Holly Jackson’s writing style has got to be one of my favorites. She is always so descriptive, so emotive, and so smart with her mystery planning that I find myself just as wrapped up as Pip is. I finished listening to this novel in a day and a half (trying to find time to work and do school in between). While I didn’t feel that the stakes were high until about halfway through the novel, after that point everything was on overdrive.

Just like before, Jackson’s characters are full of depth and meaning. Ravi is brilliant comic relief and full of a kind, loving personality that Pip needs. Connor and Jamie are brothers that, in a true brotherly fashion, seem like polar opposites. We get to see Stanley Forbes again, along with other familiar faces who turn out to be more than what they seemed.

As far as the plot goes, I honestly, as a writer, don’t know how Holly Jackson does it. The smallest things end up being super relevant and the way everything ties together just blows my mind in the same way that A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder did. My mouth had to be hanging open for the last hour of my audiobook. Not to mention, I’m pretty sure I slapped my hand over my mouth more than once to stifle a gasp.

Spoilers ahead.

There were several parts in this novel that were done so well I just have to talk about them here.

When the police found a body of a twenty-something-year-old male and Pip went to Connor’s house to find out if it was Jamie, I almost cried. When Connor’s dad doubled over, my heart was beating so wildly in my chest that I had to take a breath just to calm down. This scene was so well executed and I would love to be able to capture the emotion that Holly Jackson captured here.

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT. TURN BACK NOW IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOK.

When Stanley got shot and during his funeral, I was filled with absolute dread. These scenes were beautiful and heartbreaking in their words and I just can’t even think right now without being sad about it. We hardly knew Stanley before, but this was almost a Harry-finds-out-about-Snape-being-a-good-guy moment. Holly Jackson switched his character from mildly annoying to making her readers want to cry about his death. This right here, ladies and gentlemen, is spectacular storytelling.

The only qualm I have about this book is when Pip smashes Max Hastings windows and paints on his door. I know, I know. Before you burn me at the stake, hear me out. That wasn’t just his house, that was his parents’ house. To me, Pip wasn’t delivering justice in this moment. It was completely wrong of her and almost as if she’s punishing Max’s parents for what he did. It just felt wrong and left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. However, this rage that Pip is showing might turn up in the third book, so I’m willing to overlook it. Especially with how this novel ended. Please please please give me As Good as Dead as soon as possible. I’m just glad it won’t be a full year until it’s released!

Give me any book by Holly Jackson at this point and I’ll read it. She has won me over 100%.