The much-anticipated TV adaptation of Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder has finally arrived on BBC iPlayer. For those unfamiliar with the series, Jackson’s books form a trilogy, with the first one, AGGGTM, being the foundation for Season 1. The story follows Pip, a student who chooses to investigate the murder of Andy Bell—a case that shook her town—as her school project. Her investigation unravels many hard truths along the way.

As a huge fan of the book series, I had been eagerly awaiting the TV adaptation, especially after learning that Emma Myers, famous for her role in Netflix’s Wednesday, was involved in the project. When you read a book, you naturally start imagining the characters and the events, and that’s exactly what happened to me. I was concerned that the adaptation might not match the image I had in my mind, but fortunately, that’s not what happened. From the casting to the overall feel, the adaptation hits all the right notes. Emma Myers’ casting as Pip is perfect; she captures all the essential elements of Pip’s character—her stubbornness, hot-headedness, and most importantly, the sassiness.

Looking at the list of executive producers, it’s clear why the adaptation is so faithful to the source material. Holly Jackson, the author, is one of the executive producers and has been closely involved with the adaptation, as evidenced by her Instagram posts and interviews. This close involvement has ensured that the show remains mostly true to the book. Another concern I had was whether the series would be sanitised to make it too kid-friendly. Thankfully, this is not the case. The show captures the book’s tone perfectly, not shying away from the darker elements. It presents the same gritty and intense atmosphere that fans of the book will appreciate.

If you are a fan of the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder book series, the BBC adaptation is a must-watch. It stays true to the source material, with excellent casting and a faithful recreation of the book’s atmosphere. Emma Myers’ portrayal of Pip is spot-on, and the involvement of Holly Jackson ensures that the essence of the story is preserved. The adaptation is a rewarding experience for fans and serves as a great introduction for newcomers to the series.

P.S. My Letterboxd handle is @BhumikGrover.