In the first two episodes of A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER on Netflix, a teenager named Pippa, or Pip for short, becomes fascinated with a local unsolved case of suspected murder and suicide. She refuses to accept the conventional wisdom that most take at face value. Five years later, people still aren’t comfortable talking about the case, so Pip begins an informal investigation. When she finds new evidence, can she convince anyone to reopen the closed case?

Based on a novel by Holly Jackson, the first two episodes of A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER are well-crafted, if very adult, affairs. The first two episodes have an intriguing atmosphere that is both homey and sinister, as well as good performances. However, viewers can tell that things are about to get darker. The episodes have a mixed worldview. The title character is zealous in her search for the truth, morally impeccable, and genuinely cares about others. However, her small-town British culture revolves around promiscuity, cheating, vulgar language, and drugs, for both teens and adults. As such, A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER is unacceptable.

(PaPa, RoRo, BB, HoHo, PCPC, LL, V, SS, AA, DD, M):

Dominant worldview and other ideological content/elements:

Strong mix of pagan worldview and strong romantic elements, mixed with strong moral elements regarding the search for truth; homosexuality is also considered normal;

Swear words:

Episode 1.1: Three obscenities (including two words starting with “F”), Episode 1.2: Eight obscenities (including seven words starting with “F”);

Force:

An opening scene shows a teenage girl with blood all over the back of her head and her hair. A teenage girl receives a typed note telling her to “stop digging.”

Sex:

There is a lot of sexual innuendo ranging from mild to strong, teenagers often talk about sex using everything from oral sex to sex toys, and homosexuality has been normalized;

Nudity:

No nudity, but a teenage girl is undressing in a locker room after a tennis match when another teenage girl comes in to interview her (her bare back and legs are briefly shown);

Alcohol consumption:

Teenagers buy alcohol illegally and are covered by a friend.

Smoking and/or drug use and abuse:

Smoking is prohibited, but one character turns out to be a drug dealer and other people turn out to be his customers.

Various immoralities:

A girl is used as bait by her friends to buy something illegally in the store.

In A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER on Netflix, Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi is fascinated by a local unsolved case of suspected murder and suicide. She refuses to accept the common opinion that most others take at face value. “Apparently, Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who then committed suicide. End of story.” Pip, however, is not so sure.

Today, five years later, people are still uncomfortable talking about the case, so Pip begins an informal investigation. This becomes much more formal when she finds the first solid evidence to support her suspicions. The brother of the suspected murderer provides Pip with this evidence and becomes Pip’s first ally in her search for the truth.

Pip goes into full Nancy Drew mode, but can she convince anyone else to reopen a seemingly closed file?

Based on Holly Jackson’s debut novel, this Netflix series is a well-crafted but very adult affair. The first three episodes of the series are classic British crime fare, the result of a brilliant collaboration between BBC and Netflix. It has an intriguing atmosphere that is both homely and spooky. The investigation and the detective’s personal connection to the case draw viewers in, the acting fits the story, the cinematography and script are excellent, and the regular revelations and different angles are compelling. Actress Emma Myers’s tireless teen protagonist is smart, engaging, and likable. The rabbit hole that the viewer eagerly plunges down is unique and keeps you guessing. However, you can tell after the first three episodes that things are about to get darker.

The first two episodes of A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER have a strongly mixed worldview. Pip is eager to seek the truth, morally impeccable, and genuinely cares about others. The idea that as a young girl she may have inadvertently influenced the deadly events of the past is testament to her strong sense of right and wrong. Yet she is one of the few characters who exhibit these traits. Her 2020s small-town British culture revolves around promiscuity, cheating, vulgar language, and illegal drugs. The young people in the series drink, use each other, take drugs, and try to cover up the truth. Homosexuality is also seen as normal. So, ultimately, A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER is unacceptable.