Is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Based on a True Story?

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  • The True Crime Inspirations Behind A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
  • How to Watch A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

As a self-proclaimed true-crime junkie who has binge-watched countless podcasts and documentaries, I find myself utterly captivated by the journey of author Holly Jackson and her enchanting creation, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.” Jackson’s personal fascination with the world of true crime is not only evident in her gripping novels but also in the intricate fictional podcast woven throughout the series.


As a fan with an appetite for mystery, suspense, and a dash of humor that’s as quirky as my favorite coffee mug, I can confidently say that “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is tailor-made for me. Originally aired on the BBC but now available as a Netflix original, this six-episode miniseries doesn’t shy away from the complexities of true crime. However, I found myself wondering: is the show rooted in real events or purely a work of fiction?

As a gaming enthusiast delving into the captivating world of “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” it’s hard not to notice the striking similarities with the true-crime genre. I’ll uncover the subtle and overt influences this Netflix original has from real-life crime investigations, as well as guide you through the content that sparked Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi’s intriguing journey.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Plot and Cast

As a dedicated fan, I’d express it like this: “I’m immersed in ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’, where I step into the shoes of high school senior Pippa Fitz-Amobi. Five years ago, the mysterious death of popular student Andie Bell shook our small town, and the case was closed with her boyfriend as the suspect, who later took his own life. Now, I’m digging deep, reopening this cold case, and it seems the real killer is still out there. My investigation leads me to work alongside Ravi Singh, Andie’s boyfriend’s younger brother. Together, we aim to unmask the truth about what really happened that fateful day.”

As a longtime fan of mystery novels and television shows, I am genuinely excited about the upcoming Netflix series “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” especially given its impressive cast led by Emma Myers as Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi and Zain Iqbal as Ravi Singh. Having followed Emma’s career since her memorable portrayal of Enid Sinclair in the popular Netflix original series “Wednesday,” I can confidently say that she is an actress to watch, and I eagerly anticipate seeing her bring Pippa to life on screen.

Holly Jackson’s novel series, which includes “Kill Joy” (Prequel Novella), “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” “Good Girl, Bad Blood,” and “As Good As Dead,” served as the foundation for Poppy Coogan’s six-episode miniseries. It remains uncertain whether future books from the series will be adapted as well.

The True Crime Inspirations Behind A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

It might seem like “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is based on or influenced by real events, but let me clarify that this series, both in book form and adaptations, are purely imaginative works. The author, Holly Jackson, drew heavily from her fascination with true-crime podcasts when creating the narrative of teenage detective work. She has openly discussed numerous times how her passion for these podcasts inspired her to write a story that mirrors the various stories she listened to.

During a conversation at the Branford Boase Award ceremony in 2020, author Holly Jackson candidly discussed the motivations behind writing “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” (AGGGTM):

The primary motivation behind AGGGTM stemmed from the realm of genuine crimes, specifically podcasts and documentaries. My fascination with true crime grew to an obsession, leading me to envision a book that mirrored the authentic ‘amateur detective’ perspective.

This inspirationcan also be seen in the AGGGTM podcast,a fictional podcast created by Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi that is used throughout the series. The podcast even has an official site. Unfortunately, you can’t listen to them, but the pseudo-site alludes to the inspirations behind the books, with Pippa having her little corner of the internet to explore crimes. It is an intelligent nod to the type of storytelling that would inspire Holly Jackson in creating the podcast and a fun way to attract audiences to the book series.

In a 2019 article, author Holly Jackson disclosed some of her preferred true-crime podcasts to Farshore. Among her suggestions were “Serial” (season one), “My Favorite Murder”, “They Walk Among Us”, and the true-crime documentary series “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst”. These shows serve as an excellent starting point for individuals interested in exploring the narrative style that influenced “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder”.

Although the books aren’t based on real crimes, they still felt genuine due to their true-crime influences. Meanwhile, Pippa’s engaging approach to analyzing things suggests that she’s enjoying herself as she explores some of the amusingly fictional detectives, indicating that these books, inspired by true crime, present a fresh and humorous perspective on the mystery genre.

In Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, she says, “Those family photos might tell a thousand stories, but the majority of them are fabrications.”

How to Watch A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

The mystery series titled “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” seems tailored for those who enjoy solving mysteries and are fascinated by true crimes. When it premiered on BBC, it received high praise from both critics (90% fresh) and audiences (71% approval). You can find an explanation of the series finale here once you’ve had a chance to watch it online. Now that Netflix has secured exclusive rights to this show, viewers worldwide will soon be able to stream it, starting on July 31st. In other words, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” will only be available for streaming on Netflix as of July 31st.

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2024-08-02 00:31