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The Barbecue at No.9
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The Barbecue at No.9

By: Jennie Godfrey
Narrated by: Gemma Whelan, Josh Dylan, Raffey Cassidy, Stephen Mangan
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

FROM THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS . . .

In the summer of 1985, the entire country is poised for the biggest music event in history – Live Aid.

The residents of Delmont Close are preparing for a neighbourhood barbecue to celebrate this historic moment, but someone uninvited is watching them closely, getting ready to make their move. But who are they watching, and why?

The Gordons – Hanna, her high-strung mother Lydia and sweet father Peter – have opened the doors to their home. And when their neighbours flood in, so do all the secrets that have been kept in the close. There is Rita, a new resident from Australia, Steve a young man who is battling his own demons, Aunty Beverley who has come to pass judgment on her relatives.

The Barbecue at No.9 explores family, friendship and love with Jennie Godfrey’s signature wit, warmth and bite.

© Jennie Godfrey 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

 20th Century Domestic Thrillers Family Life Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Thriller & Suspense

Critic reviews

From the very first page I was in awe. I LOVED it. Jennie Godfrey has such an incredible gift for characterisation (Marian Keyes)
A beautiful story about secrets, lies and community. This is a gorgeous novel that will steal your heart (Graham Norton)
Set against the backdrop of Live Aid, and covering everything from Jammy Dodgers to Queen, this is a delicious and irresistibly good-hearted story about ordinary lives and the dark secrets that lie behind the net curtains. What emerges is a plea for facing the things of which we are most afraid, even if it requires the help of a bowl of Twiglets. An utter treat. (Rachel Joyce)
Gripping, suspenseful, moving, perfectly constructed - and every bit as good as, if not better than, its stonkingly successful predecessor, The List of Suspicious Things (Sophie Hannah)
Brilliantly evocative and deliciously addictive. I couldn't stop reading until all the characters' secrets were revealed. (Claire Fuller)
WHAT a book! Jennie Godfrey is such a tremendous storyteller. She writes characters who seem to have existed forever - they move into your heart straight away and stay there. This book is so real, human and hope-filled, and it doesn't shy away from the dark, while encouraging us all to embrace the light. Hanna is already one of my all time favourite heroines. (Daisy Buchanan)
I could smell the musky Impulse body spray, taste the cremated sausages, and hear the Live Aid concert. The Barbecue at No.9 sizzles with secrets, suspense, superbly drawn characters, and so much heart. Jennie has done it again. I loved it! (Nikki May)
I absolutely loved it! What a joy. Great characters and just so absorbing and funny and intriguing. (Jane Fallon)
A brilliantly absorbing and satisfying novel full of heart and humanity. I laughed, cried and felt better for having read it. (Cathy Rentzenbrink)
A gorgeous novel, I adored it, Jennie Godfrey’s writing if pure joy, she is such a gifted storyteller. (Clare Leslie Hall)
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