It’s a truth universally acknowledged (or should be) that not all hit TV is good TV. No one knows this better than Netflix, the platform behind “Ginny & Georgia,” “Firefly Lane,” and “My Life with the Walter Boys.” Sometimes audiences crave drama over substance, and who am I to judge?
The latest product out of this factory is “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” based on the novel by Holly Jackson, arriving on Netflix via the BBC and creator Poppy Coogan. The series follows Pippa (Emma Myers) as she tries to solve a five-year-old crime: the disappearance of Andie Bell (India Lillie Davies), whose boyfriend Sal (Rahul Pattni) confessed before his suicide. She teams up with Sal’s brother, Ravi (Zain Iqbal), who wants to clear his brother’s name. As Pip delves into Sal and Andie’s lives, she uncovers a web of secrets.
Why is Pip Investigating?
You might wonder why Pip is so invested in this investigation. What’s her connection to the case? What qualifications does she have to play detective? The series offers no answers. All six episodes were screened for critics, and none explain her motivation beyond a vague sense that Sal, a nice guy, wouldn’t commit such a crime. This conviction often borders on delusion as the series shows that they barely knew each other. As Pip’s best friend Cara retorts, nice guys can do bad things—history proves it.
Cooperation from Key Figures
Another baffling aspect is how easily Pip gains cooperation from key figures in Andie and Sal’s lives. Despite being a schoolgirl with no credentials, these individuals agree to interviews, often volunteering information they withheld from the police. Why do they trust Pip? The series doesn’t explain. Pip claims, “Nobody is going to bother with a school girl doing a project,” yet everyone seems eager to talk to her, and an anonymous messenger even threatens her to stop.
Commentary on Race and Privilege
There’s an interesting but underdeveloped commentary on race and privilege. A pretty white girl disappeared, and another white girl is now trusted to solve the mystery. Meanwhile, Ravi’s family, who are brown, struggle for answers about their dead son. Ravi often reminds Pip how the police and town view his family, but she barely acknowledges it. Pip’s focus on Sal has selfish motives, but the series doesn’t balance this by developing Sal’s character or spending time with his family and friends.
Virtue Signaling and Tone
These moments feel like virtue signaling. “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” isn’t interested in deep discussions on power and privilege. It aims to be a light-hearted detective series, but the tragic premise clashes with this tone. The series features girlboss music choices, Pip and Ravi flirting while catfishing a suspect, and friends casually discussing the case. This creates a tonal dissonance that feels disconnected from any realistic context.
Character Development and Acting
Pip’s “good girl” persona—no romantic relationships, no drinking, no drugs—makes her a one-dimensional character. She’s often on the verge of tears and has no interests outside the case, except a crush on Nicola Tesla, which is oddly specific. The writing, directing, and acting fail to find balance, resulting in forgettable performances, except for a notable suspect revealed in Episode 5, when the show becomes marginally interesting. For a truly engaging teen detective drama, look at Hulu’s “Under the Bridge,” where the teen actors deliver chilling performances.
Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity
Despite its flaws, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” will likely be a hit, climbing Netflix’s Top Ten. It’s a diet-detective series, lacking the weight of more realistic counterparts and bereft of charm, excellence, or originality. I suspect it will be forgotten quickly, overshadowed by more substantial series.
Learn more
- Netflix Netflix
- Holly Jackson Holly Jackson
- BBC BBC
- Ginny & Georgia Ginny & Georgia
- Under the Bridge Under the Bridge
