As Good As Dead

CW: PTSD, blood, mentions of sexual assault, substance abuse, kidnapping, murder, vomiting.

Okay so it's done ?????

There's so much I want to say yet I don't really know what to say. I liked how the author tied in things from the other books into this. It was brilliant how they made small details that were maybe deemed insignificant in the other books. And we're actually part of the bigger picture. But that ending was so rushed and a bit out of character for pip. I don't know how I feel about it.

Also is there going to be another book? I would love more tbh but these characters have already been through hell and back. They need a break, maybe a novella of there they are now, a vacation or something

I will say...kudos to Holly Jackson for taking such a daring and bold turn with this installment because it was a divisive choice since it's such a beloved series.
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SPOILERS
With that said, the thing the irked me about this isn't the thing that bothers a lot of readers. I understand people are upset because they feel like the favorites characters made choices that were not in alignment with who they have been presented to be and that would be very hard for a reader to accept.

Honestly, I'm fine with the twist into vigilante and revenge. It's the reasoning behind it that I'm struggling with. Pip twists reality in such an unnecessary way to fit her narrative. Ok, she doesn't trust the police. So she does, what she does. BUT come on, there was definitely enough evidence to get you off. JUST OWN THE FACT YOU'VE ENTERED YOUR VILLIAN ERA and take down Max. Trying to justify her choice because the police wouldn't believe her is just BS.

THEN, the breakup and cutting people off thing. WTF. Again, such an outrageous twisting of reality to create needless conflict and suffering. How many times did she talk about not wanting to miss out of every moment with her family and friends and then she self imposes it? Nah, doesn't work for me.

AND THE HEADPHONES. Really? Just say you dropped them on your run with your phone. You forgot them at an interview. You thought your brother had them. Literally anything besides what Ravi said. So dumb.

4.5/5

I knew I was never mentally ready coming into this. But still, who would've thought that I'll be up all night - flying through the pages like my life depended on it?

This book legit had some moments that creeped the beejezus out of me. There were moments when I was clutching my pillow, staring into my Kindle, like it could save me from the words on the page. Holly Jackson doesn't pull any punches with the creep factor!

And then there's Pip. She's not playing games anymore. She really said “I AM THE FUCKING LAW” and it's a wild ride to see her teeter on the edge of reason. This book makes you want to join Pip in her crusade against the messed up justice system.

Now, the ending. GODDAMIT. What kind of sadist would put a cliffhanger on the final book? That had me staring blankly at the wall, just processing, until my brain went offline.

Bottomline: As Good As Dead takes the cake for a heart-stopping, jaw-dropping finale. Holly Jackson I love you!

I thought this was an amazing end to the trilogy (as sad as I am that it's ended).

I thought this one was super interesting, I read it in nearly one sitting; I just kept wanting to know more and more. It definitely kept me on edge and wondering what was going to happen next. Even the times I wasn't reading, I was thinking about different possibilities and scenarios.

I will admit, I was right about it, which made me pretty dang excited!

I don't want to say too much on this one because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but if you've read the first two books in the trilogy, definitely just give this one a go! It also does tie a bit into the other two and gives some background on the first one a bit also. Loved it!

I don't know how to write about this book. There were so many great things about it and it's probably going to make a lasting impression on me. However, there was this one thing I can't accept.

SPOILERS!

She killed someone and framed someone else... What the f***... That's just awful and not at all something Pip was supposed to do.. I just can't fathom it.

And still everything else in this book was perfect. That's why I struggled a lot with my rating. Amazed and disappointed both at the same time.

This was so different than the other two, but I had a great time listening to this. Or maybe a great time isn't the right word. This was darker, scarier, and more unhinged than the past two. This was a great finale to the series. Solid. I listened to all of them as audiobooks and I'm so glad I did. The podcast experience came to live through this format.

PS: The ending made me scream! iykyk

In “As Good As Dead,” Holly Jackson delivers a gripping conclusion to the thrilling “A Good Girl's Guide to Murder” trilogy, and I must say, it left me both satisfied and a bit shaken. Having followed Pip's journey from the very beginning, I was eager to see how her character would evolve, but I was taken aback by the direction she ultimately took.

The novel picks up with Pip grappling with the aftermath of her previous investigations. The weight of her past decisions looms over her, shaping not just her actions but also her identity. Jackson masterfully captures this internal conflict, delving into themes of morality, justice, and the consequences of seeking the truth. Pip is no longer just the ambitious, clever girl we met in the first book; she's become a more complex, darker version of herself. The surprise twist of Pip's transformation into a morally ambiguous character was both unexpected and riveting. It challenges the reader to reconsider their perceptions of heroism and culpability.

The pacing of the story is impeccable, blending heart-pounding suspense with introspective moments that allow us to witness Pip's emotional turmoil. As she navigates the dangerous path of vigilante justice, I found myself torn—rooting for her as she fights against the injustices surrounding her, while simultaneously questioning the ethics of her methods. Jackson's writing draws you in, making it impossible to put the book down, especially as the stakes get higher.

The supporting characters, too, are richly developed, each adding layers to the narrative and contributing to Pip's evolving perspective. I particularly appreciated how Jackson explores the impact of trauma not only on Pip but on those around her, creating a realistic and relatable tapestry of human experience.

Ultimately, “As Good As Dead” is a compelling exploration of the cost of truth and the moral gray areas we navigate in pursuit of justice. While I loved the book, I was left pondering Pip's fate long after the final page was turned. Holly Jackson has taken a bold risk with her character, and for that, I commend her. It's a thrilling, thought-provoking read that lingers in the mind, prompting us to question how far we would go to protect those we love.

For anyone looking for a captivating conclusion to an unforgettable series, “As Good As Dead” is a must-read. Just be prepared for a wild ride that will challenge your expectations and leave you reflecting on the nature of good and evil.

It was pretty good. I liked how it linked up with references from the first two books, and I liked how Pip's character continued to develop to depict her rage, sadness, numbness, fear, and loneliness. I think the pace was a little inconsistent - it got a little dry at times and then picked up again at others. I did really fall in love with Pip, Ravi, and Nat's characters. Overall, it was a good series and I think I would read it again.

"Who will look for you when you're the one who disappears?"

✦ the chaos, the panic, the trauma & PTSD, the paranoia, the cute RavixPip moments - I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT. ALL.

"You're my Pip and I'm your Ravi. We're a team."

✦ I don't know how Holly managed to do this, but she made Ravi even MORE perfect!!! 🤭🤭

'Pip would work every day to be the kind of person who deserved Ravi Singh'

✦ I am so glad we got to see more of JamiexNat bc they are absolutely ADORABLE!!! And seeing the bond between Pip and Nat grow even stronger ☺️💛 I can only imagine how good it must have felt for Nat when she got to punch Max 🤭

"You’re my person. My little one. My Sarge. And I’m supposed to protect you." "You do protect me," she said, holding his eyes. "Even when you’re not here." 'He was her life raft, her cornerstone for what good truly meant. Didn’t he know that?'

✦ The fact that this book actually made me cry thoooo. just the heartbreaking scenes and that spiral - it was all written so well

R: "I don't want you to. I don't want you to go"

P: "If it's a choice between me and you, I choose you."

R: But I choose you too"

I have to say that the first book gave me some Pretty Little Liars vibes and it was so fun to read it and go guessing who would be the villian, who murdered who, and the thrill to be right!! I LOVED this series so much, and this one even more than the others two made me cry and got me so anxious about how it would end that I'm giving it five stars despite what I'm about to writeSo stop here if you don't want spoilers please.

OMG THE END. I was SOO pissed at the end because the second the plot had that twist and Pip actually killed Jason I had to stop reading it for at least a couple of weeks. I had never been that anxious while reading a book, EVER, and when she and Ravi made a plan and made all those careful details fall into place, I was living for it. I cried my eyes out when she was about to get murdered and I cried my soul out when Max was plead not guilty, so I was rooting for their plan to succeed. And it fricking did. So forgive me but I was waiting for a HAPPY ENDING. And to break my heart in that last chapters like that!! I saw it coming, I knew it was going to be yet another plot twist, but no thaat! Not having them apart like that for over a year just waiting, I hated it. I needed the hapy ending, I needed Ravi helping Pip move to school and them dating and just being happy, so yes, I was mad and sad about the ending. And that last page??? A test message??? That's the ending I got for reading three amazing books? Sorry, I loved all the book, all the series, but that ending just broke my heart.

PS. I just remembered that when we still didn't know who DT was and the obvious answer was Jason (because if the Andie's email) and Pip thought it was Daniel, I even thought it could have been DI Hawkins because he was Jason's friend and the head of the police force so it made sense and it would've been such an intense plot twist.

Mi favorito es definitivamente el segundo, este se me hizo un poco largo y ese final mk, Dios ese final, está entre los finales que me duelen y no soporto, Ravi y Pippa merecían algo mejor que eso, todo paso tan rápido y tan lento a la vez, creo que sí le hubieran quitado unas 100 páginas sería mejor, espere más de lo que realmente dieron en este. El primero fue bueno, el segundo me encantó y esperaba algo mucho mejor acá y no lo encontré.

Hey there! I just finished “As Good As Dead,” the final book in Holly Jackson's “A Good Girl's Guide to Murder” trilogy, and wow, what a ride! This book really cranked things up to eleven.

First off, this book is dark. Like, really dark. It's gripping, chilling, and emotionally intense in a way that surpassed even the first book for me. At 550 pages, it's a chunky read, but trust me, it flies by. The pacing is so good that it never feels like a slog.

Okay, I'll admit, the first 50 pages or so were a bit slow to get going. But once it picks up steam? Hold onto your hats, folks! The story just takes off and doesn't let up. It's divided into two distinct halves - the first part is all about the suspense and mystery we've come to expect from the series, while the second half veers into psychological thriller territory. It's like getting two books for the price of one!

What really blew me away was how well Jackson tied everything together. All those loose ends and clues from the first two books? They all come together in this finale in a way that's just chef's kiss. It makes the whole trilogy feel like one seamless story rather than three separate books. I'm not sure if Jackson planned it all out from the start or if she's just that good at weaving things together, but either way, it's impressive.

The character work in this book is top-notch. You really feel for these people, especially the main character. The way the book handles heavy topics like depression, anxiety, and trauma feels authentic and respectful. It adds a layer of emotional depth that really elevates the story.

Now, if you're expecting the same kind of suspense throughout the whole book, you might be a bit let down by the second half. It's a different kind of tension - more psychological than mystery-based. But personally, I was here for it. The whole thing felt like watching an intense movie unfold in my mind.

Overall, I'd give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Sure, there were a few tiny nitpicks here and there, but they're so minor they're hardly worth mentioning. This book, and indeed the whole trilogy, exceeded my expectations in the best way possible.

If you've read the first two books, you absolutely need to finish the trilogy with this one. And if you haven't started the series yet? Well, what are you waiting for? The experience of reading all three books is just amazing. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good mystery with a dark edge!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

As Good As Dead is the best and darkest book of the series, fight me.

Pip has become a completely different girl from the first book, and I both loved and hated that, especially when it came to her drug usage. Ravi is at his peak in this book (I love him sm), and the suspense is better than ever. I genuinely can't believe the direction this story went in, and even more that they got away with it. There were times where I worried that Pip or Ravi would be found out and arrested, but Pip is just so smart I love her so much oh my goddd. It literally took me six hours to read this, it was so good.

And oh my god, that ending?? Holly Jackson, I need an epilogue novella where Pip and Ravi reunite, please GIVE IT TO ME NOW!!!