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beate251's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wow, that's one hell of a book. It takes place between 1979 and 1981, when all of Yorkshire was afraid of the Yorkshire Ripper. 12 year old Miv and her best friend Sharon try to find him by starting with their neighbours and writing down everything that is suspicious about them. Turns out it's a lot.
I thought this might be a nice coming-of-age story but it is only partly that. This is a multi POV story about friendship, first love and heartbreak against the backdrop of the Ripper years.
But this is also a story full of misogyny and racism - people being accused of things simply because they have the wrong skin colour or accent or are in any other way different. Kind of ironic if you know that Peter Sutcliffe was a pure Yorkshire man!
It's hard to read about some of the victims being described as "just prostitutes" and the public only getting interested when "respectable" women get attacked.
There are an incredible number of terrible men in this book, terrible for a multitude of reasons. Men with two faces or just one horrible one. You think the Yorkshire Ripper needs to be caught but you find the horrors in your neighbourhood instead, the wife beaters, racists, pedophiles, drunkards, liers and cheats. That will make you grow up fast - if you make it that far that is.
But there were also wonderful characters - Miv, Sharon, Ishtiaq and his Dad Omar, Paul, Helen and Dad Arthur, Jim...
I loved reading about them all.
A few niggles:
It felt strange that after children who were raising concerns about the "tickling uncle" were just being dismissed, there was nevertheless such a speedy conclusion to it.
Also, the book has 450 pages, and the last 50 are almost unbearable. Everything happens at once, tragedy ensues and things are suddenly dealt with within a few pages - I almost got whiplash.
For a debut novel this is astoundingly assured writing. It's absolutely unputdownable - I read this in one Saturday.
I thought this might be a nice coming-of-age story but it is only partly that. This is a multi POV story about friendship, first love and heartbreak against the backdrop of the Ripper years.
But this is also a story full of misogyny and racism - people being accused of things simply because they have the wrong skin colour or accent or are in any other way different. Kind of ironic if you know that Peter Sutcliffe was a pure Yorkshire man!
It's hard to read about some of the victims being described as "just prostitutes" and the public only getting interested when "respectable" women get attacked.
There are an incredible number of terrible men in this book, terrible for a multitude of reasons. Men with two faces or just one horrible one. You think the Yorkshire Ripper needs to be caught but you find the horrors in your neighbourhood instead, the wife beaters, racists, pedophiles, drunkards, liers and cheats. That will make you grow up fast - if you make it that far that is.
But there were also wonderful characters - Miv, Sharon, Ishtiaq and his Dad Omar, Paul, Helen and Dad Arthur, Jim...
I loved reading about them all.
A few niggles:
It felt strange that after children who were raising concerns about the "tickling uncle" were just being dismissed, there was nevertheless such a speedy conclusion to it.
Also, the book has 450 pages, and the last 50 are almost unbearable. Everything happens at once, tragedy ensues and things are suddenly dealt with within a few pages - I almost got whiplash.
For a debut novel this is astoundingly assured writing. It's absolutely unputdownable - I read this in one Saturday.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Hate crime, Mental illness, Death, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Sexism, Vomit, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Violence, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
emilyandthewhippet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I rarely cry when reading but I sobbed at the ending.
Throughout the story I just wanted to hold Miv and tell her that everything would be okay. It was mysterious and even knowing of the Yorkshire ripper, I was still left wondering what would happen next throughout the story. The ending was somewhat predictable but I'm always able to work out where books are going so maybe it wouldn't be for others. Even with this in mind though, the twist was still very hard hitting.
Definitely one of the best books I've read this year, out of almost 60 books so far.
Throughout the story I just wanted to hold Miv and tell her that everything would be okay. It was mysterious and even knowing of the Yorkshire ripper, I was still left wondering what would happen next throughout the story. The ending was somewhat predictable but I'm always able to work out where books are going so maybe it wouldn't be for others. Even with this in mind though, the twist was still very hard hitting.
Definitely one of the best books I've read this year, out of almost 60 books so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Infidelity, Grief, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Classism, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Rape, Racism, Pedophilia, Mental illness, and Hate crime
Minor: Gaslighting
rachel101's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Bullying, Child death, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Suicide attempt, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Death, and Infidelity
coffeekitaab's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The List of Suspicious Things is simply charming. After reading this debut, I am already looking forward to more from this author.
We are introduced to 12-year old, Miv, living in Yorkshire during a time when Thatcher is in power and the Ripper is terrorising the streets. When Miv's dad suggests they should consider moving home given the unsolved murders in the area and the increasing threat, as every teenager, Miv worries life will never be the same - she would be leaving her school, all her friends, her life and her bestest friend Sharon behind. But what if she can solve the case? If there is no risk, there would no longer be any reason to move. And so begins the List of Suspicious Things. Miv and Sharon start playing closer to attention to the prominent characters in their small close-knit Yorkshire community and they realise there is more to them than meets the eye.
Jennie Godfrey is brilliant, genius, author extraordinaire. The honesty with which the various characters and sensitive topics are explored and threaded within the plot of the book - be it, Miv, a curious, immature and sincere little girl, trying to come to terms with the unexplained despondency of her mother, her father's increasing withdrawal from her life, Mr Bashir, the new owner of the local cornershop, trying to belong in a place where people are committed to "other" him, Mrs Andrews, the kind librarian whose handsome and charming husband has won over the neighbours, but what is really going on between them behind closed doors? The narrative stays true, where possible, to the real life crimes of the Ripper, supporting character Jim Jameson is targeted for his geordie accent by the locals after the Wearside Jack tapes are discovered during the investigation.
That said, it is not the case which is the main theme in the book - it is very much this community and their personal demons that form the premise of the story - dealing with sensitivity, issues of racism, alcoholism, depression and domestic violence. The book is a very innate portrayal of the perils that face the middle-class during this time in the late 80s. Arguably, some of these issues still exist today, but the authenticity with which Jeannie Godfrey has presented Yorkshire, the culture and voice is genuinely so rich and very pleasing to read. The changing nature of the streets and disregard Miv had for her own safety, often not asking her parents for permission/informing them of her whereabouts before leaving the house, as a young teenager, brought nostalgia of a more relaxed, community driven/collaborative era but was also chilling in parts. The dialogue between the characters requires a separate level of praise, reflective, humorous and sometimes gut wrenching. This book really brought all the flavours and I definitely shed a tear at one point.
Words will fail me at just how much I enjoyed this book - I felt like I was reading a Dick King Smith, something so wonderful and alot to take away with it, but thoroughly enjoyable. I hope everyone picks it up! Highly recommend this one!
Thank you @Netgalley and Random House UK Cornerstone for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest, unedited review,
We are introduced to 12-year old, Miv, living in Yorkshire during a time when Thatcher is in power and the Ripper is terrorising the streets. When Miv's dad suggests they should consider moving home given the unsolved murders in the area and the increasing threat, as every teenager, Miv worries life will never be the same - she would be leaving her school, all her friends, her life and her bestest friend Sharon behind. But what if she can solve the case? If there is no risk, there would no longer be any reason to move. And so begins the List of Suspicious Things. Miv and Sharon start playing closer to attention to the prominent characters in their small close-knit Yorkshire community and they realise there is more to them than meets the eye.
Jennie Godfrey is brilliant, genius, author extraordinaire. The honesty with which the various characters and sensitive topics are explored and threaded within the plot of the book - be it, Miv, a curious, immature and sincere little girl, trying to come to terms with the unexplained despondency of her mother, her father's increasing withdrawal from her life, Mr Bashir, the new owner of the local cornershop, trying to belong in a place where people are committed to "other" him, Mrs Andrews, the kind librarian whose handsome and charming husband has won over the neighbours, but what is really going on between them behind closed doors? The narrative stays true, where possible, to the real life crimes of the Ripper, supporting character Jim Jameson is targeted for his geordie accent by the locals after the Wearside Jack tapes are discovered during the investigation.
That said, it is not the case which is the main theme in the book - it is very much this community and their personal demons that form the premise of the story - dealing with sensitivity, issues of racism, alcoholism, depression and domestic violence. The book is a very innate portrayal of the perils that face the middle-class during this time in the late 80s. Arguably, some of these issues still exist today, but the authenticity with which Jeannie Godfrey has presented Yorkshire, the culture and voice is genuinely so rich and very pleasing to read. The changing nature of the streets and disregard Miv had for her own safety, often not asking her parents for permission/informing them of her whereabouts before leaving the house, as a young teenager, brought nostalgia of a more relaxed, community driven/collaborative era but was also chilling in parts. The dialogue between the characters requires a separate level of praise, reflective, humorous and sometimes gut wrenching. This book really brought all the flavours and I definitely shed a tear at one point.
Words will fail me at just how much I enjoyed this book - I felt like I was reading a Dick King Smith, something so wonderful and alot to take away with it, but thoroughly enjoyable. I hope everyone picks it up! Highly recommend this one!
Thank you @Netgalley and Random House UK Cornerstone for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest, unedited review,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Racism, Alcohol, Pedophilia, Violence, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Stalking, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
rosecott's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Such a clever story. I loved the characters, they all felt completely believable and real to me. Miv was so relatable, throwing me way back to what it was like to be 12 albeit in a much earlier decade! I also utterly adored Sharon and her beliefs in what was right.
This book made me laugh, and also broke my heart.
If you’re into true crime, then this was a fascinating look at the Yorkshire Ripper case from a completely different angle but also done in a sensitive way I feel.
Lots of dark themes explored but also somehow lighthearted and through the innocent lens of a child’s eyes.
Absolutely sobbing as I got to towards the end though.
I didn’t expect the turn of events at all.
This book made me laugh, and also broke my heart.
If you’re into true crime, then this was a fascinating look at the Yorkshire Ripper case from a completely different angle but also done in a sensitive way I feel.
Lots of dark themes explored but also somehow lighthearted and through the innocent lens of a child’s eyes.
Absolutely sobbing as I got to towards the end though.
I didn’t expect the turn of events at all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, Racism, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death, Pedophilia, Islamophobia, Bullying, and Child death
gemloukay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Having grown up in Yorkshire in the early 1980s, this book encapsulates the era and the area perfectly. I particularly enjoyed the “Thatcher milk snatcher” comments that still get bandied about today, and the references to a couple of real landmarks in Dewsbury.
The story mainly follows Miv, a 11 year old girl (at the start) who decides that she’s going to note down anyone that she thinks is suspicious and therefore could be the Yorkshire Ripper who is in the loose and she believes might lead to her family moving away to escape the danger. What Miv actually achieves is to give us a naive insight into the lives of everyone around her and their everyday struggles. Because we can understand what she does not, it softens the blow of all the tragedy and pain that everyone is going through.
The way that school is for Miv and how the teachers talk to her and her friends, the casual (at best) racism that is everywhere and the attitude of looking the other way when people are struggling that are still apparent in some ways even today. But also the strong sense of community and how they all pull together when someone is actually asking for help. It really does showcase the worst and best aspects perfectly.
It’s a cleverly written coming of age story told mainly from Miv’s POV but occasionally interspersed by a chapter from Mr Bashir the shopkeeper, Helen the Librarian, Arthur the rag and bone man and Miv’s dad Austin. Everyone feels well fleshed out and with their own personality and take on things. And unlike the book that Miv’s friend, Paul, is reading part way through (a Kestrel for A Knave), it has an enduring feeling of hope against all odds.
The story mainly follows Miv, a 11 year old girl (at the start) who decides that she’s going to note down anyone that she thinks is suspicious and therefore could be the Yorkshire Ripper who is in the loose and she believes might lead to her family moving away to escape the danger. What Miv actually achieves is to give us a naive insight into the lives of everyone around her and their everyday struggles. Because we can understand what she does not, it softens the blow of all the tragedy and pain that everyone is going through.
The way that school is for Miv and how the teachers talk to her and her friends, the casual (at best) racism that is everywhere and the attitude of looking the other way when people are struggling that are still apparent in some ways even today. But also the strong sense of community and how they all pull together when someone is actually asking for help. It really does showcase the worst and best aspects perfectly.
It’s a cleverly written coming of age story told mainly from Miv’s POV but occasionally interspersed by a chapter from Mr Bashir the shopkeeper, Helen the Librarian, Arthur the rag and bone man and Miv’s dad Austin. Everyone feels well fleshed out and with their own personality and take on things. And unlike the book that Miv’s friend, Paul, is reading part way through (a Kestrel for A Knave), it has an enduring feeling of hope against all odds.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, Racism, Bullying, and Suicide
Minor: Hate crime, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Islamophobia, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
mausi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book made me realise how rare it is to encounter stories of working class people, which is why this story was extremely educational for me from a cultural and historical perspective (as someone who did not grow up in the UK). What is a coming of age story on the surface, the book intertwines informative moments exploring topics like social class, racism, sexism, abuse and grief, making it notably original. The story felt so simple and real in the way it explores raw emotions and relationships within this small community in Yorkshire. It broke my heart but it also healed it in its special way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Child abuse, Suicide, Physical abuse, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Mental illness, Abandonment, Violence, Domestic abuse, Racism, Hate crime, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
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