‘Addictive’ BBC crime drama based on best-selling book streaming now
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a mystery thriller series on BBC iPlayer and Netflix, based on Holly Jackson’s 2019 book of the same name — and fans of Sherlock say they simply can’t stop watching
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Audiences are utterly captivated with the crime drama(Image: BBC/Moonage Pictures/Sally Mais)
Sherlock is widely regarded as the finest crime drama on television for devotees of the murder mystery genre, boasting a brilliant detective at the centre of a series packed with jaw-dropping twists and turns.
While it may seem an almost impossible act to follow, one underrated programme comes remarkably close.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a mystery thriller series based on Holly Jackson’s 2019 book of the same name. The show is particularly well-suited to young adults seeking a binge-worthy series bursting with slick action, relentless mystery, and a generous helping of teenage angst and romance.
Led by a stellar Emma Myers alongside Zain Iqbal, the series has audiences completely hooked, with viewers insisting they simply cannot stop watching the ‘addictive and riveting’ detective thriller.
Adapted for the small screen by Poppy Cogan and directed by Dolly Wells, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder made its debut on BBC iPlayer in July 2024 before launching globally on Netflix in August of that same year, reports the Liverpool Echo.
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The crime drama series has garnered immense praise from all age groups(Image: BBC/Moonage Pictures)
A second series, adapted from the second book Good Girl, Bad Blood, hit screens in May 2026, while a third season is currently in development, drawing from Holly’s third book, As Good As Dead. Series three is set to premiere in 2027, with filming already wrapped up.
Both series one and two comprise six episodes apiece, with fans declaring they were on the edge of their seats from the very first frame to the last. The show’s official synopsis reads: With cold case murders and new mysteries looming over her sleepy English town, an average teen becomes an amateur sleuth determined to uncover the truth.
Emma Myers and Zain Iqbal lead the ensemble, joined by Kitty Anderson, Asha Banks, Raiko Gohara, Jude Morgan-Collie, Yali Topol Margalith, Henry Ashton, Carla Woodcock, and Gary Beadle in a standout cast.
The mystery thriller crime drama was shot across Somerset and Bristol and has received widespread acclaim from viewers across all age groups.
One critic described the series as: “A delicious binge for anyone who loves a good murder mystery.”
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Emma Myers stars as the lead in the series and has been lauded for her performance(Image: BBC/Moonage Pictures/Joss Barratt)
Meanwhile, another reviewer said: “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder combines teen drama with crime procedurals to create a riveting series made endearing by solid performances from its young cast.”
A third critic added: “Ultimately, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a fun and quick binge-worthy show that will make a potentially boring day a lot more entertaining.”
Viewers have proved equally enthralled, with one fan saying: “I loved this season! The cast isn’t famous, but the quality is incredible. The plot revolves around Pipa investigating a closed case. It’s a good thriller-exciting and scary-while also touching on themes like love, friendship, and courage. The ending served as a great hook for the next season.”
Meanwhile, another fan of the show wrote: “While the local police have been fast asleep for five years after closing a murder case, an ordinary high schooler decides to take it on as her school project. And that’s when a whirlwind of skeletons in closets begins-something even Sherlock Holmes himself would envy. It’s a total binge-watch. The characters feel alive, the twists don’t feel forced, and the atmosphere keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.”
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Viewers can’t stop binge-watching the ‘addictive and riveting’ detective thriller(Image: BBC/Moonage Pictures/Sally Mais)
One IMDB user review reads: “A brilliant adaptation. Such a beautiful work. Nowadays we’ve seen productions and directors messing everything up with adaptations, but not this one. I just watched it and felt very happy. I have to say that Emma Myers did a wonderful job on this one. I could talk about this show for hours. The cast and crew did a beautiful job. It’s totally worth watching.”
While another bowled-over viewer said: “Such an amazing show, I wish there were more episodes. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is absolutely amazing, and there’s so much to love about it. First off, the show brilliantly captures the tension and intrigue of the original novel, making it an edge-of-your-seat experience from start to finish. The way the mystery unfolds is so clever, keeping you guessing and theorizing right alongside the main character, Pip. Overall I really hope u give it a watch as u will not forget this since it is that good.”
One IMDB user review read: “Amazing. I picked up A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder thinking it would be a typical teen mystery, but I was completely hooked from the first few chapters. This series totally exceeded my expectations. Honestly, if you like true crime, mystery thrillers, or anything with strong female leads, give this a try. It’s smart, unpredictable, and has just the right mix of suspense and heart. One of the best YA crime series I’ve read in a long time. Highly recommended!”
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer and with a subscription on Netflix.