‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ is a must-watch thrilling mystery
THE murder mystery genre has, for decades, captivated audiences across the world.
From movies and television to books and podcasts, scores of people from all walks of life are drawn into these thrilling tales that get the heart racing.
For those looking to escape into an enthralling whodunit case, BBC’s “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder”, streaming on Netflix, is sure to whet your appetite.
The six-part series, which is set in the sleepy fictional town of Little Kilton, is based on a novel of the same name by Holly Jackson.
Created by Poppy Cogan and directed by Dolly Wells, the cast includes Emma Myers, Zain Iqbal, India Lillie Davies, Rahul Pattni, Raiko Gohara, Jude Morgan-Collie and Yali Topol Margalith.
If you’re a fan of “Riverdale” or “One of Us Is Lying”, the British drama is worth watching.
It centres on the murder of a popular schoolgirl Andie Bell (Davies). Her lover, Sal Singh (Pattni), was believed to have confessed to killing her, before apparently committing suicide.
The case is then closed and residents of the small town, as well as the police, are certain that Sal was her killer.
But five years later, Pip Fitz-Amobi (Myers), who grew up in a small town consumed by the harrowing incident, decides to investigate the case as the topic for her final project at school.
The teenager has fond memories of Sal, and unlike most of those around her, she has a gut feeling that he is innocent.
Pip, who was just a tween at the time of the tragedy, is also determined to take on the case due to a recurring memory from the day of the crime that continues to haunt her.
While at her school’s locker, she sees an emotional Andie walking past. As she is about to enter an empty classroom, she gestures to Pip to not tell anyone where she is.
She nods to her in agreement but then Sal walks by and he is desperately looking for Andie. He asks Pip if she knows where she is. She reluctantly tells him that she is in the classroom.
The exchange constantly plays on her mind and years later, she is determined to uncover the truth because she feels guilty about potentially playing a part in Andie’s death by telling Sal about her whereabouts.
Pip enlists the help of Sal’s younger brother, Ravi (Iqbal), to help her with the case. This is despite her loved ones urging her against this as the Singh family have become outcasts after the double deaths.
But the determined and brilliant youngster marches to the beat of her own drum.
The formidable pair strike up a friendship as they go to dangerous lengths to uncover the case.
During their quest, they uncover a sex scandal, a teenage drug ring and underground parties where the most salacious acts take place, all while their romance begins to blossom.
As they begin to uncover more and more secrets affiliated with the case and the seemingly close-knit community, they are also met by many individuals who desperately want certain things to remain hidden.
In the end, complicated family dynamics come to the forefront, friendships are tested and more and more lives are at risk as the identity of the real killer is finally revealed.
As with most British murder mysteries, there is the customary forest that serves as the vessel for many of the town’s secrets.
In keeping with the genre, a lot of the story takes place at night and the show makes use of several flackbacks to keep viewers constantly engaged, an element of mystery that is also enhanced through the dramatic use of music.
The only criticism I have about the show is how easily a teenager manages to get almost anyone to confess, without much persistence or threats of violence.
From drug dealers to the police and others closely associated with the case who are determined to keep many details of the murder a secret, they all spill their secrets to Pip as soon as she confronts them.
Regardless of that, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” has something unique to add to the murder mystery genre.
From many unexpected twists and turns to a budding love story and an underdog story, there is plenty to keep you at the edge of your seat.
There is a reason it remains on Netflix South Africa’s Top 10 list of shows, weeks after it was released.
∎ “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is streaming on Netflix.