A coming-of-age story told by a precocious 12-year old set in the time of the Yorkshire Ripper (late 70s). Miv and her best friend Sharon decide to find the Ripper themselves when their world starts falling apart due to the constant threat. They start by compiling a list of suspicious things about the people around them, and as they pursue investigations on multiple fronts, they learn a great deal about life. The unfolding stories of various people in their community are always instructive — some in bad ways and others in good. Miv learns about bullies, racism, grief, and even domestic abuse, but also about the importance of standing up for yourself and others, doing the right thing, tolerance, curiosity, friendship and love.

I liked the writing a great deal — Miv’s voice is unique, appealing, often humorous, and a good deal more exposed than an actual person might agree to. Never overdone or overly dramatic, but also never, ever vapid. I loved the way we got to know characters who appeared one way but easily morphed into a more complex (and much more likable) person with a little time and exposure. The ending was a real surprise, but well done and thought provoking.

Thanks to netgalley for a copy!
So, I’m conflicted. First off, the reason I wanted to read this was because it was listed as a mystery around the time of the Yorkshire Ripper. and it’s just really… not. I’d say it’s more accurate to describe this as a historical conning of age story set at the same time and place as the Ripper murders.

I got about 40% in and realized, “Huh, there’s not actually going to be any mystery here.”

I feel like a big draw of this is the Ripper case, but if you’re into true crime and know about it, like I assume prospective readers would be, you know who the Ripper was.

Also, and this just occurred to me while writing this, the whole inciting incident of the story, the reason Miv starts writing The List, is that her dad wants to move them out of Yorkshire. So it seems like we’re under a ticking clock, right? But then it never really comes up again and they stay where they are for months.

Now, to be fair, I do think it’s a good book, if you know what you’re getting in to. I really like Miv. She’s fun and inquisitive and I liked seeing the world through her eyes. I’ve never been to Yorkshire, but I thought it was described wonderfully. You could really tell the author has a deep love for the place. All
The different characters and side plots are interesting and everything feels fleshed out and real.

Like I said, I’m conflicted. I liked it, but also feel like I didn’t get what I was promised. If you’re looking for a story with interesting characters that deal with difficult topics about growing up, race, and what it’s like to be a girl in a dangerous world, I’d say pick this up. But if you’re looking for a thrilling who done it or true crime inspired mystery, I’d pass.

This was such a heartfelt and wonderful book. It definitely does not read much like a typical mystery, as to be expected when told from the eyes of a 12 year old. I appreciated that we were able to follow a scary and unknown time of a serial killer at large through the eyes of a child. While the Ripper was a very real threat, there’s a sense the whole time of “well that won’t happen to us” and I thought it was so great to see that through the perspective of a child. Hearing whispers and bits of information about what’s going on in the world and near your town but not being seen as “adult” enough to hear the full scope. I greatly enjoyed that while Miv was a bit obsessed with the Ripper and finding out who it was, the story at its core is still just about a pre-teen learning to navigate the world. She holds concerns about being different or not being to go-to person for her best friend as seriously as the potential of a killer on the loose, which I think is such an accurate representation of how the weight of things are prioritized as a child.

Overall, this was a story about friendship, growing up, and learning the world isn’t always a good place—whether that be through murder, attacks, or racism. It’s also a story about grief and how it can change people in the different ways they process and learn to cope with loss in various different forms. Get to see Miv react to her mother going silent as well as see how her various neighbors handle loss of loved ones—both through death and circumstance. I felt this novel did a wonderful job of handling various different aspects of life and how it might feel to be figuring all of this out during such a terrifying time as a child.

*The List of Suspicious Things* is a deeply compelling and unexpectedly powerful coming-of-age mystery set in 1979 Yorkshire. What begins as a childhood sleuthing adventure quickly unfolds into a layered, emotionally resonant story that explores racism, mental illness, domestic violence, and the collective trauma of a community living under the shadow of a serial killer.

At the heart of this novel are two pre-teen girls, Miv and her friend, who set out to solve the mystery of the Yorkshire Ripper. While the premise may stretch believability at times (how realistic is it for two kids to track a serial killer?), it’s easy to forgive, thanks to the strength of the storytelling and the vividly drawn setting.

The story shines in its portrayal of Miv, a relatable and refreshingly imperfect protagonist who is brave, observant, and easy to root for. The secondary characters are introduced with care, each carrying their own secrets, adding depth and intrigue to a plot that moves quickly despite the book’s 464-page length.

Jennie Godfrey manages to balance the darkness of the subject matter with moments of warmth and genuine humanity, especially in her exploration of friendship and the immigrant experience in Yorkshire. The book’s tone often reminded me of *The Famous Five* series by Enid Blyton, but aged up. This is what you’d get if those childhood mystery tales grew up, took on real-world issues, and got beautifully literary.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a strong emotional core, British settings, and stories that are equal parts mystery and social commentary. Mature teens and adult readers alike will find much to love here.

forgive me as my American is going to SHINE in this feedback...

i found the blurb of this book to be VERY interesting! i started reading immediately but found it hard to fully immerse myself in the book because of the terms used. even with the guide in the front of the book, it was difficult having to go back to the beginning every few sentences. i think this could be a good book for someone familiar with the terms!

this book is more of a YA novel that explores family, friendship and a twinge of mystery. Miv is an interesting (and admirable) character and a perfect amateur sleuth. i felt like issues were thrown at Miv in efforts to make the story more interesting, but they just added an unnecessary layer of unreality to the story.

overall i felt this book was less about solving a mystery and more about.. judging people? making assumptions? and a semi unrealistical portrayal of some important topics (such as mental health)

5 stars

Miv, age 12, lives in West Yorkshire during the late 1970s, after the mills have closed and when the Yorkshire Ripper was running rampant. Miv decides that she and her best friend Sharon should investigate suspicious occurrences and people and find the Ripper themselves and they discover so much along the way, both good and bad.

Oh, book lovers. If you were ever a twelve year old girl (and even if you weren’t) there is so much to love here. The book is told from Miv’s perspective (mostly) and she is so perfectly twelve. There are many characters with compelling stories and they are nearly all well done (if maybe all a little either too good or too bad) and the life of a former mill town in decline in the late 1970s is also rendered well. I couldn’t quite tell if this was a debut, but, either way, wow. I was absolutely charmed by this, and I don’t normally go for the type of books that you would use the word “charmed” about. Highly recommended.

After all the hype about this book I was disappointed. It basically is a YA about Miv growing up in a small community and thinking she can find the Yorkshire Ripper . Her meddling in this and other people’s business causes hardships to others . The book deals with many young adult/ family and community issues . Some being bullying , fitting in, physical abuse , trauma , and racism. The book is slow going until the last fifty pages when various events occur .

Miv is twelve years old. Because of the murders happening her father wants them to move. But Miv doesn’t want to leave Yorkshire or her best friend Sharon. Miv and Sharon decide to make a list of all the suspicious people and things on their street. Will they be able to solve the case?

I loved this book so much. I really enjoyed the authors writing. I liked all the characters, especially Miv and Sharon. They have such a cute friendship.

I’m looking forward to reading more books by Jennie!

Thank you NetGalley, Jennie and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the eARC!

I wanted to love this book, but I fear I may not be clever or intelligent enough to get this book. It just went over my head, it is one
I would consider returning to in the future though. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the E-ARC.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

When I was 10, a young cheerleader was murdered in our small American town. It left me sleepless with fear, aware of death for the first time, and now years later unconsciously drawn to Jennie Godfrey's splendid mystery debut, inspired by her growing up when the Yorkshire Ripper terrorized her own community.

Godfrey's debut is a sort of miracle, a perfect book that captures the coming of age of two young girls, Miv and Sharon, who decide to make a list of who the Yorkshire killer might be and expose him. It also reflects the zeitgeist of 1970s England strangled by Thatcher's strictures.

What Tana French did for Dublin thrillers, Godfrey has now done with greater grace for Yorkshire. The book thrums with dread, grief as Miv's Mom is ill, warmth from keen friendship, and even hope in a dark dark world. It's become one of my favorite reads ever. Don't miss it!