AGGGTM series ratings

Okay, so I just finished the 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' series by Holly Jackson, and WOW. My original post touched on my overall love for them, but I really wanted to dive deeper into why I rated each book the way I did, especially since so many of you are curious about the series! First up, 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' – this one was an easy 5 out of 5 stars for me. Seriously, if you're looking for a gripping YA thriller, start here. Pip Fitz-Amobi is such a compelling protagonist; her determination to uncover the truth about Andie Bell's disappearance is just infectious. I loved how the story unfolded through her project work, complete with interviews, evidence, and even her 'murder board' notes. This book absolutely made me a book lover for the thriller genre. It’s intelligent, fast-paced, and kept me guessing until the very last page. The tension building was impeccable, and I genuinely felt like I was solving the case alongside Pip. Then came 'Good Girl, Bad Blood', which I gave 4 out of 5 stars. Overall, it was a fantastic follow-up. Pip is back, and this time she's reluctantly drawn into another mystery when someone she knows goes missing. The stakes felt even higher, and I appreciated the continuation of Pip's journey. However, and this is a big however for me, the ending was... well, let's just say it was pretty *terrible*. Without giving away spoilers, it felt a little forced and left me with a sense of unease that wasn't entirely satisfying. It definitely took a star off my rating because of how jarring it felt compared to the rest of the brilliantly constructed narrative. Next, the final novel in the main trilogy, 'As Good As Dead'. I rated this one 2 out of 5 stars, which is a significant drop. This is where I have to admit I was just *not a fan of the final novel*. While I admired Holly Jackson for taking risks and exploring darker themes with Pip, the overall execution just didn't land for me. It felt incredibly bleak, and some of Pip's decisions were hard to reconcile with the character I had grown to love. It was an 'Ehh overall' experience for me, and I found myself wishing for a different conclusion to such an iconic series. It certainly wasn't the triumphant send-off I had hoped for Pip. Finally, we have 'Kill Joy: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Novella'. I gave this prequel 3 out of 5 stars. It's a fun, short read that takes place before the first book, showing Pip's early detective instincts at a murder mystery party. While it was enjoyable and offered a glimpse into her personality before the major events, it honestly doesn't add much to the overall series arc. It’s a nice bonus if you’re a huge fan and want more Pip, but it's not essential reading to understand the main trilogy. You could easily read it after the main books, or skip it entirely without missing crucial plot points. So, there you have it! My honest, book-by-book breakdown of the AGGGTM series. Despite my mixed feelings on the later books, I wholeheartedly recommend starting with 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.' It's a masterpiece that will pull you into the world of true crime investigations like no other.