THE BBC released all the episodes of its latest true-crime thriller series earlier this month, most of which was filmed in and around Somerset.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is now available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer and is split up into six 45-minute episodes, each based on a section of the bestselling novel by Holly Jackson, published in 2019.

The majority of the story is based in the fictional village of Little Kilton,and filmed in Axbridge, near Cheddar, which makes a great setting for the series.

Not only is it quaint, charming, and picturesque, but the impressive Baptist Church in the heart of the village provides a key iconic landmark for the location, which becomes integral to the storyline.

Other south-westerly filming locations which feature in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder include Redcliffe Caves, Avon Valley Railway Park, and the Bristolian suburb of Westbury-on-Trym.

The story follows the life of protagonist Pip Fitz-Amobi, an A-Level student who is undertaking her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

For her project, Pip decides to delve into the murder of a fellow school student, which took place five years prior.

The case centres around schoolgirl Andie Bell who was presumed dead after going missing, with her at-the-time boyfriend pinned as the killer after confessing to her murder through a text message before he was also found dead, allegedly due to suicide.

The case was closed, with Sal confirmed as the killer. However, five years on, the ever-inquisitive Pip feels there is more to the story which is yet to be uncovered, and works with Sal's brother, Ravi, to find the truth.

The series begins by throwing you straight into the action and leaving you wanting more - it's fast-paced, gripping, and enticing.

The casting is also a cut above the rest, with brilliant performances from Henry Ashton, who plays the insufferably evil Max Hastings; Matthew Baynton, who plays Elliot Ward - father of protagonist Pip's best friend; and Carla Woodcock, who plays Becca Bell - sister of Andie.

There were a few aspects of the series which I didn't enjoy so much - namely the almost unrealistically quirky and loving friendship group, expensive 90s-style outfits (which look fresh out of Urban Outfitters), and somewhat basic characters.

The show did also feel somewhat Americanised, with the characters wearing their own clothes as opposed to a traditional school uniform - not something you'd see in a small village in Somerset - and a heavy reliance on mobile phones and social media, which although is accurate to modern life, goes against the clear retro-feel which the producers intended for the series.

However, these picky criticisms did not detract from the plot, which is truly brilliant.

After four thrilling and captivating episodes, Pip appears to have overcome most of the obstacles thrown in her direction in attempt to throw her off the scent, and it seems as though the story will soon draw to a close.

However, in episode five, things take a very dark and shocking turn, leading to a monumental plot twist that even the proudest TV nerds wouldn't be able to predict.

In fact, this turn of events is so compelling that it would be near impossible to not watch episodes five and six back-to-back, as you are left desperate to find out the true story of how Andie Bell died - or did she?

Overall, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder's genius plot - which was executed to perfection by the cast of exceptional actors - more than made up for the handful of slightly clichéd characters, and made every somewhat cringeworthy moment well worth watching.