Loved, it. Absolutely loved it. It took me back to my teenage years when we lived in the area where the Ripper struck, and everything that was (beautifully) written in the book brought back so many memories for me. Some of the phrases made me smile. “Tha’ll do as tha’s told,” is something I heard just about every day! Like Miv, I lived in a terraced house (ours was a back to back, with an outside toilet) and had a best friend who I looked up to and envied. Wagon Wheels, fizzy pop … those were the days. This wonderful story is about family, friendships and growing up, and I was totally captivated and enthralled with every aspect of it. The author covers so many sensitive issues in such a respectful way, and I love the way she gives the Ripper’s victims such dignity. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this wonderful book written by a very talented author. It is brilliant and I can highly recommend it.

It’s Yorkshire in the 80s and the area is being terrorised by Thatcher and the Ripper. Twelve year old Miv has heard that her family might be moving and desperate to not leave her only friend, Sharon, behind she decides she will catch the Ripper herself and make Yorkshire safe again.

I loved every single second of this book. Miv and Sharon embark on their mission and as a result get involved with the lives of their local community and find new friendships and new hardships as well as navigating the internal changes that comes with being a pre teen. Against the backdrop of a struggling community with a serial killer on the loose, Godfrey shows us the importance of friendship and community and the fine line between helping those in need and meddling in people’s lives.

This had a bit of everything, mental health struggles, race, church, abuse& class struggle, all through the lens of 80s England. Despite all these heavy topics the story itself has so many uplifting, wholesome moments that it felt far from a depressing read.

I really, really enjoyed it and will be ordering myself a copy when it gets published.

“I wondered where the rules had come from. The rules that said that pretty girls didn’t laik out with poor girls or clever girls.”

This is a book that is getting a lot of hype among book bloggers. Two teenage girls are living in Yorkshire around the time of the Ripper and they make it their mission to find out who is behind the crimes. It's a really enjoyable and gripping read told from a very unique perspective.

I could not get into this story at all. I can not give the story an honest review. I will try and read it again at another time.
I don't like giving bad reviews as we all have our own views on story lines and how they come accross to us. But at this moment the story just did not catch my imagination at all, therefore on the basis I did not complete the book I can only rate it 1 star. If when and if I get to read it fully and I feel the need to redo my review I shall

This tells the tale of Miv, almost teenager in West Yorkshire at the end of the seventies in the reign of terror before the Yorkshire Ripper was caught. As the Ripper caught the imagination of the local populace, Miv attempts to investigate suspicious people and events, given the police’s slow progress in his apprehension.

As adults follow the social code of not talking about certain topics (alcoholism, racism, domestic violence and prostitution) Miv spots things that are different but mistakes them for the Ripper, and as these continue, her shedding light on them leads to increasing consequences.

An interesting piece of historical fiction with shades of Emma.

Wow ... is this really a debut ? This was outstanding writing. The characters were so well drawn .. i totally identified with Miv, socially awkward ... in some ways old beyond her years and trying to find her place in the world.
The book is hard to categorise, yes it is a mystery, a crime, a work of literary fiction but yet so much more. It reads so easily, drawing you as the reader in, to the sometimes uncomfortable society of domestic abuse, racism, hate crime, murder ... yet in no way glamorising it.
Yes i loved it, yes i will follow this author and yes i will be buying it for friends on publication.

A lovely story of adolescent friendship and growth with really well done angles on poverty, mental health, domestic abuse, and racism. Set in late 1970s Yorkshire, this is told largely through the eyes of 12 year old Miv, and her relationship with her best friend Sharon and wish to catch the Yorkshire ripper are central themes. It's a very well written story of how these young girls grow up without much guidance from their parents, who have their own struggles - and how they learn right from wrong when confronted by various difficult situations. The main characters are beautifully complicated, and the book keeps a good pace which made it a really enjoyable read.

There was a lot to love about this book. An innocent yet suspecting sleuth, some dodgy day to day characters, and some powerful, topical themes that through a child's lens seem even more striking.

A couple really teeny things irritated me. Firstly the word 'laik.' I'm sure it surprises no one here that I'm from the South and had simply not heard of that word before. Even my kindle dictionary didn't know what it meant so I required google to get there and tell me- the first result still wasn't the right answer so a lot of effort required and whilst I could guess what it meant in the context, it alienated me. Secondly there were many points of view, potentially too many for me.

Overall a good read.

Really enjoyed this tale of Miv, her best friend Sharon and their life in an unnamed Yorkshire town at the time of the Yorkshire Ripper.

As a student who benefited from the safety net of the Leeds Uni night- time minibus that was established in the aftermath of the horrendous murders, including a student, the YR has always been a spectre/bogeyman.

Narrated by various characters, I really enjoyed the different perspectives and voices. There’s something really engaging about Miv and her determination despite the sadness that prevails at her home - and with many of the characters.

At first I thought it was a little slow, but the story gains momentum as it progresses - and all the side characters add colour and context to the life that Miv leads. Her friendship with Sharon and later Ishitaq, her time at choir and even her observations on the (shock) soon to be divorced glamorous ex-wife of a teacher make you realise how much difficulty she faced - and her obsession with “the list” keeps her going despite it all.

This book left me with a warm feeling, despite sadness (ugly crying) and a few gasps along the way. A really fresh take on teenage life and a ‘historical’ period.

5*

A complex and touching coming of age story set in the shadow of the Yorkshire Ripper - small town Yorkshire when sexism and racism underpinned expectations and behaviour, and trying to come to terms with what you discover could change your path forever.

This wasn’t the type of book I would normally read but the reviews intrigued me.

Jennie Godfrey is a sensation. This story tackles so many huge topics but does so in a beautiful way, never shying away from difficult concepts. The ability to highlight the fear of women and girls in some gut punching sentences that left me awestruck is proof that this woman can write.

This was such a page turner and I cannot rate it highly enough. I’m not sure what I expected when it started this but I didn’t expect to become so wholly invested in these characters and their lives. Godfrey manages to sensitively touch on the deaths of the ‘Rippers’ victims never once using them to sell the story but if anything to give power to them.

A truly incredible book, this won’t be the last we see of Jennie Godfrey.

I loved The List of Suspicious Things. Miv is a resourceful, inquisitive, tenacious girl, who is determined to discover the identity of the Yorkshire Ripper. Along with her friend, Sharon, Miv makes a list of all the 'suspicious things' in her Northern town - the adults acting strangely, the events that don't quite make sense to the girls - in an effort to track down the serial killer. In doing so, she uncovers much more than she bargained for. I loved the details of Miv's life, which brought back many of my own childhood memories. The book also reminded me of Joanna Cannon's The Trouble with Goats and Sheep, which I also very much enjoyed.

"The List of Suspicious Things" by Jennie Godfrey is a heartwarming tale of growth and discovery, centered around the power of family, friendship, and community. Within the intricately woven plot lies the captivating mystery of a serial killer's identity.

Skillfully addressing themes of discrimination, gender inequality, and violence, the author navigates these sensitive issues with compassion and grace. This tender and poignant coming-of-age narrative resonates with readers of all ages, allowing us to perceive the world through the eyes of a twelve-year-old girl.

Set in the quaint Yorkshire town amidst the gripping presence of the notorious Yorkshire Ripper, the story follows two young girls on the cusp of adolescence as they embark on a mission to uncover the truth and restore safety to their community.

This remarkable debut novel showcases the author's immense talent for storytelling. Delicately depicting the struggles of the main character Miv, who grapples with personal challenges and the complexities of growing up, we witness her steadfast determination to preserve the comforting facets of her childhood. Through its exploration of various social issues, the book masterfully exposes the pervasive dangers present in our society, whether it be racism, domestic violence, or the safety of women.

The novel also pays homage to the victims of the Yorkshire Ripper, treating their memories with utmost respect and dignity, refusing to exploit their tragedy for plot purposes.

"The List of Suspicious Things" is an extraordinary piece of literature that captivates and inspires.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to readers seeking an insightful and evocative story.

This is such a beautifully written book. Reading about the time of the Yorkshire ripper through the eyes of a 12 year old girl. All the taboos that were not talked about in the 70s. I’m amazed that this is a debut novel, it is so very good.

This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time.

The setting is a small, post industrial town in Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Ripper is striking fear into the hearts of the whole community. The main characters are two young girls just heading towards the teens who decide to look more closely at those in their community to see if they can help find the Ripper and help everyone feel safer again.

It's very hard to believe this is a debut novel, it's so beautifully written. The main character is suffering through troubles at home and struggling to cope with growing up, especially as she's maturing at a different rate to her best friend - instead, she's trying hard to hold onto all the parts of her childhood that helped her feel safe. The book deals with so many sensitive issues but they are all handled so carefully. The girls fear the impact the Ripper is having on their lives but as we look more closely at the community we see danger is ever present in many lives, whether through racism, domestic violence or the safety of women in general at all times (women discussing it together in the kitchen "Men. It should be bloody men who shouldn't be out after dark, not women. We're not the bloody murderers.")

The sense of time and place in the novel is absolutely perfect (I was born in the early 1970s) and so many lines really resonated with me e.g. the two girls meeting up in the morning to go to school "We picked up our conversation from the day before almost midsentence, as though it had never been interrupted" or the freedom children enjoyed growing up at the time "At present a serial murderer was routinely killing young women and we walked to school alone. These two facts existed in splendid isolation."

The book is also very respectful - the Yorkshire Ripper is the background but the women he killed are remembered and treated with dignity and never used as just a plot device. Honestly, it's phenomenal and I can't recommend it highly enough,

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy in return for an honest review.

#TheListofSuspiciousThings #NetGalley

A truly wonderful debut that is deceptively simple while serving up a narrative that encompasses racial tensions, a serial killer, mental health, loss and love. Miv is the most engaging protagonist, on a mission to uncover the Yorkshire ripper and on the way discovering herself, her friends and her family. Its no mean feat to have a 12 year old narrator capture your heart and draw you in without being twee. The setting, the decade, the characters - all are conveyed so well you truly believe you are with her throughout. Highly recommend.

I found the start of this book a little childish but persevered and glad I did. Set in the late 1970's in a small town in Yorkshire. Two 12 year old girls who are best friends, decide to try and catch the Yorkshire Ripper by looking closely at anyone fitting the description and acting suspiciously. All written down in their notebook. The story expands to include everybody in their immediate vicinity.
It's a bit like an Enid Blyton book but more adult. Did I enjoy it? Yes definitely.

It's the late 70's and Miv is a preteen growing up in West Yorkshire with her Mum, Dad and Auntie. It's not a happy family situation with her Mum severely depressed and in need of regular hospital stays. She has her friend Sharon and together they decide to find the Yorkshire ripper.
This isn't really what this book is about though. It about friendships, family and growing up, which is never easy and especially hard for Miv. I loved her character she had so much to cope with but she was such a strong character. I had total respect for her. This book was very impressive for a debut and I can see great things in store for the author. I will definitely be reading her next novel.

The List of Suspicious Things is my book of the year so far and it will take some beating. The central characters, Miv and Sharon, set out on a patently absurd quest to catch the Yorkshire Ripper. We know they won’t but their tangled reasoning appears so logical to them that we are carried along with them. They are beautiful counterpoints to one another – Miv, instigator of the harebrained schemes in an effort to stop her family from leaving Yorkshire, and Sharon, beautiful, well-off, more stable than Miv but intensely loyal to her.
It’s a densely populated book with many interwoven issues – racism, sexism, brutality – all deftly handled by the author as the tension slowly builds towards a heartrending conclusion.
I was supplied with an ARC in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Set in Yorkshire in 1979 Miv and Sharon are on the trail of the Yorkshire Ripper ... but are also facing life as school children, the challenges of growing up, and the societal changes and challenges of the time. The characters are vivid and engaging - allowing the story to touch on mental health, racism, domestic abuse and child abuse in ways that flow naturally into the lives of the area (and not shoehorned in). Yet through it all it shows the power of community and relationships.

This is a novel that requires another read - and I rarely do that. After a first read it feels like it's got the possibility to be a powerful text encapsulating its time and place.

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers, Cornerstone, for an advance copy