A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #3
As Good As Dead
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Twenty
Overview
Pip realizes Andie’s planner “HH” notes referred to Harriet Hunter, confirming Andie’s secret connection to a DT victim’s family. She fails to access Andie’s hidden email and resolves to ask Becca Bell for the security answer. Shaken, she takes Xanax and messages Luke for more. DI Hawkins calls to report Charlie Green’s arrest, removing him as a suspect and leaving Pip to wait for Becca’s call.
Summary
Pip re-examines a photo of Andie Bell’s school planner and discovers that the recurring “HH” entries referred to Harriet Hunter, not Howie Bowers, confirming Andie’s covert link to the DT case through a victim’s sister. Seeking more, Pip attempts to access Andie’s secret email but is blocked by a security question about the Bells’ first hamster.
Realizing Becca Bell will call her from prison the next day, Pip decides to ask her for the answer and about the second email. With twenty-five hours to wait, she plans to pursue other leads, including ex–Green Scene staff and an interview with retired DCI Nolan.
Anxiety surges; Pip takes half a Xanax and, despite promises to stop, messages Luke Eaton for more. She spots Max Hastings jogging past her house, stoking her anger and fear.
DI Richard Hawkins then calls: Charlie Green has been arrested in France and will be extradited. Hoping for guidance, Pip asks to speak with Charlie but is refused because she’s the key eyewitness. The news confirms Charlie isn’t her stalker and deepens her isolation.
Left with dwindling options, Pip fixates on Andie as her remaining lifeline. She resolves to wait for Becca’s call to unlock Andie’s secret email, believing it may bridge Andie’s past to her present threat.
Who Appears
- Pip (Pippa Fitz-Amobi)Protagonist; identifies HH as Harriet, fails to access Andie’s secret email, plans to ask Becca, takes Xanax, and hears of Charlie’s arrest.
- DI Richard HawkinsCalls Pip to report Charlie Green’s arrest and denies her request to speak with him.
- Andie BellPosthumous presence; planner shows “HH” entries linking her secretly to Harriet Hunter; has a hidden email Pip tries to access.
- Harriet HunterVictim’s sister; revealed as Andie’s “HH” contact, strengthening Andie’s link to the DT case.
- Charlie GreenArrested in France; extradition pending. His capture rules him out as Pip’s stalker.
- Max HastingsSpotted jogging past Pip’s house, provoking her fear and anger.
- Luke EatonDrug supplier; receives Pip’s message requesting more Xanax.
- Becca BellScheduled to call from prison; Pip plans to ask her the hamster security answer and about Andie’s email.
- DCI NolanRetired officer; agrees to discuss the DT case for Pip’s podcast.