A beautiful story of love, joy and sadness

Loved all of it - story, insights, narration, characterisations, descriptions of time and place - with a lightness over the top of a dark and unseen undercurrent

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Excellently narrated. I was transported to that time and that place. Carefully crafted so as to lead the reader there.

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Unexpected and wonderful

A very clever and original novel, well written and not what I was expecting. The narration is pitch perfect too. Deals beautifully with some difficult topics. A very uplifting story! Can see why this has had such an impact in the UK and been so popular.

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brilliant story telling

loved this book, interesting way to cover the topic. enjoyed the different narrators, and the 80's references have me flash backs to growing up. would recommend 💯

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The beautiful intertwined characters and story.

This was the most fabulous book. I couldn’t stop listening to it and finished in two days. Everything about it is wonderful and the memories of being a child in 1979 were bittersweet when listening to the story. Just loved it.

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Absolutely brilliant

This is a stunning book. To Kill a Mockingbird has always been one of my very favourite novels and this is now right up there with it for me in terms of excellent character development, beautiful storyline and deeply powerful content. The narration is superb. Could not recommend this book more highly

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Engaging story

Lots of stories going on here that kept me engaged right to the end which surprised me. Enjoyed the narrators too.

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An impressive debut

I am a bit jealous of Jennie Godfrey. How dare she write something this good as her debut.

Miv is the young protagonist who instigates a naive yet sharp-eyed hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, who is killing women in 1970s West Yorkshire. As thrilling as that premise is, it is the relationships amongst the people of Miv’s community, her deep friendship with Sharon, the pernicious violence towards girls and women, the sense of repression and grimness in a Thatcher-era northern town and the ever present sadness of having a mysteriously absent mother that give this novel such depth and heart. Miv’s burning curiosity and sense of justice, as well as that of her beloved Sharon, means you want to keep hanging out with Miv as she trawls her community for clues. And yes, I am envious of the author’s ability to create such a clear, authentic voice in her first book.

There are echoes of Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird, with both sharing the themes of justice, courage, class, racism, compassion and children’s resilience. It is also a coming of age story with the inevitable maturing brought about by grief and loss.

I only learned about this book because I heard the author being interviewed on a podcast (Off Air With Jane and Fi). Never mind my astonishment at somehow not knowing it existed until a few days ago, I am so pleased that Jennie Godfrey took that leap and quit her corporate job to write. I eagerly await her next book.

Joanne Froggatt, who played Anna in Downton Abbey, is perfect as Miv’s voice, and the other narrators are great too.

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Wonderful Winner of a Book

A big warm loving story of the power of friendship and found families. Life in a small Yorkshire town during the time of the Yorkshire Ripper & Margaret Thatcher’s govt. outstanding ensemble of narrators. Great read.

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What a ripper! (Pardon the pun)

I absolutely loved this coming of age story. Complex and beautiful. So much going on and such good characters. I couldn’t wait to recommend it to my friends.

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