This book was very different to what I first expected.

Set in Leeds in 1977, there is a serial killer on the prowl, called the Ripper, he is killing women and people are scared. The only safe place is Rio's run by Maureen and it is a brothel.

The writing is somewhat dark and you really feel for these strong women who are scared for their lives.

I did not really resonate with the characters but it really makes you stop and think about how terrifying the actual ripper was back then.

Quite a hard and difficult read at times but I am glad that I finished this novel.

i have given this novel a 3.5 rating as for me, personally something felt lacking.

Thanks to Katy Massey, Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me a ARC in exchange for my honest opinion..

On face value this is a book about a serial killer murdering prostitutes in the 1970s in ripper style. What the book seems to focus more on, however, is the murder of a young man whose mother runs the pseudo respectable brothel style set up. The fact that the murder of multiple prostitutes is more of a side story feels a little strange to me but I gave it a good chance regardless.
The premise that the story was set in the 1970s also passed me by a little, which was slightly disappointing and I feel there could have been more cultural and immersive details included as this was a bit under explored for me and I kept forgetting that it wasn’t modern day.
The story was good enough but didn’t a hundred percent captivate me as I felt it promised. Definitely worth a read regardless, just not entirely for me.

A very impressive debut novel from Katy Massey. Wow. This is a really dark read with some incredibly tough scenes, but it felt real, raw and captured the time so well.

It is 1977 and the Yorkshire Ripper is still at large and terrorising the women of Leeds and Yorkshire. It is winter, money is tight, people are scared and bad things are happening all around them. When a 15 year old boy is found dead outside a local pub, the community is in shock. Who would do this to a child? Police officer amici asks an old friend, Maureen for help. Maureen runs a “sauna”. In town and gets to talk to all sorts. He is hoping she can get some answers that they can’t

This books really highlights the way life was in this time. Women were second class citizens, racism was rife, things were not easy. Maureen was a black woman, working in the sex industry, just trying to make a living. She was a fantastic character, I was always hoping that things would work out for her, even if she did make some questionable decisions.

Now, this is not a book about the Ripper. Yes, it is set in the time he was around, yes the murders are talked about. This book is about so much more. It is about friendship, loyalty, love and survival.

Thank you so much to Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Couldn’t get enough. Published on March 3rd.

All us Sinners is set in Leeds at the height of the Yorkshire Ripper's murder spree and is quite accidentally the third book I've read recently set at this time. Unfortunately I had great difficulty getting on with this one. I didn't gel with any of the characters and the story seemed to meander around not really getting anywhere. So I'm sorry it's only 3 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

A reasonable crime debut set in Leeds during the time of the serial killer Peter Sutcliffe. The depiction of life for the characters in the 70’s is believable.
I personally did not like any character or found them to have any real depth. The storyline between Maureen and Michael felt weak.
Overall a promising debut, I would read another by this author

All Us Sinners is the debut novel from Katy Massey and with a promising blurb or précis I was looking forwarding to reading it.

Unfortunately it failed to deliver with the storyline feeling disjointed and slightly messy which was a shame.

This is the story of Maureen, running Rio's, a brothel in Leeds at the time of the Yorkshire Ripper murders. Bev and Annette are her employees and friends. Bev's son is murdered and Mick, a detective asks for Maureen's help, to get information to find the killer. There's an interesting, and often unpleasant, cast of local characters, all with different personalities, and history between them. The story takes a winding path to get to the solution, and resolves a lot of other issues in the process. Recommended

Set in Leeds at the height of Peter Sutcliffe’s killing spree, this dark, well put together novel brings home the fear that was felt be those who lived and worked in the city during this time.
It’s the story of Maureen who runs a “sauna”. Maureen is firm but fair and her girls are looked after and reasonably safe working indoors. When David, the son of one of her girls Bev, is found beaten to death Maureen comes face to face with someone from her past. DS Mick Hunniford has always been decent to her but in Maureen’s world you must be very careful who you trust.
As Hunniford investigates David’s death he begins to dig up secrets that might be best left hidden, secrets that could destroy Maureen’s carefully structured life.
A great debut, an author to look out for.

Amid the 1977 Yorkshire Ripper murders, Maureen manages Rio's, a discreet brothel in the city. While the Ripper terrifies street workers, the atmosphere at Rio's appears safer until tragedy strikes and Bev’s son David is discovered brutally beaten to death.
An exceptional debut crime novel which delves into themes of class, race, sex work and trust in law enforcement.

Gritty crime novel all the ingredients of a impressive debut. Brothels, ripper killings, and murder of ordinary folk go to make up this drama investigated by mick a di. 3 stars enjoyed it but felt the pace dragged slightly.

Set in Leeds in 1977, ‘All Us Sinners’ focuses on how women are affected by the ominous presence of the so-called Yorkshire Ripper. Massage parlour owner, Maureen, is only too aware of the predatory attitude towards women that many men have but it is the senseless, savage killing of a young boy, the son of Bev, one of her workers, that sets her on a detective track. It helps that Maureen knows DS Michael Hunniford who appears to see her for whom she is: a resourceful, compassionate, brave woman, rather than labelling her with the derogatory title of Madam.
Katy Massey shows the reader, through the developing narrative that in 1979, although the press is presenting the Ripper as the monster to be feared, a sexist, misogynistic attitude towards women is commonplace. Even the bereaved Bev is showed little compassion from her controlling and coercive partner.
Massey presents the life of women forced to sell sex in a brothel sympathetically and with real credibility. Her depiction of gloomy, run-down Leeds is also very atmospheric and one can imagine the horror of having no choice but to be out on the streets at night looking for business. No wonder the brothel feels like an excellent alternative. However, I found it difficult to be convinced by the Michael and Maureen’s unusual relationship, and this is central to the story. That apart, Massey’s novel is a detailed exploration of a society in which women are regarded as second class citizens, whoever they are.
My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

4.5 stars rounded up

Leeds, West Yorkshire, December 1977.
The Yorkshire Ripper stalks the streets in his vicious campaign of terror, killing mercilessly whilst the inept police investigation led by ACC George Oldfield are nowhere near catching him. Against this dark and dangerous backdrop we meet Maureen who runs ‘Rio’, a backstreet brothel. She is a really good boss who cares a great deal for her workers especially Anette and Bev. Here, these tough, strong women have created a safe haven, that is until Bev’s lovely son David is found beaten to death behind a local pub. This tragedy forces Maureen to confront her past, the haunts that still linger, particularly when DS Michael Hunniford reappears in her life. What does his appearance signify? Can she trust him? Indeed, can she trust those around her? This is part mystery/thriller/police procedural but is principally character driven which takes the reader on a rollercoaster of a journey.

This novel is so well written, extremely insightful and I think it’s very clever. These characters and David’s tragic murder - a young, innocent, harmless boy - becomes a symbol of all that is lost to The Ripper. Like his victims, David is collateral damage to someone’s evil intent. Katy Massey makes these characters come alive, the power of her writing makes me feel what they feel, so sex workers like Maureen, Anette and Bev are seen as real people, as worthy, bucking the attitude of many in the late ‘70’s especially within the police force. These are complicated characters, Maureen is resilient, kind, intuitive, brave and I like her immensely. Michael is conflicted but a decent man who does care about these women, Bev is a tough cookie who has to bear much and then there’s straight talking Anette. It’s a very emotional read at times, for example, Bev’s grief is palpable. Yet despite all the knocks and setbacks, they pick themselves up and dust themselves off and get on with it.

The author does a terrific job of capturing the time period, you sense the dark presence of Peter Sutcliffe (The Yorkshire Ripper), there’s clarity on the attitudes towards elements of society especially the victim blaming, the open racism (Maureen is mixed race) and the blatant sexism. Leeds, a city I know well and one I knew in the ‘70’s, is captured to perfection especially the atmosphere. It’s a very different city now to then. The descriptions of it allow the reader to visualise it with ease.

As the plot develops, it becomes a multi layered, Russian doll style piece of storytelling. There’s so much tension as the characters are on full alert, there are secrets and lies galore, we enter the criminal underbelly of Leeds with turfs and territories which brings it’s own brand of danger, violence and evil. The aura of foreboding is palpable as nets close in, it’s claustrophobic and there’s understandable paranoia as Maureen confronts numerous pitfalls and betrayal. The ending is very good, the twists keep on coming and I can honestly say the author grips me throughout.

What a novel. A story of unbreakable women whose indomitable spirit shines through. I hope the hint at the end means we’ll meet again!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little Brown Book Group for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Post to GR and X on 22/2/24
Post to Amazon and Waterstones on 7/3/24

It is 1977 in Leeds, which is a very dangerous place to be for sex workers with the Yorkshire Ripper on the prowl. Maureen runs Rio’s, a local brothel, but still fears for herself and the girls, Bev and Annette. Maureen is fraught about who to trust as is she made to confront her past.
A debut novel, the description sounded dark and gritty, which it seemed to lack in general, however still an enjoyable read.

2.5 stars

I don't know if it's me or the book, but I found d this one hard work.
I didnt really get a feel for any of the characters beyond surface level.
Just not for me.

A novel about a young man's murder in the shadow of the Yorkshire Ripper's rampage. An interesting take on literary crime with a unique and atmospheric setting, but not a particularly stand out writing style and a slog to get through. Not one for me.

The world of police procedural and detective novels is laden with many writers- each establishing a niche whether it be through lead protagonist or period. Entering this world as an author must be daunting; Katy Massey has written a tough period crime drama and for her first novel it certainly grabs your attention.

Set sensitively against the backdrop of the horrendous crimes of the Yorkshire Ripper, the story focuses around Maureen who runs a brothel in Leeds. She and her team- Bev and Anette- are very aware of the climate of fear especially when her friend Bev's son is found dead,

Maureen finds herself confronting her past when the DS for the case comes to ask questions. She soon finds herself pulled deeper into the world of local crime and gangs and isn't sure who to trust. This is a gritty novel and doesn't shy away from the lives of the women and the 1970s desperation to survive- it would be easy to see the characters as cliches- especially in comparison to our' supposed enlightened 2020s' but Katy Massey's writing creates fully formed individuals against a tough backdrop of the 1970s.

Capturing a period is not easy - especially if it feels details are shoe-horned in for effect but this isn't the case. There are subtle pieces of information about everyday 70s life which enhance the read. Comparisons to Val Mc Dermid who manages to create earthy pitch perfect period detective novels can be made.

Who to trust and how to survive is the key focus of the story. Maureen does take risks and the world she frequents is on the margins of mainstream society but you will wish her to succeed and stay safe.

This is not your usual crime /detective fiction. Katy Massey has drawn from personal experience and knowledge and produced an edgy with the atmosphere of the seventies pervading through the pages.

I’m afraid I didn’t like this book. . There was no real momentum in the story. I thought that , given it was written with the Yorkshire Ripper in the background, that it would be more suspenseful. I couldn’t engage with the characters- I thought they were cliched and weak. Sorry - not for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a prepublication ebook.

I haven't read any books by Kate Massey before but it gripped me and had me questioning who to trust.