Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson Summary

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson is a mystery thriller where teenage detective Pippa Fitz-Amobi investigates the disappearance of Jamie Reynolds in her small town of Little Kilton. While documenting the case for her true crime podcast, Pip uncovers a disturbing connection to Child Brunswick, the son of a serial killer who was given a new identity years ago. The investigation reveals layers of catfishing, blackmail, and hidden identities that put Pip herself in danger.

Good Girl, Bad Blood is ideal for young adult and adult readers who enjoy intricate mystery thrillers with strong character development and social commentary. Fans of true crime podcasts, investigative narratives, and stories exploring trauma and the justice system will particularly appreciate Holly Jackson's work. Readers who enjoyed the first book in the series will find this sequel equally compelling, though it addresses darker themes including PTSD and the psychological toll of amateur investigation.

Good Girl, Bad Blood is highly worth reading, with over 749,000 ratings averaging 4.26 stars on Goodreads. Holly Jackson delivers masterful plot twists, realistic character development, and emotional depth that captivates readers from start to finish. While some readers found it slightly less thrilling than A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, the book excels in exploring Pip's emotional journey and trauma. The complex mystery, relationship development between Pip and Ravi, and unpredictable reveals make it a compelling sequel.

Reading A Good Girl's Guide to Murder before Good Girl, Bad Blood is highly recommended, as the sequel builds directly on relationships, character development, and trauma established in the first book. The story references events from the previous investigation, particularly involving Max Hastings' trial and Pip's emotional state following her first case. While Good Girl, Bad Blood features a standalone mystery about Jamie Reynolds' disappearance, understanding Pip's backstory and the town's history enriches the reading experience significantly.

Jamie Reynolds disappeared after being manipulated by someone posing as "Layla Mead" online, who instructed him to confront and potentially kill the person she claimed was Child Brunswick. Jamie went to an abandoned farmhouse where he attacked Stanley Forbes with a knife after learning Stanley's true identity. Stanley pushed Jamie in self-defense, causing him to hit his head, then held Jamie captive while deciding what to do. Pip ultimately discovers Jamie alive but locked in Stanley's house.

Child Brunswick is the media name given to the unnamed son of serial killer Scott Brunswick, who as a child was coerced by his father into helping kidnap victims. After serving five years in juvenile detention, he received a new identity and legal protection when he turned 18. In Good Girl, Bad Blood, Pip discovers that Stanley Forbes, a seemingly ordinary local resident, is actually Child Brunswick living under his protected new identity. The revelation drives the central mystery as someone hunts for his true identity.

Layla Mead is a fictional online persona created to catfish multiple local men, including Jamie Reynolds, Luke Eaton, and Daniel da Silva, in an attempt to identify Child Brunswick. The person behind the Layla Mead accounts manipulated Jamie into performing increasingly dangerous tasks—stealing items, leaving money in graveyards, and ultimately confronting someone she claimed was stalking her. When Pip creates a Tinder account to find Layla, the account messages her directly saying "Hello Pip. You're getting closer," before being deactivated.

Good Girl, Bad Blood maintains the thrilling mystery elements of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder but explores darker psychological territory, particularly Pip's PTSD and emotional struggles. Some readers found the sequel less naturally integrated into the small-town setting, with more new characters and less connection to established relationships compared to the tightly-woven first book. However, Holly Jackson's sequel excels in character development, particularly the Pip-Ravi relationship, and delivers equally impressive plot twists despite the challenge of creating a believable second mystery.

Good Girl, Bad Blood explores trauma, the flaws in the justice system, and the psychological cost of seeking truth. Holly Jackson examines how systems meant to protect people often fail them, questioning concepts of good and bad when dealing with complex moral situations like Child Brunswick's past. The book addresses PTSD, obsession, and identity through Pip's deteriorating mental health as she investigates Jamie's disappearance. Other themes include online deception, the permanence of childhood trauma, and the sacrifices people make for those they love.

Pip Fitz-Amobi experiences significant PTSD symptoms throughout Good Girl, Bad Blood, stemming from trauma in the first book. Holly Jackson portrays Pip's mental health struggles realistically, showing her obsessive behavior, anger outbursts, and difficulty controlling her emotions. Readers noted emotional scenes where Pip loses herself repeatedly and struggles to understand her own reactions. By the end, Pip checks inside herself and realizes "the scream was no longer there, waiting for her. She'd beaten it," suggesting healing and growth.

Good Girl, Bad Blood ends with Pip discovering Jamie Reynolds alive in Stanley Forbes' house after Stanley held him captive following their confrontation at the abandoned farmhouse. Stanley explains that Jamie attacked him after being manipulated by "Layla Mead" to identify and kill Child Brunswick. Jamie had agreed to stay while Stanley decided what to do, essentially working out a deal with his captor. The resolution reveals Stanley Forbes as Child Brunswick and exposes the manipulation behind Layla Mead's catfishing scheme.

Common criticisms of Good Girl, Bad Blood include feeling less naturally integrated than A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, with Jamie and Connor Reynolds not as deeply connected to the established town dynamics. Some readers found the introduction of numerous new characters—including a new couple, new teacher, and extended family members—made the familiar setting feel less cohesive. While still highly rated, readers noted it lacked the same natural mystery setup since having Pip encounter multiple major cases strains believability for a non-detective character.