From the cover, I initially thought this would be a cosy crime, perhaps populated by older ladies, but no. Instead, it’s a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire Ripper killings.

Miv is our main character, who lives in a small Yorkshire town. Together with friend Sharon, she wants to create a list of suspicious things – looking into people who might potentially be the Yorkshire Ripper. But the story is really about so much more than that, about people and the issues they were facing at the time – Thatcher, domestic abuse, racism, mental health. It’s about growing into the kind of adult you’re going to be.

I must admit, it did take me a little while to get into the story; I didn’t immediately feel that pull to get to the end. Instead, I took the book in a little bit at a time until the characters and the relationships between me won them over. Then it’s really quite a sweet tale of friendship and hope amidst the darkness.

A good read.