The List of Suspicious Things

By Jennie Godfrey
** Publication Date 30 December 2025 **
​4 stars


In the early 1980s there was a terrible crime spree against women committed by the Yorkshire Ripper. It caught the attention of all of England, but especially the residents of Yorkshire, as they couldn’t believe one of their own could commit such crimes. 


Miv is a young girl trying to understand her world. Her mother has been silent for years, and occasionally takes ‘breaks’ from living with them. Her father spends a lot of time out of the house, at work and then the pub. Because of all this, Miv’s Aunt Jean moved in to care for the family.


Because of Miv’s home situation, she sometimes feels as though she is an outcast. Except for Sharon. Sharon is Miv’s best friend through and through. The girls do everything together, even having tea once a week at Sharon’s home. When Miv decides she wants to find the Yorkshire Ripper, Sharon goes along, hesitantly. In doing so, the girls open up a whole new world to them, both good and bad. They befriend people in their neighborhood, finding shelter where sometimes Miv felt there was none. 


As the time goes one and the investigation by both the police and the girls finds nothing, the girls start to grow up and change. Sometimes this throws a wedge between the two, and Miv feels it more soundly than Sharon. Changes will come to their neighborhood as well, both good and bad. The Yorkshire Ripper still being on the loose.


This novel explores friendship, both typical and uncommon, racism, violent crime, mental illness, and growing up. It is a lot. While the novel can tend to be a bit slow at times, Miv is an amazing protagonist. It is very emotional living vicariously through her experiences. As someone who does not remember the Yorkshire Ripper case, I found the story compelling. And while that is a common thread throughout the novel, the novel is more about Miv than anything else. 


Really well written. Highly recommend