Date of Completion: 29/10/2021
Pippa Fitz-Amobi is on the case again in this fantastic sequel!
‘Good girl, bad blood’ begins soon after the events in the previous book. These events are creatively recapped using the various media elements I now associate with this series. Much to my delight, new media elements like the AGGGTM podcast and online articles are even introduced in this book.
Some people are pretty good at hiding who they really are.
Following the recap of previous events, changes in the characters and the town of Little Kilton are explored. In particular, Pippa’s character seemed to be the most affected by recent events. The bubbly, trusting teenager from the previous book is gone, leaving behind a slightly unhinged character. This Pippa felt more mature and complex than before, as she explores just how far she is willing to go in the pursuit of truth and justice.
The atmosphere and tone of this story perfectly match Pippa’s unsettling mental state – they are dark and gloomy. I struggled with accepting this dark tone while also being impressed by the unexpected change. There are even fewer scenes with Pippa’s family in this story, so we miss out on the warmth and joy they bring.
She wasn’t supposed to be like this this time, losing herself again.
These changes in the tone of the story and Pippa’s character create a big rift between this book and its much lighter predecessor. Because of this, I find it difficult to compare these two books as they seem far too different.
The only thing that met my expectation for this book was Pippa and Ravi’s relationship. Each scene with these two lovebirds was gladly welcomed as it was a ray of light in the otherwise heavy atmosphere of the story. I really liked that there are enough scenes with them for readers to bask in their cuteness and banter but not so much that it overshadows the plot.
Despite the slow start, once the mystery aspect of the story is set up, the case that unfolds is gripping and filled with several twists. Pippa’s badass investigation skills were a delight to observe as she systematically tackles the case with her usual attention to detail and passion. Each new clue she unearths raised the stakes and increased the tension, making it hard to put this book down.
In short, ‘Good girl, bad blood’ presents a fascinating mystery that is no match for Pippa Fitz-Amobi. The various twists and turns kept me engaged and entertained right to the very end. However, it is the shift in Pippa’s character and the atmosphere of the story that caught me most by surprise. I certainly cannot wait to see what direction Holly takes in the next book of this series!
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