A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #3
As Good As Dead
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Forty-Eight
Overview
Pip and Ravi argue by phone after Hawkins links her to Jason via the headphones. Fearing a DNA warrant and the plan’s collapse, Pip chooses to confess to protect everyone else. She intends to set the timeline to preserve Ravi’s alibi, despite his insistence they can still pin it on Max.
Summary
Pip calls Ravi from a burner, saying she must confess after Hawkins found her headphones in Jason’s house and caught her in a lie. She explains that the headphones create a direct link and likely probable cause for a DNA warrant, which could expose any trace they left at the scene.
Ravi argues they still have her alibi for 9:30–12:00 and insists the evidence against Max is stronger. Pip counters that their plan only worked if there was never a direct connection to her; now that there is, it’s over.
Determined to shield Ravi and their friends if the investigation tightens, Pip outlines a confession: claim she killed Jason earlier, around 8:00, used the car air-con trick, then faked an alibi with Cara and Naomi, who knew nothing. She hopes a confession stops further digging and that Jason’s trophies might support who he was, maybe reducing charges to manslaughter with a good lawyer.
Ravi refuses, terrified of losing her, insisting Max killed Jason and that they can still make it work. Pip, choosing Ravi over herself, decides to have one last normal family dinner, say goodbye to him, and then turn herself in. They exchange I love yous and hang up.
Who Appears
- Pip (Pippa Fitz-Amobi)Decides to confess to protect others after the headphone link; plans a timeline to preserve Ravi’s alibi.
- Ravi SinghFights Pip’s decision, urging her to continue the plan framing Max; fearful of losing her.
- Detective HawkinsOff-page presence; found Pip’s headphones at Jason’s house and caught her in a lie.
- Jason BellMurder victim; his keeping Pip’s headphones as a trophy links her to him.
- Max HastingsFramed suspect; Ravi argues evidence still points to him over Pip.
- Cara and NaomiUnwitting alibi witnesses; Pip plans to frame her timeline around seeing them.