A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is the first in a YA mystery trilogy and a debut novel that has blown the socks off many readers. With an enticing plot and a protagonist to root for, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is a delightful and extremely enjoyable read and is why, when finished can leave you with a sour taste as there is nothing more to enjoy. It is why this list exists, because after finishing the first novel or the whole trilogy, you most likely are craving another YA story with a strong female protagonist and a plot ready to captivate.
Five alternate novels that fit that bill are below and great choices to choose from to regain that captivation. From high school detectives to strong and independent female characters, here are five books similar to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder bound to excite and again, captivate. If you have not read A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, check out the review | HERE | to determine if that novel and subsequently the ones below are worth your time. And let me save you the trouble, they are.
| One of Us Is Lying
Another popular YA mystery novel that is commonly associated with A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is One of Us Is Lying and the sequel, One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus. There is a strong reason for that, they pair well together and if you enjoyed one, you will undoubtedly enjoy the other. Unlike A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, One of Us Is Lying is an easier read and a great choice for those craving a simple and quick mystery.
In One of Us Is Lying, Bronwyn is the brains, Addy is the beauty, Nate is the criminal, Cooper is the athlete, and Simon is the outcast. Five individuals stuck together in detention, a typical afternoon at Bayview High except, only four leave detention alive. Despite his role as outcast, Simon is the creator and face of the school's most popular gossip app with next day's release centred around his four detention buddies. A release with secrets that would ruin them all - how far would one go to keep a secret, a secret?
Find the full review | HERE | for One of Us Is Lying
Find the full review | HERE | for the sequel, One of Us Is Next
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| How We Fall Apart
I will be frank, this novel was not my cup of tea. But, as reviewer I always acknowledge other people's opinions and the general consensus is, those that read A Good Girl's Guide to Murder also enjoyed How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao and with an ending aching for a sequel, this novel is itching for you to read with the knowledge a sequel is most likely in the works.
Jamie Ryan, Nancy's former best friend and top student at Sinclair Prep has been found dead. Even more shocking than her death is that Nancy and best friends are prime suspects in the case thanks to an anonymous individual targeting them.
Well, former friends, all of them including Jamie. It was a time where Nancy knew their darkest secrets but according to "The Protector," so do they. Nancy and her three friends must find the true killer before The Protector exposes more than they are willing to lose and soon, Nancy will realise her "friends" are once again, keeping secrets.
| The Testing Trilogy
Veering away from high school mystery, The Testing is the first in the Testing trilogy and is a fantastic addition to your book repertoire. The premise of The Testing is that higher education is a privilege. Only a handful are chosen to go through a rigorous testing process before being offered a seat at University. The testing assesses their knowledge, teamwork capacity, critical thinking skills, and more to determine if they are capable of becoming a future leader of the Commonwealth.
The story is narrated by Cia and you follow her journey through the testing and discovery of what passing really means within the Commonwealth. With an intuitive and strong female protagonist, like Pip, Cia is a character who you will root for and with three novels in the series, one you will enjoy for many pages.
| The Ivies
A murder mystery, but at boarding school. The Ivies are the most powerful, public, and famous universities in America and all high schoolers know that if you attend an Ivy, you are power. For five girls at Claflin Academy, they want that admission, they crave that power. From holding leadership positions, scoring the highest academically, and excelling in competitions, they will do anything to put themselves on top - including murder. How do I know the lengths those girls would go? Well, I am one of them.
Find the full review | HERE | for The Ivies
| Truly Devious
