THIS is a book of many things, not all of them suspicious. It’s a beautifully crafted tale of unconditional friendship and of community, in the guise of a crime and coming of age novel that also does not shy away from uncomfortable topics such as racism and abuse.
The weight of these are balanced by a dry Yorkshire humour. To laugh at times of utter hopelessness, sadness and despair is a typical northern reaction which resonated with me and my own upbringing. The language of the late 1970s is prevalent throughout the book; the descriptions of time and place are superb.
This was the era of the Yorkshire Ripper, the serial killer who evaded the police and continued to kill women over a five-year period. He killed 13 women and attempted to kill a further seven.
Enter 12-year-old Miv who overhears her dad and aunt discussing an out of town move where the streets might be safer, and decides that if she can catch the Yorkshire Ripper, it will mean that all thoughts of moving will be forgotten. She enlists the help of her best friend Sharon and they begin investigating and eliminating the men in their neighbourhood.
Friends (and enemies) are made along the way, including Omar and Ishtiaq, a father and son who own the corner shop. Their relationship and how they interact with the girls is heartwarming and the racism they experience is rightly, uncomfortable to read.
In fact, there are many dark themes and undercurrents in the book - abuse, depression, death - but Miv is the light that cannot be dimmed for me; she is quirky, loveable, alive and simply wonderful.
Suspicious Things is an unforgettable book and Jennie’s debut too! I can hardly wait to read The Barbecue at No.9 which is her next book and released at the end of February. Expectations are high.
Incidentally, if you’re interested in reading more about the Yorkshire Ripper, you could look at ‘Peter Sutcliffe: The Full Crimes of The Yorkshire Ripper’ by Chris Cook which includes a look at the latest files released or ‘Yorkshire Ripper - The Secret Murders’ by Chris Clark and Tim Tate who present evidence suggesting Peter Sutcliffe committed more crimes than those he was convicted of.