A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #3
As Good As Dead
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Fifty-Five
Overview
Pip, now at Cambridge, counts seventy-two days of self-imposed exile and vows to earn back her life and relationships. News confirms Billy’s release and exposes Jason Bell as both the DT Killer and South-East Stalker, reshaping Andie’s history. A police-siren scare heightens her fear, but the cars pass, and Pip recommits to waiting for Max’s trial, seeing its verdict as her own.
Summary
On day seventy-two, Pip walks alone through Cambridge, keeping to herself and measuring time since the night that changed everything. She notes Billy Karras was freed on day thirty-one, and on day thirty-three the news revealed Jason Bell as the DT Killer and the South-East Stalker, recasting Andie Bell’s life as bounded by her father’s violence.
Pip ignores a call from her dad and resolves to distance herself from her family over the holidays to protect them. As she walks, she makes promises: to be present for Josh, kinder to her mum, grateful to her dad, and a better friend to Cara, Connor, Jamie, Nat, and Naomi. She also vows to tell Becca Bell the full truth one day—about Jason, Max, and Andie’s protective final act.
Pip frames her waiting not as anticipation for Max’s trial alone but as waiting for her own judgment. She lives with an imagined Ravi in her head for comfort, determined to become someone worthy of him whether or not he waits for her.
When multiple police cars speed past with sirens blaring, Pip freezes, convinced they have come for her; they don’t. After the fear passes, she recommits to moving forward, one step at a time, hoping the end of this path might still hold something good.
Who Appears
- PipAt Cambridge, isolating herself, reflecting on Jason’s exposure, Billy’s release, and awaiting Max’s trial as her own judgment.
- Ravi SinghAbsent but constant in Pip’s thoughts; her imagined companion and moral compass as she endures exile.
- Jason BellPosthumously revealed as the DT Killer and South-East Stalker, reframing Andie’s life and death.
- Andie BellHer life is recontextualized by her father’s crimes; remembered by Pip as protective of Becca.
- Billy KarrasFreed on day thirty-one; his release offers Pip a brief glimmer of relief.
- Maria KarrasSends Pip a photo confirming Billy’s freedom and well-being.
- Pip’s dadCalls Pip; she declines and plans further distance to protect her family.
- Pip’s mumSubject of Pip’s promises to be kinder and rebuild their bond.
- JoshPip vows to be a present, supportive big sister again.
- Becca BellPip promises to one day tell her the full truth about Jason, Max, and Andie.