Full review will be linked once it's up on The Wellesley News; the post will likely be scheduled sometime between September 14-21.

As Good as Dead is the conclusion to the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy, and is it cheesy of me to say it was … thrilling? I’ve admittedly not been a fan of the series for that long; my friend urged me to read the series last summer, and I didn’t even pick up the second book until after my review copy for As Good as Dead was approved on NetGalley. But I’m extremely glad I got the chance to read an early copy; what a wild ride it was.
After Pippa Fitz-Amobi solved not one but two mysteries in her Connecticut suburb, you’d think her life would have calmed down a little. But instead, Pip starts to find mysterious drawings, cryptic notes and more — someone is stalking her, and they want her dead. Her boyfriend urges her to investigate, but as Pip begins collecting evidence, she quickly begins to dig a hole too deep.
I can’t say much more about this book without revealing any of the massive plot twists it goes through, so I’ll take the time now to praise Holly Jackson’s writing. Hints for the plot of As Good as Dead have been left in her previous books, so subtly that I completely missed them until the book went full circle. Plot-wise, As Good as Dead really makes you think about justice and morality, whereas the previous books in this series were a little more black-and-white.
I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while. I have a feeling it’ll be the most controversial of the books in this series, but personally, I think the direction that Jackson took was the right one.

As Good As Dead (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #3)
By Holly Jackson

As Good as Dead begins with our girl Pip in a pretty bad place. She has post-traumatic stress from what happened in book 2 (no spoilers) and has become a little too dependent on pharmaceuticals to help her sleep and well, just get through the day. She’s so off her game that she’s not sure if she really has a stalker or if she’s just imagining it (obvs, she really does have a stalker.)

But by mid-book our brave, brilliant, crafty, stubborn, loyal Pip was BACK in the biggest and baddest way! I was hyped for her, but then things took a really, really dark turn. Like, really dark. I can’t say much more for fear of spoilers but let’s just say that I was very unsettled by the direction the author took with the storyline.

I know that a lot of us are huge AGGGTM fans and are looking forward to book 3. I’m not going to say don’t read this book. You should absolutely read this book because I need to talk to people about it! And, if the author chooses to write another book, it will be an auto-buy for me because I just can’t get enough of Pip, even though this book made my heart hurt.

DNF’ed at 59%

I felt uncomfortable reading after the twist. Most people have talked about it, but the extreme nonchalance about everything that happened didn’t sit right with me. I won’t spoil it for those who want to finish the book.

That being said, I really enjoyed the first two novels of the series. I think they should have stayed a duology. This third book was entirely unnecessary.

The third thrilling book in the bestselling, award-winning A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is The New York Times No.1 bestselling YA crime thriller and WINNER of The British Book Awards' Children's Book of the Year 2020 and SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2020.

Full review to come on Instagram closer to Pub Day. Thank you to the publishers Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, author Holly Jackson, and NetGalley for a review copy.

This is it. The finale of A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder trilogy by Holly Jackson--As Good As Dead, and let me tell you: It is intense. Like crazily intense. Pip is thinking about heading to college, but is still haunted by her last “case” and podcast subject. She even turns a little Lady Macbeth as she wipes Stanley Forbes’ blood off of her hands. Helped by some product she purchases from Luke, Pip longs for her life to return to normal, starting with the ability to sleep at night. Then she receives strange messages, prank phone calls, and an online message--several times--asking, “Who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears?” Team Pip and Ravi go back into action to solve the mystery before Pip indeed disappears.

And I’m going to stop with the summary now before I spoil anything for anyone. All of the old cast of characters are back: Pip’s family, sisters Cara and Naomi Ward, Nat De Silva, Jason Bell, brothers Connor and Jamie Reynolds, Max Hastings, Officer De Silva, and Officer Hawkins. The Andie Bell case from A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder plays a big role in this final novel, as does the outcome of Good Girl, Bad Blood. I would highly suggest that readers read the first two books before devouring As Good As Dead. Jackson does well giving background without it becoming tedious, but I still think to get the full effect of the novel, read the entire trilogy.

Fans of Karen McManus, Ally Carter, and Diana Urban will also like this novel. I’d recommend it for 8th grade and above--possibly mature 7th grade students. Profanity is used, but not gratuitously. Had I been the characters in some of the situations, I would not say anything different. There is light drug use and there is murder. The violence and discussion of violence may bother some readers, but if you like a great mystery with compelling characters and twisty-curvy plot, you’ll love Holly Jackson’s, As Good As Dead.

Thanks to Random House Kinds and NetGalley for the free E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved the first two books in this series and while I did enjoy the final book, it wasn’t as captivating as the first two.

Spoilers ahead!!

I didn’t really agree with Pips actions in this book. While max is totally a villain, I don’t know if pinning a crime, a murder no less, on him was something I could get behind. There was lots of excitement that kept me reading and turning pages. The ending was adorable. We got a ton of pip and Ravi romance which I was hoping for in the first few stories.

Overall a really solid read and since I loved this series I would have read this book no matter what! I will continue to look out for more by this author.

Wow. This one is a thriller. I was so tense for the most of the book that I could only read a few chapters at a time! Jackson is a master at suspense and twists and turns. A fabulous conclusion to one of the best series of the year.

Holly Black has done it again! While this third and final installment wasn't exactly what I was expecting... I can't say I hated it. I loved the other two much more, but this one still hit the mark and ended my reading slump. (Which, Holly has ended many times before... I just love her writing style!) I'd say As Good As Dead focuses more on thriller/justice than actual mystery. There are still the standard twists and turns in any Holly Black novel, they're just not as apparent as before.
I will say, I liked Pip much less in this book, but I think that was necessary. She's faced a lot of trauma - it would be ridiculous to portray a perfect protagonist after all that has happened. I love how imperfect the entire story was, to be honest. And the ending... I had goosebumps! Definitely recommend this satisfying end to anyone who enjoyed the trilogy.

OMG this was such a fantastic conclusion to this series! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and could not believe what PIP pulled off this time. She is one of my all-time favorite characters and this just really push the limit on how good of a girl she really is.

What. Was. This. 🤯

After really disliking the second book in the AGGGM series, I hadn't planned on reading the third until I got an invite to read it on NetGalley.

Let's just say this book is definitely way more dark and twisted. It jumps the shark in a huge way about halfway in, but it worked for me since I read it in nearly one sitting. Is this high quality literature? Absolutely not. But it's the dark teen thriller my summer reading needed.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and were not affected by the free copy.

I want to start off with, I LOVED AGGGTM and GGBB, but this book absolutely ruined the series for me. It had everything I wanted:
Well written ✔
Great characters ( I LOVE Ravi) ✔
Good portrayal of mental health issues ✔
Mystery ✔
A spectacular first 50% ✔
But......I hated everything that happened after part 1. We have such a drastic change in character and I just couldn't get past it; maybe I'm just naïve for hating the choices that were made, but the last half left me physically ill. I love murder mysteries, thrillers, horrors, the works, but very rarely does a book make me so anxious as this one did. I did not enjoy how quickly this book turned dark (though I did see the big reveal coming); it felt like two separate books.

Now, I will say this: even though I hated the book, it was EXTREMELY well written, and I could not stop thinking about it for a full 24 hours after that. So even though this book was not for me, it will be a great addition to the series for most people.

As Good As Dead was a fantastic book. It simply captivates you and forces you to think more deeply than any other book. The plot was fantastic. Pip has been receiving internet threats that have manifested themselves in her daily life. In short, she discovers that she is being stalked, and the cops refuse to believe and help her. She'll have to figure out what to do on her own now, especially after learning that her stalker has ties to a serial killer. Except for the fact that this serial killer is currently incarcerated. Is it possible that it's the same individual? Is it possible that they incarcerated the incorrect person? If that's the case, is the true killer still on the loose, and is he after her Pip doesn't have a lot of time on her hands until she may disappear, so she needs to figure out all of this information quickly. What will happen to Pip, and will she ever be the same again? Will this be too much for her? You’re just gonna have to find out by reading.

Name a better trilogy than this. I'll wait. Tick, tock, tick, tock, can't name one? Well, that's because *screams in bool nerd* THERE ISN'T ONE. If I could go back in time and forget I read these books just so I could read them again for the first time I would. I can't say that about a lot of books because sometimes ten minutes after I finish a book I immediately forget all about it making the review super duper difficult. But not this one. I will keep you here all day. I will write essays, create powerpoints and draw a diagram on why this book was amazing and will live rent-free in my mind forever.

Where do I start? Ok, well, for those who read Good Girl, Bad Blood, you know what happens and I won't spoil it for those who haven't read it yet. But AGAD starts where we left off. Pip isn't OK. Not at all. She's spiraling out of control, fueled by the events of book one and two. She is no longer the determined, fierce go-getter we saw in AGGGTM. Part of her transformation is why I loved this last installment so much. This poor girl has seen some s&^t and any normal person would react the same way. She's haunted by those who have died, and she needs a big fat frappe and a trip to Disney World badly. But not right now because we don't want the COVID, but you get the idea. Strange things start happening to her, and nobody wants to believe her. Nobody wants to help. They think she's paranoid because of her ptsd. But they are dead wrong.

Holly Jackson must have planned out all three books simultaneously because there are things in book one that make so much more sense in book three. I do have to say, I was NOT expecting what happened to happen. At first, it felt a little out of character, but GOD did it make for some good tension. I felt that stress in my bones.

I've seen some of the one or two-star reviews. Could Holly have written this book differently? Sure. But guess what? It's her book. This is where she wanted Pip, and I have to give respect where respect is due. She took a big chance with the events of this book and I have a feeling it will tip people this way or that with no wiggle room. But honestly, I had not felt this much anxiety and dread reading a book, and I base my rating based on how a book takes hold of my emotions. Could Pip's story have gone up a different path? Yes. But good God did this story punch me in the face because you guys and gals are going to riot when this book gets in your hands. It is brutal, and it is shocking and it will take you on a rollercoaster ride of feels.

I shall close out this review with a QUOTE and leave you to your own devices. I loved the book. I want a fourth book. Give me more PIP!

“Revenge is sweet and not fattening.”
― Alfred Hitchcock

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinion are my own.

As Good As Dead is the final installment in the Good Girls Guide to Murder trilogy and wow, it didn't disappoint.

This book threw me through several loops. There were so many twists and turns. It was gripping, suspenseful, and had me on the edge of my seat throughout the majority of the story.

Let me start off by saying: this book is definitely different than the others. It's more intense, and a little confusing at times. Some of the characters make questionable decisions, while others made me proud. The story changes drastically about halfway in, and it's almost like I was reading a completely different story. Personally, I liked it. Although I can see why some people don't. It's definitely something you need to get used to.

Pip and Ravi are so cute, and I've shipped them from the start. I love their relationship. I also love Pip as a character, and wow has that girl been through a LOT. You can see a lot of her PTSD in this book, and I think Holly Jackson did a good job portraying that, and I like how the horrible things she's been through aren't just swept under the rug like everything's fine.

Overall, a great story and I was entertained the entire time. I'm going to miss these books. I will always recommend them to everyone.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. I really enjoyed this series. Please read them in order and close enough together that you remember well what happened in each book as they build on each other without mentioning what has already happened in enough detail to skip having read one. This one has a twist that I did not see coming.

Oh my gosh. What a finale. My heart was pounding the whole time, I had to put the book down just to calm down... only to have pick it up a minute later because I had to see what happened. Ravi + Pip forever!

‘ Pip had asked for this, wished for it, begged for it. One last case, the right one, to fix all of the cracks inside herself. Save herself to save herself. That’s why she had to do this her way.’

I have really enjoyed this entire series. For me, though, this was probably my least favorite out of the three novels. Pip’s character changed a lot since the end of the last novel and not in a good way. I missed the ‘old’ Pip’s self-assurance and determination.

The storyline dragged in the beginning only picking up the pace around the half-way point. I did figure out the twist pretty early on and thought ‘old’ Pip would’ve figured it out a lil sooner. This final chapter is ‘darker’ and the ending left me a bit disappointed, however, I still think that this is a fun ‘Nancy Drew’ish series.

3.5 stars for this one; 4.5 stars for the series as a whole.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fantastic wrap up to the series! Did I agree with many (or possibly all) of Pip’s decisions? NO but then again it made for an interesting read because she didn’t act the way I expected.

I loved this book to pierces. The entire trilogy is such a good one, but this book is easily the best of them all in my opinion. It was thrilling and suspenseful, and I felt so connected to everything happening, considering this builds really smoothly on the past two stories. *I* started getting scared, and maybe I just scare easily but I stopped reading this book at night after the first ten chapters.

Pip’s PTSD was another thing so well written. The creepiness, the horror settling beneath her skin after a horrifying reality check, was so well written I felt it myself. Pip’s just seen the worst the world has to offer, and you can see it down to her bones.

Her and Ravi’s relationship is wonderful, and it’s one of the best I’ve seen in any book. Maybe because it’s so much of a safe one, a friendship, built in trust and genuine affection that it makes me long for a partner in crime of my own like that.

Pip is one of the smartest and best protagonists I’ve read, and this was such a good send off. Was it beautiful? No. Murder rarely is. But it was brilliant.

It hurts me that I can’t say more, because I don’t want to give a single thing away. Every detail all put together makes for such an intense reading experience, and I can’t wait for this to hit shelves. Thank you to net galley for letting me read the eARC!! ♥️♥️♥️

This is Holly Jackson's third book in the "Good Girl" series. I would definitely recommend that you read the first two books in order, as they are all intertwined. Honestly, this was my least favorite novel of the three. I feel it took a left turn in the character development, especially with Pippa.

She is now a high school graduate, and trying to get out of her head during the final weeks of summer, before heading off to Columbia for college. In As Good as Dead, Pip turns more into the victim as suppose to the teen detective/podcaster. She still has a desire to right the wrongs of her town and takes justice into her own hands with the help of her friends, but the character is far more frantic and clearly suffering from PTSD, without having proper guidance from the adults in her life.

Overall, this was a satisfactory story ending to the 3 book series and is still a great Young Adult crime mystery series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.