A gorgeous, unexpected read. Set in the time of the Ripper, I was expecting this to be heavy and depressing, but the writer has such a deft touch and the murders are only the impetus to get our main character going.

Miv is slightly strange, but incredibly loyal and fiercely intelligent. She ropes her best friend into tracking members of her town, in case any are potential suspects for the recent murders. What starts as a mystery, is really more a character piece, all about compassion, camaraderie, and uncovering the complicated lives of the people in her town.

Its beautifully written, with authentic characters that will draw you in and capture your heart. It spans a diverse set of real day problems - mental health, racism, abuse - yet still manages to leave the reader entertained and uplifted. What an art! I feel like I made a book of friends. A worthy read.

As a Yorkshire girl, I was really looking forward to reading this. It took me a while to warm up to it which I was actually pretty gutted about as I loved all the Yorkshire sayings that were included.

Miv and her best friend Sharon decide that they want to work out who the Yorkshire Ripper is and start they own investigation. This turns out to be a coming of age story, seeing the challenges of being a child during the late 70’s.

The ending surprised me if I’m honest but it also felt unnecessary and a little out of the blue. None the less, I still cried as I read it!

This is a great book for a Yorkshire lad or lass but anyone out of the area may not understand some of the local sayings. A little slow to begin with but it does eventually start to pick up pace.

It's 1979 and Margaret Thatcher is Prime Minister. (A woman? I mean, honestly...) She's not what's worrying Miv's family, though. Women have been disappearing. Well, they've been murdered, but to have 'disappeared' doesn't sound quite so frightening. Miv's upset because she's overheard that her father wants to move the family 'Down South'. When you're from Yorkshire, Down South is a frightening, foreign place, best avoided. For Miv, the move would mean leaving her best friend, Sharon, and she'll do anything to prevent that. She's not worried about the dangers or that her Mum's stopped talking - to anyone.

The solution is obviously to discover the identity of the man they're calling the Yorkshire Ripper. Then they could stay where they are, couldn't they? So, a notebook is acquired and Miv and Sharon make a list of all the suspicious people down their streets - and a bit further afield. It begins with people they know and spreads to people they don't know. As is the way with children (Miv's eleven when the story starts) they uncover things which would have been best left hidden and put themselves in dreadful danger in the process.

I loved this story: it took me back to 1979 when my daughter and I lived in the area that was haunted by the Ripper. My daughter was about the same age as Miv and I remember going to a lot of trouble to keep the details away from her. For women of any age, it was a constant worry and Jennie Godfrey brings this to life with extraordinary clarity. She creates a community in the streets around Miv's home. Aunty Jean has come to live with the family now that Miv's mother's not well. She's a force of nature who liked to tidy up the messiness of life. Miv can't work out if 'those types of women' being murdered were the same as Margaret Thatcher - another of her pet hates - who had taken milk away from poor children's mouths and jobs from the hands of hardworking men.

At school, Neil Callaghan and Reece Carlton are the troublemakers. Every school has them. Ishtiaq is an easy target for them. It's not just his colour: he's a nerdy, studious child, who's already lost his mother. His father is Omar, the local shopkeeper, who does his best to protect his son but he has his troubles, with damage to his shop. You have to wonder how much of that was down to Callaghan and Carlton. At the library, Mrs Andrews is a real help to the girls but it's not long before they realise that she's the victim of domestic abuse.

As well as reading the book, I listened to an audio download (which I bought myself) narrated by Joanne Froggatt, Mark Noble and Asif Khan. It's superb. The story is clear about who is speaking but I was never in any doubt because of the range of voices from each narrator. The pacing was excellent and I would gladly listen to more from any of the narrators.

The ending is perfect but I was still sorry to come to the end of such a brilliant book. Godfrey does a brilliant job of fitting a moving story into a dreadful time in our history, without minimising either. I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy. I'm looking forward to reading whatever Godfrey writes next.

I've seen so many glowing reviews for this book and they're all absolutely deserved - it was a real page turner with some brilliant characters and a great plot.

Miv and Sharon are best friends. But, when Miv's father decides that they should move from their home in Yorkshire to London, the girls decide that the only way to stop this is to find the Yorkshire Ripper and make their hometown safe again. Books with child narrators don't always work for me but in this case it really did - Miv and Sharon look at the people in their town through such innocent eyes that they uncover all kinds of hidden attitudes and family secrets but don't quite realise what they have found out. Sometimes they skate over the most significant things which as an adult reader you can see are key parts of the story.

An excellent novel that I would recommend to any reader - it fully deserves all of the praise it is getting!

I’ve seen loads of my bookish friends raving about this title in recent weeks and now I know why!

While this starts as something of a slow-burner, it didn’t actually take long to hook me in to the story of outsider Miv, her best friend Sharon, and a community struggling with poverty, racism and the fear of violence against women. And once I got started, I kept on reading to the end – yet another up-all-nighter, so don’t say you weren’t warned!

Miv decides to start investigating friends and neighbours to try to identify clues to the Yorkshire Ripper as part of a small and self-focused plan to avoid her family wanting to move, but soon begins uncovering all kinds of unexpected secrets hidden under the everyday lives of the people she thought she knew. Some range from unpleasant to terrible, including adultery, paedophilia and domestic violence, but her dogged persistence also leads her to uncover kindness, friendship, companionship and even the odd love story.

There is a focus on girl- and womanhood through the ever-pervasive threat of the Ripper but the author also explores the fear of anything and anyone different and the resulting inhumanity that can result when those fears simmer together and then boil over.

As Miv moves from child towards adulthood we see the focus of her problems begin to shift from school bullies, boys, friends and her home situation to a wider perspective on her local area and from there outwards towards the rest of the world, and what starts out as a fear-laden, trapped narrative turns into one where there is hope that justice and human kindness can prevail.

I was left spellbound and contemplative and thoroughly recommend this book to anyone looking for mystery/coming-of-age story with breath-taking heart and depth.

This is a book you will hear a lot about in 2024 and beyond. A debut coming of age novel set in the backdrop of Yorkshire in the late seventies, early eighties and very much a reflection of what was going on at the time.

Our main character, Miv thinks she can catch the Yorkshire Ripper. Why not, the police haven’t been very successful so why shouldn’t she have a go. It might also mean that she won’t have to move away from Yorkshire and everything she has even known. Along with her reluctant friend, Sharon she makes a list of suspicious things that is going on around the area.

Whether that be suspicious characters, suspicious behaviour or suspicious places, it all goes on Miv’s list. But what is it that Miv discovers?

Miv discovers that the behaviours of others is disturbing and Jennie Godfrey does not shy away from the horrors and acts of racism, alcoholism and abuse in different forms. Whilst Miv’s innocnece when it is broken is heartbreaking you can see the strong charcater that comes through it all and that perhaps she has been finding hte anserts to the problems at home by looking outwards and not inwards.

As Miv and Sharon, move through that difficult time of adolescence in the backdrop of fear and change. Their friendship inevitably changes as they learn about themselves, each other and what the future might hold as they choose their paths in life.

Excellent debut novel, is worthy of a second read, and will be on a lot of books of the year list. The subject and tone of the book could be considered dark, but it has as much light and humour in it that you feel that you have been enveloped in one of the best reads for years.

I do enjoy a coming of age novel and this one sees our main character, Miv, trying to deal with not only growing up but also coping with unusual family circumstances, racial tensions and the fact that the Yorkshire Ripper is killing women in the area in which she is living. Miv decides that she and her best friend will make a list of suspicious people that could be the Ripper and investigate further, not realising ultimately where these actions will lead.

I enjoyed the late 1970s setting and the stories behind the characters that Miv comes into contact with.

It's an interesting debut novel and I'd happily explore more by Jennie Godfrey.

Absolutely loved this book. So many reasons.
It was just brilliant, I was truly absorbed from the very first page.

It's 1979, Margaret Thatcher (milk snatcher!) has jus become the first woman prime minister and Yorkshire is in the grip of fear as the Yorkshire Ripper kills young women & there seems no sign of stopping. Miv is a bright but isolated child. He mother suffers from depression & has withdrawn from the family. her dad does his best & her Aunty Jean does her best to keep the family running. Miv finds it hard to make friends but she has Sharon & the two girls are inseparable. With the talk of the Ripper constantly in the news Miv decides they should try & find out who he is. With her list of suspicious things they find themselves in some tricky situations.

I loved this book. The setting & the time were captured so well. Exploring the rise of the Skinheads, the prejudice against anyone different & the power of friendship it is a book that will linger with me for a long time. I think this is the first time I have highlighted a paragraph in a book because it captured something about friendship so perfectly. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this wonderful book. The only slight criticism I have is the cover- I did not get around to reading it for ages because it gave an indication that this would be a light hearted story, which it wasn't.

Set in the 1970's when the Yorkshire Ripper is out there murdering people and hasn't been found.

Miv and and her friend Sharon who are school girls decide they should write a list of suspicious things in their town to try and find the Yorkshire ripper.

This is a great orginal story, well written about friendships

Loved it

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story starts off with two young girls trying to list the suspicious things they notice in a bid to catch the Yorkshire ripper. As ridiculous as the storyline sounds, this is exactly the sort of thing I did as a child.

The characters and setting were well described, and the story could be easily visualised. There are reminders of the countries' issues at this time, such as racism. It's a stark reminder of how far the country has come, even though there is still a long way to go.

The ending was harrowing and brought me to tears. It was not something I was expecting, and I kept reading, hoping it wasn't true. This story kept me enthralled throughout, and even after it finished, I still wanted to carry on reading the lives of the people in the story to see what happened next.

The List of Suspicious Things is a wonderfully and sensitively written novel set in the late 1970's, just immediately prior to the arrest of the Yorkshire Ripper. We meet Miv, a Yorkshire teenager with a complicated home-life and ongoing concern that her dad wants to move 'down south'. She and her friend Sharon make a list of suspicious things in the hope they could help solve the murders - and the story unfolds around this list. I loved the relationships between the main characters, and the window into the late 70's world. As a debut novel this is quite a read and I really look forward to more books by Jennie Godfrey!
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Miv and Sharon are best friends and 12 years old, living in a small town in Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Ripper has already killed several women and the Police manhunt is ongoing.
Miv decides it would be a good idea if she and Sharon drew up a list of likely suspects. This beautiful story is about growing up and the people who affect your lives along the way.

Synopsis

Yorkshire, 1979

Maggie Thatcher is prime minister, drainpipe jeans are in, and Miv is convinced that her dad wants to move their family Down South.

Because of the murders.

Leaving Yorkshire and her best friend Sharon simply isn't an option, no matter the dangers lurking round their way; or the strangeness at home that started the day Miv's mum stopped talking.
Perhaps if she could solve the case of the disappearing women, they could stay after all?

So, Miv and Sharon decide to make a list: a list of all the suspicious people and things down their street. People they know. People they don't.

But their search for the truth reveals more secrets in their neighbourhood, within their families - and between each other - than they ever thought possible.

What if the real mystery Miv needs to solve is the one that lies much closer to home?

My thoughts …….

The character of Miv and Sharon were delightful in fact all the characters were fabulous and the imagery they give to the novel gave it a lot of depth.

The storyline followed in parallel to the times of the Yorkshire ripper. Miv and Sharon were being Super sleuths making lists of their own suspects mustaches being a trigger and their strange behavior. However it’s not about the Yorkshire-ripper but that of the towns folk and their day to day lives . Miv and Sharon are pre teens growing up in the 70’s /80’s, music , culture and prejudice , bleakness and the famous five !

This was a magical debut novel that made me smile and look back at some points in history that are quite clear in your mind .

Miv is an 11 year old who slowly as she’s growing in to teenage hood she learns a lot about the people around her and with that she finds out the secrets they keep!
The books written in the time period of Jack the Ripper which gives the store the feeling of intense emotion some worrying and feeling of unease from everyone around the Yorkshire countryside. Miv decides after hearing her dad say they may leave Yorkshire she needs to find Jack the Ripper! She starts to unpick events that seem suspicious and slowly as she grows in age she sheds her naivety . It’s a fascinating story and sheds light on many different topics

An easy read but this book packs a punch all the same.
The characters are extremely well written and come to life off the page sharing their day to day lives and the secrets they hold. The book portrays Yorkshire life in the 70s so well and took me straight back to my childhood despite that being a decade earlier.
It is such a beautifully written book that is hard to believe it is a debut novel. It covers many social concerns that you would think could bring it down and be depressive but that is far from the case.
A gem of a book.

An wonderful story filled with historical richness and mystery. It's hard to imagine that this is really a debut novel, the way it handles character and story with the deftness of a pro. I will be reading more of Godfrey's work in the future for sure.

Oh. I've seen nothing but praise and all the stars loaded onto this debut novel with many people I know saying it's fabulous and quite possibly their book of the year. Not quite my view unfortunately.

Whilst it was entirely readable I just didn't find it that engaging and didn't connect with many of the characters. I struggled to keep picking it up to find out what was happening next and practically skim-read the last 15%.

It all felt a bit juvenile too, possibly even YA (is it YA?) even the language. And yes I know it's about two almost teen girls but given the subject matter it seemed a bit odd to me that racial slurs were effectively censored. If you want it to feel realistic then tell it how it was.

I was only 10 years old when this was set (1979) so can't remember much about the whole Yorkshire Ripper crimes but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be trying to work out who the Ripper was and following suspicious people around if it was happening in my community.

And not to add spoilers but the whole thread with Miv's mum seemed a bit unbelievably resolved.

I feel so bad that I didn't like this more after all its hype and clever marketing – you couldn't help but not notice it on social media in the weeks running up to its release – but it just goes to show that not every book that's shouted about is going to be loved by everyone.

What an amazing read!

The List of Suspicious Things is a captivating and emotionally resonant read that will tug at your heartstrings. It is a story that delves into the life of a young girl amidst tumultuous circumstances.

The story unfolds in 1979, a time marked by the impending rise of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister and the chilling presence of a serial killer known as the Yorkshire Ripper.

Eleven-year-old Miv grapples with various challenges, including her mother's illness, her opinionated aunt Jean who is staying with them, and her father's absence due to him spending most of his time at the pub.
Miv's aunt proposes a move away from Yorkshire to escape the horrors of the serial killer, posing a threat to her friendship with Sharon, her best friend, and her sense of belonging.

"The last two years had taught me how much people could change. If I couldn’t count on people, then I at least needed places and things to stay solid."

Determined to find a solution, Miv embarks on a mission to uncover the identity of the Yorkshire Ripper. Enlisting the help of Sharon, they begin making a list of suspicious people.
Every man with dark hair, dark eyes, and a mustache becomes a suspect; from a shopkeeper, a coworker of Miv's dad to a teacher and a local photographer.

Miv's obsession with the case raises questions about whether it serves as an escape from her personal struggles or a genuine pursuit of justice.

Her quest leads her to confront the harsh realities of life, exposing her to the darker aspects of society. But what will the consequences be of this obsession?

The story features well-developed and relatable characters, skillfully interwoven with the true events surrounding the Yorkshire Ripper and it creates a compelling coming-of-age narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars
I’ve always loved multi-narrative books, but the crossovers and revelations were done so expertly that you fall in love with practically every character (apart from the obviously horrific ones). This book is a perfect lesson in empathy.
My only critique is that the ending felt quite rushed by the end — the tension, withheld information, epiphanies and outbursts were so exciting that have everything wrapped up and solved in about 3 chapters felt slightly disappointing.
However, this book fully deserves all the awards just for the narrative arc, characterisation and empathy-building alone. RIP to the 13 victims ♥️.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.