As a seasoned mystery enthusiast with a soft spot for plucky young detectives, I must say that Netflix’s “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is a delightful addition to the genre. The series draws upon the rich legacy of investigative youth, from Nancy Drew and Harriet the Spy to Veronica Mars and Miss Marple.
Without having read Holly Jackson’s namesake novel, one can easily grasp the essence of “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” on Netflix. This six-part series comfortably slots into a cherished genre of teenage detective stories. It brings to mind classics such as Nancy Drew, Harriet the Spy, and Veronica Mars, if you prefer American references. Alternatively, with its quaint village backdrop, it could be reminiscent of Miss Teen Marple in British literature.
As a gamer, I dived into “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” a production masterfully blended by Dolly Wells and Tom Vaughan under the guidance of Poppy Cogan. Despite its ambition to scale the peaks of the crime genre, it fell short in its pacing, particularly in the climactic episodes, never quite reaching the genre’s zenith. However, on a smaller scale, it managed to hold its ground. The core mystery was intriguingly convoluted, punctuated by genuine moments of tension, and made even more captivating by Emma Myers‘ stellar performance. She seamlessly transitioned from a secondary character in “Wednesday’s werewolf roommate” on Netflix to a leading star.
Myers portrays Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a 17-year-old inhabitant of idyllic Little Kilton. She’s blessed with caring parents, Anna Maxwell Martin and Gary Beadle. Her close-knit circle of friends is spearheaded by her best friend, Cara (Asha Banks). In a year, she will embark on her university journey at Cambridge. Her life is well-organized.
For her Extended Project Qualification, which is like a senior thesis project, Pippa decides to abandon her initial idea of writing an essay about feminism in gothic literature and instead tackle something more thought-provoking and potentially contentious.
Pippa has been deeply intrigued by the mystery surrounding the disappearance of local teenager Andie (India Lillie Davies) for the past five years. The general belief is that her boyfriend, Sal Singh (Rahul Pattni), was responsible and took his own life afterwards. He even confessed! However, Pippa harbors doubts and decides to make this unsolved crime the focus of her school project. She goes as far as transforming her bedroom wall into a large murder board, complete with strings connecting various suspects and timelines.
In Little Kilton not everyone is happy with the turn of events. Cara’s sister Naomi (Yasmin Al-Khudhairi) was a close friend of Andie’s and harbors secrets, as do other friends like Max (Henry Ashton), who isn’t Logan Echolls in essence but still bears some resemblance to him. Ravi (Zain Iqbal), Sal’s younger brother, is more than willing to help clear the family name and seize this opportunity.
In the near future, Pippa will uncover a truth that puts both her and those dear to her in danger, prompting ominous messages and warnings.
1. Similar to the captivating leads in this type of story, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t always endearing. She often meddles, displaying traits typical of narcissism, as she becomes fixated on the Andie mystery without regard for the potential pain she might cause others by unearthing communal wounds. Though seen as a “good girl,” Pippa can be harsh and unintentionally hurtful to others’ feelings. Moreover, like many 17-year-olds, Pippa isn’t the most experienced detective. She frequently misinterprets evidence, asks questions without proper strategy, and repeatedly enters places where she doesn’t belong, contributing to some of the show’s most tense and memorable scenes.
A naive young woman with wide-open eyes, Myers skillfully portrays a character who is unexpectedly faced with intense emotions she’s only encountered in literature. Introduced to reading “Jane Eyre,” this isn’t coincidental. Whether it’s fear, sadness, the initial stirrings of romance, or the type of detective work she’s seen in films – the first three episodes have a humorous slant – Pippa openly displays her emotions, and Myers brings authenticity to them, despite the contrived storyline.
Despite being 22 years old and not originally from Britain, Myers has a genuine and unpretentious demeanor. Her casual attire, consisting of ripped jeans, oversized sweaters, and bulky trainers, further enhances this impression, making her look like an authentic teenage nerd.
1. The character Pippa appears to be around 17 years old, yet gives off a slightly younger vibe, indicating some inconsistencies in the show’s demographic targeting. Primarily aimed at pre-teen audiences, the series features mild language, minimal violence, and no explicit sexual content. Pippa’s subtle romantic interactions with Ravi are carefully crafted to avoid any questions about suitability. The portrayal of drug use is quaint, and a subterranean rave scene borders on being comical. However, the show takes a darker turn in its final episode, although it remains more family-friendly than the complex adult themes in Veronica Mars.
2024’s portrayal of teenage life primarily revolves around social media events, while the depiction of small-town life in Little Kilton, though it appears pleasant, is scarce despite occasional violent incidents. The series could have benefited from more complexity and character development, especially for Pippa’s friends outside Cara and several important adults, who lack depth. The first five episodes seem to stretch out a predictable “twist” excessively, leading to an ending where one or two revelations are confusing and seemingly senseless.
The six-episode series of “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” in “Wednesday” wasn’t entirely unpredictable for me, but it managed to hold my interest throughout, with each episode running under 48 minutes. Jackson has written more “Good Girl” novels, and if the new season comes out every two years, this is a strong foundation for what looks to be an intriguing series from the talented Myers.
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2024-07-30 18:25