Most 17-year-olds are to self-absorbed to try and solve a murder, let alone when it has happened to a person in the same school. Not so Pip Fitz-Amobi (Wednesday’s Emma Myers), however, a curious and true crime enthusiast determined to reopen a case that has been supposedly solved by the police and everyone has put behind them.
Set in the fictional town of Little Kilton, Buckinghamshire (and filmed in a stunning location), the Netflix series begins with Pip deciding to stir things up in her sleepy hometown and re-examine how her school’s most popular girl ended up murdered by her boyfriend – a sweet, quiet boy. While everyone believes the boyfriend is indeed the murderer, Pip is not so sure and begins interviewing and collecting evidence, unavoidably upsetting both school friends and family.
Though the show is a teenage drama, based on a YA novel of the same name, it is not all about heartbreaking romance and love affairs. Of course, there’s a bit of that in the show, involving both the teens and the adults in the story, yet it is refreshing to watch a teenage-focused series that’s beyond crushes and sex. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a thriller with a bit of British humour, countryside landscapes and detective-like teen girls. There’s lot of narrow escapes and plot twists to keep the viewer hooked.
As with the novel by Holly Jackson, the series is light-hearted and although there are mentions of sexual assault, drugs and death, it is not hard to watch or swallow. There’s a whimsical air to it and any dark scenes of violence, teenage spiked drinks and creepy underground societies, are balanced with glamorous garden parties, girly talk and friendship. What I also loved about this show was how it quietly presented a reconstructed family, how important it is to follow your gut (even when everyone thinks you’re slightly delusional) and to give people a second chance. People’s stories are more multifaceted than they seem.
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