Publication order
The A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder books must be read in publication order for the main storyline, with the prequel included in its publication position:[6-7]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder | 2019[8] | Introduces Pip, Ravi, and the case that shapes the later books. |
| 2 |
|
Good Girl, Bad Blood | 2020[9-10] | Continues after Pip’s first investigation and podcast. |
| 3 |
|
Kill Joy | 2021[11] | A prequel game-story that is best read after knowing the main setup. |
| 4 |
|
As Good as Dead | 2021[12] | Builds on Pip’s earlier cases, trauma, and enemies. |
Chronological order
The chronological order places Kill Joy before A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, because its events lead into Pip’s decision to investigate the closed Andie Bell and Sal Singh case. The trade-off is that a new reader would begin with a shorter supplementary prequel rather than the book that fully establishes the main investigation, central stakes, and continuing sequence.[2-3]
The A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder books may be read in chronological order, by following this sequence:[2-5]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Kill Joy | 2021[11] | Shows Pip before the main investigation begins. |
| 2 |
|
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder | 2019[8] | Opens the main storyline. |
| 3 |
|
Good Girl, Bad Blood | 2020[9-10] | Continues from the first investigation and podcast. |
| 4 |
|
As Good as Dead | 2021[12] | Follows the consequences of the main cases. |
Works in sequence
The core reading experience consists of the main investigative sequence: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Good Girl, Bad Blood, and As Good as Dead. It begins with Pip’s EPQ project and continues through the consequences of her later cases. These books should be read in order because later entries rely on earlier events, relationships, and unresolved fallout.[3-5]
Kill Joy expands the series by showing Pip in an earlier, smaller mystery framework. It adds context and a prequel perspective, but it is not the strongest first step for understanding the main storyline.[2]
1. Kill Joy
Kill Joy (2021)[11] introduces Pip Fitz-Amobi as a student reopening a closed local murder case for her school project. Her investigation into Andie Bell’s disappearance and Sal Singh’s supposed guilt establishes the town, the central investigative partnership with Ravi Singh, and the public consequences of uncovering crimes.[2]
It is the necessary foundation for the series.[2]
2. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (2019)[8] follows Pip after the success of her first true-crime podcast. Although it begins with a new missing-person case, it is tied to the aftermath of the first book, including Pip’s public role, her relationship with Ravi, and the legal and emotional fallout from the earlier investigation.[3]
It moves the series beyond a single solved case.[3]
3. Good Girl, Bad Blood
Good Girl, Bad Blood (2020)[9-10] is a prequel centered on a 1920s-themed murder mystery party attended by Pip and her friends. This book offers a smaller, self-contained puzzle that shows Pip’s deductive habits before the first novel’s main case begins.[4]
It is most useful as supplementary context after the reader already understands the series frame.[4]
4. As Good as Dead
As Good as Dead (2021)[12] continues Pip’s story after the earlier investigations have left personal and legal consequences. This novel returns to unresolved threats, recurring characters, and the damage caused by previous cases, making it dependent on the preceding main books.[5]
It is the culminating book in the series rather than a standalone mystery.[5]
References
- BOOKS. HarperCollins Publishers.
- Kill Joy. Electric Monkey. ISBN: 9780008560713.
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Electric Monkey. ISBN: 9781405293181.
- Good Girl, Bad Blood. Electric Monkey. ISBN: 9781405297752.
- As Good as Dead. Electric Monkey. ISBN: 9781405298605.
- Kill Joy (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder) by Holly Jackson. HarperCollins Publishers UK.
- A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder. Penguin Random House.
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. HarperCollins Publishers UK.
- Good Girl, Bad Blood. HarperCollins Publishers UK.
- Good Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Book 2). HarperCollins Publishers Australia.
- Kill Joy. Electric Monkey. Copyright page. ISBN: 9780008560713.
- As Good as Dead: TikTok made me buy it! The final book in the bestselling A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy. HarperCollins Publishers Australia.