A simply but well written novel about life in Yorkshire during the Ripper serial murders (1975-1980) from the perspective of inquisitive 12 year old girl.

• Published: 2024
• Completed: 29/04/225
• Pages: 449

I procrastinated for a long time from reading this because I thought it would just be the usual crime novel. However in many ways, this was more a coming of age story, with the spectre of the Ripper serving as a backdrop highlighting the racist, sexist and contradictory attitudes of the time.

Quotes

• “The complicated rules and language of the game ran through me like letter in a stick of seaside rock” P14
• “Everything beautiful had been made long before I was born.” P117
• “My experience was that grown-ups always thought I was too young for all the interesting things and too old for all the things that bought me comfort.” P119

New Words

• Swarfega
• Parkin
• Anaglypta
• Salwar kameez
• Laik
• Cagoule
• Rag and bone man
• Ginnel
• Cherryade

Ratings

• Ailsa: 8
• Hayley: 9
• Sarah: 8
• Sally: 9
• Steph: 8
• Thành: 8

Restaurant

Country Garden Indian

(Adjacent to Pakistani, the background of one of the main characters)