A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Plot Summary
April 19, 2019, Andie Bell walks into the dark with a bleeding head wound and disappears forever. Her boyfriend, Sal Singh is blamed for the murder when he texts his confession and dies of an apparent suicide five days later. Andie Bell is never found, but five years later, Pippa Fitz-Amobi wants to solve her disappearance for a school project. She never believed Sal killed his girlfriend and does not think the case was properly solved.  From the start, she opens old wounds when she questions Sal's friends and Andie's loved ones. More than one secret is waiting to be unearthed, and no one is happy with her meddling. 

Critical Evaluation
The main character, Pip, is uncomfortable in her straightforward manner of investigating. At first, I thought they overplayed her nativity, but as the investigation unwinds, it suits her as a character flaw. Even when she is cornered in a dangerous situation, she tells the predator how disgusting he is and expects that he will be decent enough to let her go. Each character is played suspiciously as Pip gets closer to figuring out who is responsible for the disappearance of Andie Bell. This darkness is contrasted with the picturesque setting of Little Kilton, England. Deep forests with sparkling lakes surround a town of brightly painted buildings and old-fashioned architecture. The house of Pippa Fitz-Amobi is covered in dazzling flowers climbing up the walls, and her garden stretches back into a mini-park. 

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation

  There is no history of censorship of the show, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. However, fans of the novel argue that the adaptation is an act of censorship because key plot points from the book were changed (S., 2024). If there is an attempt at censorship, the best defense against censorship for any library is a strong reconsideration policy. 

Reason for Inclusion

  A murder mystery is a classic genre to explore a teen's relationship to their environment. As teen detectives track down clues, they question strangers, lean on friends, and often cross the line to get the answers they need. The narrative here also brings up the vulnerability of the female characters in a seemingly safe small town. Multiple girls suffer from statutory rape, sexual harrassment, and attempted rape. 

Creative Use for a Library Program

Murder Mystery Party: Host a teen murder mystery party in the library. Include character backstories and red herrings. The library should provide refreshments. A small prize can be provided for whoever solves the mystery first.