If you stumbled upon my page, odds are that you are not only interested in reading, but also writing. It is not uncommon for people with their noses always stuck in the pages of a book to get the desire to put their ideas into action, too. I have been there myself, and let me tell you that the gap between a reader and a writer when enjoying the same novel is much wider than you might initially realise. You will notice that your focus will shift onto details that you never paid attention to before, but it’s not as easy and automatic as it sounds. While you may vicariously inherit some of the author’s knowledge as the book unravels, it doesn’t really mean that you will retain the information efficiently and in the long run. In this article, I would like to give you a step by step tutorial on how to read a book through the eyes of a writer. I will take A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson as a case study. But why this novel specifically? I have been working on an idea for a mystery novel for a while now, but I don’t know much about the genre. I have read numerous books centred around tangled crimes and enigmas, but I’ve never really stopped and reflected on the tenets of the genre. As you read this article and follow my instructions, I suggest you pick a novel that belongs to a niche you want to learn more about. That way, your analysis will be a lot more beneficial and productive.

DISCLAIMER: I will not reveal any major spoilers, but if you want to have a more authentic experience and read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder on your own, then just skim through the paragraphs and read the underlined passages. They will still guide you through the experiment without telling you anything about the novel I selected.

1. Choose your book wisely

As I’ve mentioned before, make sure you select your book by reflecting on your goals. In order to optimise your learning experience, I suggest you look for a novel that explores a theme you are interested in, a genre you are not familiar with, a character archetype you’ve never encountered before. The number one rule is to get out of your comfort zone and leave room for mistakes, otherwise what are we even doing this for?

2. Read actively

The first thing you want to do when you analyse a book is to read actively. By that I mean that you cannot afford to just skim through the most important passages, skip paragraphs and only focus on the ending of the novel. If you do that, you will never move out of your comfort zone and you will be stuck, seeing the page through the eyes of a passive reader. What I want you to do is change your mindset completely before you even begin. You need to reach the depths of the narrative and avoid stopping on the surface. You can’t wait for the author to spoon-feed you with information until the book is over. I want you to take notes, underline passages, highlight impressive descriptions and write down all your thoughts. By doing that, you will automatically be catapulted into the world of the story as something more than just a visitor. You will become an integral part of the narrative, shaping the understanding of each component and giving them order and purpose.

3. Structure

Let’s start from the basics, the structure of the story. See how the story begins. Reflect on the initial situation and how the author establishes the initial situation. In the book I chose, Holly Jackson makes that clear through the words of the protagonist. The case of Andie Bell’s murder has been closed and everyone knows the killer is Sal Singh. Or is he? Pip decides to delve into the mystery as her final- year project, with the help of Ravi, the brother of the main suspect, who just committed suicide.

“Because I don’t think your brother did it— and I’m going to prove it.”

The purpose of the plot has been clarified now, but what is the inciting incident that drives the story forward? While the fact that Pip decided to work on the case has been clear since the beginning, what really changes the course of events is the choice of Ravi Singh to make a deal with her in order to uncover the truth.

“I want to make a deal with you. [...] I’ve waited so long for a chance. [...] I’ve got something for you. It’s Sal’s phone.”

This simple device manages to turn the expectations upside down, but this object alone isn’t enough material for the narrative to progress. That is when a threat comes into the picture in order to mark the rising action. Pip starts receiving demeaning and menacing messages from an unknown person and she is increasingly blackmailed throughout the story by someone who wants to cover up the murder.

“Stop digging, Pippa.”

That is the first warning she receives from her blackmailer. After looking fro clues and interviewing people, her list of suspects increases and she discovers some dark secrets her best friends have been hiding for years. That is the moment where the tension starts to wear on her and us readers.

“Pip’s shoulders slumped as a weight settled there. The world felt heavier that it had ever been before.”

At that point, we’re ready for anything. Everything seems to be leading to a long awaited climax, but our expectations get overturned once again. Her dog gets kidnapped by whoever had been taunting her and in a raw, emotional scene, she has to destroy all the evidence she had in order to protect her loved ones. Her attempts are in vain and she ends up hitting rock bottom.

“I mean I’m done with the project. I’ve emailed my supervisor telling her I’m changing topic or dropping out. It’s over.”

A big argument breaks out between the two main characters and all hope seems lost, but Ravi pulls her up to her feet and encourages her to keep working. She does so in secret this time, just for the sake of justice. Everything seems to be running smoothly until she finds the piece of evidence that makes every piece of the puzzle come together.

“This is your final warning, Pippa. Walk away.”

Those words come out of the printer belonging to a man she’s always looked up to. She tracks him down, calls the police and a first climax sets in.

-“She’s here, isn’t she? Andie’s here and she’s alive?”

-“Yes.”

Why did I say first, though? When every passage of the story finally seems to make sense, Pip discovers that the girl he has been holding captive is nothing more than a look-alike. In that moment she realises that someone else must have been involved in the crime. It is only once she finds that person that the true climax happens.

The book ends with a flash forward, letting us know what the characters are up to three months after the resolution. The novel gives us both a sense of conclusion for the information discovered and the possibility of new questions coming up. Pip hasn’t solved the case yet and that awareness paves the way for a potential sequel (actually, there’s two of them now).

4. Plot

After analysing the backbone of the novel, let’s delve deeper into the elements that make up the plot. First off, let’s talk about the genre. It is important to focus on this aspect in order to have a clear idea of the expectations a reader has of a certain kind of book. Needless to say, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder sets an expectation of suspense and mystery, given by the unsolved murder of Andie Bell. A reader can imagine there will be clues leading up to the solution and lots of twists and turns.Furthermore, a novel centred around a character like Pippa naturally invites the exploration of moral and ethical themes, providing opportunities for character development. Readers will look for a balance between intrigue and emotional connection to the individuals mentioned in the story, looking forward to discovering the truth behind the case and how the various storylines tie up.
Another essential aspect to analyse is how the author sets the stakes in order to make the narrative more engaging. It is clear to any reader that if Pippa doesn’t find a way to solve the case, there will be catastrophic consequences. The perpetrator might get away with it, for starters, and she may tarnish the reputation of those she investigates on. Other than the fact that this project may determine whether she gets into an Ivy League school or not, it also puts her and her entire family at risk safety wise. Therefore, her relationship with relatives and friends are put on the line in the name of truth and honesty. She has to face numerous ethical dilemmas and, once she includes his brother in the investigation, she has the moral obligation to clean Sal Singh’s name. Without her neither Andie Bell’s family, nor Ravi’s can find closure. Let’s say it, those are pretty high stakes right there, and the tension gets more palpable with each chapter.

While I believe it would be redundant to talk about goals, especially in the book I selected, it would be rather interesting to see in which way they are introduced to the audience. Holly Jackson has the talent to make everything straightforward without passing off as obvious or repetitive. She makes the objectives of the protagonist clear both by showing Pip’s project proposal and through the dialogue she has with Ravi in the very first chapter.

Now, let’s examine the pace of the story. Does it increase or decrease regularly? Is it static? Is it realistic?Does it have discrepancies? How does the author speed up or slow down the narrative? These are all crucial question that you, as a writer in the making, should stop and think about. After all, if you mess up the pace you’ll either tire out the audience or make them want to use your book as a cure for insomnia. And maybe even both depending on the chapter. The author of a Good Girl’s Guide to Murder managed to find the perfect balance between moments of high intensity and introspective scenes. By masterfully alternating those sequences, she draws the readers to both characters and events. The pace of events rises gradually as chapters go by, using a more dramatic vocabulary to increase the tension and shorter sentences for action sequences. She leaves room for plot twists until the very end, but the last chapter before the flash-forward masterfully cradles us into a quieter, slow-paced resolution.

“Red and blue. Red And blue. Bled a n d rue. Be ll an n d”

The author’s experimental use of fragmented and intertwined language to describe the protagonist’s loss of consciousness and transition to the finale effectively coneys a sense of both confusion and peace simultaneously. Although the epilogue may seem more serene, it still leaves us on a cliffhanger, suggesting that the following book is going to pick up where it left off.

5. Writing style

The previous point I made leads us straight into this new section of the analysis. Writing style is such a wide term that it could concern basically anything, from the vocabulary used to the voice of the narrator. So let’s take it step by step. First and foremost, see how the language of the book varies based on the kind of scene we’re in. For example, it will change if a scene is quieter or action-packed.

“They probably thought she couldn’t hear them. Her parents, bickering in the living room downstairs. She had long ago learned that the word ‘Pip’ was one that travelled exceptionally well through walls and floors.”

“It lounged out and gripped her with two hands. They fell on the ground and they rolled. Pip’s head smashed into a tree, a snaking trail of wet down her face, the iron- bite of blood in her mouth.”

You see the difference between these two quotes? It’s clear which scene each one represents, so let’s focus on the noteworthy points. The first scene definitely describes a slow scene, without any kind of pacy event. The author depicts a richer setting, including more details that reflect a sense of introspection. She portrays a familiar scenario, a situation she knows well and that is not out of her comfort zone, therefore the sentences are more well-constructed and pondered over. On the other hand, the second scene comes straight out of the last chapter, during the second climax of the novel. The sentences are more concise, employing active verbs and minimal descriptions. The emotional intensity is expressed through actions and the immediacy of the events keeps the readers on the edge of their seats. Still concerning the choice of words, you may want to reflect on the atmosphere they want to recreate. Is it lyrical? Is it prose? Or maybe a mixture of both? Holly Jackson primarily utilises a prosaic language throughout the novel. However, it’s possible to find elements of lyrical writing as well. For instance, you may find some rhetorical devices, such as similes, metaphors and epitomes.

“A silver-tinted darkness had taken over the woods, enclosing oval sides the small bright marquee that glowed like a lantern amongst the sleeping trees.”

This is just an example of a simile, but she uses them quite often in order to give the scene more emotional depth and convey vivid imagery. One of the most riveting elements to take into account while dissecting a book are descriptions. Whether she is depicting characters, objects, feelings, settings or even concepts, Holly Jackson has a talent for giving any inanimate objects a glimpse of life. Through her words and figures of speech, she treats them like living beings in order to enhance their narrative intensity.

“There was a song in her. A sickly beat troubling the skin on her wrists and neck, a crackling chord as she cleared her throat and the jagged trill of her breath. Next, the terrible realisation that once she noticed her breathing she couldn’t, for the life of her, un-notice it. She stood before the front door and willed it open. Every second grew syrupy as the door stared her down, the minutes unrolling themselves into forever.”

This passage is the perfect representation of the mixture of both prose and a lyrical language. She evokes all five senses, awakening a dreadful sense of unease, melting abstract and concrete details. Through her sentences, the door becomes a threat, a living being that enhances her anxiety. Needless to say, those kinds of descriptions truly make the reading experience a lot better. Now let’s turn our attention to the narrator. Who is the voice recounting the story? In the case of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, there’s an alternation of scenes written in the first and third person. We can hear Pip’s voice through her log entries and the notes on the case. Despite the different forms of narration, we always see things from the point of view of the protagonist. That choice allows us readers to better relate to her and understand her choices throughout the novel. Her voice is truly unique. She can be ironic even through the toughest moments and it is nice to get a closer glimpse into her thought process.

“I’m rambling. It’s 2 a.m. and I just ate half a Toblerone, that’s why.”

One last element to consider when speaking of writing style are narrative techniques. I’m speaking of flashbacks, flash forwards, beginnings in medias res and many more methods I’ll mention later. While Holly Jackson doesn’t utilise any flashbacks in her book, she recounts the past through dialogues and introspective sequences. She does end the book on a flash forward, but I believe the innovations in her writing style don’t really concern the time of the story. She uses documents, mind maps, log entires, journal passages and transcripts of interviews. I must admit I didn’t completely enjoy each one of them, but it surely livens up the story and makes it more entertaining than the average mystery novel.

6. Themes and symbolism

This is a key component without which a story is just a bunch of events, one after the other. The themes are what turn a series of occurrences into a story. When it comes to the novel I chose, some topics are rather straightforward and to be expected in a mystery thriller. The story revolves around truth-seeking and the pursuit of justice for both the victim and Sal Singh. It grapples with moral and ethical dilemmas and the sacrifices Pippa has to make. Loyalty and friendships are put to the test, family dynamics shift and the small town itself plays a role in keeping secrets. It delves into psychological issues, such as the obsession Pip slowly develops with solving the mystery and the empowerment she demonstrates through her intelligence once she takes on the role of an amateur detective, becoming more and more independent, but without forgetting to let herself be human at times. As she mentions in the project proposal, Pippa wants to explore the role of social media in a case, seeing how it can manipulate public perception and impact the search for truth. On a similar note, the novel challenges the idea of surface appearance and the assumptions people make about others. That concept is also illustrated by the racism and initial discrimination towards Ravi and his family. Holly Jackson handles this theme with exceptional delicacy, without using it as an excuse to justify every action a character carries out.

-Pip: “Um... Sal was actually born and raised in Britain, though it is notable that you refer to him as Indian in all of your articles.”

-Stanley: “Well, same thing. He was of Indian heritage.”

-Pip: “And why is that relevant?”

-Stanley: “I’m not like an expert or anything, but they have different ways of life to us, don’t they? They don’t treat women quite like we do, their women are like their possessions. So I’m guessing maybe Annie decided she didn’t want to be with him or something and he killed her in a rage because, in his eyes, she belonged to him.”

You see? Doesn’t it sound like something you would hear in real life? Unfortunately, I have, many times, so the author does a great job at tackling such a sensitive issue without coming across as overly biased.

This next aspect I am going to analyse is one of my favourites. I always pay attention to it whenever I read a book or watch a movie. I’m talking about symbolisms. I absolutely love it when a small object in a novel hides a larger meaning in the big picture. For example, in Holly Jackson’s story, the woods surrounding the town represent the unknown and the secrets lurking in the darkness. It is the place where some of the most pivotal moments are set and they evoke a sense of mystery and danger.

7. Characters

Obviously, thrillers and mystery novels are known for their twists and turns, and some authors make the mistake to think that a well-constructed plot is enough to engage the audience thoroughly. While it might be true in some instances, it is paramount to remember that characters should never take a backseat in a novel. After all, actions are interesting but the motives driving the perpetrators are even more intriguing. No matter what genre you’re working on or which book you picked for this experiment, each individual needs to have their own story, their own personality, they need to be alive. And let’s say that Holly Jackson did a pretty meticulous job when it come to that.
The first thing to ask yourself is, do characters belong to an archetype? In the novel I selected, the most influential characters surely do. Pip is the detective and the heroine, taking on the role of the ‘good girl’, her father acts as her mentor, Andie Bell is the innocent victim, Ravi is the side-kick and eventually love interest, and, avoiding any major spoilers, we will come across characters who exhibit traits of an antagonist.
What truly makes a character memorable, though, is how an author gradually gets further and further away from the traditional archetype and transforms them into individuals. In a Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, nobody is a cardboard character. Each one of Pip’s friends have motivations and development. To mention one, just think about the dynamics between Naomi and Cara and the reason why Pip decided to protect her. Her family can be described as a tight-knit group, but they do have their issues. Despite it all, they ultimately come together to lend the protagonist a helping hand. And the adults in the story, the teachers, the drug dealer, even the hotel owner, they all have a whole universe to discover.
When it comes to the main characters, they are so well-developed and multifaceted that they truly come across as real people. I reckon I have already talked about the nature of the protagonist extensively, but what I particularly appreciated is how the author manages to paint unique traits of every character through quirks and dialogues. Let me give you an example.

“I was wondering if I could borrow a jiffy of your time? Well, not a jiffy... Did you know a jiffy is an actual measurement of time? It’s one one-hundredth of a second, so... can you maybe spare a few consequential jiffies?”
Oh god, this is what happened when she was nervous or backed into a corner.

You see? Now we know she rambles when she gets intimidated with an actual representation of the trait, so we don’t have tp take the narrator’s word for it. Ravi also has a pivotal role in the investigation. He is smart, resourceful and fiercely loyal to Pippa. He is the character that conveys the themes of discrimination and need for justice. And just like the protagonist, he is a well-developed individual and we the readers get to know some of his quirks as well.

“Yeah, you seem like the serious type.” The back of his head must have been particularly itchy. Or maybe Ravi Singh’s itchy head was the equivalent of Pip’s useless facts: armour and shield when the knight inside was squirming.

What a beautiful and subtle way to give a character more dimensions. Now, let’s take about the guy everybody in the town of Fairview saw like a murderer without second thoughts. Sal Singh, Ravi’s older brother and the one people believed to be the perpetrator of the crime. His character is perhaps one of the most complex you can find in the book. He is enigmatic, charismatic, but he is ultimately described as a kind and pure soul.
A character that isn’t exactly as innocent as initially believed is Andie Bell. She is obviously described as popular and gorgeous, living a seemingly flawless life. She is brought to life by the memories of those who knew her, especially her best friends, but their testimonies are not as good as you may imagine. She had to deal with some family issues, like the majority of the characters in the novel, but the way she dealt with it are really questionable. She ruined people’s lives, blackmailed adults, had affairs with older men, manipulated her friends, dealt drugs, kept secrets and deceived her boyfriend. Let’s say it, she is everything but a blameless victim, and that adds yet another intriguing layer to the story.
Generally speaking, I must say that the author does a great job at portraying human reactionsto events that would upset basically anyone. I remember a particular passage in which Pippa breaks down after interviewing a drug dealer.

“The adrenaline comedown descended into hysterics. Pip fell into him, wiping away tears, snatching staccato breaths between cackles. Ravi stumbled, his face creased, laughing so hard he had to bend over and hold his guts.”

8. Learn and apply

After dissecting the entirety of the novel like a surgeon, it’s time to retain the elements that left an impression on you. After all, we did this whole thing to dive deeper into the craft of storytelling and learn new techniques to apply to your own ideas.
In my case, I have quite a few points that stood out and stuck with me as I read. I absolutely adore the way Holly Jackson portrays characters and turns them into individuals. It gives you the impression that they might jump out of the pages and walk the same streets you do. These characters are exceptionally believable. In addition, I am a big fan of her descriptions.

“I don’t know what to think but I can’t help it, my imagination just threw off its leash and stuck its middle finger up at me.”

“Oh, come on,” she said when, even after twenty Mississipis, the eight in :58 hand’t sprung into the leg of a nine.

“From the ashes of her anger a new creature was born, creating itself from the cinders and dust. A feeling that fell between terror and doubt, between chaos and logic.”

Isn’t it remarkable? How she jumps from irony to rage, from fear to hastiness, from boredom to confusion? They all left a great impression on me and I’ll surely try to implement some of her methods into my own writing.
Another peculiar aspect of the novel are the narrative techniques she uses to push the story forward. Some I enjoy, others I am not a huge fan of. Still, I appreciated the list of suspects Pip kept updating. It helps a reader keep track of the unravelling mystery. Moreover, the interviews with people involved with the victim served as a unique alternative to traditional dialogues.
However, I did not particularly cherish the log entires. They were too packed with details at times and they were hard to follow. They may fall into the trap of info dumps and I don’t think I would emulate them in may own work.
Another point I have some doubts about are the confessions of the people involved in the murder. Sure, Pip had some leverage, but it wasn’t by far sufficient to have them read so easily. I don’t think it would have happened in real life.
Nevertheless, this plot gave me an amazing example of an elegantly crafted story.
Everything is introduced gradually, the pace is realistic and the narrative doesn’t overwhelm readers with information.
In conclusion, I learned that there are no A- and B-level elements in mystery thrillers. Every detail can make the difference and they all contribute to the overall suspense of the novel. Each one of them should fit into the final puzzle, wether it’s to mislead the reader or to get closer to the solution.
I believe this has been one of my favourite articles to prepare and write down. It has given me the chance to explore a genre I had never truly focused on before and I did it with one of the most representative books out there. As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, I will most definitely approach my idea differently. I now know how the general structure should be, how high the stakes need to get and I have certainly retained some amazing techniques to describe objects and feelings more originally. Nevertheless, what Holly Jackson taught me more than anything is how to alternate character development, human reactions and emotions with an astoundingly entertaining plot.
I hope you benefitted from this article as much as I did and I’d be very curious to see which book you chose. Tell me about your experience and don’t hesitate to hit me up on Instagram to share your thoughts!