4.5 stars - I’m shocked how much I loved this novella. Reading it after the series made me slightly more familiar with the character that I already know and love. I could not stop smiling at the end getting to see Pip in her element. Loved the ending and the vibes from this book. Very simple concept but I would actually be afraid at times.

Would of liked to have a little more introduction to the characters to make sure I had everyone straight.

This was the perfect novella to dive into during a sick day. I loved the way it set up the future trilogy and introduced the main characters. The plot was fun but also allowed you to be dragged right into the center of the murder mystery party. Fast paced and suspenseful, this is a great short read!

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review and opinions.

This novella is a great introduction to Good Girls Guide to Murder! In the setting of a murder mystery dinner party the main character (as well as me) found herself invested in finding the killer. Throughout the book you work through the party with the characters. The very end is a great Segway into the next book! Well done.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
This novella was so cute I loved it so much. I loved the vibes and the characters I absolutely adored good girls guide to murder so I loved being able to back into that world for a little bit.

⭐️: 3.5/5

I got approved for this novella and read it the same day, because I loved the AGGGTM series, and was excited to be back in the universe for a short time. This was a short, cute, prequel novella to the entire series, with a few Easter eggs hidden for those who have already read all three books in the series. I forgot how intense Pip can be, definitely in the best way possible, and it was nice to read this little story about her before her podcast became her entire life. Since it’s a novella and not about a real case that Pip is investing, it’s definitely not as gripping of a read, but I enjoyed reading about Pip’s life before we officially meet her in AGGGTM.

Thanks to @netgalley and the publishers @randomhousekids and @delacortepress for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Such a fun fast read. I love the murder mystery. It seemed Pip took it as a real life type murder mystery and was sooo serious about it. But i really enjoyed this mini story.

It was fun to see the friends get together and act out these parts and they took it so seriously but also made it funny and really entertaining

Did I gasp at 5:30am when I saw I was approved for this arc? Yes. Did I drop everything I had planned for this morning to read it? Yes. Did I love it. YES!

If you haven’t read A Good Girls Guide to Murder series yet what are you waiting for? I highly suggest the audio because the full cast narration makes it so so so good.

In Kill Joy, the gang gets together for a murder mystery party at Connor’s house to celebrate his birthday. I loved the banter between the friends and how invested Pip got with the game (are we surprised?).

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for this advanced copy. Keep your eye out for this one on Feb 28!

I din't realize this one did not have a kindle option. Unfortunately, I cannot read on an ipad, computer or phone screen.

This was such a fun "origin" story for Pip as we see her in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and how she ended up picking her senior capstone project. It's a pretty quick read, but I liked the fun way it showcased Pip's thought process when the stakes are a bit lower than in the rest of the books.

This could definitely be read before any of the other books in the series without losing context. Though some of the lines hit a little... differently... after having read As Good As Dead (if you know, you know).

Recommended for anyone who enjoyed the series or for anyone who enjoys YA murder mysteries and is planning on reading the rest of the series.

This novella was the perfect prequel to this excellent young adult mystery series. I love that what inspired Pip to do her murder podcasts was a murder mystery game. The story was short (I will always want more from any good novella) full of humor and Pip’s great investigative mind. It was nice to get an early look. Pip and all of her friends haven’t really hung out recently so despite her stress over picking a topic for her senior capstone project and SAT prep she reluctantly goes to the group murder mystery party and totally enjoys herself because her brain was meant to solve murders (even made up murders).

Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
So fun to catch up with Pip and friends. If you haven't read the Good Girls Guide to Murder series, you can still follow the story, although the many characters (and also, they're playing characters in a game) might be confusing at first. It's a very quick read and I loved the ending when Pip is on her way home. No spoilers but a great way to tie in to the next book.

Thank you Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, Holly Jackson, and Netgalley for the ARC in return for my true, unbiased opinion <3.

This novella was the perfect prequel to the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series.

Pip's personality really shines in this book letting the reader see just how devoted and obsessive she becomes. I love how she overthinks every little detail, which results in her success. I remember how much I relate to her which may be why I love her so much.

I was reminded how much I love Cara, Connor, and Jamie. This fueled my dislike of Ant and Laurenn and I wish we had more of Zach so I can judge him better. Their acting skills were much better than I predicted.

I, along with Pip, was on the edge of my seat to see who the murderer was. I love how she was scared she was the murderer throughout the entire book, not knowing the events that will happen to her in the future :).

When characters from the main books I either cringed or rejoiced (it depended on who was mentioned).

The ending (of the game and of the book) was perfect! I am seriously considering rereading this series...

Are there games like this in the real world? My friends and I would totally play it (and probably lose).

Kill Joy: a prequel novella in the Good Girls Guide to Murder Series

I am a huge fan of this series and Holly Jackson in general. I am a sucker for a cleverly written YA thriller or mystery so naturally was instantly drawn to this popular series. If you have not read, I highly recommend!

Kill Joy takes place before the first book in the series, so long before we find out how clever Pip is. She, along with her small group of friends, attends a murder mystery party the summer before their senior year. We get a lot of hints at what is to come (which if you’ve read in order, you already know) and also just a fun little mystery to solve.

Seriously, whodunit mysteries are just the best and this one is no exception! Was a nice, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me access to read a digital copy and to provide my honest review.

This is a fun murder mystery cozy prequel to the AGGTM series. Pip dips her toes in why she loves crime investigations. It was just fun entertainment and fluff.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have to say I love Holly Jackson books as they are fast paced, engaging and always keep me guessing. This one was a murder mystery party that gave off clue and Agatha Christie vibes as everyone dressed up and had a part to play. I didn't guess the right killer but it was a delight to read. Pip got angry at the end as she didn't guess the right person as a killer which I found hilarious that she would get so worked up over a game.

This book was fun, quick escape from reality that was very entertaining.

a prequel that wasn’t exactly needed nor wanted. pip and friends engage in a murder mystery game. the game is well thought out, but the payoff wasn’t what i was expecting. this novella is short, so short. the last 100 pages or so are just advertising for the main series. pip feels off once more, far from the smart, lovable girl we met in the beginning. yes, this is YA, but it feels like clue.

my favorite thing about this novella is the beautiful images of the typed out cards from the game. the style is very pretty.

thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun little addition to the AGGGTM universe (and after the horrible flop that was Jackson’s last book Five Survive, just what I needed to restore my faith in her as a storyteller). Using the structure of a murder mystery dinner, Jackson teases out Pip’s familiar tendency to obsession and being extremely detail oriented, and gives us a great prelude to how she ends up digging herself in too deep in the later books.

I will say that the characters didn’t really stand out apart from the roles they played - Ant, Lauren, and Zach weren’t memorable enough to me from the trilogy to fill in the gaps in the novella (whereas Pip, Kara, Connor, and Jamie all factored heavily in the last AGGGTM book, so they were freshest in my mind).

I also really liked the way the game ended, and how that, again, ties into Pip’s character and what we know of her from the books.

Overall, enjoyable afternoon listen!

Did not realize this was a prequel to a good girls guide to murder series. Now I have to go read those books because I enjoyed this book so much.

Here it is. The roots of mayhem. What ignited Pip's curiosity in murder cases. Unlike the successor of this series, the "murder & mystery" case in this book was fictional. Just a game. But Pip took it too seriously and she was deeply unsatisfied when the logic she put together turned out to be wrong according to the answer key. It was pretty fun but not really thrilling. So I decided to give this 3,5⭐️

Pip is my favorite mystery YA main character. She is so well-written and the ultimate badass. This book was not exception and I didn't realize this was the prequel to the rest of the series, "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" until after I finished the book.

This book starts off with a murder mystery party, and Pip and her friends are trying to figure out who did it and why. It also sheds light on the first book and what is to come. While I don't think it's necessary to read this book prior to starting the series, (I didn't and found the rest of the series to be easy to follow along) I do think it makes you love Pip's character even more. She is like the millennial Nancy Drew.

I have read every single Holly Jackson book and am absolutely in love with this author. Pip will always be my favorite character, but I am excited to read more by this author.