Never before have I had such an eerie feeling while reading a book; the setting, language and actual events of West Yorkshire in 1979 and 1980 have been captured with such precision and skill it was as if I was re-living my childhood having grown up in the county during those years.
At the start of 1979, the UK was at the cusp of political change with the election of the first-ever female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. Closer to the book’s main character’s home county a serial murderer, dubbed the Yorkshire Ripper, continued to terrorise women in the area; the victims brutally attacked with a hammer. Between 1975 to 1980 thirteen women were murdered by Peter Sutcliffe and he attacked seven more. The fear was all-pervasive and the sense of danger was in everyone’s psyche.
To this background, Jennie Godfrey has set an enthralling narrative and one that drew me in before I even started. Like the main character of the book I too was a young girl growing up in Yorkshire at the time of the Yorkshire Ripper murders, experiencing the dark fearful clouds of his existence, the worry of parents, avidly following the news. Unlike the character of the book I at no time thought to try and capture the murderer. This is exactly what young Miv sets out to do, with the aid of her friend Sharon.
In ‘The List of Suspicious Things’ twelve-year-old Miv instantly catches the reader’s attention and never lets it go. Her family life, described with wonderful and memorable ‘70s detail, is askew after her mother suddenly stopped talking and her Aunt Jean moved into the home. Aunt Jean is a typical no -fuss-no-frills woman, outspoken, only to be listened to, she is never afraid to give her opinion on everything and everyone! It is not long before her aunt starts whispering to her father that they need to move away to safety – away from the Yorkshire Ripper.
Overhearing this, Miv, who is a determined and clever girl yet full of self-doubt, comes up with the idea for her and Sharon, to discover the identity of the Yorkshire Ripper and ensure she does not have to move away. The idea of ‘The List of Suspicious Things’ is born. After all, Miv has a huge interest in detective stories, TV shows and films!
Above all else, it is the grit and determination of the main characters and those around them who sweep the reader up and take us into the mindset of their lives.
The girls slowly add names to the list and it weaves an incredibly moving and dramatic cycle of secrets of those in the community and it touches upon themes especially far-reaching at the time. A recently bereaved Pakistani father, Omar, opens a shop in the area and his young son, in the same year as Miv and Sharon soon become friends and they see exactly the racial hatred that the father and son endure daily, a hatred that later plays a key role in the novel. A young librarian, Helen, helping the girls source documents for their research becomes a friend and they worry at her ‘accident-prone’ nature and ‘over-protective’ husband. A young girl comes to them for help as she is frightened by the choir teacher and his fondness for tickling.
These are but a few of the characters and themes explored in the book. The other characters feature in their own right with sections in the third person of some of them while the first-person narrative from Miv runs throughout the book. The combination is a powerful, warm and fully immersive novel which gripped my attention, the various aspects becoming intertwined. Ultimately Miv and Sharon can help some people on the list, others sadly not.
All the time, the biggest secret of all, remains unmentioned – why did Miv’s mother fall silent? Will Miv ever learn the reason for her mother’s withdrawal into herself?
As one name of a suspect is added to the list, and then crossed off, Miv becomes closer to finding the Yorkshire Ripper than she ever imagined.
The final chapters of the book are riveting, heart-wrenching and heart-warming. Jennie Godfrey writes with a deft and exact touch, ensuring the voice of young Miv is a driving force, allowing us to see her grow through the months as her understanding of the adult world deepens and reminding the reader of the depth of emotions and knowledge of young people.
Although I am aware that I could be slightly biased towards the book owing to my experience of this era I honestly believe this is a superbly crafted novel with characters galore to win your heart (or to detest in some cases!) as well as an engaging and unique story. A book that reminds us all of the secret lives of all those around us, even of those closest to us and the pain these secrets can cause oneself and loved ones.
This is a book not to be missed and one I highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and impartial review.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Publication Date: 15th February 2024
Genre: General Fiction (Adult)
Price: Amazon UK: Kindle Hardback
Amazon US: – Hopefully it will soon be released in US.
Publisher: Hutchinson Heinemann, which is a literary imprint of Penguin Random House UK, Cornerstone
Annika Perry 
I remember this! I was/am a big fan of the James Herriot series so anything to do with Yorkshire got my attention. Here in the States, they released a taunting phone call the Ripper made to police… “Ah’m Jock… you’ve noo luck catchin’ me…” Chilling. I always wondered what happened with that case…guess I have another book to add to my list! Thanks for a great review 😎
Darryl, many thanks for your comment and great to meet another fan of Yorkshire. I was very lucky to grow up in the county and my school was right on the moors! So beautiful.
The recording you mention of the Yorkshire Ripper was a hoax but it sounded frighteningly real. The letters were also all hoax and confused the investigation for far too long.
I’m glad my review has intrigued you and it is fascinating book to read, obviously abut so much more than just the Yorkshire Ripper but a constant and terrifying backdrop to the novel.
Your review, Annika was very captivating. I’m glad that you posted the photos of the victims for this is their sad, haunting story.
Thank you so much, Carol. One of the trickiest books I’ve reviewed as so many elements within! I too felt it was right to publish the photo of the women, one that I saw so many times as young. Lives taken when so young.
What a riveting write, Annika! You are truly good at this stuff.😘 Thanks again for another brilliant review, and the book sounds like a gripping story worth reading. xx
Thank you so much and I think the riveting nature of the review captures the gripping novel! It’s great you liked it and are interested in the book!
Hmm… on WordPress things; I’m not sure how my comment ended up publishing as anonymous. 🙂
I half-guessed it was yours, Khaya! WP and its gremlins are at play again! Thank you so much again. xx
Wow, your fascinating review made me feel I was there to watch the girls playing detectives, Annik! You were brave to read this book about the place, time, and event you went through in your childhood. It reminds you of your fear, maybe! The author is clever in writing it from the girls’ perspectives and what they did to add and delete names on the list as they tried to find the killer. The adults’ voices probably were somewhat actual voices in the community at the time. It makes me angry to realize one psychopath did the unthinkable to these 13 women. He deserved 13 life sentences, even though he just died once.
Miriam, thank you so much for your interesting comment and it made me realise how much I apprecaited revisting that time through the eyes of adult-me. Just as in the book my family were trying to protect me from the worse of what was happening, just as in the book the girls knew very well what was going on. I recognised myself through so much of the girls’ fascination with discovering the truth through detective work. The author captures Miv’s voice brilliantly and the adults are certainly based upon typical characters from the era and they add a superb extra dimension to the novel. Very well-craft indeed. I am sure there were many, including myself, who were relieved when the Yorkshire Ripper finally died – we were not aware quite the hold his existence had over us.
Do you know if the author also lived through those days, Annika? I’m sure the author could do thorough research to write such a well-crafted novel.
Miriam, that’s a great question and one I asked myself as I was reading the book. It almost felt much more than research and sure enough, she was exactly this age, living in the area at the time set in the novel.
Your review shows she knows more than from the research, Annika. It makes sense she lived in the area at the time.
Even your review is riveting, Annika. I can imagine how personal the read felt after living through that time. I sensed that the book became a coming-of-age story more than a murder mystery, dealing with some topics that move children into the harder issues of adult awareness. Secondary characters sound wonderfully rich too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thank you very much, Diana and yes, my personal experience of the time was the reason I requested the book but I had no idea how much I would be transported to the late ‘70s.
Diana, you are right that to a large extent the book is a coming of age one, yet also so much more, I felt. This was achieved particularly through the sections written in the voice of the various adult characters, casting light on the power and destruction of the secrets of adults as well as the issues in society of the day (and alas today still). Many thanks for reading and your valuable insight. Wishing you a lovely weekend, my friend! X
What an interesting comment, Annika. That makes we want to read it even more.
I’m from the States, but this book sounds like a great read to me! I’ve not heard of the Yorkshire Ripper, but it sounds very much like the Boston Strangler, who was never found. Thanks for the riveting review, I’m going to try this book!
Ann, I’m glad you found review gripping and it is a great read! About so much more than just the Yorkshire Ripper but the fear he caused is all-pervasive.
I’ve never heard about the Boston Strangler but just read a little bit about it now – terrifying. To think all murdered in their own apartments with no sign of forced entry. One can never fathom what causes people do commit these atrocities.
Loved reading your review, Annika. Isn’t it amazing that a book transported us back to the eerie atmosphere of West Yorkshire in 1979? Thanks for the recommendation. Adding it to my must-read list
Ritish, it was fantastic how the author recreated the time period, down to the smallest detail and I honestly felt I was there! Amazing, indeed! Glad my review has piqued your interest in the book.
A great review Annika. The book must be awesome. Terror that grips is so fearful at times.
Thank you so much, Kamal and it is a terrific and original book. Absolutely, the fear was all-pervasive.
Yes I completely agree with you. The book sounds great. Always welcome dear Annika 🙏🙏🙏
Yikes! It does sound like an excellent book, but I was a little creeped out just reading about it! That this is modern history is even more chilling.
Betsy, I’m not surprised you reacted so, the time period and events were unsettling to say the least yet also so much warmth in the book too thankfully! I’m smiling at your words of modern history … very true but sigh … I’m not a kid anymore, eh?! 😀
Thank goodness for the warmth. Althoughhhhhh… was it there to lull you into a false sense of security before BAM another murder!? 😉
I didn’t read the book. The photo of the victims alone is shocking. I felt the same looking at them as I did the victim photos in the old Life magazine accounts of The Texas Sniper and the Nine Nurses. These were all read when I was younger, but the images stayed with me.
I did wonder whether to include the photo but it felt only right to share here. The image is one that stayed with me since I was young and can relate to how shocked you must have been at the time of the events you mention.
Thankfully the book is about so much more than these deaths and the characters drive the story forward brilliantly.
I have the chills Annika reading … As I remember well these murders at the time .. And his capture.. .. xx
Sue, luckily the book is so much more than just about the murders, rather a backdrop to Miv and Sharon and their lives in a very mixed up time where nearly everyone had something to hide.
It was a frightening time and the effects are far-reaching even forty years later, touching our lives, the fear always parked a bit inside us.
Agreed Annika…. And the book sounds a great read… xx
Thanks for sharing this beautiful post ✍️
I appreciate your words, thank you!😀
I enjoyed your writing about this book.
Thank you very much, Anne! I appreciate that.
This sounds like a fascinating book, with a unique premise and approach, as well as depth of characterization and insight. (I’ve seen documentaries of the Yorkshire Ripper case.)
Liz, you sum up the book perfectly and I am so glad all this came across in my review. I hadn’t realised documentaries about the Yorkshire Ripper had been shown abroad but he was a notorious serial murder so guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You will know then all the missed opportunities to stop him earlier. I must admit I could not watch them – it is too close to home just as I would not read any books solely connected to the murders.
I can certainly understand why you didn’t watch those documentaries.
Hi Annika, I have goosebumps reading your review. The book came to you, unaware of your personal history, connection, and first hand knowledge of the setting and the time period. I was intrigued by your phrase “drew me in before I even started.” You made me smile how you had no intention of trying to capture the murderer. Your description of the interesting and unique characters places this book in my must read list. A great point about “the secret lives of all those around us.” Thank you for sharing a comprehensive and enticing review! 💕Erica
Erica, thank you so much for your wonderful comment! ❤️ The sentence about me never having an intention to catch the murderer is true, although when younger I was, like the character in the book, mad about TV detective shows and fancied myself as a PI! I had the notebooks, tape recorder et al! I could therefore well imagine a scenario where a young girl believes she could help to catch him.
The secrets of the lives around us are key to the novel, the relationships between people and everything that is not said, kept hidden for whatever reasons. These secrets touch Miv’s life too and shake its foundations to the core. Oh, so often I had goosebumps while reading this book and many times late into the night as I just had to read one more chapter … hugs xx
Your review captures the spirit of the novel, I think. This book sounds like it would be a natural to be turned into a movie or mini series.
Neil, how right you are! I can picture it already – it would make a riveting mini-series, the foreboding landscape capturing the great fear of the area!
What a horrible situation with the Yorkshire ripper. This sounds like a very gripping and intriguing book and you wrote a great review for it.
Many thanks for your kind words about my review, Thomas! 🙏 It was a terrifying time and I am impressed with the author for using this time setting as a keystone in her very original and riveting novel.
It would be terrifying to live in a serial killer’s hunting grounds. Miv sounds incredibly brave, especially for a child!
This looks so good, Annika. Thanks for the recommendation.
It was an very frightening time, Jacquie. We lived in a village about twenty minutes from the murders but there was one attack by him very close to my school – I still think of it. Oh, Miv is nearly too brave at times yet she is so driven to help others it is heart-warming and concerning!
I loved your review Annika, hence added the book to my TBR. Rich characters always keep me tuned in. Hugs ❤
Thank you so much, Debby and these are characters you will not want to leave! I do hope it won’t be long until the book is available in USA. Hugs xx
Thanks again for the share. No worries about the wait, I have plenty I’m behind on. 🙂 ❤
Thanks for your mindful review, Annika. The cover and title are adorably cute… which, I gather from your review is rather misleading. At any rate, I’m sure it’s an intriguing read. Congratulations to the author. Hugs.
Teagan, it means a lot that you find my review mindful – thank you so much. As always I want to do justice to the book and this one is unique in so many ways. Oh yes, much more threatening than cute yet many warm and tender moments in the book as well. Hugs xx
Wow – your review is riveting and I also have an affinity for that period as a young girl. I spent a lot of time in the UK during the 70s as my mother was from Sussex and I usually went with her to visit family. I immediately went back there as I read your post. I’ll definitely be getting a copy. Cheers.
Lynette, how wonderful that you spent part of your childhood in the UK and Sussex is a beautiful county. Of course you would have heard about this on the news at the time as well, there was almost blanket coverage nationwide of the murders. If the review is riveting it reflects the book – once it gets hold of you it is almost impossible to put down!
That’s quite a testament, Annika. Isn’t it great when an author captures a place we’ve been to or lived at so well?
Absolutely, Pete! I was slightly nervous to start the book as I know the area and time so well and if it hadn’t been captured well I would have been disappointed. Not the case! Rather the author transported me in just a few sentences and felt like I’d never left. Brilliantly done!
Excellent review, Annika, made even better since you lived through the era and experienced the fear. Few things are more frightening than serial killers and their impact on a community. Especially if you are a potential target. Thanks. –Curt
Thank you so much, Curt and the novel was incredibly immediate for me I think as I had lived through the era but an equally riveting read for those not from the place or time. You are so right about the over-riding terror of a serial killer – the impact was massive on the community and beyond. To this day women around the country are much more cautious and wary than before Yorkshire Ripper.
The insanity that drives a serial killer is almost incomprehensible, Annika.
It sounds a gripper, Anita. I was in my 30s when the guy was stalking women and very aware of the dangers posed. Such a relief when he was behind bars! This sounds like a great concept for a novel and you have me hooked to.
Jo, your comment sums up exactly the impact of the murders, the all-pervasive fear that took hold – and wariness I think that still remains to this day. I am glad you were safe and took precautions. The concept is superb, I wasn’t quite sure how it would work but a terrific background setting to the novel with incredible intertwining stories and amazing characters!
What a story. Your review of the book is riveting. I’ll look for it. Thanks.
Ally, I am glad you found it riveting and the book is absolutely gripping! Hope you have a chance to read it!
Annika, I am reading your review with awe and wonder. How do you do it, always make things come so alive. The author – Jennie Godfrey – must appreciate this review.
You are so right about the dark cloud that covered West Yorkshire at the time.
I was a young woman at the time and in free time loved walking the moors on my own. For me and so many others it felt the same so you always walked with a friend. And yet felt a hidden fear.
The little girl , Miv, is adorable and bright. I want to read the book just to follow her and her friend Sharon. Will keep an eye out on when the book comes out.
Thank you for sharing this remarkable sounding book. 🤗
Miriam, bless you for your lovely comment and it means so much that you feel I brought the book alive – just what I hoped to achieve! Actually Jennie Godfrey did reach out on Twitter to me, to thank me and she said she felt goosebumps reading my review – the ultimate accolade, I felt! 😃 After all, she knows the book better than anyone!
Indeed, it was a turning point when women effectively lost their sense of freedom and how sad to lose the wonder of walking the moors on your own – the fear was very real and stayed with many into today’s world (sadly with some justification). Walking with friends, in safety is a good second though, I am sure.
You are right about Miv being adorable and bright, too bright at times and yet other times totally mis-reading the signals just as a child would do in their innocence. This is a book I am sure you will enjoy on so many levels, Miriam – and like many readers probably be amused by all the excellent ‘70s references! These add a lightness to the novel overall.
Many thanks for your wonderful words and interest! Happy Reading, my friend! Hugs xx 💕
Thank you for your review. It’s always good to get a recommendation 😍
So true, Esther and I have picked up so many books that have been recommended here on WP that I probably would never have come across! 😃
Oh, wow. I can see why this would bring back memories to you. Very good review. Intriguing premise.
Lori, the highly original concept drew me first to the book and it was fantastic how the author brought me back to the that time – along with a superb story and characters!
Intriguing, Annika. I love that the story is told through a twelve year old’s POV. That has to be refreshing. Thank you for sharing!
Jan, I was indeed impressed with the author’s superb and genuine voice of Miv – not easy to write a novel through the eyes, mind and emotions of a young girl but she managed it brilliantly. I was even more in awe as the readers is shown as Miv grows up during that time frame and her feelings, priorities change – but not at the pace of her friend!
This is a great recommendation for the book, Annika. Thank you.
As soon as I saw the book I knew this was one I wanted to read and it exceeded all my expectations! Only too happy to share here, Anneli! Many thanks for reading. xx
I will check it out.
This book sounds intriguing with the extra element of relatability for you. Thanks for the recommendation!
So true, Audrey and only too happy to share and recommend!
What an awful time. I know the girls can’t solve the murder (well, maybe I DON’T know that–I’m a bit murky on Ripper history), but what a ride to see their clever minds at work. Of all the mysteries, what really caught my attention was why did Mom stop talking???
Exactly, Jacqui! The question hung on my mind throughout the book, I then forgot for a while as I became so carried away by the story and then reminded once again. At times Miv is just desperate for a hug from her Mum and she is not even able to give her this. The reason is revealed and I had not seen that coming but just perfect – sadly so.
As the girls solved so many other mysteries around them, at times managing to save a person, another time failing to be able to help in spite of all their efforts, they did not find the Yorkshire Ripper. In the end he was caught by police by accident as he was driving a car with false plates. However he had previously been questioned NINE times by police with regard to the murder enquiry. Beggars belief!
Thanks Annika for this recommendation. It is going on the 2024 “To read” list.
That’s great, Bernadette! I do hope it is soon released in America – it is only after choosing a book from NetGalley that I remember to see if it will soon be published immediately in USA! Many thanks for reading!
Wow, what a story. Reminds one of the complicated darkness that can exist inside of us. I can imagine it was unsettling to read.
‘Uncomplicated darkness’! Alethea, you have described it perfectly – and often a darkness as a result of outside forces – the battle is to find a way to overcome them and often only through the help of loved ones. At times it was an unsettling read but I became highly involved with the characters, felt part of their world yet always aware of the threat so close to home.
Sounds like the book was written well and was deeply effective.
Absolutely – such an original and perfectly executed idea for a novel.
Hi Annika, this sounds like a fascinating read. It is hard to look at those 13 photographs. Some of those women look so happy.
Robbie, it is an incredibly immersive and fascinating read – a fictional novel against the backdrop of a major factual event and the author has brilliantly combined the two!
I dithered about including the photos of the women but in the end it felt only right to include them. It is with sadness I remember their images all over the local papers and TV news at the time.
Hi Annika, it sounds like a great book. Those pictures are very poignant.
Superb review Annika on a terror gripping read. You did it justice and It sounds enthralling but I’d be shaking in My boots!
Thanks for sharing and highlighting it. The last few chapters sound heartwarming. 💕
Cindy, thank you so much! The novel is incredibly multi-layered, capturing the constant sense of unease yet at the same time the warm friendship, story of first love as well as unravelling the secrets of those around them. Those last chapters were both heartwarming and oh, heart-wrenching too – climatic at one point before easing down to the final chapters.
You’re so very welcome Annika! Your endorsement almost has me reading so never say never about a book you might not otherwise read. Maybe I’ve faced my shadow side enough to embrace it!!!! ❣️💓❤️
You have me hooked on this one. Maybe too the West Yorkshire setting draws me in but also the era. I was a ‘young’ thing at York University during that era with the warnings not to walk home alone.
Georgina, you know exactly the feeling of terror that gripped the area and I hope you were (and are) very careful when out and about. One of the women killed was a student at Leeds University.
The book is incredible and so much more than I expected – I was truly sad to leave the lives of so many characters who had woven their way into my heart.
Sounds like quite a recommendation. Am reading a pdf of a novel still to be published and the concept/ place are interesting but too many characters and am not really emotionally attached. Will def try this as think key is getting this emotional involvement.
I was immediately pulled in to the story by your review. I want to go run out and buy this book now. Maggie
Maggie, it’s not too long until it’s out for sale and I’m glad my review has tempted you to want to read the book!