebe Strole’s narration brings the story to life and captures the nuances of the characters’ emotions. The plot is well-paced and full of twists and turns, and the themes of truth and justice are explored in a thought-provoking way. Overall, this is a must-read (or must-listen) for fans of the mystery genre.