Holly Jackson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, an international sensation with millions of copies sold world-wide, and the thriller Five Survive. She graduated from the University of Nottingham, where she studied literary linguistics and creative writing, with a master's degree in English. She enjoys playing video games and watching true-crime documentaries so she can pretend to be a detective. She lives in London. She lives in London. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter @HoJay92. You can find more of my reviews of her work here.
Pip is still haunted by the way her last investigation ended. She's used to online death threats in the wake of her viral true-crime podcast, but soon the threats escalate and Pip realizes that someone is following her in real life. When Pip discovers a connection between her new stalker and a local serial killer, she finds herself in the center of another case. Will her good-girl ways die with her? Or, as the deadly games play out, will Pip risk losing everyone she loves . . . including herself?
In order to review the book in its entirety, spoilers may be revealed or referenced. Please read at your own risk!
As Good As Dead is the most thrilling, twisty, chilling, and dark of the books in Holly Jackson's trilogy yet. With a mid-book twist that changes the whole dynamic of the read, I believe that readers won't be able to put this book down until the biggest question is answered. Holly Jackson is a master at writing addictive stories accompanied by multimedia elements. While there weren't as many as those in As Good As Dead, I still found that I was engrossed by Jackson's storytelling. Pip's character arc is also compelling in this read, as she goes down a very dark path that few can follow. Reading about her experience with PTSD after the events of the previous book, her frustration with the criminal justice systems that aren't bringing about true justice, and her subsequent action to get the justice she, her friends, and her community deserves makes for an unputdownable read.
The most thrilling plot twist for me was maybe more subtle than the term implies. It wasn't the headphones, or the breakup (which I had guessed, because I committed the sin of accidentally reading the very last page). In fact, what thrilled me the most was the twist of transition; this book isn't an amateur sleuth discovering a murderer, but in fact a murderer covering up her crime and getting away with it! I loved how the tables turned, and rather than sleuthing out the newest monster in Fairview, Pip had to figure out a way so cover up her own actions, and do so in such a way that would put someone guilty behind bars for the rest of his life. Getting to that transition was a huge turning point, because it showed Pip's growth, her true motivations, and made her almost unlikable, to an extent. I also felt that while it was a shock, it also felt like a natural pivot; Pip had been tied up in these dark and violent things for so long that it was almost inevitable for her to get captured and forced to switch sides. I think it was a great way to end the series, as it closes up all loose ends opened up in the previous two. I also have to say that I love the ellipses ending, and that's probably because Jackson references its meaning in the acknowledgements—that's why you never skip reading them!
I don't want to forget why Pip is compelled to commit the crime of framing Max Hastings for her actions. It was proven very early on in the series that Max was a serial rapist, and Pip wanted Max to go away for life for the crimes he committed against members of Pip's found family. She found her way out through this, because the criminal justice system didn't truly get justice for Max's wrongdoings. Jackson's entire commentary throughout the series against the criminal justice system is searing and heartbreaking. She comments on how survivors are too often dismissed, and how justice slips through the cracks despite ironclad evidence. She writes privileged men so well that it makes my blood boil reading scenes where they're present. The social justice element of this series cannot be understated, even though it never truly takes a front seat. I just think that that's what makes the series so strong and compelling overall, is how Pip is motivated to do these investigations because she sees evil in her community that the systems put in place to protect her are failing to acknowledge.
I can't wait to read what Holly Jackson writes next, and I'm just as excited for the adaptation. Until these exciting things come, you can find Holly on Instagram and Twitter @HoJay92. You can find more of my reviews of her work here.
*This review can also be found on my Goodreads page*
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