I have just finished The List of Suspicious Things and I just have one word - wonderful.
A beautiful story of friendship and coming of age, set during a time of apprehension and fear, and yet this always had love at its heart..
I cried sad and happy tears and happy tears reading to the end..
Some characters you will remember forever and Miv is right up there with Scout, Duchess Day Radley and Cassandra Mortmain for me.
Thank you to Hutchinson Henneman and Netgally for letting me read this - it was an absolute joy.

What a completely and utterly ingenius book this is. I absolutely loved it
Set against the backdrop of Thatcher and The Yorkshire Ripper, The List Of Suspicious Things offers a reall spyhole inot the lives of those living right at the edge of both those major events and really explores through perceptive portrayals, how both of those things could impact the lives of ordinary people.
Told alternately through the eyes of Miv (a pre teen girl, curious about the world she lives in and the things that all the adults around her are whispering about) and various adults with whom Miv and her friend, Shannon, interact, we learn of different people's attitudes, goings on behind closed doors and how the shadow of The Ripper weighs heavily on the small Yorkshire town where Miv resides.
With Miv, a pre adolescent maturing more slowly than her friend, determined to use every clue she can garner about the Ripper tofind him, she and Shannon begin a List of Suspicious things which leads them to explore the lives of notable people in their community and which sets certain events in motion.
This book is really well researched and evoked all the emotions I felt as a teen around Miv's age when the Yorkshire Ripper was active. Although I was in Scotland at the time, Miv's innocent misunderstandings, her fear, the horror all of it was palpable.List of Suspicious Things shows how much hard it was for those living so close to the killings to live their livesunder this cloud.
But List of Suspicious Things is about more than that. It's also a coming of age story of a young girl, with a difficult homelife that she doesn't fully understand and its about the normal highs and lows of a villageadapting to new things.
With themes of grief, domestic violence, adolescence, abuse of power, racism and more List of Suspicious Things has made its way onto my top 3 (which now includes 4 books because I can'r bare to ditch any of the three already on my list)
Beautiful, poignant, thought- provoking and hopeful.

In "The List of Suspicious Things," Jennie Godfrey presents a heart-warming coming-of-age tale that explores the power of friendship, family, and community. This touching story follows a young protagonist as she embarks on a mission to uncover the truth amidst the backdrop of a notorious crime.

The narrative centres around a determined young girl who is inspired to catch the Yorkshire Ripper, despite the scepticism of those around her. With her friend's support, they devise a plan to create a list of suspicious people and things and investigate them, bringing structure to their quest for answers.

Godfrey expertly captures the innocence and curiosity of youth, and the strength of the bond between the two friends shines through the pages. As they navigate their way through their investigation, the story highlights the importance of trust, resilience, and the unexpected connections that can be formed along the way.

The author's writing style is both engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the world of the characters and immersing them in the emotional journey. The story unfolds with a gentle pace, allowing readers to savour the relationships and themes explored.

"The List of Suspicious Things" not only serves as a captivating tale but also explores deeper themes of friendship, family dynamics, and the power of determination. It reminds readers that even in the face of daunting challenges, the bonds we form can be a source of strength and support.

Overall, "The List of Suspicious Things" is a touching and heartfelt story that resonates with readers of all ages. Jennie Godfrey's ability to blend themes of friendship, mystery, and personal growth creates an endearing narrative that will leave a lasting impression.

It's 1979, and there's a lot going on for twelve year old Miv. Her mother's mystery illness means she barely leaves her bedroom, Auntie Jean has come to stay, ruling the household with an iron fist, and Miv's best friend Sharon seems ever more on the verge of outgrowing their friendship. To eke back some control, Miv takes it upon herself to investigate suspicious figures in her town - ostensibly in the hopes of catching the Yorkshire Ripper before the police can, but her strong sense of social justice means she isn't afraid to get involved when she encounters racism, abuse, or members of the community in need.

I thought this novel was fantastic. Jennie Godfrey depicts the bleakness of being twelve so well - it reminded me of What July Knew by Emily Koch, only against a sinister 1970s true crime backdrop. I did cry at the end, too.

Thank you for to Random House and #NetGalley for the opportunity to review #TheListOfSuspiciousThings.

Despite the fact its not published for months, the buzz I've seen on social media for this book, meant I jumped right into it.

There was a lot to relate to here for me, I grew up in a small village where everyone knew everyone's business, and whilst it wasn't in Yorkshire, I remember the fear The Ripper cast as the police searched for him.
This whole book is full of characters I could imagine living in the same village as me.
I remember how much the best friend meant , and how you would always be together...
There were phrases here I hadn't heard in YEARS and I just felt hugely nostalgic for the whole thing.
Well, not the murders.
So many secrets and lies in this book, and my eyes were a little bit damp by the end of it all.
For all those characters I'd come to love, and all their back stories.
I know already this is going in my top books of the year, and I'll be buying it for others.

Thank you for the advanced copy.

OMG what can I say, where do I start. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time, it has left it's mark and truly touched me.
Set in the 1970s - Yorkshire Ripper and Margaret Thatcher and is about two young girls, one is called Miv and you are drawn into their world.

Well written, what an amazing debut.

Cannot recommend this highly enough

I'd heard a lot about The List of Suspicious Things on social media and so was thrilled to get the opportunity to read it. It's set in Yorkshire in 1979, Margaret Thatcher is Prime Minister and women are living in fear of the Yorkshire Ripper. When 12 year old Miv's family begin to talk of moving down south, Miv, with the help of her best friend Sharon, is determined to find the Yorkshire Ripper so her family can remain in Yorkshire.

This is a beautifully written novel and the author brings the 1970s and the characters to life. Miv is a wonderful character and all the supporting characters are so well drawn. It covers topics such as mental health and racism with sensitivity and from the point of a view of a 12 year old in the 1970s. I was about the same age as Miv in the 1970s and even though I lived in the South West of the UK I can remember the sense of fear felt amongst myself and my friends when we heard the news coverage of the Yorkshire Ripper.

Jennie Godfrey is such a talented new voice in fiction, her writing is brave and unexpected and reminded me of Joanna Cannon. whose work I adore. A beautiful and emotional debut that I know will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

In 1970s Yorkshire, when the actions of the Ripper brought fear into the lives of women, the police urged civilians to take a look at their neighbours and note down anything suspicious.

Something which 12 year old Miv embraces all too readily. Together with her best friend Sharon, they star taking a good, hard look at the lives of the people around them.

A superb look at childhood, at growing up, at starting to see the world around you. These characters really draw you into their world

The List of Suspicious Things left a lump in my throat and a hole in my heart. I struggle to believe it’s a debut. It’s about so much more than the devastating time of the Yorkshire Ripper. It’s about friendship in the unlikeliest of places. It’s about the effects of racism and domestic abuse during the closed off world of the 1970s. It’s about two young girls trying to help catch a dangerous man.

I won’t be forgetting inquisitive Miv and her pals. It’s a touching tale, told beautifully.

I am pretty much the same age as Miv and grew up in the North during The Ripper (and Thatcher) era so a lot of the background information did bring back memories, this is a book I won’t forget for a while