The List Of Suspicious Things
By Jennie Godfrey
The transition from the self-centred innocence of childhood towards mature recognition of those around us as fellow humans can be a very confusing time. Commencing around the beginning of our teens, coinciding with the turmoil of puberty and raging hormones, horizons broaden and the opposite sex becomes attractive.
Jennie Godfrey captures the emotional roller-coaster experienced by Miv with the depth of a Michael Angelo painting.
“The List Of Suspicious Things” ranks alongside “To Kill A Mockingbird”, “The Body” by Stephen King, “The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner” by Alan Sillitoe and “A Kestrel For A Knave” by Barry Hines. Godfrey pays tribute to Barry Hines acclaimed story by mentioning that one of her teen boys is reading the book and his new friend comments that it is an excellent story.
One criticism leveled at “The List Of Suspicious Things” is that Godfrey tackles too many themes whilst telling a story which is set during the UK’s manhunt for a serial killer dubbed “The Yorkshire Ripper”. I disagree although Miv does encounter a disturbing number of social problems within her community in close succession.
Racial prejudice, domestic abuse, paedophilia, alcoholism, mental illness, suicide, bullying, grief, loneliness, self-recrimination and guilt feature large in the life of Miv, but a girl who’s world is unusually unsupervised by adults is exposed to the rich tapestry of life in a small town. It is one of the delights of the story that Miv contributes to the resolution of many of the problems.
Don’t let the categorization of “Coming of Age” book put you off reading this beautiful story which is written with the style and beauty of a classic to be cherished and re-read many times.
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Yorkshire, 1979
Maggie Thatcher is prime minister, drainpipe jeans are in, and Miv is convinced that her dad wants to move their family Down South.
Because of the murders.
Leaving Yorkshire and her best friend Sharon simply isn’t an option, no matter the dangers lurking round their way; or the strangeness at home that started the day Miv’s mum stopped talking.
Perhaps if she could solve the case of the disappearing women, they could stay after all?
So, Miv and Sharon decide to make a list: a list of all the suspicious people and things down their street. People they know. People they don’t.
But their search for the truth reveals more secrets in their neighbourhood, within their families – and between each other – than they ever thought possible.
What if the real mystery Miv needs to solve is the one that lies much closer to home?
*SHORTLISTED FOR BOOK OF THE YEAR – DEBUT FICTION AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2025*
The perfect debut novel to discuss in book clubs
***READER REVIEWS***
‘Left a lump in my throat and a hole in my heart’
‘A book I won’t forget for a while’
‘A beautiful and emotional debut that I know will stay with me for a long time’
‘A superb look at childhood, at growing up, at starting to see the world around you’
Sunday Times bestseller, April 2024
Review
A touching paean to lost innocence and the comfort of friendships, its dark undertow leavened by stout Yorkshire humour ― The Times
I absolutely adore it! — Marian Keyes
About the Author
