Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson Summary

Holly Jackson • Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

Introduction to the Author and Series

Holly Jackson has quickly become a standout voice in young adult fiction, captivating readers with her gripping murder series, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Known for her sharp plotting and complex characters, Jackson’s novels have struck a chord with fans of true crime podcasts and YA mystery alike. Her debut, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, introduced readers to the small town of Fairview, where the seemingly closed murder case of Andie Bell and Sal Singh still casts a long shadow. Through the eyes of Pip Fitz-Amobi—a determined, resourceful teen detective—Jackson explores how a cold case can unravel a community’s sense of safety and expose the dark secrets lurking beneath the surface.

The series follows Pip as she navigates the aftermath of her first investigation, which not only solved a murder but also upended her own life and the lives of those around her. In Good Girl, Bad Blood, the highly anticipated sequel, the story picks up on the very same night the town hosted a memorial for the sixth-year anniversary of Andie Bell and Sal Singh’s deaths. When Jamie Reynolds, the older brother of Pip’s friend Connor, goes missing, the town is once again thrust into uncertainty. Despite Pip’s insistence that she’s not a detective anymore, her sense of justice and loyalty to her friends pull her back into the world of crime solving.

Jackson’s writing stands out for its ability to blend the suspense of a murder mystery with the emotional depth of a coming-of-age novel. She doesn’t shy away from exploring the psychological toll that investigating days of trauma and loss can have on young adults. Pip’s journey is as much about confronting her own fears and doubts as it is about finding Jamie and uncovering more dark secrets in her small town. The series deftly balances the thrill of the mystery with thoughtful commentary on the justice system, the power of community, and the complexities of morality.

With each novel, Jackson deepens her exploration of identity, trust, and the consequences of seeking the truth. Her characters—especially Pip—are relatable and multidimensional, making the stakes of each murder case feel intensely personal. For readers who absolutely loved the first book or are new to the series, Good Girl, Bad Blood delivers a fresh twist on the detective genre, proving that even in the quietest towns, danger and intrigue are never far away.

Summary

Good Girl, Bad Blood (2020), the sequel to Holly Jackson’s hit thriller A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, continues the story of Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a clever, relentless teenage investigator whose pursuit of truth blurs the line between curiosity and obsession. The novel picks up soon after the events of the previous book, where Pip’s investigation into a local murder case revealed corruption, secrets, and moral compromise in her small English town of Little Kilton. Holly Jackson's gripping writing style and focus on solving crime have made the Good Girl's Guide series a standout in the YA thriller genre, with Good Girl, Bad Blood published by Delacorte Press.

At the start of this sequel, Pip insists she's done with detective work. After exposing the truth about Andie Bell’s murder and nearly losing her own life, she wants to return to normal — focusing on school, her podcast, and her relationship with Ravi Singh, whose friend's brother was wrongfully accused in the previous case. Pip promises herself and her loved ones that she will not get involved in any more investigations, determined to break the cycle of trauma and stress that nearly broke her before. She launches a true-crime podcast titled “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder”, retelling the events of her first investigation. The podcast quickly gains national attention, thrusting Pip into a spotlight she never expected.

But peace doesn’t last long. When Jamie Reynolds, the older brother of her close friend Connor, mysteriously disappears after a town memorial, Pip attends the memorial and the chaotic calamity party that follows, both of which become pivotal to the case. Jamie's disappearance sends shockwaves through the community, prompting the circulation of missing posters both locally and online. The police dismiss Jamie’s disappearance as a voluntary act — he’s an adult, after all — but Pip senses that something is seriously wrong. Haunted by her past experience with police negligence, she decides to investigate herself, turning her podcast into a live investigation platform. Despite her insistence that she will not get involved, Pip is compelled to break her promise and return to solving crime.

As Pip digs deeper, she uncovers a web of lies involving blackmail, online forums, and hidden identities. On the night Jamie disappeared, Pip found crucial evidence by analyzing Jamie’s computer, tracking Jamie’s movements through digital footprints, GPS data, and physical clues. She discovers that Jamie had been trying to meet Layla, a mysterious girl he connected with online, only to learn that Layla Mead was a false identity created to deceive him. Pip’s investigation leads her to Nat da Silva, who is revealed to be someone Jamie was in love with, and Nat’s house becomes a key location where important evidence surfaces. Pip calls witnesses and suspects, recording conversations as part of her evidence gathering. Throughout the investigation, Pip insists she’s only helping for Connor’s sake, but the emotional toll and the darkness of the case nearly broke her resolve.

The investigation tests Pip’s relationships, her mental health, and her moral boundaries. She becomes increasingly consumed by the case — recording every lead, every theory, every confrontation — as the line between investigator and victim begins to blur. By the time the mystery unravels, Pip faces a chilling realization: some truths, once uncovered, can’t be forgotten or forgiven. The murders and crimes she investigates leave lasting scars, and Jamie’s disappearance is revealed to be part of a much larger, more disturbing pattern.

In its final chapters, Good Girl, Bad Blood leaves readers both shocked and emotionally shaken. Holly Jackson's thriller isn’t just about solving a case but about the heavy cost of uncovering the truth. Pip’s transformation from an inquisitive teen to a morally conflicted investigator sets the stage for the darker and more intense final book in the trilogy, As Good As Dead, cementing the Girl's Guide to Murder series as a must-read for fans of true crime and YA mysteries.

Plot Devices

Holly Jackson structures the novel through mixed media storytelling, blending narrative prose, transcripts, podcast episodes, and digital messages to create a vivid, modern investigative atmosphere. Pip talks to her audience through her podcast and interviews, sharing insights into her investigative process and drawing listeners into the unfolding mystery. This fragmented style mirrors the way true crime stories unfold in real life — piece by piece, through unreliable information and conflicting accounts.

The novel also employs dual tension — the external mystery of Jamie’s disappearance and the internal unraveling of Pip’s psyche. Jackson uses foreshadowing and false leads masterfully, ensuring readers experience the same uncertainty and anxiety as Pip.

One of the most striking plot devices is the podcast-as-investigation, where Pip transforms her true-crime storytelling into a tool for real-time discovery. Notably, Pip's initial investigation began as a school project, grounding her detective work in her school life and emphasizing the youth-centered themes of the series. This not only propels the plot forward but also comments on society’s obsession with digital justice and performative activism.

Throughout the story, Jackson uses symbolic contrasts: truth vs. lies, justice vs. vengeance, private grief vs. public spectacle. The podcast microphone becomes a symbol of both power and exposure — giving Pip a voice, but also making her vulnerable to scrutiny and danger.

By combining suspenseful pacing with psychological depth, Jackson turns a young adult mystery into a layered exploration of truth, trauma, and moral grayness.

Characters

• Pippa Fitz-Amobi (Pip) – Intelligent, persistent, and emotionally complex, Pip evolves from a curious student into a hardened investigator. She struggles with trauma, guilt, and her growing disillusionment with justice systems. Her voice anchors the story, blending vulnerability with determination.
• Ravi Singh – Pip’s boyfriend and moral anchor. Loyal and compassionate, Ravi serves as Pip’s voice of reason, though he often worries about her emotional state and obsession with the case.
• Jamie Reynolds – The missing young man whose disappearance drives the novel. Beneath his quiet exterior lies a troubled, secretive side that complicates Pip’s search for the truth.
• Connor Reynolds – Jamie’s younger brother and Pip’s friend. His desperation and fear for Jamie humanize the emotional stakes of the mystery.
• Naomi and Cara Ward – Pip’s close friends, who provide support but also challenge her increasingly reckless behavior. They represent Pip’s link to normal teenage life, which she struggles to maintain.
• Max Hastings – A returning character from the first book, he embodies moral corruption and entitlement. His continued presence underscores Pip’s distrust of authority and privilege.
• Elliot Ward – A key figure in the investigation, Elliot Ward is arrested for murder, which brings new suspicions and twists to the case. His involvement with Pip and the unfolding events highlights the complexity of the criminal investigation.
• Charlie Green – Charlie Green is a neighbor and antagonist who pretends to be Layla online. He is related to a victim of Scott Brunswick and plays a pivotal role in the climax by shooting Stanley and setting the farmhouse on fire, driving the story’s themes of revenge and confrontation.
• Stanley Forbes – A local newspaper reporter with ties to the serial killer case, Stanley Forbes is involved in the investigation and interacts with several key characters. His role is crucial in uncovering or concealing important details about the crime and the suspect’s identity.
• Child Brunswick – Known in the media as 'child Brunswick,' this reclusive, formerly unidentified young person was coerced into aiding in past murders. After helping convict a serial killer, child Brunswick received a new identity and legal protection, making them significant to the story’s background.
• Scott Brunswick – Connected to a notorious serial killer case, Scott Brunswick is the father who coerced his child into criminal activities. His actions and their aftermath have a lasting impact on the plot and the lives of those involved.
• Young men – The investigation reveals that Layla, the internet catfish, specifically targets young men, particularly white males with brown hair aged around 29-30. This demographic is central to the case’s social media interactions and the unfolding mystery.

Each character plays a key role in exploring how truth affects relationships — revealing that loyalty, love, and morality often collide when danger and obsession intertwine.

Analysis

At its core, Good Girl, Bad Blood is more than a mystery — it’s a psychological study of trauma and moral erosion. Holly Jackson delves into what happens when justice becomes personal and when truth-telling turns into a compulsion.

The novel examines the ethics of true crime media, questioning whether exposing secrets for the “greater good” can ever be justified. Pip’s podcast becomes a mirror of society’s fascination with real-life crime — how audiences consume tragedy as entertainment while forgetting the human cost. As Pip investigates, she uncovers the town's dark secrets, revealing how hidden truths can fracture a community and leave lasting consequences.

A recurring theme is the loss of innocence. Pip begins as a bright, idealistic girl but gradually transforms into someone hardened by fear and mistrust. Her actions raise uncomfortable questions: when the system fails, is it wrong to take justice into your own hands?

Jackson’s writing is sharp, fast-paced, and deeply character-driven. She weaves social commentary on gender, class, and the ethics of justice into a narrative that feels authentic and contemporary. Through Pip, readers confront the emotional consequences of living in an age of digital exposure, where truth is both powerful and perilous.

Unlike traditional whodunits, Good Girl, Bad Blood refuses to provide comfort or closure. Its conclusion emphasizes that even when mysteries are solved, the emotional scars remain — a theme that resonates strongly with readers who followed Pip’s journey from the beginning.

Conclusion

Holly Jackson’s Good Girl, Bad Blood is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that pushes the boundaries of young adult fiction. Combining the tension of true crime with the intimacy of personal struggle, it captures the dangers of obsession, the fragility of truth, and the high cost of seeking justice in a world that rarely plays fair.

Pip Fitz-Amobi stands as one of the most compelling protagonists in modern YA fiction — flawed, fearless, and heartbreakingly real. As she dives deeper into the darkness surrounding her community, readers are reminded that the search for truth can sometimes destroy the very peace it seeks to restore.

Suspenseful, haunting, and thought-provoking, Good Girl, Bad Blood is not just a sequel — it’s a psychological descent into the moral complexities of truth and the irreversible consequences of uncovering it.