“Is it better to live in a small way, or not to live at all”
“Live the life you dream”
“Would you let this short life slither past”
Meet Tibb Ingelby, she’s opinionated, cheeky with rough edges, you can’t help but fall in love this one of a kind heroine.
Based on a true story of the ‘Holy Maid of Leominster’ - a 16th century conwoman who impersonated an angel and amassed a cult following in early Tudor England
Journey into Tudor England as you’ve seen it before, Tibb’s is a wonderful narrator, showing the underbelly of the period.
A delicious blend of humour with a touch of sadness, showing the themes of the time - belief and superstition as well as ‘found family’ and kinship
An unique, engaging read, that’s fun adventurous and deeply moving
Thanks @rosannapikeauthor, @penguinfigtree & @netgalley for the utterly original debut historical read

I absolutely loved this gentle, warm, and original book, which tells the story of good people in a harsh and cruel world. Tibb Ingleby was born a vagabond, and has never had a roof of her own. But her mother has taught her that if you're not too bound by the Big Man's rules, there are ways a woman can find shelter in this world. Now her mother is dead in a trick gone wrong and young Tibb is orphaned and alone.
Tibb is a delightful character who combines a strange mix of vulnerability and strength. We follow her through Tudor England, watching as she meets good and bad people and learns how to make the best of the hand she's been given. Tibb is rough, foul-mouthed, and opinionated but she's also loving, generous, clever, and kind.
It's a captivating story exploring grief, love, friendship, prejudice, and superstition, all with one of the most original and delightful narrative voices I've ever come across.
It's a stunning, fresh, and exciting debut, and I highly recommend this book.
With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC.

is one of the most original books I’ve read this year. It is written in a brilliantly crafted and different style which I absolutely loved, and is filled with atmospheric language. Tibb herself is a fabulous and uniquely memorable main character. It really is a treat to read - evocative, funny, emotional, and bold. Highly recommend.

So original.
Loved this book Tibb so endearing, delightful way of speaking and thinking, she runs words all into one longer one.
Tibb is the beloved daughter of a vagrant woman whose aim in life is to get them both a roof over their heads, to do this she sleeps with various unsavoury characters and sometimes ends up killing them. When Tibb's baby sister Henrietta is born, her Mother dies and the father throws them both out. Tibb only a child herself tries to take care of Henrietta but fails, she is rescued by Ivo another homeless person who looks after her and they travel together. Ivo suddenly leaves her, so Tibb has to fend for herself, she meets some wondering players and joins them becoming a contortionist , the troupe goes to a wealthy landowners house and get split up with fire consequences for Tibb and her lover Ambrose.
Thank you Rosanna, NetGalley and Penguin for this amazing ARC

Although a bit bit of slow burner, it is well worth sticking with this book. Beautifully written and truly a masterpiece.

I don't think I've ever read anything like this before. The themes and plot are very dark, but somehow the narration makes it feel light at the same time. A very distinctive character voice, a very distinctive mood, I am really impressed by the quality of the writing! I'm interested to see what Rosanna Pike will do next.

Tibb Ingleby has been born as a vagabond but her lifestyle is illegal and she and her mother need to settle. When her mother dies, Tibb is left on her own and does what she must to survive. Gaining friends and being betrayed leads Tibb to a plan that could change her future but in a country where religion is all, can a little trickerie work.
Unusually set during the reign of Henry VII, this is a wonderful historical novel. What sets it apart are the characters who are so believable and well-rounded. The heroine herself is beautifully imagined and the plot is clever without being totally farfetched. It is an engaging and entertaining book

Set in the late fifteenth century, this story follows the fortunes of Tibby, an orphaned teenage vagabond constantly on the move. When she falls in with Ivo, a runaway from home, the two form a strong bond. But Ivo has a secret he can't share with Tibby or the world, in those days when the church ruled supreme and any deviation from the norm was punishable by death. And when Tibby's plan to save her friend goes awry, it looks like they are both in mortal danger.
This was a gem of a historical novel. It immerses you in the English country way of life in early Tudor times, and I love the style it's written in, with Tibby's voice rooted in the past, but clear as a bell to the modern reader. The plot is thrilling on all levels, as both Tibby and Ivo strive to find ways to survive and to thrive in a world that has abused and rejected them.
There are so many strong themes in this book. But childhood abuse, poverty, loneliness and rejection are balanced by the strength of love, friendship and loyalty that keep Tibby battling on. And there is plenty of humour, too - Tibby's wry way of looking at the world makes sure of that!
While so many of the characters stand out as good people, it's Tibby who will keep you spellbound. Though taught by her mother how to survive on her wits, she is an innocent in many ways, and the only person she judges harshly is herself. So many people she meets love her, but she must learn to lover herself as well as her friends if she is to find true happiness.
And so much has to happen before then.

A fascinating story inspired by true events. The story made me looking up on the Internet to read more about Tibb's life.

Rosanna Pike brings 16th Century England gloriously to life in her debut novel A Little Tickerie, a reimagining of a true story of fraud and belief. The book is based on the story of the ‘Holy Maid of Leominster’ – a hoax in which a woman claimed to be an angel who had appeared in the priory of a local church. But while this story is the jumping off point, Pike uses it to reflect on issues of religion, found families, intolerance and belonging.
A Little Trickerie opens with teenager Tibb Ingleby, newly orphaned and grieving, a vagabond in a time where that status could get a person imprisoned or killed. Tibb is rescued by Ivo, a young man around her age, living on the beach. The two form a bond and Ivo brings Tibb back from the brink. This narrative is broken up by sections telling the tale of a man in prison, waiting for the King to come to pass sentence on him. The tale builds up to the story of the Holy Maid of Leominster, in ways that would be a shame to spoil.
The whole endeavour is brought to life by Tibb and her idiosyncratic narration. Tibb is a glorious creation and the real success of the novel. Tibb is naïve yet canny, loving but with the capacity to be unthinkingly or unknowingly cruel as a result, not as clever as she would like to think she is living with trauma from her childhood, but also eternally optimistic. Tibb has an open soul, and an attitude that draws people to her, particularly outsiders. She is the heat and soul of the novel, in some ways extremely modern in her outlook but portrayed absolutely as a product of her time.
A Little Tickerie builds to something like a thriller as what starts as a plan to milk a little money out of a local community grows out of control. Pike builds that tension early and primes readers for disaster by the flash forward scenes. But she seeds the finale with landmines throughout Tibb’s picaresque adventures, bringing all of the threads together in a page-turning, heartfelt finale.

This was surprisingly good! A few pages in, I started to wonder if I’d made a mistake in choosing to read this book – the writing style was very unusual and I thought I was going to find it irritating – but once I settled into the story I fell in love with the narrator and was gripped all the way to the end.

The novel is set in the early Tudor period, during the reign of Henry VII, and begins with the death of Tibb Ingleby’s mother. Tibb has never known a home of her own; she and her mother have lived the life of vagabonds, moving from one place to another to escape the consequences of her mother’s con tricks or relationships with unsuitable men. Now, left alone in the world with her newborn baby sister to care for, Tibb sets off across the countryside with one aim in mind: to one day have her own roof over her head at last.

Tibb soon finds that making your own way in life as a young woman in 16th century England is not easy. She gets herself into trouble now and then and despite her wish to settle down in one place, she is forced to stay on the move. Along the way she meets a multitude of people including a troupe of travelling performers, a villainous farmer and even royalty. There’s also Ivo, a young man who, like herself, is an outcast who doesn’t feel he can conform to society’s expectations. She and Ivo become close friends and although most of the novel is narrated by Tibb herself, Ivo provides us with an occasional second perspective.

Tibb’s narrative style, as I’ve said, is unique and takes a while to get used to. She seems unaware of the correct words to describe things – a balding head becomes a ‘thinning-on-top-head’, being naked is ‘wearing a no-clothes outfit’, an empty room is a 'sad nothing-in-it room', all of which make sense but are not what other people would say. It fits with her portrayal as an illiterate, unsophisticated, naive young woman, but at the same time she’s certainly not stupid and I would have thought that with age and experience her language would have improved, yet she sounds the same at the end of the book as she does at the beginning. Still, the unusual narrative voice didn’t annoy me as much as I thought it would and I did love Tibb. One scene in the middle of the book even brought tears to my eyes, I was so emotionally invested in her story.

I had assumed Tibb was an entirely fictional character, so I was surprised to learn that she was inspired by a real-life woman known as the Holy Maid of Leominster who, like Tibb herself, engaged in fraud and ‘trickeries’ (although at least in Tibb’s case, she acted with the best of intentions). I really enjoyed this book and will look out for more by Rosanna Pike.

I fell in love with the language on page 1, then the characters (well some of them) and the story. An unusual book this as I normally abhor expletives when used like confetti but in this book they were a genuine part of the story.

If you are looking to be convinced to buy A Little Trickerie, I can offer no titbit to convince you other than it is a truly enchanting book which will draw you into its warm embrace.

Wow, loved this debut novel.

May 1500 and Tibb Ingleby a vagrant and her mother are still trying to get a roof over their heads. It’s her mother’s dream. Unfortunately the latest plan hatched by her mother goes terribly wrong.
Young Tibb heads off to survive, and meets Ivo at a beach.
This is the start of many a journey for Tibb.

I absolutely loved this book. “Sweary Mary” Tibb with her foul mouth and coarse ways. She learned a thing or two from her Ma which she carries through the story, chatting as if she is there with her. Quick witted and living by her wits. It makes you realise how it must have been for people of that era.
A fab debut novel from the author Rosanna Pike. I certainly will be looking forward to reading any further books.
The book says at the start inspired by true events. After finishing it I will take a peek online to see what they are.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

This was a truly unique book for 2024.

Tibb is a remarkable character, whose growth and tenacity throughout the novel is humbling. Despite her traumatic childhood and life experiences, she is fiercely protective of those she loves and exudes warmth. Rough around the edges, she has a cheeky and funny side to her, making it impossible not to love this one-of-a-kind heroine.

The novel takes us on a journey across late medieval/the beginnings of Tudor England, along the coasts, into towns and cities and to small churches. She meets many new faces along the way, including travelling performers, purple-hued men and Margaret Beaufort, King Henry VII’s mother.

It’s a book that tackles difficult themes, yet still manages to be uplifting and thought-provoking.

This novel is fiercely original, utterly beautiful in its exploration of humanity and friendship and one I found very difficult to let go of.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

It's very rare I can't finish a book. And I couldn't finish this - yet. Not because it's not brilliant, because it is, but because the sense of foreboding of what will happen next just got too much for me, so I have had to stop for a break before I go in again.
That's how gripping and real this book is - it will genuinely grasp you and hold you tight, while it leads along paths that feel very unsafe, with bad things ahead for characters you quickly come to love.

Tibb Ingleby is a vagrant, something that is against the law in the early sixteenth century. After the death of her mother she is alone until she meets Ivo and then Ambrose. What follows is a breathtaking account of how they escape from the restrictions of this time to live the life they want.

What I liked about this book. The narrative is mainly from Tibb's point of view and her voice is wonderfully clear.. She is foul mouthed and crude but her wit and humanity shine through. Understandably. because the book is mainly from her viewpoint, she dominates the story but we do get a glimpse of Ivo's life too. This part was nerve-wracking and I found it a difficult read.

What I was not so sure about. The part with the angel dragged a little with a fair amount of repetition. I would have liked to know more about the real events upon which the story is base.

Overall a really good debut with an unusual and unique premise. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A Little Trickerie
by Rosanna Pike

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction

This sounded like something I would enjoy, a historical real with an unusual main character. I found it a somewhat strange read though, and really lost interest when the angel part started.
I really liked Tibb though, she was such a sad character and yet somehow she always seems to find a way through the tragedies that befall her. Its strange to think from today's POV how almost naive and ready to believe in anything people were then. I suppose they had so little control over their lives and families, that maybe it gave them some sense of control, of something that held order?
There were parts I enjoyed, the beginning was fascinating, and then when Tibb met Ivo that was different, I felt “with” them as they struggled to just get by in life, find food and shelter. Then the next characters Tibb meets, and her adventures, but I wasn't as connected with the story then, and the last third I really didn't enjoy.


Stars: Three, I did enjoy parts, mainly the first third, but its not a story I'd reread.

ARC supplied by netgalley and publishers

Tibb, a feisty young vagabond with a good heart, travels around Tudor England, making friends and enemies along the way. Life was perilous in the 1500s and Tibb’s life and friends fall foul of many civil and religious laws. I read breathlessly, hoping for a happy ending for Tibb and the little family of friends she gathers around her. I loved the way Tibb expresses herself with her quirky turns of phrase, although I don’t think the f-word was used at that time quite in the way Tibb uses it.

As I started the book I felt doubtful about it but as i progressed I became engaged with the story. I was involved with the 2 characters and was hoping for their success. The story progressed and i felt much less enthusiastic about the phase when the book is telling about the travelling players.
I was pleased to rad of the complete acceptance of the gay story.
After Tibb was rescued from having been bought, I felt that the story became a bit ridiculous as we entered the phase of the angel. I have mixed feelings about this read.

Tibb Ingleby and her mother are vagabonds and when her mother's last attempt to arrange a roof over their heads ends in her death, Tibb is on her own. She meets young Ivo who is fleeing from his own demons and together they find a way to survive. Until one day Ivo leaves her without an explanation.

This book is set in Tudor England, but it is actually 100% a novel and not a historical story (just an historical setting). It's about a young girl who looks at the world in her own way and tries to make the best of it. The writing style is smooth, funny and you really do get inside Tibb's head. As always, after a while I did get a bit more fed up with a special writing style. I'm a plot reader.

And that plot may not seem so special, but the plot building is rather smart. Everyone Tibb meets has their place in the story and at the end Pike finishes each storyline nicely. I always find it incredibly clever when a story is brought full circle. So in that sense, this was a heartwarming story with a lot of modern themes and, at times, a lot of humour.

Apart from Tibb's perspective, you also get some characters from Ivo's point of view at a difficult time for him. For me, these parts weren't necessary, but they were short anyway.

Near the end, Pike brings out a 'deus ex machina' at one point in the form of a historical person and, for me personally, I didn't like it. Although, something needed to be done to end this trickerie :).

A little trickerie is an original debut novel, though I'm not sure if I'll remember this one for a long time.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.