I wanted to love this more than I actually did. Pacing was off and I found myself considering DNF’ing a few times because it felt like nothing was happening. I love the region of Yorkshire and felt the haunting atmosphere was well done, but the mystery itself fell a bit flat and the ending missed the mark. The FMC was infuriating and I had a hard time rooting for her, which makes even the best books feel like a slog.

This novel reads exactly like a top British procedural - great description of the Yorkshire community and all its interesting local characters. The protagonist is Miv, a young girl who decides to solve the case of the Yorkshire Ripper with the help of her best friend. Miv eyes up many of the townspeople as possible suspects and along the way, she learns a lot about her family, friends and herself. I'm already excited for this author's next installment. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The List of Suspicious Things is an unusual mystery novel set in the 1970's in Yorkshire at the time of the Yorkshire Ripper. Miv is a young girl having a difficult time at home - her mother suffering from some kind of unspecified mental breakdown, her father struggling to deal with the situation and her strict Aunt Jean who has moved in to help and thinks that a list will solve any problem. As the number of women and young girls killed by the Ripper continues to rise, the family start to think of moving away and getting a fresh start, but Miv who is desperate to stay with her best friend, decides that if she can catch the person responsible they wouldn't have to leave. What else can she do but make a list?

I was so intrigued by this story, it is technically a murder mystery, but it is unclear as to whether Miv will come across the actual Ripper at any point. As a result, the story became more of a people study, with Miv and her friends watching other people in the community, checking for strange incidents and for the most part, not understanding why people might behave the way they do in certain circumstances. It was really interesting to see everyday 'adult' issues being explored through the eyes of teenagers who haven't had to deal with all of the emotional trauma that some of the adults they are observing have. The friendships and bonds formed as Miv makes her way around the variety of people living in her community provides a much needed light against the particularly dark subjects covered - domestic abuse, murder, racism, mental illness and more.

A dark and gritty coming-of-age story with a loveable main protagonist, a truly thought-provoking read!

4 1/2 Stars. In spite of the subject matter, this was a warm story about a friendship. Miv and Sharon were young girls in England in the ‘70s, and like Nancy Drew and Midge, were intent on solving the real live mystery of finding The Ripper, who had been killing women in Yorkshire. Perhaps it’s my memory of being a young girl at the same time period, on constant lookout for anyone resembling the then-missing Patty Hurst, but the story of Miv’s obsession with this goal seemed realistic. However, it was the other things that the girls noticed during their investigations that were the real story here. Some of what they uncovered was warm and kind, other things cruel and sad, but showed the real life of an imperfect community. I particularly loved the character of the shop owner, Omar, and the friendships the girls develop with his son. My favorite character was Miv’s Aunt Jean, who lived life in a constant state of disapproval, but often did what was right in spite of it.

I want to thank NetGally for an early copy of this book.

Set in 1979 Yorkshire during the reign of Margaret Thatcher and the terror of the Yorkshire Ripper, this debut novel follows 11 year old Miv as she tries to make sense of the fear gripping her community. When her family considers leaving to escape the danger, Miv resolves to catch the killer herself, enlisting her best friend Sharon to help. Using her aunt Jean’s habit of making lists, Miv starts a list of suspicious people around her, hoping to find clues.

Godfrey vividly captures the atmosphere of the time, the tension, gossip, and fear felt by women living under threat. Miv is an amazing protagonist, driven by both curiosity and a desire to hold onto her home and friendships despite the darkness around her. The story deals with heavy themes like domestic abuse, racism, and loss of innocence, but it is balanced by moments of warmth and the strength of Miv’s friendships.

The novel’s mix of childhood perspective and adult voices gives depth and sharp insight. The mystery is gripping, and the characters are fully realized, even those you love to hate. The writing is honest and sensitive, portraying the realities of life in Yorkshire in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s with authenticity. I loved this coming-of-age story wrapped in a haunting true-crime backdrop. It’s emotional, sometimes heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful.

This mystery/coming of age book reminded me a bit about Stand by Me and the Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Miv is coping with challenges at home and channels her energy into trying to solve the Ripper case with her friend, who has a kinder, authentic approach in her interactions with others, which Miv appreciates more in the end. I will be recommending this book to others.

I don’t really know what to say about this book. Well-written, and there are some wonderful characters, and characterizations, but it’s also much darker and sadder than I expected. It was a dark time in Yorkshire, and some dark things happen in the small community where best friends Miv and Sharon are growing from young girls to young women. With interest in the Yorkshire Ripper case being renewed by the new Netflix series, I’m sure there will be a surge in people reaching for this book, but I have to warn that you may get your heart a little bit broken in the reading of it.

I went into the book with very little expectations. I remember watching a Yorkshire Ripper documentary during the pandemic, but did not remember the details. I was surprised, an ultimately pleasantly so, to discover that this book is less about the Ripper and more about a girl and her community. Fair warning, it is heartbreaking. The author did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life, and I grew quite attached to them over the course of the book. My problem, and this is mostly on me, and maybe on the description from the publisher, but I was going into it thinking it was more of a murder mystery, so I kept trying to figure out how/if they would cross paths with the Ripper. It did not take anything away from my experience of the book, but I think I kept trying to fill in some uncessary blanks.

I’m so sad to say that this book just didn’t work for me. I found the pacing to be slow and I couldn’t get invested in these characters.

It was a very sweet novel. A lovely little story about two Yorkshire gal pals who try and find the true identity of the Yorkshire Ripper. This book made me want to have a bestfriend and that means a lot to a person who hates other people. Where did this heart come from? Why is my kindle covered in face water. This novel at its core is about friendship and trying to hold onto your friends. The undercurrent of racism is so perfect in these horrible times that we live in because even though this was set in the 70s, people still get treated horribly for the colour of their skin today. I hated the ending and only because it put me into a crying state where I had to hold my mother.

Thank you NetGalley for this book that has traumatised me in exchange for a review.

This was such a unique and enjoyable read!! I love a good mystery and I really like the idea of a young girl taking a mystery into her own hands. The writing was engaging, a little slow at parts, but really good!! A great book that's a fun, pretty quick, read! Definitely gonna pay attention to more books from Jennie Godfrey!

I wanted to read this book because I keep seeing posts about it on Instagram. The premise sounds so promising, but sadly, it did not live up to the hype for me.

Most of the characters are stereotypes that I've seen in so many British tv shows and movies. There are the skinhead teenage thugs, who the entire town is afraid of. There are the twelve year old best friend girls - one is rich, blonde, and pretty, while the other is poor, dark-haired, and not as attractive. There's the Pakistani family who moved to town a few years ago, who most people avoid because of their skin color. Of course, there are the gossiping aunties and mums. And there's a host of more cliches I won't mention here, as to not give away any spoilers.

There were serious topics touched, such as domestic violence, pedophilia, racism, alcoholism, and mental illness, but they didn't seem to be taken very seriously, perhaps because they were told through the lens of a 12-year old eye.

The pacing of the story felt off. It was a little slow and boring in the beginning, and I almost didn't finish it. Things picked up in the last third of the book, where one crazy thing happened after another. There was too much going on at once, which made the ending pretty unbelievable.

This book was amazing, I read it In one day. I think I found myself more into the book being from Yorkshire. I found the story engrossing and quick paced. I could find myself easily just picturing what story and the atmosphere. Would definitely recommend the to anyone.

The List of Suspicious Things is a coming of age novel within a mystery novel. At the heart of the book is Miv, a young girl growing up in industrialized England during the 70"s and 80"s. Her gritty life forms the structure of the novel. From her mysterious father and silent mother to her, well, also mysterious, aunt, Miv learns about life.

The threat of moving away and losing her best friend, Sharon, hangs over her head. Miv knows that it is the threat of the Yorkshire Ripper that is fueling her father's desire to move. So, she has no choice but to figure out the identity of the killer. She enlists the help of Sharon as she prepares a list of suspects.

I loved this novel. It was different. Technically, Miv doesn't even solve the mystery. But her actions caused other actions. And it is a pleasure to read.

Easily one of the best books I’ve ever read. This starts as a darkly quirky coming-of-age story set in late 1970s Yorkshire; where Miv is nearly 13 and with her friend, Sharon, gets the wild idea to catch the infamous Yorkshire Ripper. As the interesting menagerie of characters draws you in, this British take on “Harriet The Spy” becomes so much darker and intense, until we are subjected to a shocking climax and a denouement that is equal parts gut-wrenching and poignant.

A brilliant tale that is a definite must-read.

I give this book a solid 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the premise of the story and seeing how local/national issues can affect children living through it, but all in all I thought the story was really slow and hard to get into. Definitely glad I read it, but it's not going to be for everyone.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this ebook!

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey- great book, fun to read, and to get to know the characters. I look forward to more from this author. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

I expected more of a mystery with this book. It was more of a coming of age young adult story. Overall, a good rea, slow in parts, but enjoyable.

3.5 stars – A good read, even if I didn’t love it

I didn’t totally fall in love with this book, but overall it was a good read. Mave, the young narrator, is funny and sharp, and I enjoyed her unique way of looking at the world. The mix of mystery and coming-of-age was interesting, even if the story moved a bit slowly at times.

It’s not really a fast-paced thriller, Still, if you like thoughtful, character-driven stories with a dash of mystery and a lovable narrator, this one’s worth picking up. Not a new favorite, but I’m glad I gave it a shot!

Set in the late 1970's, 12/13 year old Miv wants nothing more than for the Yorkshire Ripper to be gone. She sees this as a solution to some of her problems, and she enjoys detective work. She draws her reluctant friend into the mystery. I liked some of the extra characters perhaps more than the main character. This book was based on real events, which was very interesting. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.