I was asked if I would like to review this book but I ran out of time before the publication date. I will definitely read it especially as it’s the book of the month at one of my favourite book stores - Backstory Words and Wine in Balham.. it is described as a unique and engaging read following the life of Tibb Ingleby, a vagrant who experiences the best and worst of humanity as she grows up on the margins of society. As fun and adventurous as it’s deep and moving according to Backstory. If you are in Balham, you get a free coffee when you buy this book of the month! I have given it 4 stars based on the average opinion of others.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike.

The story follows a young vagabond girl called Tibb Ingleby as she lives her hard life in England during the reign of Henry VII. Tibb’s mother dies through complications of childbirth and Tibb then has to rely on her own wits and the friends she makes on the road to.survive. She’s chaotic and sweary, but always tender hearted and thoughtful. I really liked her and rooted for her to triumph.

A highly recommended read for lovers of historical fiction.

This was an unique read with a main character who you will find it hard to forget. As we follow Tibb through Tudor England we meet the friends and acquaintances she meets and we witness the adventures she seeks.
Tibb is brash and confident but deep down she has a heart of gold and has a lot of love to give. In many situations she finds herself in she has to use her "trickerie" to conquer those obstacles.
What I loved was that the characters in this book are usually hidden from history and I thought Tibb's character carries you along through the book and there are many interesting themes in this one. Plenty of unsettling ideas about prejudice and there is humour and also sadness. The found family aspect is also a feeling I love in books and this one did this well.
Overall I enjoyed this one, its engaging and one I think people should pick up !!!

5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2024/08/02/review-a-little-trickerie-by-rosanna-pike/
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Wow,Very Original, Definitely Unforgettable

I requested A Little Trickerie on something of a whim, I like to have some historical fiction on my shelves and this sounded different although I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I would say that this is a compelling read. Set in a harsh and superstitious Tudor England it brings to us one of the most captivating narrators I can recall, at times heartbreakingly innocent whilst at the same time being only too well aware of the cruelty of life, particularly for those who have fallen between the cracks.

In a world where vagabonds can be branded and thrown into the stocks we make the acquaintance of Tibb and her Ma. Unfortunately Tibb’s ma passes away very early in the story leaving Tibb an orphan with a small baby, no money, no roof and no idea what to do. The opening chapters are something of a shock and an eye opener. In fact Tibb’s predicament feels desperate with one unhappy occurrence after another, until she finally stumbles upon a friend, a young boy called Ivo.

The two survive traversing the coastline and countryside, always on the move but becoming firm friends.

I don’t want to give too much away about the plot simply because I had such a good time discovering Tibb’s story with no prior knowledge.

I loved this story and here’s why.

Firstly Tibb. What a captivating character. I love her voice. Her’s has not been a gentle upbringing. Her mother taught her little tricks to survive (mainly involving light fingers) but with Ivo she finds a surprising friendship. I love the way Tibb looks at life, she has a surprising and unique way of looking at things but at the same time she seems to bring out the strangest reaction in people veering mostly into two camps, those that want to help or protect her and those that want to own or hurt her.

This story brings to us a fantastic and eclectic collection of characters for you to love and hate. And you will really feel that range of emotions.

I loved this snapshot of Tudor England. This is quite a different view from that usually written of with the nobles and their political shenanigans. This is harsh. Life is hard for the more lowly. There is a lot of superstition and any behaviour outside the norm is not just frowned upon but actively and harshly acted against. I would point out that this story can be very grim in parts so be prepared for that.

I loved the plot, even though I’m going to avoid discussing it, Tibb comes up with a trick that spins out of control with scary consequences and a lot of tension.

The pacing, the writing and the story were perfect. To be honest I can’t fault this and that’s made even more remarkable when you consider that this is a debut.

A remarkable story, sometimes a difficult read, at others uplifting. Tibb is a character I won’t forget. Emotional, heartbreaking, uplifting. A book that reminds you of the strength of good friends and love.

I highly recommend this book, it’s quite taken my breath away.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.

5 of 5 remarkable stars

Set in the early years of the 16th century this story follows Tibb, a teenaged vagrant whose alcoholic mother has just died. She teams up with Ivo, a boy she meets on the beach and together they eke out an existence living off seafood and what ever they can find. Ivo decides he needs to get a job and a roof over their head, but when they get to the town, they witness the arrest and castration of a pair of homosexual men. Ivo is panicked by this and disappears so Tibb is on her own again. She falls in with a group of strolling players and as they travel the land she finds she has friends and falls in love with the huge oddly coloured strong-man Ambrose.. the head of the troupe, who had fancied her himself, is enraged by this and in taking his revenge sets in motion a fine adventure. Most unusual and quite gripping.

Tibb Ingleby is definitely a heroine who leaps from the page with as much bravado as she can muster, surviving all kinds of trouble which she does with sharp wit and an eye for opportunity. A devastating event at the beginning of the story helps to get A Little Trickerie off to a dramatic start and alongside Tibb we get to know, Ivo, her rescuer who is the calm to Tibb's storm and the light at the end of a dark tunnel. However, as the story travels through the vagaries of fifteenth century England we learn what it means to be a vagrant and to live under the shadow of being different. Being poor was not an option for Tibb but her stoic deliverance sees her survive in places where lesser people would have failed, and, undoubtedly, it is her strength of character which gives the book its humour and also its soul.

From the very start of the story I was transported to Tudor England which was depicted as a place of thieves and vagabonds, of ruses and trickery, of religious fervour and superstitious bigotry. It doesn't sugar coat life but brings to the core the power of friendship, the strength in togetherness and the ability to get back up when life knocks you down. Beautifully written, with a lyricism which I absolutely loved and an authentic style all of its own, this series of imaginative vignettes introduces us to Tibb's world. We feel her sorrow, hurt when she hurts, laugh out loud at some of her more colourful phrases and ultimately are completely charmed by this unangelic heroine who pulls off, with the help of her friends, the most audacious scam and does so with a joyful naivety, which is as refreshing, as it it cunning.

A Little Trickerie gives us a strong heroine in Tibb Ingleby. She is feisty and funny, quirky and as soft hearted as mallow and yet her core of steel makes her into a character I won't easily forget.

When Tibb meets Ivo on a beach in Norfolk her life will never be the same

The blurb tells you the plot so what's the story like in my view a intriguing read that takes you a lot about Tudor England with a bit of Walse. Not a great time to live if you were homeless not that nows great but even harder the cost of being caught death. For a young lady when her Mum dies she must do what she can. With Ivo's help things change then it's all change again then the climax, very suspenseful, awesomely crafted. There are 3 parts to this novel I won't give any spoilers. There are some great characters as well as the 2 centrals Ambros and Maria where wonderful, plus there's plenty of characters to hate and even more to like.

This is a great read and well worth the time. I really hope you enjoy it as well.

I really didn't think I was going to like this story for the first few pages but I am so glad I continued to read the tale of Tibb Ingleby.. Tibb has been led to believe that she is wicked by Farmer O and the things that happen to her make her believe that. Set in the 1500s this historical tale takes in the events of Tudor England. Things look up for Tibb when she meets Ivo and they team up. Life changes over the years for Tibb as she searches for a roof over her head - something her mother always wanted for them both. Tibb is different; she looks different; a better person than she thinks she is.
A very different story told in a novel way.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Rosanna Pike/Penguin General UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Historic fiction told through the eyes of Tibb classified as a vagabond and therefore an illegal person in the 1500s discover the country as she roams and soak up the history. She is a rough diamond in the raw or perhaps a pearl

really enjoyed this. It had a lightness of touch which provided a welcome relief from the hardships and prejudices that Tibb and Ivo had to endure. They were great characters and I loved the way the plot developed. Not sure if I liked the back and forth in time though, but I can see the attraction of presenting the narrative this way.

A Little Trickeries by Rosanna Pike

It is Tudor England, a place of extreme poverty and immense wealth. Unfortunately young Tibb Ingleby and her Mum are in the former category with a simple wish for a roof over their heads, whilst always fearful of being found to be vagrants. Soon orphaned Tibb, comes across Ivo, a boy also alone. The love that develops between them is not matched by physicality, as Ivo’s preference for men surfaces,and the ire of church looms. A wonderful collection of characters pop up as their perilous journeys divide and cross, leading to a thrilling stand off involving the highest authority in the land.

This is a story of strength and survival, romantic and platonic love for others, the fight to maintain hope against bigotry and injustice and the moral right to have a roof under which to sleep. Could be today, right? It is also told with gusto, raw realism and encourages a genuine care for the main protagonists.

#docs.reading.room

A Little Trikerie is so original. I’ve been spellbound, almost literally, from start to finish. Tibb, the central character is captivating. Alone after the death of her mother, she tries to make her way in Tudor England. It’s such an unusual slant on this historical period and that’s the aspect I really enjoyed. It feels authentic and it’s a story of ordinary people. Tibb is on a journey both literally and figuratively. She’s joined by other vagabond characters looking to find their way in a harsh landscape. Tudor laws weren’t kind to the poor and displaced and every day is a challenge. There’s so much packed in to this tale. I was with Tibb every step of the way, willing her to overcome the difficulties encountered. There’s a lot of humour and at the heart , a really compelling story. Brilliant and brave, I’ve enjoyed every page.

I’m so impressed by how this book balanced difficult issues like sexual assault and violent homophobia with a humorous and sympathetic narration. It had a wonderfully unique voice, and is possibly my favourite example of prose written to suit the period setting without getting insufferable. This is one of those books where I loved it so much I don’t have a whole lot to say about it. I adored the characters, and the plot, especially in the second half, was propulsive. I finished it ridiculously quickly!

What a beautiful, haunting book. Very reminiscent of the writing styles of Lauren Groff with a touch of Annie Garthwaite. Such a wimiscal and a times difficult to read book. Tibb is such an extraordinary character but beware the abundance of trigger warnings for this book. Such a unique and special read, but one which will leave you equally heart-warmed and heartbroken. Incredible, especially as a debut!

A full review will be published on www.instagram.com/thehistorybelles on publication date

I didn’t like the first few pages and nearly gave up as the language was strange and more than a little shocking. I soon became used to our young heroine’s narrative and her story, a mixture of vulnerability and resilience. I loved her journey through youth into adulthood, peppered with a colourful mix of weird and wonderful characters. Difference is celebrated by her, but not by all, and we see opinions can be swayed between good and evil in the people of Tudor times, where tricks will be believed by those who are easily swayed. Tibb attracts good and bad, and we follow the progress of her young life with trepidation and joy. It was lovely, and a terrific read.

Tibb was born into nothing. In Tudor England, that's a precarious way to be. She and her mother are nomadic, living off what her mother can con or beg, but when tragedy strikes, young Tibb must fend for herself. And her journey will take her from a desolate beach to an actors' troupe to becoming her own kind of miracle.

Tibb is one of the most unique narrators I've ever read. Her intonations and thoughts are so distinct, and feel completely authentic to her time period and level of education, while also proving her to be kind and quick-witted. She's such a gentle, earnest character that everyone she meets is charmed by her, and the story - which I'd worried would devolve into violence - is instead an exploration of how to create a home, and the people who belong in it. I absolutely loved this.

Thank you Netgalley for this review copy!

A raw tale of life in medieval England for the underbelly, those without a home or means of living. Tibb is a fierce character who has seen the cruel side of life but she makes friends along the way in this rollicking, joyful, tragic tale.

‘It is just a little trickerie, you know.’

Meet Tibb Ingleby. She thinks she’s about fourteen years old. Tibb is a vagabond in Henry VII’s England, and her mother’s ambition is to have a roof to call her own. Alas, Tibb’s mother’s latest attempt goes horribly wrong, and she dies, leaving Tibb orphaned. Tibb, a rough diamond, is street smart but vulnerable. On her travels she meets up with Ivo, and they become friends. After Ivo leaves, Tibb falls in with a group of travelling performers. And while with this group, Tibb experiences both the best and worst of human behaviour.

What can I tell you about Tibb without spoiling her story for a first-time reader? I could mention that some of the shows put on by the travelling performers rely on human gullibility. I could mention that Tibb does not feel bound by big-man-God rules, and that this leads to a most audacious plan to make money.

And, having mentioned this, I will simply add that I thoroughly enjoyed how Tibb (and others) cocked a snook at the establishment. But when a small-scale act of trickery became subject to widespread fame, how did they avoid becoming victims of their own success? Read on. Tibb is an engaging hero, and her companions (especially Ambrose, Ivo, Maria and Flavio) each have a special place in this story.

‘My friends,’ I say, ‘I think we have pulled off the greatest falsehood the country has ever seen.’

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Intriguing and joyously quirky central character, but with sensibilities which felt far too modern

Tibb, a young girl, orphaned too early, and the daughter of someone forced to live on her wits, has no other means to get by other than by practising more than ‘a little trickerie’ herself.

This novel is ostensibly set early in the reign of Henry VIIth, and there’s a kind of invented Tudorish speak to take us into period. Tibb is a lovely creation, a mix of extreme naivity, innocence and guile, a girl with a big heart and a lot of survivalist cunning. However….what prevented me from surrender to this book, despite my enjoyment of the author’s verve and energy, was something which can often get in the way for me, in historical novels. That is, the injection of too much twenty-first century enlightenment, particularly around gender and sexuality, in characters whom an author wants us to like. Of course, in every age, there are those who are ahead of their time, but I could not suspend my disbelief. There were also a few too many coincidences, people long sundered finding each other again, surprisingly, in completely different parts of the country.

You cannot help loving Tib, how she's able to survive in a harsh world, and the portrait of Tudor England.
A little-great story that tells of a trickery that becomes something big and how it impact the life of people.
Well researched, poignant and funny, good storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine