A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #1
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Production Log – Entry 15
Overview
Pip's second interview with Naomi Ward reveals that Andie Bell viciously targeted Natalie da Silva through rumours, sexual humiliation, and possible blackmail. The information creates a new motive trail by showing that Natalie and her family had serious reasons to hate or fear Andie.
The chapter also shows Sal Singh knew about at least some of Andie's abuse but chose not to intervene, adding nuance to his relationship with Andie. Naomi's final update that Natalie has a violent criminal history positions Natalie as Pip's next important lead.
Summary
Pip conducts a second recorded interview with Naomi Ward after Elliot Ward tells Pip that Andie Bell had cyber-bullied another girl in their year. Naomi identifies the girl as Natalie da Silva, a pretty blonde student whom Naomi believes Andie saw as competition for male attention.
Naomi explains that Andie spread cruel sexual rumours about Natalie and publicly humiliated her. During the Easter holidays, Andie and others allegedly used Chris Parks or Chris Parks's phone to trick Natalie into sending a topless video, believing she was sending it privately to Chris. The video was then shared widely online, and Natalie was devastated enough to miss the first two days of school after the break.
Pip asks whether Sal knew, and Naomi says Naomi mentioned it to Sal. Sal disapproved but refused to get involved, calling it Andie's drama. This complicates Sal's image because Sal knew about Andie's cruelty but remained passive.
Naomi then reveals another incident from the autumn term. Natalie received a lead part in the sixth-form play, a role Andie wanted. Andie allegedly threatened Natalie by claiming that Daniel da Silva, Natalie's older brother and a former part-time school caretaker, had had sex with Andie when Andie was fifteen. Andie said she would report Daniel for statutory rape unless Natalie dropped out of the play, so Natalie quit out of fear.
Pip asks whether Andie's claim about Daniel was true, but Naomi does not know. Naomi says Natalie is back living with her parents and that she heard Natalie was later arrested, charged with ABH, and spent time in prison. Pip asks Naomi for Natalie's phone number, making Natalie the next likely witness in the investigation.
Who Appears
- Pippa Fitz-AmobiInterviews Naomi and follows Elliot's clue about Andie's bullying.
- Naomi WardReveals Andie's abuse of Natalie and points Pip toward a new lead.
- Andie BellCentral subject of Naomi's account; bullied, humiliated, and threatened Natalie.
- Natalie da SilvaAndie's bullying victim; humiliated by a leaked video and possibly blackmailed.
- Sal SinghKnew about Andie's treatment of Natalie but chose not to get involved.
- Daniel da SilvaNatalie's brother; allegedly used by Andie as leverage in a threat.
- Chris ParksBoy Natalie liked; his identity or phone was used to obtain the video.