Fans of Holly Jackson’s highly popular 2019 novel, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” can now experience the story visually with the new BBC TV adaptation, which premiered on Netflix this month.
The adaption was made by Poppy Cogan and directed by Dolly Wells. It was developed by Moonage Pictures for BBC Three and is available for streaming on Netflix.
Much like the book, we follow the story alongside 17-year-old Pippa Fitz-Amobi, portrayed by Emma Myers of “Wednesday” fame. Set in a small British town, Pippa’s journey uncovers deep secrets and buried realities.
In the story, Pippa is quiet and timid but also stubbornly refuses to believe what everyone else in town has come to accept, that five years prior, her slightly older school friend, Sal Singh, murdered his girlfriend Andie Bell and then killed himself.
With the looming EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) due date fast approaching —which is required for all seniors to complete for their university application — the studious “good girl” Pippa decides to take it as the perfect opportunity to investigate the case herself.
The truth, she finds out, is much more sinister than she could have ever imagined.
The series reminded me of the classic Nancy Drew books; both feature young, intelligent girls who are adamant at trying to diligently — and somewhat stealthily — solve mysteries. Their goal is to simply know the real story.
The idea of what it means to be a “good girl” is also explored in all its complexity and glory.
“Just because she did this (bad) thing does not mean she’s not a good person,” Pippa says in one scene.
Later on, in another episode, after she had uncovered some harrowing hidden truths, she declares: “There is no such thing as a good person.”
The season is made of six episodes, each of which lasts about 45 minutes. If the TV series is renewed, they have two more books to delve into.
