A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder centers on Pippa Fitz-Amobi (Emma Myers), a high school student who takes on the task of solving the murder of Andie Bell (India Lille Davies), a local girl who was killed years earlier.
Despite the authorities’ belief that the case is closed, Pippa has never accepted that Sal Singh (Rahul Pattni), who was accused of the crime, is the true culprit. In her final year of secondary school, Pippa decides to investigate the case further.
She joins forces with Ravi Singh (Zain Iqbal), Sal’s brother, to find the real murderer and clear Sal’s name. The show is known for its unexpected twists and Pippa’s determined character, making it a gripping watch.
If you enjoyed A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and are looking for another exciting mystery with a strong, quirky heroine, you should check out Diarra from Detroit. This dark comedy mystery series on BET+ was created by and stars Diarra Kilpatrick.
Diarra from Detroit follows Diarra Brickland, played by Kilpatrick, a woman who has recently separated from her husband, Francois “Swa” Brickland (Morris Chestnut). She is attempting to re-enter the dating scene through Tinder.
Diarra’s date with Chris (Shannon Wallace) seems promising, but when he suddenly stops communicating with her, she suspects there is more to the story. Diarra starts connecting Chris to Deonte Brooks, a boy who went missing when she was a child.
Initially, it appears Diarra might just be upset about being ghosted, but as she investigates further, she uncovers a significant cover-up. Like Pippa, Diarra becomes deeply involved in her case, which leads to intense situations.
Both A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Diarra from Detroit are engaging because they feature ordinary people who take it upon themselves to solve mysteries.
This approach is different from traditional detective series, where the main characters often investigate because they are personally involved in the crime. The bravery and determination of both Pippa and Diarra make them compelling and relatable protagonists.
In both series, the characters are underdogs who are easy to root for because they are working hard to help others. They also show intriguing questions about true crime. Is it always right to seek justice, or can getting involved sometimes cause more harm than good?
Both protagonists face resistance from people close to them. By the end of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Pippa feels the impact of her actions on the lives of those around her, while the first season of Diarra from Detroit ends with similarly complex emotions.
“Diarra from Detroit” also centers on a character at a significant turning point
The shows also manage to balance intense mysteries with lighthearted moments. In A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Pippa volunteers as a waitress at a wedding anniversary party to interview Max Hastings (Henry Ashton) about Andie’s disappearance.
Her waitress costume adds a humorous touch before the show shifts back to serious tones. Similarly, in the Diarra from Detroit episode “All In,” Diarra needs to get close to a potential witness by entering a high-stakes poker game, adding a layer of excitement to her investigation.
Both series focus on characters experiencing significant turning points in their lives while becoming absorbed in mysteries. Pippa is completing her school years and decides to use her EPQ (Extended Project Qualification, similar to a Senior Project in the U.S.) to investigate Andie’s case.
Facing the transition into adulthood, Pippa chooses to focus on the past. In contrast, Diarra, who is dealing with life after her separation from Swa, moves back into her mother’s old house and reconnects with old friends.
She becomes engrossed in a missing person’s case that intrigued her as a child. Both characters are driven by their personal struggles, which makes their investigations both compelling and relatable.
The main difference between the two shows is the level of romance and steaminess. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder features a sweet but restrained romance between Pippa and Ravi.
On the other hand, Diarra from Detroit presents a more mature perspective with Diarra juggling three love interests: Swa, Chris, and her neighbor Danger (Jon Chaffin). These relationships add a steamy and complex layer to the series.
While Diarra from Detroit may be a more adult take compared to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, both shows share a lot in common. They both feature ordinary individuals going into missing person’s cases and offer unexpected twists throughout their seasons.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder shows a young person’s first steps into adulthood, while Diarra from Detroit focuses on an adult redefining herself after a major life change. Diarra from Detroit is available for streaming on BET+ in the U.S.
