A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Season 2 Already Has To Make A Big Max Hastings Book Story Change

This article contains spoilers for Good Girl, Bad Blood (AGGGTM #2).

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder season 2 is officially happening, but the show’s second season has to make a significant change regarding Max Hastings’ book story. Netflix has officially renewed A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder for season 2, and the renewal brings into question the role Max Hastings will play next season. At the beginning of the show, Max Hastings appears to be one of Sal Singh’s closest friends, but as the shocking twists unravel in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, it turns out that he is responsible for a hit-and-run and has sexually assaulted Becca Bell.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder has many changes from the book, but Max Hastings is not one of them, for the most part. However, his show arc ends on a surprising note that differs from the book. Now that season 2 is officially happening, there are several questions and mysteries that A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder must answer, especially regarding Max’s fate. Right now, Max is in a different position from his book counterpart, and the writers will have to tackle his season 2 role to ensure the narrative executes his purpose faithfully, although some adjustments are necessary.

Max Hastings Still Hasn’t Been Arrested Before A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Season 2

Max Hastings Is Already Set For Trial At The End Of The First Book

The ending of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder season 1 is mostly similar to the book, with a few notable changes. Although Pippa’s path to discovering Becca Bell murdered her sister, Andie, is different, the outcome is still the same. However, the ending differs from the show and the book after that. In the book, Pippa presents her EPQ speech and notes that Max Hastings has been arrested for several counts of sexual assault. In the show, Max does not get arrested—in fact, the only person who knows the extent of his crimes is Pippa.

Before A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder season 1 ends, Pippa confronts Max about his crimes, promising to gather enough evidence to take him down once and for all. Regardless, Max Hastings remains free in the show—a significant narrative choice because the second book, Good Girl, Bad Blood, follows his trial. In fact, Max Hastings’ trial is the secondary plot of the book, and it is a critical storyline because of the horrific outcome of the event—the jury finds Max Hastings not guilty of all charges.

How A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Season 2 Can Change Max’s Story To Avoid His Book Trial

The Justice System Can Decline To Indict Him Despite The Evidence

Although Max Hastings remains free for now, Pippa’s threat provides hope for A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder season 2 regarding Max Hastings because Pippa might gather enough evidence to put him away for good. However, this will likely not happen because Max Hastings must walk away from the sexual assault charges. This is a crucial narrative turning point in Pippa’s arc, as she descends into darkness. Max Hastings’ not guilty verdict also sets up an essential storyline in the trilogy’s final book, As Good As Dead.

Max Hastings is nowhere near being arrested or charged for sexual assault in the show. However, the show can still work with this scenario and achieve the same result. The key point is for Max to walk free, so instead of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder focusing on his trial, the show can focus on Pippa’s investigation. Pippa can present the evidence to law enforcement, and instead of a trial, the justice system can debate whether they should indict Max. If they decide not to indict Max, it produces the same effect as his not-guilty verdict from the book.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter