Our book group choice for November 2022 is Toto Among the Murderers by Sally J. Morgan. It is 1973 and Jude – known to her friends as Toto – has just graduated from art school and moves into a house in a run-down part of Leeds.
The year is 1973. Jude Totton, known to her friends as Toto, has just graduated from art school and moved into a run-down house in Chapeltown, Leeds. Toto is a chaotic wild child who flirts with the wrong kind of people, drinks too much and gets stoned too often. She is also a talented artist, but her restless nature makes it difficult for her to focus on her work.
Toto’s best friend is Nel, a more stable and grounded young woman. Nel is in a relationship with Simon, an artistic narcissist who is emotionally abusive to her. Toto tries to help Nel, but she is unable to break her friend’s cycle of self-destruction.
One day, Toto meets Janice, a local sex worker who introduces her to the seedy underbelly of Chapeltown. Toto is fascinated by Janice’s world, and she begins to explore the darker side of Leeds. She also starts to hitchhike, which takes her on a series of dangerous adventures.
As Toto’s life spirals out of control, she begins to suspect that she is being followed. She is also haunted by the news reports of a serial killer who is targeting young women in Leeds. Toto is terrified that she will be next, but she is also drawn to the danger.
Toto’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of living on the edge. It is also a powerful portrait of a young woman struggling to find her place in the world. Toto is a complex and compelling character, and her journey is both exhilarating and heartbreaking.
In addition to its suspenseful plot, Toto Among the Murderers also offers a vivid portrait of Leeds in the 1970s. The novel captures the city’s grittiness and its sense of danger, but it also shows the beauty and creativity that existed there at the time. Toto Among the Murderers is a must-read for anyone who loves coming-of-age stories, crime novels, or historical fiction.
Additional information about the book:
- The novel is set in Leeds, England, in 1973. This was a time of great social and political upheaval, and the city was home to a thriving counterculture scene.
- The novel’s protagonist, Jude Totton, is a young woman who is struggling to come to terms with her past. She was abused as a child, and she is still haunted by the trauma. Her reckless behavior is a way of coping with her pain, but it is also putting her in danger.
- The novel explores the themes of female friendship, trauma, and survival. It is a story about the dark side of the 1970s, but it is also a story about hope and redemption.
- The novel has been praised for its vivid portrayal of the 1970s, its complex characters, and its unflinching exploration of difficult subjects.
Discussion Questions for Toto Among the Murderers
- How did you find reading the book?
- What did you think about the narrative style of the book – was having two narrators effective?
- And the writing style as a whole?
- What do you think the book is trying to say about men, women and violence? Does it succeed?
- Was the emphasis on the Wests in the blurb of the book necessary, or appropriate.
- How believable did you find Toto as a character?
- The book won the Portico Prize, awarded to the book that best evokes the spirit of the North of England. Do you think it did?
- To whom would you recommend this?
Individual Ratings
Kelby's Rating 
Baljit's Rating
EmmaT's Rating
Sue's Rating
Jo's Rating