A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #3
As Good As Dead
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Six
Overview
Pip discovers unsettling chalk stick-figures at her driveway, heightening her anxiety. At the café, Cara recounts a public clash between Max Hastings and Jason Bell, while Naomi considers confessing the 2012 hit-and-run. Pip rejects that plan, vows to stop Max herself, and briefly finds solace among friends despite ongoing trauma.
Summary
On a sleepless morning, Pip notices faint white-chalk symbols at the edge of the Amobis’ driveway—ambiguous crosses or headless stick figures—isolated to her home, which unsettles her. She dismisses them as kids’ drawings and heads to the high street to meet Ravi.
At the café, Pip, Ravi, and Cara regroup. Cara reports that earlier Max Hastings and Jason Bell confronted each other in the café line, ending with spilled coffee, shoves, and threats before staff separated them. The encounter revives Pip’s chain of associations linking Max to Andie’s death, Sal’s fate, Becca’s trauma, and the later cascade of violence culminating in Stanley’s death.
Cara adds that Naomi is considering going to police about the 2012 New Year’s hit-and-run, hoping it might finally implicate Max. Pip shuts this down, insisting Naomi would only hurt herself and the truth won’t protect her; Pip promises she will make Max face consequences.
Connor and Jamie arrive, then Nat joins, and the group’s easy banter contrasts Pip’s internal turbulence. Jamie updates them on paramedic training, and his and Nat’s warmth offers Pip a fleeting sense of normal life and safety.
The chapter closes with Pip grasping at that fragile comfort—Ravi’s hand, friends’ laughter—before intrusive memories and fear resurface, reminding her that peace is temporary and Max’s shadow remains.
Who Appears
- Pip Fitz-AmobiProtagonist; finds eerie chalk figures, rejects Naomi confessing, vows to take down Max, struggles with insomnia and trauma.
- Cara WardBarista friend; recounts the Max–Jason altercation and shares Naomi’s dilemma about the 2012 hit-and-run.
- Ravi SinghBoyfriend; supports Pip, urges focus on university and normal life amid her fixation on Max.
- Jamie ReynoldsFriend; checks on Pip, discusses paramedic training, shares a tender moment with Nat.
- Nat da SilvaJamie’s partner; arrives later, affectionate and grounding presence in the friend group.
- Connor ReynoldsFriend; lightens the scene with banter while ordering at the café.
- JackieCafé owner; manages the shop and earlier helped defuse the Max–Jason confrontation.