Meenakshi Anoop

"A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" was an absolute rollercoaster of a thriller, one that left me breathless and on the edge of my seat throughout. It stands tall among the top recommendations in the crime thriller genre, and all three books in the series are nothing short of amazing. Personally, my heart belongs to the third book, "As Good as Dead," which had me in tears as I turned its final pages. When news broke of the series adaptation, I couldn't contain my excitement. The trailer heightened my expectations with its spot-on casting and captivating aesthetics. The cinematography was flawless, promising to bring the intricate story to life on screen. However, the reality fell short of my hopes. The entire storyline underwent significant changes, stripping away much of the suspense and tension that made the books so gripping. The thrill of speculating who the killer might be, which kept me guessing and eagerly turning pages, didn't translate to the screen. What made the book unforgettable was the unexpected twist that left me reeling—an experience that was unfortunately diluted in the movie adaptation. While I understand the challenges of adapting a book into a movie, I can't help but feel disappointed by the alterations made. Characters who were crucial to the plot's complexity in the book were reshaped into entirely different roles in the movie, altering the dynamic and losing the essence of what made the story so compelling. For fans of thrillers, I wholeheartedly recommend Holly Jackson's series—it's a must-read. However, if you're planning to delve into both the books and the movie, start with the books. They capture the raw emotions and suspense in a way that the movie adaptation, despite its efforts, fails to fully convey.