A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #3
As Good As Dead
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Forty-Nine
Overview
Pip prepares to confess, saying a silent goodbye to her family and setting off for the police station. Ravi intercepts her and reveals he has already told Hawkins a cover story: he left Pip’s headphones at Jason’s house and has an alibi for the 15th. The move shields Pip but risks Ravi, forcing them to double down on their plan against Max and Hawkins. United, they resolve to see it through.
Summary
Pip shares what feels like a last family dinner, quietly cataloging memories while hiding her intent to confess to killing Jason to protect those who helped her. She leaves home in tears, unable to fully say goodbye, and drives to see Ravi before heading to the police.
Finding the Singhs’ house empty, Pip drives toward the station. On a dark roadside, Ravi flags her down and confronts her decision. He reveals he has just spoken to DI Hawkins, claiming he often borrows Pip’s headphones and accidentally left them at Jason Bell’s house on the 12th.
Ravi explains he visited Jason to discuss a memorial scholarship for Andie and Sal, a plausible reason for being in the Bells’ living room where the headphones could have been left. He confirms he gave an ironclad alibi for the 15th, redirecting suspicion away from Pip and restoring the original plan implicating Max Hastings.
Pip panics at the risk to Ravi—especially if Dawn Bell contradicts him—but Ravi insists he chose to protect her. Realizing Ravi has saved her by endangering himself, Pip abandons the confession and accepts that they must finish what they started.
Reunited, Pip and Ravi recommit to their four-corners plan against the DT Killer’s legacy, Max Hastings, and DI Hawkins. They vow to see it through together and get away with it.
Who Appears
- Pip Fitz-AmobiProtagonist; prepares to confess, says goodbye to family, then recommits to the plan after Ravi intervenes.
- Ravi SinghIntervenes and protects Pip by telling Hawkins he left her headphones at Jason’s; asserts his alibi and unites with Pip.
- Josh Fitz-AmobiPip’s younger brother; present at the final-feeling family dinner.
- Leanne (Pip’s mum)Discusses university preparations, unaware Pip is saying a hidden goodbye.
- Victor (Pip’s dad)Jokes at dinner, part of the normalcy Pip is about to leave behind.
- DI HawkinsOff-page; hears Ravi’s cover story linking the headphones to him, shifting suspicion from Pip.
- Jason BellDeceased; central to the cover story about the headphones left at his house.