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TL;DR: Pip Fitz-Amobi has solved one murder and says she will never investigate again. She now runs a podcast about the Andie Bell case. Then her friend Connor's older brother, Jamie Reynolds, goes missing, and the police refuse to treat it as urgent. Pip agrees to look into it, racing against time as she follows clues that lead back into Little Kilton's dark past.
Table of Contents
Good Girl, Bad Blood at a Glance
| Author | Holly Jackson |
| First published | 2020 |
| Type | Young adult mystery |
| Best for | readers who want a tense, fast mystery sequel with a race against time |
Good Girl, Bad Blood is the second book in Holly Jackson's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, published in 2020. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes murder, sexual assault references, threats and violence.
Main Characters
- Pip Fitz-Amobi: A teenage investigator and podcaster.
- Ravi Singh: Pip's boyfriend and partner.
- Connor Reynolds: Pip's friend.
- Jamie Reynolds: Connor's missing older brother.
- Charlie Green: Pip's new neighbor.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
A missing person
Pip's podcast is a success, but she is still hurt by the last case. When Max Hastings goes on trial for drugging and assaulting girls, Pip hopes for justice. Then Connor asks for help: his brother Jamie disappeared after a town memorial event. The police think he is just a runaway.
The search
Pip records her investigation as a new podcast season, hoping to find Jamie quickly. She interviews Jamie's family and friends and studies his phone and social media. She discovers that Jamie had been talking to a mysterious online girl named Layla Mead, and that he had been acting strangely before he vanished.
Layla Mead
Pip learns that Layla Mead is a fake identity, a catfish account used to trick Jamie. She tries to find out who is behind it. Max Hastings is found not guilty, which devastates Pip. She feels angry and helpless, but she keeps working on Jamie's case.
Dark history
Pip discovers links between Jamie, an older man in town named Stanley Forbes, and a terrible crime from years ago. Stanley had a hidden past that some people wanted revenge for. Pip learns that Charlie Green, her new neighbor, is involved. The truth is more complicated than she imagined.
Found
Pip finds Jamie alive but in danger. She learns what really happened and who is responsible for a new murder in town. She faces a difficult choice about whether to let one person escape justice. The case leaves Pip shaken and questioning whether justice and the law are always the same.
5 Key Takeaways
- The law does not always deliver justice.
- Online identities can be dangerous.
- The past can return in violent ways.
- Persistence can save lives.
- Hard choices leave lasting marks.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Listening to families matters.
- Justice is complicated.
- Investigations can cost the investigator.
Who Should Read Good Girl, Bad Blood?
Read Good Girl, Bad Blood if you enjoyed the first book and want another twisty mystery. It suits teens and adults.
About Holly Jackson
Holly Jackson (born 1992) is a British author. Her series has sold millions of copies and was adapted for television in 2024. She writes with detailed plotting and often uses documents, interviews and transcripts. She has said she was inspired by true crime podcasts and classic mysteries.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Good Girl, Bad Blood:
- Why do the police not take Jamie's disappearance seriously?
- How does the Max Hastings verdict affect Pip?
- Was Pip's final choice right?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Good Girl, Bad Blood is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Good Girl, Bad Blood, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is fast, emotional and full of twists.
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What to Read Next
- As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson: the final book of the trilogy
- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson: the first book in the series
- Sadie by Courtney Summers: a podcast-driven missing person mystery
Related: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson: Summary and Key Takeaways · Five Survive by Holly Jackson: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Good Girl, Bad Blood about?
Pip investigates the disappearance of her friend's brother.
Who wrote it?
Holly Jackson, in 2020.
Who is Jamie Reynolds?
Connor's older brother, who goes missing.
Who is Layla Mead?
A fake online identity.
Does Pip find Jamie?
Yes, alive.
What happens in the Max Hastings trial?
He is found not guilty.
Is there a podcast in the story?
Yes, Pip's investigation podcast.
What age is it for?
Teens and adults.
How long is it?
About 420 pages.
Do I need to read the first book?
Yes.
Is it darker than the first book?
Yes, especially at the end.
What comes next?
As Good As Dead.
Is the ending surprising?
Yes. Many readers find it the most shocking moment in the series so far.
Is Good Girl, Bad Blood worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a tense, fast mystery sequel with a race against time. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.