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A review by coffeekitaab
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey
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: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail