What is As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson about?

As Good As Dead is the final installment in Holly Jackson's "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" trilogy. The book follows Pip Fitz-Amobi as she struggles with PTSD while preparing for college and faces anonymous death threats connected to a local serial killer case. When Pip discovers the wrong person may be imprisoned for the DT Killer murders, she investigates and ultimately kills the real killer in self-defense, then frames her enemy Max Hastings for the crime, raising complex moral questions about justice and survival.

Who should read As Good As Dead?

As Good As Dead is ideal for young adult readers who enjoy dark, morally complex mystery thrillers with psychological depth. Holly Jackson's novel particularly appeals to fans of the series who want closure, readers interested in exploring PTSD's impact on young protagonists, and those comfortable with darker themes including murder, trauma, and ethical ambiguity. The book suits mature readers who appreciate fast-paced investigations combined with character-driven narratives that challenge traditional notions of right and wrong.

Is As Good As Dead worth reading?

As Good As Dead delivers a gripping, emotionally intense conclusion to Holly Jackson's acclaimed trilogy, though it divides readers with its darker tone and morally ambiguous ending. The novel excels in exploring PTSD realistically, maintaining heart-pounding pacing, and surprising readers with unexpected plot turns. However, some readers find the final act's ethical choices controversial and the ending bittersweet. If you've invested in Pip's journey through the first two books, As Good As Dead provides necessary closure despite its polarizing darker direction.

How does As Good As Dead end?

As Good As Dead ends with Pip successfully framing Max Hastings for Jason Bell's murder while avoiding conviction herself. After killing Jason in self-defense, Pip and Ravi manipulate evidence to implicate Max, who is eventually convicted over a year later. Pip breaks up with Ravi to protect him, distances herself from family and friends, and attends college in New York City alone. The book concludes with Ravi texting Pip "Hey, Sarge, remember me?" after Max's conviction, suggesting potential reconciliation.

What happens to Pip Fitz-Amobi in As Good As Dead?

Pip Fitz-Amobi experiences severe PTSD in As Good As Dead, leading to Xanax addiction and isolation from loved ones. She receives escalating death threats including dead pigeons and chalk drawings, investigates connections to the DT Killer case, and gets kidnapped by Jason Bell who confesses to being the real serial killer. Pip kills Jason with a hammer in self-defense, then orchestrates an elaborate cover-up with Ravi to frame Max Hastings. Ultimately, she breaks up with Ravi and moves to college alone, haunted by guilt.

Who is the real DT Killer in As Good As Dead?

The real DT Killer in As Good As Dead is Jason Bell, Andie Bell's father and a respected community member. Holly Jackson reveals that Jason murdered five women six years prior and stopped killing after his daughter's death. Jason kidnaps Pip when she discovers connections between her stalker and the serial killer case, confessing his crimes before attempting to kill her. Pip discovers that Billy Karras, the man imprisoned for the murders, was innocent and falsely confessed under police coercion.

Why does Pip kill Jason Bell in As Good As Dead?

Pip kills Jason Bell in self-defense after he kidnaps her, admits to being the DT Killer, and binds her with duct tape at the Green Scene Ltd. warehouse intending to murder her. When Jason temporarily leaves, Pip frees herself and attempts escape through the woods. Upon hearing him return, she grabs a hammer and strikes him repeatedly until he dies. Holly Jackson portrays this as voluntary manslaughter rather than pure self-defense, creating moral complexity since Pip wasn't actively being attacked during the killing.

How do Pip and Ravi frame Max Hastings in As Good As Dead?

Pip and Ravi frame Max Hastings for Jason Bell's murder by manipulating the crime scene and timeline. They alter Jason's body temperature to mislead the coroner about time of death, establish alibis for themselves, set fire to the Green Scene warehouse to destroy evidence linking Pip to the scene, and plant Pip's headphones at Jason's house. Ravi later lies to police about losing the headphones when visiting Jason about a fundraiser. Their elaborate scheme successfully redirects suspicion toward Max, who has existing animosity with Pip.

As Good As Dead Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

As Good As Dead

Holly Jackson

Mystery

Thriller

Suspense

Fiction

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

In this chilling trilogy finale, Pip faces her darkest challenge yet. A TikTok phenomenon with 4.8 million UK sales that reshaped YA mysteries, "As Good As Dead" spent every week of 2022 on the NYT bestseller list. What deadly secrets await?

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@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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As Good As Dead

Holly Jackson

Mystery

Thriller

Suspense

Fiction

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary8min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card10 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun18min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

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Key Takeaways

A Stalker's Shadow Falls

00:00

Dead eyes follow Pip Fitz-Amobi everywhere now. Once a brilliant teenage detective who solved two major cases, she's barely holding herself together. The trauma of her previous investigations has left her dependent on illegally purchased Xanax just to sleep. Her relationship with Ravi Singh provides moments of normalcy, but even his warmth can't keep the darkness at bay. Strange incidents begin accumulating: dead pigeons on her driveway (one grotesquely decapitated), chalk figures drawn progressively closer to her house, and anonymous messages asking: "Who will look for you when you're the one who disappears?" When "DEAD GIRL WALKING" appears written in chalk on her running route, Pip can no longer deny it-someone is stalking her. Despite meticulously documenting these incidents, Detective Inspector Hawkins dismisses her concerns, suggesting neighborhood cats might be responsible. His attitude only strengthens Pip's conviction that these aren't random occurrences. What initially seems like a new mystery becomes deeply personal when she discovers an article about the "DT Killer"-a serial murderer whose methods match exactly what she's experiencing: headless pigeons, chalk figures, silent calls. Even more disturbing, the killer's final victim was murdered the same night Andie Bell disappeared-the case that started Pip's investigative journey.

Uncovering Deadly Connections

The Fight for Survival

Justice by Any Means

The Truth Emerges

The Ultimate Sacrifice

When Justice Fails Us All

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

As Good As Dead Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from As Good As Dead into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 10 Insights from As Good As Dead in a Nutshell

Distill As Good As Dead into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

As Good As Dead Lessons Told Through 18-Min Stories

Experience As Good As Dead through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience As Good As Dead in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

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Key Takeaways

A Stalker's Shadow Falls

Uncovering Deadly Connections

The Fight for Survival

Justice by Any Means

The Truth Emerges

The Ultimate Sacrifice

When Justice Fails Us All

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to As Good As Dead Summary in 8 Minutes

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More Like This

Key Takeaways

A Stalker's Shadow Falls

Uncovering Deadly Connections

The Fight for Survival

Justice by Any Means

The Truth Emerges

The Ultimate Sacrifice

When Justice Fails Us All