A Little Trickerie
 | |
| Author | Rosanna Pike |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Set in | Early Tudor England |
| Publisher | Fig Tree |
| Publication date | 1 August 2024 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
A Little Trickerie is a 2024 historical fiction novel and the debut novel of Rosanna Pike. Set in the early Tudor period, the novel is based on the true story of the Holy Maid of Leominster.[1][2] A Little Trickerie became a Sunday Times bestseller and won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize among other accolades.
Background
Pike gained inspiration for the novel when she stumbled upon the "extremely brief" Wikipedia page for the Holy Maid of Leominster.[3] Known as Elizabeth, the Holy Maid appeared to the priory in Leominster as an angel and developed a cult following before being exposed as a fraud. This took place in the late 15th or early 16th century.[4] In 2023, Fig Tree (a Penguin Books imprint) acquired the rights to publish Pike's debut novel A Little Trickerie in 2024.[5]
Synopsis
Born and raised in vagrancy during the reign of Henry VII, 14-year-old Tibb Ingleby is orphaned and alone following the death of her mother. The novel follows her travels through the English countryside. This culminates in the Holy Maid scheme, which Tibb aims to utilise to make money.
Reception
A Little Trickerie debuted on The Sunday Times bestseller list.[6][7] Imogen Hermes Gowar of The Guardian compared the novel to Rose Tremain's Restoration (1989).[1]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Women's Prize for Fiction | Longlisted | [8] | |
| Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award | Won | [9] | ||
| Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize | Won | [10] | ||
References
- 1 2 Hermes Gowar, Imogen (31 July 2024). "A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike review – loveable historical fiction". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ↑ Turner, Marion (29 July 2024). "Self-sacrifice, swindles and starvation: the dangerous lives of Medieval women". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ↑ "In conversation with Rosanna Pike". Women's Prize for Fiction. 14 March 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ Pollard, Justin (2009), Secret Britain: The Hidden Bits of Our History, John Murray, ISBN 978-1-84854-198-6
- ↑ Brown, Lauren (6 June 2023). "Fig Tree pre-empts Pike's 'dazzling' debut novel inspired by medieval conwoman". The Bookseller. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ↑ "A LITTLE TRICKERIE is an instant Sunday Times Bestseller". Paper Literary. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ↑ "Debut novel interview: Rosanna Pike on A Little Trickerie". Bath Novel Awards. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "Announcing the 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction longlist!". Women's Prize for Fiction. 4 March 2025. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
- ↑ "Launch of Fresh Ink Subscription and Goldsboro Glass Bell Winner 2025". Goldsboro Books. 2025-10-03. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
- ↑ "Rosanna Pike wins Wodehouse Prize 2025 with A Little Trickerie book". British Comedy Guide. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 2026-05-21.