"The List of Suspicious Things somehow manages to be heartwarming yet heartbreaking, a story of innocence lost that will make you feel innocent again, and beautifully nostalgic while being an unflinching portrait of the past. I loved it." -- Tracy Sierra, author of Nightwatching

"Jennie Godfrey's debut book caught me at the compelling title! What a tale of gritty innocence and morphing friendships. Godfrey's fresh literary voice is inquisitive, vulnerable and determined to expose a piece of hard history in a personal way. Told by an ensemble of narrators in a Yorkshire community paralyzed by fear of a serial killer, The List of Suspicious Things delivers satisfying punches of danger and possibility and insights into human nature. Kudos to Jennie Godfrey for a job well done!" -- Leah Weiss, bestselling author of If the Creek Don't Rise and The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow

"Two childhood besties living in Yorkshire, England, play pint-size detectives as they try to solve the case of a real-life serial killer who terrorized women during the late '70s. A quietly moving and intimate tale about family mysteries in a small town." -- People magazine

"The innocence of a twelve-year-old girl is juxtaposed with heavy topics in Godfrey's debut...Even with the warmth of new friendships, the entire story is haunted by the presence of the Ripper and other tragic events, resulting in Miv's moving path into maturity." -- Booklist, Starred Review

"A singular serial killer novel...The result is a stand-out mystery in a genre crowded with whodunit thrillers. This captivating tale of a young girl coming of age in 1979 Yorkshire, set against a backdrop of secrets and violence and hardships, carries glimmers of the joy that can be found and felt in family, friendships, and community." -- Shelf Awareness

"What could be more magical than a writer who can flip from hilarity to darkness and back on the same page? Jennie Godfrey does this and more in The List of Suspicious Things, all told in a voice that is as authentic as it is unforgettable." -- Jenny Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Good Morning America Book Club pick Pineapple Street

"Absolutely loved it--it is so engrossing, utterly heartbreaking (made me cry!) but also redemptive and hopefully at the same time." -- Sophie Hannah, international bestselling author

"Heartbreaking yet heartwarming, with compassionate characters you can't help but root for, The List of Suspicious Things is an unforgettable book on friendship and the power of human connection. I felt like I was in 1970s Yorkshire, investigating with Miv and Sharon, unearthing the secrets of their neighbourhood. A splendid debut." -- Costanza Casati, international bestselling author of Clytemnestra and Babylonia

"A touching paean to lost innocence and the comfort of friendships, its dark undertow leavened by stout Yorkshire humour." -- The Times

"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." -- The Guardian

"There's been buzz around this novel--for good reason. Endearing characters and nostalgic details make this a must-read." -- Good Housekeeping

"One of the buzziest debuts of 2024, and deservedly so....prepare to have all the feelings." -- Red magazine

"A 12-year-old girl determines to unmask a serial killer in this extravagantly ambitious story of small-town Britain in 1979....Imaginative, impressive, and illuminating." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review

"The real murders that are the basis for Godfrey's coming-of-age historical mystery are never trivialized here, and her characters are written with depth and richness. Miv learns lessons that readers will wish they could shield her from, but there is a redemptive arc." -- Library Journal

"While the book contains elements of investigation, its true focus is the slow loss of innocence, as children absorb violence, prejudice and grief without the language to fully articulate them. Godfrey balances darkness with warmth, crafting a portrait of friendship and resilience that never minimizes the danger surrounding it." -- The Seattle Times

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Pub date: 2025-12-30

Length: 416 pages