The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels: the Bestselling Richard & Judy Book Club Pick

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This was unfortunately just ok for me. I really enjoyed The Appeal and have been chasing that feeling with Hallett’s other two books and they just haven’t lived up to her debut for me. Another absolutely brilliant mystery by one of my favourite crime writers. Take the role of investigator and let yourself be immersed in this fantastic novel. Five stars! -- Louise Mullins, author of ONE NIGHT ONLY But do we care enough about this baby? Readers presumably shouldn’t find themselves wistfully thinking, as I did once or twice: “But didn’t this all happen ages ago? Is it time to let it lie?” I think the problem is Amanda. In Hallett’s previous books, the detection of the crime – and the crimes themselves – had origins in characters we learned to care about. Here, the narrative engine is a woman whose psychotic single-mindedness is admittedly interesting, but who has no personal involvement. What’s her motivation? If she’s writing purely for gain, how much will she lose if she fails? What I most enjoyed were the passages of pastiche – especially the snatches of an airport novel called White Wings. And as ever, the author’s control of the material is masterly, the eventual solution quelling any misgivings or objections the reader may have had along the way. Absolutely loved The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. So gripping but also has real emotional heart. Bravo -- Alice Clark-Platt, author of THE COVE I appreciate books that do this dossier format, here though I felt like the reader needed to want to play detective in a way that I never do in mysteries. I never go into a book trying to put on my detective hat with an old school pipe to suss out what really happened and which characters might be lying to me, and here I felt as though Hallett wanted the reader to construct their own murder board with doodles of characters connected by red string to really get the most enjoyment out of the book.

I honestly have not read a mystery/thriller this good in a LONG time. I almost NEVER rate mysteries 5 -stars. This one absolutely captivated me from the start.As the daughter of a librarian Jen's love of books started from a very early age. Her reading obsession continued throughout her teenage years when she studied both English Language and English Literature at college. Now, author Amanda Bailey is writing a book on the case. The Alperton baby has turned eighteen; finding them will be the true-crime scoop of the year. But rival author Oliver Menzies is just as smart, better connected, and also on the baby’s trail. So, what is this about: Janice Hallett books are kind of their own subgenre now in my mind. She is becoming an autobuy and autoread, she writes puzzles in book form which I find really really entertaining and I want some more (even if none hit my mental barrier of full fledged 5 star reads, which can be a very subjective thing which I can not quite explain!)

I loved the format and the whole story felt so authentic. I almost believed there was a real life case of the Alperton Angels. I think the format of the book really added to the authenticity. Janice Hallett, the author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code, is on a roll. In this quirky, clever tale, two rival true-crime authors are delving into the case of the Alperton Angels.”It's not enough to say that this book is fascinating, gripping and clever. It's an astonishing piece of work. Janice Hallett is playing a different ball game to the rest of us -- Ian Moore, author of DEATH AND CROISSANTS Amanda hopes to tie all her research into a new crime novel about the Alperton Angels told from a new perspective. The time is the present, and the Alperton Angel case occurred 20 years ago, in 2003. The Alperton Angels were a small cult led by the charismatic and manipulative Gabriel. His followers were led to believe that they were angels. With the end of days approaching, their duty was to sacrifice a baby he termed the Antichrist. The teenage 'mother' Holly escaped with a young man and the baby; their whereabouts are unknown. In the aftermath of the 'devil child's disappearance, the remaining followers were reported to have committed suicide, and their bodies were displayed in a ritualistic fashion. The number found dead at the scene was disputed. Nearly two decades later, true-crime author Amanda Bailey is writing a book on the Angels. The Alperton baby has turned eighteen and can finally be interviewed - if Amanda can find them, it will be the true-crime scoop of the year, and will save her flagging career. But rival author Oliver Menzies is just as smart, better connected, and is also on the baby's trail.

It's not enough to say that this book is fascinating, gripping and clever. It's an astonishing piece of work. Janice Hallett is playing a different ball game to the rest of us.” So for a lot of the middle it felt kind of like a slog to get through, but once the story neared the third act and the narrative was doing the job of wrapping things up I was once again invested. Janice Hallett, the author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code, is on a roll. In this quirky, clever tale, two rival true-crime authors are delving into the case of the Alperton Angels * The Times (Best Books of 2023) * What a compelling, complex, utterly gripping read. Hallett's cast of characters - both major and minor - are fully formed and so integral to the unfolding plot -- Sue Teddern, author of ANNIE STANLEY, ALL AT SEAAll this renders The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels a deviously twisting and twisted puzzle layered with a multitude of deceptions, intrigues and red herrings. It combines the best aspects of the thriller and the whodunnit to present a challenging conundrum for readers to unravel. This witty, clever, and multi-layered plot is a dark story relieved by touches of humour. Amanda is compelled to work with a rival author, Oliver Menzies, who is also writing a book about the Angel's case for a different publisher. Amanda was deeply hurt by him in the past but decides to cooperate. They agree to focus on different aspects of the case for their upcoming books. Amanda is considered the better reporter, but Oliver has better connections. Oliver publishes in a newspaper some of Amanda's work and a photograph she took. He is not embarrassed or apologetic for his deception and manages to get an interview with Gabriel. He refuses to share anything regarding this interview with Amanda. Oliver seems to have fallen under Gabriel's spell and is becoming obsessed with supernatural spirits, angels, demons, and the Antichrist. People are concerned about his break from reality, but Amanda insists he will snap out of it. However, I just found the solution of the case too mundane in an odd way. A lot of coincidences had to pile up to make the story as bizarre as it was, so seeing it all unravelled felt almost underwhelming. Additionally, I didn't really find the solution very realistic in some places. I'm trying to avoid spoilers here - but in such a straightforward plan, why the angels, Gabriel? I wish we had gotten more clear answers there. Also, I didn't like Oliver throughout, but by the end he was really off the rails in the worst way.