Here are 15 books like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder: The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson, One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus, Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson, We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe, Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson, How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok, Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed, The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf, The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, The It Girl by Ruth Ware, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga. These picks feature determined teen detectives, true crime elements, and high-stakes investigations that echo Pip Fitz-Amobi's podcast-driven quest for truth. Our breakdown of the Best Colleen Hoover Book? Top Picks Ranked covers the related details.
More from Holly Jackson
Start with Jackson's standalone thriller The Reappearance of Rachel Price. Belle Price's mother vanished when she was two, and when a woman claiming to be Rachel resurfaces during a documentary filming, Belle is suspicious rather than relieved. The novel delivers the same propulsive pacing and unreliable narration that made A Good Girl's Guide to Murder a hit, as noted by Book Riot.
Teen Sleuths and Podcast Investigations
Pip's use of a podcast to investigate a closed case is a hallmark of the genre. Several read-alikes feature similar media-savvy protagonists:
- Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson – Claudia investigates her best friend Monday's disappearance, uncovering disturbing truths. This intense, fast-paced novel is recommended for ages 15+ due to strong language, according to Reading Middle Grade.
- How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok – Iris, whose sister disappeared, investigates when her ex-girlfriend Heather, who ran a true crime podcast about the case, also goes missing. The podcast element mirrors Pip's approach, as highlighted by Book Riot.
- Kill Joy by Holly Jackson – A prequel novella to the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, offering a fun murder mystery party setup. It's listed among read-alikes by Jefferson County Library.
Boarding School Secrets and Elite Settings
Many fans enjoy the claustrophobic atmosphere of small towns and elite institutions. These picks deliver similar tension:
- Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson – At Ellingham Academy, true crime aficionado Stevie Bell investigates a decades-old kidnapping and murder. The series is praised for its fun, fast-paced audio, as shared by Everyday Reading.
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus – Five students enter detention, but only four leave alive. The deceased ran a gossip app, giving everyone a motive. This modern classic is a top pick from Blinkist.
- Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé – At an elite private school, anonymous texts expose secrets, targeting two Black students. This thriller tackles racism and privilege, recommended by Hennepin County Library.
Unreliable Narrators and Twisty Plots
If you enjoyed Pip's shifting perceptions and shocking reveals, these books will keep you guessing: Our breakdown of New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century covers the related details.
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – Cadence returns to her family's private island after a traumatic accident, slowly recovering memories. The big reveal is worth the wait, as noted by Everyday Reading.
- The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe – Nora, daughter of a con artist, must use her skills to survive a bank robbery. The high-stakes thriller features a complex protagonist, per Book Riot.
- Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed – Aspiring journalist Safiya investigates the death of a 14-year-old boy labeled a terrorist. The novel explores media bias and truth, as described by Book Riot.
Mysteries with a Touch of Humor or Romance
For readers who appreciate lighter moments amid the suspense:
- Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson – The sequel to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, where Pip investigates another case despite vowing to stop. It's a natural next step, listed by Jefferson County Library.
- The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – Avery inherits a billionaire's fortune but must solve riddles while living with his family. This puzzle-filled mystery is great for ages 13+, per Reading Middle Grade.
- Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf – At a Scrabble tournament, Najwa investigates her friend's death while competing. The wordplay adds a unique twist, recommended by Reading Middle Grade.
Adult Thrillers with Similar Appeal
If you're open to adult fiction with comparable themes:
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – A criminal psychotherapist tries to unravel why a woman shot her husband and then stopped speaking. It's a gripping psychological thriller, noted by Everyday Reading.
- The It Girl by Ruth Ware – A decade after a murder at Oxford, new evidence suggests the wrong man was convicted. The protagonist re-investigates, uncovering secrets. Recommended by Everyday Reading.
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – A death at a school trivia night unravels secrets among parents. The mystery of who died and why keeps pages turning, per Everyday Reading.
More Series to Binge
If you prefer to immerse yourself in a series, consider these:
- The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – Teens with special abilities assist the FBI in solving cold cases. It's a fast-paced series recommended by Hennepin County Library.
- I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga – Jazz, son of a notorious serial killer, helps police track murderers. The dark premise is gripping, listed by Hennepin County Library.
- Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard – Four friends are tormented by an anonymous figure after their leader disappears. The series inspired the hit TV show, noted by Hennepin County Library.
Whether you're drawn to podcast investigations, boarding school secrets, or unreliable narrators, these books offer the same addictive blend of mystery and suspense that made A Good Girl's Guide to Murder a phenomenon.
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