“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” (AGGGTM) by Holly Jackson is a page-turning young adult series that has taken the online book community by storm for the past few years. In 2022, Jackson announced a BBC television adaptation of the British edition of the novel, directed by Dolly Wells. The show was released in July 2024 and was praised for its successful portrayal of the book’s thrilling small-town mystery and criticism for the adjustments to the original material.
The show’s casting was one of its main strengths. Emma Myers was the perfect actress to portray Pippa (Pip) Fitz-Amobi, the protagonist, who attempts to solve the murder of Andie Bell. In her expressive acting, Myers captured Pip’s core traits of resilience, bravery and stubbornness. Her demonstration of Pip’s fear and uncertainty as she tackled the Andie Bell Case was particularly outstanding. Another performance that stood out was that of Henry Ashton, who played Max Hastings. Despite not having much screen time, Ashton showed his character’s arrogance and lived up to Max’s complex character. It also sets the stage for future seasons where Max becomes a central character.
The show expressed the book’s atmosphere through the setting and cinematography. Filmed in Axbridge, England, the show perfectly recreated “AGGGTM’s” fictional city. By this choice of location, the show remained loyal to the novel’s small-town setting and amplified the suspense as Pip explored the empty streets for clues of something much larger occurring. The show’s cinematography also significantly translated the book’s mysterious mood into stunning visuals that hooked the audience. Close-up shots of Pip emphasize her emotions and struggles throughout the show, effectively translating Jackson’s character-driven writing onto the screen. Pan shots also increased the tension and drove the plot forward.
One aspect that was lacking was the plot adjustments made in the show. As the story progressed, changes to the original material became more evident, making the show less enjoyable. Some of the characters in the show were removed or combined into one person—common for screen adaptations of longer books. However, the show’s decision to cut Stanley Forbes, an integral character in the plot, immensely impacted the story and the potential future seasons based on the following two books. Many clues that led to Pip’s final discovery were cut and replaced by other characters, giving her the needed information. This diluted Pip’s intelligence and critical thinking as she solved a problematic case that even the police could not solve. These obvious clues and pieces of information render the show a less satisfying experience for the audience than the original books, which were filled with shocking twists. The show made many unnecessary additions, including pointless flashbacks, subplots and alterations of engaging details from the novel. Pip’s list of suspects appeared illogical; thus, Holly Jackson’s masterful plot was swept away. The show failed to reach a satisfying climax and showcase logical resolutions like its source material due to its failure to foreshadow the outcome of the case.
As an avid reader of the original book, I believe “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” was incredibly well-made and lived up to my personal expectations. Despite the adjustments, the show remained true to the book’s ideas and general storyline. The show is an incredible choice for “AGGGTM” fans who want to return to this complex world and its characters.
