20 Books Like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is something that I can’t stop devouring — I mean, who wouldn’t?
The twists, the tension, the whole who-did-it vibe. It’s the kind of book that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go until you’re flipping that last page, breathless and mind-blown.
If you’re anything like me, you were probably on the hunt for your next fix the moment you finished it.
Well, lucky for you, I’ve got your back!
Here’s a list of some books that’ll give you those same vibes—thrilling mysteries, compelling characters, and, of course, the kind of plot twists that will make you gasp out loud.
Let’s dive in!
Books Like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
1. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Let’s start with one that’s basically the book version of your favorite crime drama mashed up with high school drama. One of Us Is Lying is like The Breakfast Club, but instead of detention bonding, someone winds up dead.
Four high school students walk into detention, and only four come out—because Simon, the school’s notorious gossip king, is murdered. The kicker? All four remaining students had a motive.
Each chapter dives into the perspectives of these four suspects, unraveling secrets, lies, and alliances in a way that’ll keep you guessing until the very end. It’s got the same “who can you trust?” vibe that you loved in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, but with an added layer of social media chaos that makes it feel oh-so-current.
2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
This one’s for the fans of unreliable narrators and summer settings that feel like a dream… until they don’t. We Were Liars is about Cadence, a girl from a wealthy family who spends her summers on a private island.
Sounds perfect, right? But something happened one summer that left Cadence with amnesia and a throbbing headache that never goes away. As she starts to piece together what really happened, the story twists and turns in ways you won’t see coming.
The ending? It’s one of those gut-punch revelations that’ll stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page. It’s got that same dark, haunting undertone you loved in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
3. Sadie by Courtney Summers
If you were into the podcast element of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, then you’ve got to check out Sadie. This book alternates between Sadie’s perspective and a true-crime podcast investigating her disappearance.
Sadie’s younger sister was brutally murdered, and when the police fail to catch the killer, Sadie takes matters into her own hands. What follows is a gritty, heart-wrenching journey as Sadie hunts down her sister’s killer, all while a radio host tries to piece together what happened after Sadie vanishes.
It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s impossible to put down.
4. The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
Here’s another one for the conspiracy lovers. The Cheerleaders is about a town haunted by a string of tragic deaths involving five cheerleaders—two in a car accident, two murdered by a neighbor, and one, the main character Monica’s sister, who took her own life.
Five years later, Monica starts to suspect that her sister’s death might not have been what it seemed. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets that some people would kill to keep buried.
It’s got all the elements of a great mystery: small-town secrets, a determined protagonist, and a trail of clues that you’ll be racing to put together.
5. The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
Alright, shifting gears a bit here with some historical mystery vibes. The Girl in the Blue Coat is set in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam and follows Hanneke, a teenage girl who’s been living on the black market, delivering goods to keep her family afloat.
When one of her clients asks her to find a missing Jewish girl who vanished without a trace, Hanneke is pulled into a dangerous world of resistance, secrets, and betrayal. This one’s perfect if you loved the investigation aspect of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder but are looking for something with a bit more historical depth.
The mystery is intense, the setting is vividly realized, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
6. Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
Yep, Karen M. McManus is back on this list because she’s just that good at delivering teen thrillers! Two Can Keep a Secret takes you to the small town of Echo Ridge, where secrets and lies are as much a part of the town’s history as its creepy theme park.
When Ellery and her twin brother move there, they quickly realize that the town’s dark past is far from over. With homecoming queens disappearing and dead bodies turning up, Ellery finds herself caught in a web of secrets that someone is desperate to keep hidden.
The twists are plentiful, the suspense is high, and it’s got that same eerie small-town vibe you loved in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
7. People Like Us by Dana Mele
This one’s for fans of boarding school mysteries with a side of psychological thrills. People Like Us is set in an elite all-girls school where a popular student, Kay, finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation after a classmate’s body is found in a nearby lake.
The dead girl left behind a scavenger hunt-like series of clues pointing to the killer, and Kay is forced to follow them to protect her own secrets. It’s got all the hallmarks of a great mystery: a tight-knit group of friends, hidden pasts, and a twisty plot that’ll keep you guessing.
If you loved the high school drama and tightly woven plot of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, this one’s for you.
8. The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Imagine Criminal Minds but with a cast of teens who are each skilled in a different area of criminal profiling. That’s The Naturals for you.
The main character, Cassie, has a knack for reading people, which lands her a spot in a special FBI program for teens with unusual abilities. But when a serial killer starts mimicking her mother’s unsolved murder, Cassie and her new friends find themselves in a race against time to catch the killer before they become the next victims.
The combination of procedural drama, psychological insight, and teen dynamics makes this one a must-read for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
9. Little Monsters by Kara Thomas
Another Kara Thomas gem, Little Monsters is all about the dark underbelly of friendships and the secrets that people keep hidden. The story follows Kacey, a girl who’s just moved to a small town and quickly becomes part of a close-knit trio.
But when one of the girls goes missing, Kacey realizes that her new friends might not be as trustworthy as they seem. The book dives deep into the psychology of its characters, offering a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that’s as much about the complexities of friendship as it is about finding a killer.
It’s got that same dark, immersive vibe that made A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder so compelling.
10. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Finally, if you’re in the mood for a mystery that spans decades, Truly Devious is your book. It’s set at Ellingham Academy, a private school famous for the unsolved kidnapping of its founder’s wife and daughter back in the 1930s.
Fast forward to the present day, and Stevie Bell, a true-crime aficionado, is determined to solve the case. But as she starts digging, she realizes that the past might not be as far behind as she thought—and someone at the school will do anything to keep the truth buried.
With its mix of historical and contemporary mysteries, Truly Devious will scratch that itch for a multi-layered, twisty tale.
11. Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
If you’re into high-stakes drama with a tropical twist, Dangerous Girls will be right up your alley. This book is like a mix of Gone Girl and a sun-soaked beach vacation gone terribly wrong.
It follows a group of friends on a spring break trip to Aruba that turns deadly when one of them is found murdered. The main character, Anna, quickly finds herself as the prime suspect in the case. As the trial progresses, we get flashbacks that peel back the layers of their friendships and the events leading up to the murder.
The tension builds until a jaw-dropping twist that’ll have you rethinking everything you thought you knew. It’s dark, twisty, and completely addictive.
12. The Silence of Bones by June Hur
For those who love a good historical mystery with a strong female lead, The Silence of Bones is a must-read. Set in 1800s Joseon Korea, this book follows Seol, a 16-year-old indentured servant working for the police.
When a noblewoman is found murdered, Seol teams up with a young inspector to solve the case. But as she gets closer to the truth, she finds herself in more danger than she ever imagined.
The atmosphere is richly detailed, the mystery is compelling, and Seol is a protagonist you’ll be rooting for all the way. It’s perfect if you enjoyed the investigative elements of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and are looking for something with a unique historical setting.
13. Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
This one is a bit of a gut-punch, but it’s a must-read for fans of mysteries with a strong emotional core. Monday’s Not Coming is about Claudia, a girl whose best friend, Monday, suddenly goes missing.
What’s even stranger is that no one else seems to notice—or care. As Claudia searches for answers, she uncovers heartbreaking secrets about Monday’s life and what might have happened to her.
The book tackles tough issues like systemic racism and neglect, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat with its gripping mystery. It’s a powerful, haunting read that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
14. The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
Yep, Karen M. McManus makes the list again—because honestly, she’s just that good at crafting addictive mysteries! The Cousins follows three cousins who barely know each other but are suddenly invited to spend the summer at their estranged grandmother’s estate.
As they dig into the dark history of their family and the secrets that tore them apart, they realize that their invitation might not have been as innocent as it seemed. With plenty of twists, turns, and family drama, this book is a perfect pick if you’re craving a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.
15. This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston
If you loved the courtroom drama and investigative aspects of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, then This Is Our Story should be next on your list. The story revolves around five boys who go hunting in the woods, but only four come back.
The boy who dies was shot, but the other four claim it was an accident—except none of them are willing to say who pulled the trigger. Enter Kate, a high school senior interning at the district attorney’s office, who’s determined to find out the truth.
The mystery is tightly woven, the characters are complex, and the stakes are high, making this one a compelling, page-turning read.
16. The Leaving by Tara Altebrando
For a mystery that leans into psychological suspense and the surreal, check out The Leaving. The premise is instantly intriguing: six kids were kidnapped when they were five years old, and now, eleven years later, five of them return—with no memory of where they’ve been or what happened to the sixth child.
The book alternates between the perspectives of two of the returned kids and the sister of the one who didn’t come back, as they try to piece together the mystery of their lost years. The tension builds steadily as more clues are revealed, leading to a climax that’s as shocking as it is satisfying.
17. The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas
Kara Thomas is back on the list, and for good reason. The Darkest Corners is a psychological thriller that’s equal parts chilling and engrossing. The story centers on Tessa, who returns to her hometown for the first time in years after her father’s death.
But coming back also means facing the memories of the murder trial that she and her friend Callie testified in as children—testimony that put a man on death row. As new evidence comes to light, Tessa begins to question everything she thought she knew about the case.
She’s drawn back into a dark world of lies and secrets. It’s gritty, atmospheric, and impossible to put down.
18. All These Bodies by Kendare Blake
If you’re in the mood for a mystery with a creepy, supernatural edge, All These Bodies is the book for you. Set in the 1950s, the story follows 17-year-old Michael, who becomes involved in a series of gruesome murders known as the “Bloodless Murders,” where victims are found drained of blood.
The only suspect? A young girl found at the scene, covered in blood but claiming innocence. As Michael tries to unravel the truth behind the murders, the line between reality and the supernatural blurs in unsettling ways.
It’s a haunting, atmospheric read that’s perfect for fans of mysteries with a twist.
19. Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
If you enjoyed the mix of mystery and high school drama in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, then Burn for Burn will be right up your alley. The book follows three girls—Kat, Lillia, and Mary—who team up to get revenge on those who’ve wronged them at their high school.
But as their plans escalate, things start spiraling out of control in ways they never expected. While it’s not a murder mystery in the traditional sense, the suspense and tension build up as the girls’ schemes take darker and darker turns.
Plus, the characters are so richly drawn that you’ll be hooked from the start.
20. You Owe Me a Murder by Eileen Cook
Last but definitely not least, You Owe Me a Murder is a thrilling twist on the classic Strangers on a Train premise. The story follows Kim, a girl who meets a stranger named Nicki on a plane and half-jokingly talks about wanting her ex-boyfriend dead.
But when Kim’s ex ends up murdered, Nicki comes back with a demand: now Kim owes her a murder in return. As Kim tries to untangle herself from the situation, the tension ratchets up, leading to a pulse-pounding finale.
It’s fast-paced, darkly humorous, and filled with twists that’ll keep you guessing.
The list, as of now, is over.
But, don’t you worry, we will keep adding more.
Each of these books has that same gripping quality, with protagonists who won’t stop until they’ve uncovered the truth, no matter how dangerous it gets.
Trust me, once you start, you won’t be able to put these down.
Happy reading!