Orphaned Tib Ingelby is no angel, even though she look like one with her white hair and pale skin, but she is naïve and trusting – remarkably so when she was brought up by her mother as a vagabond, surviving in a man’s world with tricks and cons. So when she meets Ivo in a moment of total despair and he rescues her, she feels as if she’s met her perfect mate – even if she’s not quite sure what that might mean.
The story follows her coming of age and many hard lessons she learns until a bit of trickerie she devises takes on a life of its own and threatens everything she’s worked for and everyone she cares for.
While I liked the characters and the plot, I found Tib’s language awkward and inconsistent. And while the novel is described as revealing a side of Tudor England that we don’t know of, I really didn’t feel drawn in or convinced by it.
On the other hand, Tib’s wry humour and charm were likeable. So overall, it was a good read and held my attention to the end.

What an unexpected delight this book turned out to be. I downloaded it for an insight in to everyday life in the past, only to stumble on not only a heart wrenching study of misogyny and homophobic prejudices, but also a clever entertaining tale with a well thought out ending.

Set in Tudor England, it’s more a tale than strict historical fiction, meaning, it could take place in any era. A young girl who looks at the world in her own way and tries to make the best of it. The writing style is different, creative and somewhat quirky.

Tibb, born a vagabond and soon orphaned, has no home. She makes her way traveling throughout medieval England, meeting people who will care for her but also people who will harm her. As Tibb and her friends perform the perhaps greatest trickerie yet.

A Little Trickerie is certainly original and a fresh take on Tudor travels and at its core looks at beliefs and superstitions, kinship and courage.

This was bold, this was different and this was moving. I really enjoyed this story and it had me hooked from the first pages.

Rosanna Pike’s writing really delivered you back in time and Tibb was a joy to read.

A curious book, but very enjoyable. Tibb has a very interesting perspective on life, possibly being far too modern (certainly in language - shit for brains being a rather ecent addition to our phraseology), but certainly entertaining, along with the rest of the cast of crazy characters.

Apparently based on a true event, the fraudulent miracle of the Holy Maid of Leominster, this is a thoroughly entertaining and well written tale set during the reign of Henry VII, when the murders of the Princes in the Tower was still in folk memory.

Tibb Ingleby is a young vagabond, the daughter of a vagabond. She and her mother have suffered desperately, and when her mother dies early in the novel, shortly after giving birth to a baby girl, Tibb finds herself left to her own devices. But Tibb finds friends and allies; she is resourceful and intelligent, irreverent and forthright. Her bunch of associates contain Tibb herself, tiny in stature with long white hair, Ivo fleeing from prejudice, and Ambrose stained with a purple birthmark, looked upon as touched by the Devil. In the church in Leominster where Ivo is the priest, the group come up with a plan to enhance their fortunes, making use of Tibb's otherworldly appearance to impersonate an angel. That's when things start to get very complicated.

Rosanna Pike's first novel carries the reader along with its gripping, funny and moving tale. Perhaps at times it verges on the preposterous, but the characters are attractive and sympathetic and permit to a large degree the suspension of disbelief.

*A big thank-you to Rosanna Pike, Penguin General UK, and NtGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
England under Henry VII through the eyes of a vagabond child who has to grow up fast. This debut novel is a wonderful observation on the loneliness and need for friendship and love in the times when the most vulnerable had few means of defence. An emotional read set well in the period.

An interesting tale of Poor People & their fight ( which still sadly exists today ) against the Hypocrisy of All Churches & Religions. This story could easily be set today in many parts of the world instead of Medieval England. #NetGalley, #GoodReads , #FB, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk, # <img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>.

This was a beautiful book that I did really enjoy in the end. Pike’s writing style was exceptionally well suited to her topic and time period. I really believed that Pike was ventriloquising the thoughts of Tibb. I loved the family dynamics (particularly with Ivo) and her tentative and delicate navigation of queerness in a way that didn’t feel tokenistic. That being said, the writing style (while obviously contributing to our understanding of Tibb’s mind) made it quite difficult for me to get into a flow with this book!

There’s a new King, the people are still whispering about the two missing princes, and young vagabond Tibb must keep on the move as homelessness is illegal in 15th century England. This was an interesting novel, with a unique and foul-mouthed protagonist, telling a story of an often-overlooked section of historic society. Tibb exists on the very fringes, surviving day-to-day and from her vantage can view society with clarity, in all its absurdity, violence, and hypocrisy. Her mothers wish for her family to one day have a roof drives Tibb's character throughout the book, as she travels across England finding friends and meeting foes along the way.

The role the Church plays is a centre point of the novel, not only in the firm framing of morality during this period, but also in the exploitation with miracles, false articles, and idolatry making money for those ruthless enough. This is a very well written debut with a lively main character, deep relationships, exploring with real heart the ideas of goodness, love, and miracles.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

“Is it better to live in a small way, or not to live at all”
“Live the life you dream”
“Would you let this short life slither past”
Meet Tibb Ingelby, she’s opinionated, cheeky with rough edges, you can’t help but fall in love this one of a kind heroine.
Based on a true story of the ‘Holy Maid of Leominster’ - a 16th century conwoman who impersonated an angel and amassed a cult following in early Tudor England
Journey into Tudor England as you’ve seen it before, Tibb’s is a wonderful narrator, showing the underbelly of the period.
A delicious blend of humour with a touch of sadness, showing the themes of the time - belief and superstition as well as ‘found family’ and kinship
An unique, engaging read, that’s fun adventurous and deeply moving
Thanks @rosannapikeauthor, @penguinfigtree & @netgalley for the utterly original debut historical read

I absolutely loved this gentle, warm, and original book, which tells the story of good people in a harsh and cruel world. Tibb Ingleby was born a vagabond, and has never had a roof of her own. But her mother has taught her that if you're not too bound by the Big Man's rules, there are ways a woman can find shelter in this world. Now her mother is dead in a trick gone wrong and young Tibb is orphaned and alone.
Tibb is a delightful character who combines a strange mix of vulnerability and strength. We follow her through Tudor England, watching as she meets good and bad people and learns how to make the best of the hand she's been given. Tibb is rough, foul-mouthed, and opinionated but she's also loving, generous, clever, and kind.
It's a captivating story exploring grief, love, friendship, prejudice, and superstition, all with one of the most original and delightful narrative voices I've ever come across.
It's a stunning, fresh, and exciting debut, and I highly recommend this book.
With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC.

is one of the most original books I’ve read this year. It is written in a brilliantly crafted and different style which I absolutely loved, and is filled with atmospheric language. Tibb herself is a fabulous and uniquely memorable main character. It really is a treat to read - evocative, funny, emotional, and bold. Highly recommend.

So original.
Loved this book Tibb so endearing, delightful way of speaking and thinking, she runs words all into one longer one.
Tibb is the beloved daughter of a vagrant woman whose aim in life is to get them both a roof over their heads, to do this she sleeps with various unsavoury characters and sometimes ends up killing them. When Tibb's baby sister Henrietta is born, her Mother dies and the father throws them both out. Tibb only a child herself tries to take care of Henrietta but fails, she is rescued by Ivo another homeless person who looks after her and they travel together. Ivo suddenly leaves her, so Tibb has to fend for herself, she meets some wondering players and joins them becoming a contortionist , the troupe goes to a wealthy landowners house and get split up with fire consequences for Tibb and her lover Ambrose.
Thank you Rosanna, NetGalley and Penguin for this amazing ARC

Although a bit bit of slow burner, it is well worth sticking with this book. Beautifully written and truly a masterpiece.

I don't think I've ever read anything like this before. The themes and plot are very dark, but somehow the narration makes it feel light at the same time. A very distinctive character voice, a very distinctive mood, I am really impressed by the quality of the writing! I'm interested to see what Rosanna Pike will do next.

Tibb Ingleby has been born as a vagabond but her lifestyle is illegal and she and her mother need to settle. When her mother dies, Tibb is left on her own and does what she must to survive. Gaining friends and being betrayed leads Tibb to a plan that could change her future but in a country where religion is all, can a little trickerie work.
Unusually set during the reign of Henry VII, this is a wonderful historical novel. What sets it apart are the characters who are so believable and well-rounded. The heroine herself is beautifully imagined and the plot is clever without being totally farfetched. It is an engaging and entertaining book

Set in the late fifteenth century, this story follows the fortunes of Tibby, an orphaned teenage vagabond constantly on the move. When she falls in with Ivo, a runaway from home, the two form a strong bond. But Ivo has a secret he can't share with Tibby or the world, in those days when the church ruled supreme and any deviation from the norm was punishable by death. And when Tibby's plan to save her friend goes awry, it looks like they are both in mortal danger.
This was a gem of a historical novel. It immerses you in the English country way of life in early Tudor times, and I love the style it's written in, with Tibby's voice rooted in the past, but clear as a bell to the modern reader. The plot is thrilling on all levels, as both Tibby and Ivo strive to find ways to survive and to thrive in a world that has abused and rejected them.
There are so many strong themes in this book. But childhood abuse, poverty, loneliness and rejection are balanced by the strength of love, friendship and loyalty that keep Tibby battling on. And there is plenty of humour, too - Tibby's wry way of looking at the world makes sure of that!
While so many of the characters stand out as good people, it's Tibby who will keep you spellbound. Though taught by her mother how to survive on her wits, she is an innocent in many ways, and the only person she judges harshly is herself. So many people she meets love her, but she must learn to lover herself as well as her friends if she is to find true happiness.
And so much has to happen before then.

A fascinating story inspired by true events. The story made me looking up on the Internet to read more about Tibb's life.

Rosanna Pike brings 16th Century England gloriously to life in her debut novel A Little Tickerie, a reimagining of a true story of fraud and belief. The book is based on the story of the ‘Holy Maid of Leominster’ – a hoax in which a woman claimed to be an angel who had appeared in the priory of a local church. But while this story is the jumping off point, Pike uses it to reflect on issues of religion, found families, intolerance and belonging.
A Little Trickerie opens with teenager Tibb Ingleby, newly orphaned and grieving, a vagabond in a time where that status could get a person imprisoned or killed. Tibb is rescued by Ivo, a young man around her age, living on the beach. The two form a bond and Ivo brings Tibb back from the brink. This narrative is broken up by sections telling the tale of a man in prison, waiting for the King to come to pass sentence on him. The tale builds up to the story of the Holy Maid of Leominster, in ways that would be a shame to spoil.
The whole endeavour is brought to life by Tibb and her idiosyncratic narration. Tibb is a glorious creation and the real success of the novel. Tibb is naïve yet canny, loving but with the capacity to be unthinkingly or unknowingly cruel as a result, not as clever as she would like to think she is living with trauma from her childhood, but also eternally optimistic. Tibb has an open soul, and an attitude that draws people to her, particularly outsiders. She is the heat and soul of the novel, in some ways extremely modern in her outlook but portrayed absolutely as a product of her time.
A Little Tickerie builds to something like a thriller as what starts as a plan to milk a little money out of a local community grows out of control. Pike builds that tension early and primes readers for disaster by the flash forward scenes. But she seeds the finale with landmines throughout Tibb’s picaresque adventures, bringing all of the threads together in a page-turning, heartfelt finale.