Review: Netflix-bound, BBC’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Plays to the Chemistry of the Stars

The much-anticipated YA crime thriller show has officially premiered in the UK and will be available on Netflix from August 1 2024 onwards. The screen adaptation of Holly Jackson’s No. 1 New York Times Bestseller book A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a breath of fresh air following a slew of YA romance book adaptations, and here’s our full review of the show.

Prestige rating: 3.5/5

Genre: YA Crime thriller

Cast: EMMA Myers, Zain Iqbal, India Lillie Davis, Asha Banks, Henry Ashton. Coral Woodcock

Creator: Poppy Cogan

Episodes: 6

Release date: 1st July 2024 (UK), 1st August 2024 (Worldwide)

What we liked: Cast performances, Pip and Ravi’s awkward but sweet chemistry, and of course the storyline.

Plot: Five years ago in the small town of Little Kilton, popular high school senior Andie Bell was brutally murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who later committed suicide. At least, that’s what the authorities and inhabitants of the small town think. With the shadow of the incident still looming over the townspeople, Pip Fitz-Amobi, a smart rookie detective in her senior year of high school, begins to question whether that is the true story. She believes Sal is innocent and that the real killer is still out there. This leads Pip to team up with Sal’s younger brother Ravi to unearth the truth.

All about Emma Myers, from her age and height to her best movies & TV shows

Lifestyle

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder : Cast, Release Date, Where to Watch

Lifestyle

Our review of Netflix and BBC’s young adult crime thriller show A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

Pip begins her investigation by speaking with Andie and Sal’s close friends, reviewing their social media accounts, and identifying contradictions in their testimonies. She looks into Andie’s personal life and relationships, revealing shocking truths about her and those around her. Pip’s personal safety is jeopardised as she gets closer to the truth, and she even gets blackmailed. Throughout her inquiry, she develops a bond with Sal’s sweet and kind younger brother, Ravi, who becomes the Watson to her Sherlock, leading to an unforeseen connection between them.

The show handles mature subjects such as drug dealing, leaked nudes, and sex, as well as typical teenage clichés such as crushes, friendships, and group trips. With only six episodes, it’s an enjoyable one-sit watch that keeps viewers engaged while allowing little to no time to analyse plot holes. The background music complements the setting well amidst heightened emotions. EMMA Myers of Wednesday fame plays Pip; in spite of her American heritage occasionally causing inconsistencies in her British accent, it does little to detract from her excellent performance. Despite being dominated by inexperienced young performers, the cast gives an amazing performance. Notably, the chemistry between EMMA Myers as Pip and Zain Iqbal as Ravi is beautiful, funny, and occasionally awkward, capturing the essence of teen crushes.

The show efficiently presents the story and maintains suspense until the end. However, book readers who are familiar with the plot may be disappointed with the fast-paced adaptation, which is forced to condense a 400-page novel into a six-episode series. The TV show also deviates considerably from the book in various ways, with certain characters not making it to the screen. While the book is more compelling, the show nonetheless provides an entertaining experience.

Is the show AGGGTM worth watching?

Absolutely! If you don’t waste your time comparing the TV show to the book, it’s an excellent watch for anyone aged 16 and up. Over-analysing and comparing scenes with their literary counterpart will take away from the entire experience. For someone who hasn’t read the books, it’s a great whodunnit. Director Dolly Wells brilliantly executes the show’s simple but intriguing premise. Additionally, EMMA Myers gave a great performance as Pip, and we appreciate how the production delves further into Pip and Ravi’s relationship. The friendship between Pip and Cara, played by Asha Banks, also adds an important undercurrent to the story.

While a 10-episode show with Pip as the narrator would have thrilled book readers, we can hope that the following seasons will address some of these shortcomings. The show is likely to return for second and third seasons, adhering to its source material. Additionally, you can also give the crime-thriller trilogy A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder a shot if you loved the show, and can’t wait for more.

Watch Here

(Main and featured image; IMDb)