My enormous thanks to the lovely Jennie Godfrey for sending me a copy of her wonderful novel The list of suspicious things. Much later than expected, it is a pleasure to share my review today.
Available in all formats and launched in rustic by Penguin on January 2, 2025, The list of suspicious things It is available for purchase through the editor’s links here.
The list of suspicious things
Yorkshire, 1979
Maggie Thatcher is the prime minister, there are drainage jeans and MIV is convinced that her father wants to move her family to the south.
Due to the murders.
Leaving Yorkshire and her best friend Sharon is simply not an option, regardless of the dangers that lurk on her way; Or the strangeness at home that began the day when MIV’s mother stopped talking.
Maybe if she could solve the case of women who disappear, could they stay after all?
Then, MIV and Sharon decide to make a list: a list of all people and suspicious things in their street. People who know. People who do not.
But his search for truth reveals more secrets in his neighborhood, within their families, and among them, of what they once believed.
What happens if the real mystery that MIV needs to solve is the one that is much closer to home?
My review of the list of suspicious things
MIV is determined to capture the Yorkshire Ripper.
It is quite difficult to review The list of suspicious things properly. It is impressive and I absolutely adore every moment to read it.
In fact, reading The list of suspicious things It is like being with an old friend and the reader’s relationship with the book echoing that between MIV and Sharon. At the time you collect The list of suspicious things You are immediately immersed in MIV’s life, regardless of the gap between the sessions. And that is the great strength of this narrative. It can be based on the real times of the Yorkshire stripper and attacks against women, but in fact it is a warm, frequently fun and very emotional story of friendship and community.
MIV is an absolute triumph. It is as if Jennie Godfrey had seen in the deep of each one of us, seen our insecurities and distilled them in the most relatable character of fiction. This is an exquisite story of the age of majority, in addition to being a convincing criminal novel. His self -awareness means that MIV is vivid and realistic to know her, and we love her completely.
With the murders of the stripper, the focus of the MIV list and the catalyst of his adventures and actions, he also leads to the darkest elements of the narrative. The lightness of Jennie Godfrey’s touch is totally convincing and allows you to include issues that are important and disturbing, counted through MIV’s perspective. Consequently, this is a story that grabs, entertains and exposes the realities of ordinary lives. It really is magnificent.
The other characters are equally memorable. I found that each one engender strong emotions in me. Of course he loved MIV most, but Omar and Ishtiaq felt incredibly special and unfortunately, his experience is too realistic in today’s society.
The configuration of The list of suspicious things It couldn’t be better. There is a true meaning of Yorkshire and the local community. The presentation of the ralter era is perfectly represented, through the cultural aspects of music, food, television and clothing. It is like being transported over time.
Impressively good, accessible and emotional, The list of suspicious things It is an absolute triumph. I cannot recommend it enough and it has gone directly to my favorite readings list this year. I just regret not having met MIV before. In case there is any element of doubt, I adored The list of suspicious things without reserve.
About Jennie Godfrey
Jennie Godfrey grew up in West Yorkshire and her debut novel, The List of Suspeche Things, is inspired by her childhood there in the 1970s. Jennie is from a family that works in the mill, but like the first of the generation born after she closed the factories, she went to the university and built a career in the corporate world. In 2020 he left and began writing. She is now a part -time waterstones writer and library and lives in the Somerset field.
For more information, follow Jennie on Twitter/X @jennieg_author and look for Jennie in Bluesky and Instagram.
