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The List of Suspicious Things

The No.1 Sunday Times Bestseller

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The List of Suspicious Things

By: Jennie Godfrey
Narrated by: Joanne Froggatt, Mark Noble, Asif Khan, Gemma Whelan, Simon Harvey
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A BEST DEBUT OF 2024 BY BB

The instant Sunday Times bestseller

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?

THE PERFECT DEBUT NOVEL TO DISCUSS IN BOOK CLUBS


'To read it is to feel that little bit better about life'
ELIZABETH DAY

'A beautiful mystery with heart'
ROB RINDER

'This is a heart-warming book'
EMMA HEALEY

'A gorgeous, page-turning book'
I PAPER

©2024 Jennie Godfrey (P)2024 Penguin Audio

 Amateur Sleuths Animals Coming of Age Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery Detective Heartfelt England

Critic Reviews

A touching paean to lost innocence and the comfort of friendships, its dark undertow leavened by stout Yorkshire humour
I absolutely adore it! (Marian Keyes)
Godfrey succeeds brilliantly in fitting a gripping and moving story in the interstices of a horrific episode in recent history, without ever trivialising, taking focus from, or minimising the lasting impact of the original crimes.
There's been buzz around this novel - for good reason. Endearing characters and nostalgic details make this a must-read
One of the buzziest debuts of 2024, and deservedly so….prepare to have all the feelings
Fabulous. I loved Miv’s spirit
I can't believe this is a debut. Heavy themes handled with such tenderness and care, a moving, memorable tale of community, connection and curiosity. I loved it (Emma Gannon)
A heartwarming tale about the power of human connection, written with empathy, warmth and care. To read it is to feel that little bit better about life (Elizabeth Day)
[THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS] was such a joyous read . . . the story spoke to me on so many levels. The characters are adorable and we all need an Aunty Jean in our lives . . . a beautiful story of friendship, community and family. Heartwarming (Zoe Ball)
Funny, poignant and drawn with real compassion. This is a heart-warming book (Emma Healey, author of ELIZABETH IS MISSING)
All stars
Most relevant
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.

Unexpected and wonderful

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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 💯

brilliant story telling

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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.

The beautiful intertwined characters and story.

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

Engaging story

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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.

An impressive debut

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