Breaking Stigma: A Reflection on A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and Heavy Topics in Literature

TW: suicide—this post discusses topics of suicide and death as they appear in the book A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. No spoilers beyond what’s given in the first few chapters, however

I picked up A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson expecting a simple mystery, but I was struck by how it handled heavy, real–world topics. In hindsight, with what I’ve heard about it online, and also the fact it was featured last year in the banned/challenged books project in Mrs. Rodems’s class should’ve alluded to the tough subjects throughout, but I digress. I still believe this book would be a valuable read, but it is worth discussing the balance of presenting sensitive topics like suicide honestly and not making the reader too uncomfortable. AGGGTM in my opinion manages to responsibly maintain this balance.

For context, the first part of the story hinges on a town’s belief that a character named Sal Singh murdered his girlfriend Andie Bell. After becoming the main suspect, it is said that he had committed suicide. It is worth noting that the book also specifies exactly how Sal supposedly took his own life, making the subject matter feel heavier. However, I believe that the descriptions written aren’t meant to be sensational or out of pocket; they function as part of the mystery and help the reader grasp the seriousness of this case. By excluding sensitive details, Holly Jackson would be glossing over the subject, and I don’t think that would be much better. 

Ignoring or minimizing something like suicide might unintentionally imply to people who may have had similar struggles that their experiences are too uncomfortable to talk about. Softening hard topics, watering them down, would also be dishonest and not allow the reader to think critically about the themes of the book
—of stigma, rumors, and how communities respond to tragedies. One theme in the book is breaking the stigma around heavy topics. But also in a meta sense, the book challenges the real-world stigma surrounding similar issues, which I find powerful. By including details some might consider sensitive or heavy, AGGGTM becomes a starting point for dialogue and it gives important questions for teens to explore.

That said, I can see why some people might argue for restrictions. Because the book not only mentions suicide but also gives details about how it supposedly occurred, some readers struggling with mental health could feel triggered or overwhelmed. Having content warnings and restrictions would not only make educators and parents more comfortable but also protect a sensitive reader from triggering content. While I believe open access is the better option, the concern for vulnerable readers is a valid one and is worth taking seriously.

TL;DR: I believe Good Girl’s Guide to Murder deals with sensitive issues in a responsible, non–sensationalized way that encourages critical thinking, open conversation, and breaks stigma both canonically and IRL, potentially making it a valuable read for teens. At the end of the day, books like AGGGTM make us think about how difficult topics are handled. Should we protect readers from subjects like these or trust them to engage with deep thought and reflection? I’d really like to hear your thoughts in the comments.

–L.J.