This was such a fun "origin" story for Pip as we see her in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and how she ended up picking her senior capstone project. It's a pretty quick read, but I liked the fun way it showcased Pip's thought process when the stakes are a bit lower than in the rest of the books.

This could definitely be read before any of the other books in the series without losing context. Though some of the lines hit a little... differently... after having read As Good As Dead (if you know, you know).

Recommended for anyone who enjoyed the series or for anyone who enjoys YA murder mysteries and is planning on reading the rest of the series.

This novella was the perfect prequel to this excellent young adult mystery series. I love that what inspired Pip to do her murder podcasts was a murder mystery game. The story was short (I will always want more from any good novella) full of humor and Pip’s great investigative mind. It was nice to get an early look. Pip and all of her friends haven’t really hung out recently so despite her stress over picking a topic for her senior capstone project and SAT prep she reluctantly goes to the group murder mystery party and totally enjoys herself because her brain was meant to solve murders (even made up murders).

Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
So fun to catch up with Pip and friends. If you haven't read the Good Girls Guide to Murder series, you can still follow the story, although the many characters (and also, they're playing characters in a game) might be confusing at first. It's a very quick read and I loved the ending when Pip is on her way home. No spoilers but a great way to tie in to the next book.

Thank you Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, Holly Jackson, and Netgalley for the ARC in return for my true, unbiased opinion <3.

This novella was the perfect prequel to the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series.

Pip's personality really shines in this book letting the reader see just how devoted and obsessive she becomes. I love how she overthinks every little detail, which results in her success. I remember how much I relate to her which may be why I love her so much.

I was reminded how much I love Cara, Connor, and Jamie. This fueled my dislike of Ant and Laurenn and I wish we had more of Zach so I can judge him better. Their acting skills were much better than I predicted.

I, along with Pip, was on the edge of my seat to see who the murderer was. I love how she was scared she was the murderer throughout the entire book, not knowing the events that will happen to her in the future :).

When characters from the main books I either cringed or rejoiced (it depended on who was mentioned).

The ending (of the game and of the book) was perfect! I am seriously considering rereading this series...

Are there games like this in the real world? My friends and I would totally play it (and probably lose).

Kill Joy: a prequel novella in the Good Girls Guide to Murder Series

I am a huge fan of this series and Holly Jackson in general. I am a sucker for a cleverly written YA thriller or mystery so naturally was instantly drawn to this popular series. If you have not read, I highly recommend!

Kill Joy takes place before the first book in the series, so long before we find out how clever Pip is. She, along with her small group of friends, attends a murder mystery party the summer before their senior year. We get a lot of hints at what is to come (which if you’ve read in order, you already know) and also just a fun little mystery to solve.

Seriously, whodunit mysteries are just the best and this one is no exception! Was a nice, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me access to read a digital copy and to provide my honest review.

This is a fun murder mystery cozy prequel to the AGGTM series. Pip dips her toes in why she loves crime investigations. It was just fun entertainment and fluff.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have to say I love Holly Jackson books as they are fast paced, engaging and always keep me guessing. This one was a murder mystery party that gave off clue and Agatha Christie vibes as everyone dressed up and had a part to play. I didn't guess the right killer but it was a delight to read. Pip got angry at the end as she didn't guess the right person as a killer which I found hilarious that she would get so worked up over a game.

This book was fun, quick escape from reality that was very entertaining.

a prequel that wasn’t exactly needed nor wanted. pip and friends engage in a murder mystery game. the game is well thought out, but the payoff wasn’t what i was expecting. this novella is short, so short. the last 100 pages or so are just advertising for the main series. pip feels off once more, far from the smart, lovable girl we met in the beginning. yes, this is YA, but it feels like clue.

my favorite thing about this novella is the beautiful images of the typed out cards from the game. the style is very pretty.

thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun little addition to the AGGGTM universe (and after the horrible flop that was Jackson’s last book Five Survive, just what I needed to restore my faith in her as a storyteller). Using the structure of a murder mystery dinner, Jackson teases out Pip’s familiar tendency to obsession and being extremely detail oriented, and gives us a great prelude to how she ends up digging herself in too deep in the later books.

I will say that the characters didn’t really stand out apart from the roles they played - Ant, Lauren, and Zach weren’t memorable enough to me from the trilogy to fill in the gaps in the novella (whereas Pip, Kara, Connor, and Jamie all factored heavily in the last AGGGTM book, so they were freshest in my mind).

I also really liked the way the game ended, and how that, again, ties into Pip’s character and what we know of her from the books.

Overall, enjoyable afternoon listen!

Did not realize this was a prequel to a good girls guide to murder series. Now I have to go read those books because I enjoyed this book so much.

Here it is. The roots of mayhem. What ignited Pip's curiosity in murder cases. Unlike the successor of this series, the "murder & mystery" case in this book was fictional. Just a game. But Pip took it too seriously and she was deeply unsatisfied when the logic she put together turned out to be wrong according to the answer key. It was pretty fun but not really thrilling. So I decided to give this 3,5⭐️

Pip is my favorite mystery YA main character. She is so well-written and the ultimate badass. This book was not exception and I didn't realize this was the prequel to the rest of the series, "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" until after I finished the book.

This book starts off with a murder mystery party, and Pip and her friends are trying to figure out who did it and why. It also sheds light on the first book and what is to come. While I don't think it's necessary to read this book prior to starting the series, (I didn't and found the rest of the series to be easy to follow along) I do think it makes you love Pip's character even more. She is like the millennial Nancy Drew.

I have read every single Holly Jackson book and am absolutely in love with this author. Pip will always be my favorite character, but I am excited to read more by this author.

4.5/5 stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

This was everything I wanted and more for Pip’s interest in the Andie Bell case in “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.” It shows more of her personality (both the good and bad parts, which, after reading the whole series, makes so much sense throughout the entirety of all three books) and her relationships with her friends. I absolutely devoured this novella and need more. It made me realize how much I miss Pip

This is such a cute prequel for the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series! I enjoyed the fast-paced story that gave us a quick introduction to the group of characters that we follow through the series. The murder mystery dinner plot was unique and had me thinking the whole time. I loved getting a glimpse into Pip’s part of the game because it made me feel part of it!

I loved all of the previous books in the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series. I found this book a quick read and enjoyable, but not up to the previous books in the series. This book is a prequel and I think its main goal is just to introduce the characters in the series. It is the beginning spark of Pip’s interest in solving crimes and the seed of the idea for her Capstone Project, which is her investigation into the Andre Bell case. Pip is a great character and you can feel her intensity as she goes about a mystery game with her friends. The author has done a great job in describing Pip and her thought processes, as well as introducing her group of friends. I just wished for a longer, more in depth storyline like the other books in the series. Realizing this is a prequel, it was still enjoyable but I was underwhelmed.

Excellent set up for the series. And super advanced for YA. I kept thinking - “I didn’t make this connection, so there’s no way a kid did”, but I was obviously so wrong. Fast-paced and quick read.

After forming such a strong bond with Pip through three books, it just felt good to be with her again. But it’s also bittersweet because so many of us know what’s going to happen.

During Kill Joy we follow Pip as she joins her friend in a 1920s murder mystery party. Honestly this book was such a fun time. If you enjoy murder mysteries then you'll enjoy this book. It gave me the movie Clue vibes while reading. It's lighthearted, good pacing, and a great introduction to this group of friends. I selfishly hope this isn't the last we see of Pip.

✨Read this book if you enjoy: ✨
📖 a good girls guide to murder
🔪 cozy mystery vibes
📌 quick read / novellas

So good omg! this was a short little prequel of agggtm and i absolutely loved it! the whole murder mystery party was literally so fun! the whole set up of the party was very entertaining and the ending made me audibly gasp. would def recommend if you liked agggtm.

This was a very quick read and made a great prequel to this series. This book gives you insight to how Pip's mind works and why she chose the Andie Bell case to investigate. I had major issues with the third book in this series and how the characters actions seemed completely out of character but I'm happy to say that was not true for this one. This can be easily read without reading the others in the series but will be more enjoyable if you have.

Thank you Holly Jackson, Delacorte Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced readers copy of “Kill Joy.” Set to be published on February 28th 2023.

Summary:
Pip is invited to her friend Connors house to celebrate the fictional character Reginald Remys birthday in the 1920s and it turns into a murder mystery. Who killed Reginald Remy on the day of his birthday? This party involved fancy dresses and everyone has a fake name to play. Once the game starts Pip is drawn into the mystery, deception and murder. As pip plays as Celia the late Reginald’s niece she can’t help thinking about the murder /suicide that happened years ago in her town.

I absolutely love Hollys writing and she is a wonderful author. Like all of her other books this was a very fast paced novella and it just kept you interested till the end.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fast paced book and loved the “Good girls guide to murder,” series.