A terrific, innovative book which was a joy to explore and investigate. I was initially unsure about the email format for the first part of the book, but gradually became drawn into the various threads and relationships between the characters. At one point it felt vaguely transgressive to be reading personal emails that were obviously written without thought for an outside observer. I particularly loved the nuances between what was being written and what was actually felt - confided in emails to another person, and the fact that the reader had to piece together the information themselves from incomplete conversations and trails. Reading between the lines was wonderful and led to several blind alleys and misconceptions, even with Charlotte and Femi, the two articled clerks who were embarking on the investigation themselves. This ellision proved the only awkward part of the novel for me, and I found their repetition of the facts and assumptions initially repetitive and irritating. However they did allow several interpretations of the evidence - usually told to a side-kick like Hastings or Watson in traditional detective stories - and sorted out some of the more subtle connections.

I found this a really enjoyable read and very different in feel from a traditional mystery/ detective story, yet retaining several recognisable elements of the genre. It was cleverly plotted and the gradual release of detail and information was subtle and absorbing. I was gripped and keen to discover the full extent of the intrigue to the very end. Difficult to replicate, but in this age of technological evidence in court cases, surely fertile ground for further investigations? I look forward with interest to another book from this intelligent and fascinating writer.

Having seen so many people raving about this book on social media I decided to request for myself but sadly it just wasn't for me and I eventually gave up and DNF before I even reached the halfway point. I've seen people say that it picks up towards the end but for me a book needs to grab my attention early on to make me want to carry on reading.

I can't even say it was the style that it was written in, in the format of email exchanges and direct or text messages, as I've read books before written in a similar format, I think for me there was just too many characters and I found myself getting bored of the repetitiveness of the messages. I know this was probably to try and drip feed Chinese whispers style but whether it all worked in the end I really couldn't care.

Maybe I'll try go back to this at a later date and see if it grabs me differently but for me life is too short to read something that just doesn't appeal!

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this ARC from NetGalley and Viper Books.

I found the format of (mainly) emails made this difficult to read and I think if it hadn't been in Ebook form, where I could search for characters' names etc, I would have struggled to follow the plot.

However, the last 30% or so it really picked up and I was satisfied with the ending. I think more input from Charlotte and Remi would have made it an easier read to follow.

My favourite quote:
"I know not to mix red wine with white, but didn't realise mixing it with jelly snakes would give me such a hangover."

There were some shocking twists and I almost feel I need to go back and re-read it now I now what happens!

This was the most engrossing, and hardest novel to put down that I’ve possibly ever read. Maybe because the format of the book was so completely original and unique, but also because the plot and characters were all so well thought out.

It’s difficult to describe but I’ll try...

Being handed this story is like being handed a case file from the perspective of a lawyer/solicitor - you know a crime has been committed, and it’s suggested that the wrong person has been imprisoned, but the rest you can try to work out for yourself from the different methods of correspondence which have been provided.

From our possible suspects/witnesses, we have emails, text messages, police transcripts and voice notes over a number of months leading to the crime - and my, what a terrible lot of characters they are! Manipulative, arrogant, selfish, rude, violent, cowardly, obsessive - there’s no way you’ll read this without screaming at the pages a good few times!

This is a novel which will absolutely illicit a reaction from readers - I was on the edge of my seat with pulse racing so much throughout, and just had to keep turning the page to find out what might happen next. This was another one of those rare books which kept me up way past my bedtime, because even though it’s quite sizeable, the format and novelty of it makes it feel like time is flying by!

I don’t want to give anything else away, but would just genuinely implore any crime/thriller/law procedural fans to pick this book up straight away - in fact, I might APPEAL to you to do so. (Sorry, couldn’t resist). This book is outstanding, remarkable and all the other big words that mean READ IT.

Clever, original brilliant read. When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy reading numerous emails. It took a little while to get used to it. The book covers the review all the evidence from a murder conviction awaiting appeal. The reader doesn't know who the victim was or who was convicted until near the end. The author also uses the clever ploy of two others, Femi and Charlotte reading them along side and periodically discussing what they have learned. Not so much a who dunnit rather than a who didn't do it.

In The Appeal a stroke of fate brings an English village community together: little Poppy Reswick is sick with cancer. The local theater company "The Fairway Players" quickly donated £ 250,000 for the treatment. But suddenly the money is gone. Could someone be so hardened as to steal from a sick child? The answer is yes - and he or she doesn't shy away from murder in order to cover up the crime. But someone has given himself away in the emails that go back and forth within the group. Between the lines, the members show their true colors, because everyone involved has their own goals and no one knows better than the fairway players how to pull off a show.

This is a captivating and refreshingly original thriller with tonnes of mystery, intrigue, rich atmospherics and a exhilarating dark humour that had me laughing to myself throughout the story. It's superbly written and moves at a brisk pace yet it's the characterisation that sets it apart from the rest; they are multilayered and very human coming alive more and more with each turn of the page. There are evocative moments and deeply troubling crimes and as the inhabitants live in such a small village they must face up to the facts that there is a killer in their midst who has absolutely no shame. If you are bored by the same identikit thrillers being churned out month after month then look no further; this is undoubtedly the most unique thriller I've read in a long time. Grab it while you can. Highly recommended.

I thought that The Appeal by Janice Hallett sounded really interesting but I found myself not enjoying the format. It uses emails, police reports, news articles and other forms of communication to tell the story. I think it might be more enjoyable in paperback instead of the ebook version that I have because all of the writing was squashed together on the page. I found that I really had to concentrate so I could tell when one communication started and another one finished. The parts that I found easier to understand are the communications with bold writing, red coloured font and different styles of fonts.

I found myself skipping pages hoping that I would find something that would capture my attention and get me hooked but unfortunately it never happened. I liked the idea of the way the book was written but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.

I recieved an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.

In a town full of secrets: someone was murdered and someone went to prison. Everyone is a suspect. Can you uncover the truth.

The format is unusual but compelling. The lives of the people in the Fairway Players amateur dramatics group are mostly told through the form of emails and text messages. A young girl called Poppy has been diagnosed with cancer and the community pull together to raise funds for her revolutionary treatment . Law studentd Femi and Charlotte are sifting through crime reports, emils and whats app messages to try and unravel the mystery surrounding the Sam Greenwood's murder. He had been part of the amateur dramatics group.

This is a cleverly crafted story. I thought the style it was written in would put me off, but i soon got used to it. You are reading the evidence alongside Femi and Charlotte so you need to spot the clues within the evidence to solve the crime. This is a most enjiyable read that made a nice change from the norm.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #SerpentsTail/ProfileBooks and the author #JaniceHallett for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two law interns are asked to look over documents relating to a murder case. The documents, consisting of emails, letters, and texts between the main parties of the case, relate to a death amongst the members of the Fairway Players, an amateur dramatic society. Someone is in prison for the crime but are they actually innocent?

This is a crime thriller written with a difference as the entire book is written in the form of emails, letters, and texts, and it's up to the reader to see if they can spot the details that point to the perpetrator. The format does take a little getting used to, but a couple of chapters in, and I was engrossed in the story. The plot itself is deceptively straightforward, but the author does a great job of adding red herrings and skillful misdirection, yet the clues are all there in the text. For me, the novelty of the layout did start to wear off towards the end but it is worth sticking with.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Serpent's Tail/Profile Books/Viper, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Firstly, a big thanks to @viper.books, @janice.hallett & @netgalley for my ARC of The Appeal! Out on January 14th - I highly recommend preordering it now!

READ THIS IF... you like twisty murder mysteries, unreliable narrators, or unconventionally formatted novels.

THE STORY... Law students Femi and Charlotte are enlisted by their professor to provide an outsider’s view on a case he is about to appeal. The case centres around an amateur theatre group, a geriatric ward, and the small town they both belong to. Their only insight is from the texts, emails, and documents that they are provided with. Now, will you crack the case before they do?

I... picked this up thinking I wouldn’t want to read much as I’d been reading emails at work all day - I couldn’t have been more wrong!

I don’t remember the last time I read a book so quickly. It’s a cliché, but in this case it applies - I couldn’t put this book down. Janice Hallett has created a complex web of characters, none of whom you’ll be sure if you can trust. As someone who took part in amateur theatre throughout my childhood, I loved the depiction of The Fairway Players and how the tensions within turned deadly.

I don’t give star ratings because I find them stressful, but without a doubt this is a 5 star read that has a place on everyone’s bookshelf.

NOW... This has made me even more excited for the other ARCs I have ready to read from @viperbooks! I’ll be recommending this and Call Me Mummy to every thriller fan I know.

Ok ...... so if someone had explained to me, the story was entirely emails, texts etc I wouldn’t have fancied it!

I’m so happy to be proved wrong!! Yes it was different but you soon forget how it’s set out and actually feel more involved with the story ....., like your the one solving the outcome. (No giveaways here).

Definitely give this book a read - you won’t be disappointed- enjoy !!

Thanks #netgalley #janicehallet #theappeal #viper

https://www.instagram.com/Bookstagramshaz

An interesting innovative book which is difficult to describe without giving too much away because I think the format of the telling is a big part of the enjoyment.
I wouldn’t say it was suspenseful but it was an easy and fascinating read that I couldn’t put down. A very original offering for which the author deserves a big pat on the back.
So all that praise and I’m not giving it five stars. If I could do four and a half I would but I can’t and it was quite confusing trying to keep in my head who all the characters were and who was related to whom. This is perhaps a bit unfair because if it was a paper copy rather than an ebook I could have more easily and quickly referred back to the who’s who which is given. However my review is for the ebook.

I was looking forward to this book from the moment I read the synopsis. I love to try and work out the 'who' and 'why' dunnits and it intrigued me a lot!

The name alone refers to more than one 'Appeal'. The first we read about is the appeal of the 'murderer', whose QC has instructed two law assistants to go over the evidence of the case to see if they can see what he believes he has seen before he takes it further.

The second appeal surrounds a young girl diagnosed with a rare tumour. Her family are members of a local drama group who, while rehearsing for their latest production, rally round to raise as much as possible to get her the experimental treatment her doctors think she needs.

The intriguing part of this book is that it is told solely in emails, texts, direct messages and lead all the way to the murder and beyond. There are lots of characters to keep track of and it is definitely not an easy relaxing read, but I really enjoyed trying to work it out from what was there. Definitely recommend if you really like to try and 'solve' a case!

I was hooked by this book which is told mostly through the reading of emails and text messages. Lots of twists, turns and a really good plot.
I did think maybe I'd get a bit irritated with the reading style of texts and emails but it really worked in this instance.
I would highly recommend giving this book a go

WOW. My head is REELING from the twists in this book. I'm still trying to work it all out!
I love books that have an unusual approach, and this is about as original as they come. Two legal assistants are given the task of reading through pages and pages of emails and text message transcripts on a murder case and the reader is taken along for the ride.
What a wild ride. I lost count of the amount of times I gasped, said out loud 'oh my God' or 'I spotted that bit!'
Absolutely thrilling and one I have already started recommending it to friends. I cannot recommend it enough. I definitely suggest keeping a photo or screenshot of the cast list and character relationships until you're confident with them. And prepare for the reveals of the last 20%, I am stunned.
This is a book-of-the-year nomination for me already.
Just do yourself a favour, and read it.

I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book but was unsure what to expect - all I can say is, in an era where so many thrillers seem to follow a strikingly similar pattern, this was a refreshingly different book with an unexpected format, and Hallett is be applauded for such a clever debut novel. I was hooked from the beginning and it kept me guessing right to the end.

Two law students are asked to review an appeal case - a member of a local amateur dramatics society has been murdered but has the right person been convicted? The book is made up entirely of the emails, messages and other documents that the students are provided with, and as they review the case, the reader is able to play detective with them and try and follow the clues to uncover the truth behind the murder.

There are so many clever elements to this book - the title refers not only to the murder case but also to a fundraising appeal for a child with cancer that is at the heart of the book. There is a lot going on in the book, but somehow Hallett manages to keep the reader engaged, as well as impressively developing the characters, of which there are quite a lot, and letting us to get know them, despite a format which you imagine initially would make that hard. There are plenty of twists and turns, interspersed with some wonderful touches of humour - I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for something a little different in this genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and Viper Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

In a town full of secrets, someone was murdered, someone went to prison and everyone is a suspect – can you uncover the truth?

When I read the blurb of this book I immediately wanted to read it, as I see myself as a bit of a sleuth convinced I can solve any murder mystery.

The style of this book as well is superb – what you read are documents relating to the events surrounding an Am-Dram group called The Fairway Players. The answer is hidden within the emails, texts and letters that you read, but can you uncover the truth? I didn’t!!! So much for my super-sleuthing!!!

The only downside I would say, is that there is a long list of characters which can sometimes be confusing, however, I got so involved in this book – that I sat down (like a lawyer!) and made a list of everyone, and their relationships to each other (I told you that I see myself as Miss Marple!)

I absolutely love books that are written in the style of letters or diaries, as you really feel like you are being nosy and getting a proper insight into the character’s lives, and I can’t believe that this is the authors debut thriller.

“The Appeal” is not just an exceptional debut from Janice Hallett, but a literary event. This original, entirely gripping crime thriller is constructed to perfection and quite frankly is a masterpiece!

Two assistants to a solicitor receive a bundle of documents relating to a case that he is appealing. Requesting they view the documents with fresh eyes and form their own theories, they are drawn into the lives of a small community in Lockwood that centres around an amateur dramatics society, the local hospitals and a charity appeal to raise funds for life-saving US drugs for a sick toddler. As the young associates delve into the documents and liaise with the solicitor, the crime reveals itself and gradually the truth of the situation is presented. Can the young associates solve the puzzles of this crime and free a wrongly convicted person from prison?

I was completely blown away by how exciting and tense “The Appeal” is. It is refreshingly original and I have never read anything quite like it before. This is predominantly down to the inventive style that Hallett has adopted to construct this mystery. With echoes of epistolary novel style, the plot unfolds through a series of correspondences. This is a 21st century novel though, so what we read is a series of emails, text and WhatsApp messages. I loved this style and I breezed through the novel because it was so easy to read. Similarly, it was easy to get totally hooked too! Once I started “The Appeal”, I simply couldn’t put it down (quite literally, not until I was forced to!). I really enjoyed the freedom of no chapters, as it allowed me to carry on reading as if I was either Femi or Charlotte (the young law associates) and I was drawn into the world of the characters completely. There are natural breaks or pauses in the correspondence, which offers moments to gather your thoughts and theorise with Femi and Charlotte. However, despite reading all of the evidence, I still didn’t guess the final conclusion. There’s plenty of suspense built up over the course of the narrative and some shocking twists that are revealed. I really enjoyed that when you first start reading you are completely unaware of what the crime is, reflecting the position that Femi and Charlotte are in. This helped make “The Appeal” really exciting to read, the true definition of a page-turner!

As well as being cleverly constructed, Hallett also proves herself an excellent writer. I was impressed by how authentic the voices of the multiple characters are. Hallett captures the different traits each character has effortlessly and the correspondence from each of them is so different. I also really enjoyed the underlying critique of social hierarchies that meanders through the narrative. It was interesting to consider social standing, the impressions that we give to our friends and neighbours and what we hide to retain our social position when reading through the evidence and the theories Femi and Charlotte present. It made me think about the prejudices that we all hold and how quickly we all judge those who are socially awkward, are outside or outcast from our social circles. There are so many interesting themes explored in “The Appeal” and in addition to the social commentary, I particularly enjoyed the explorations of greed, obsession, the desire to reveal the truth at all costs and the lies we tell our family (and friends).

To say that “The Appeal” is a must-read is an understatement. Janice Hallett is a fresh new voice in crime fiction, with a unique and exhilarating debut that should be on everyone’s TBR pile for 2021. I can’t wait to read more from her!

“The Appeal” written by Janice Hallett is her debut novel and wow! What a book to publish for your first outing in the world of fiction.
Hand on heart, I can honestly say, I have never read a book narrated in the way this was. Told completely and purely through emails, letters, WhatsApp conversations and police reports, we are privy to evidence for a legal appeal due in court very soon. Someone was murdered. Someone went to prison. Everyone’s a suspect. Can you for uncover the truth? All the documents relate to the events surrounding the Fairway Players’ staging of ‘All My Sons’ and the tragic death of one of its members. As a reader, you are challenged to read the evidence and help discover who the real killer is. You don’t know who is dead or who is accused until quite a way into the story, so you truly are reading the documents as a court/legal team would, to accurately uncover the truth.
I was gripped from the first page, finding it so easy to pick up on events and who was who. There’s plenty of information for you to make informed opinions and together with messages between Femi and Charlotte - who are the people working on the case, “The Appeal” is a true enigma of a story with twists and turns along the way to keep you on your toes.
The author has used her experience in amateur dramatics to write an authentic account of how a play is enacted and along with the different types of personalities these events attract, I was intrigued by how serious people take it.
I do admit this book may not be for everyone. If you’re looking for a traditionally narrated story this won’t be for you but if you’re open for a complete change and a unique fun way of solving a crime, then this is just perfect and I suspect, may even be a new trend of refreshing storytelling for authors to follow.

4 stars

Meggy to Herself
5:35pm
Everything in The Appeal screams masterpiece.

Herself to Meggy
5:38pm
That is not a review. Build your case!

From chocolatenwaffles@gmail.com to chocolatenwaffles@wordpress.com
cc: herself@gmail.com
5:56pm

Police procedurals follow their own rules. Whodunnits wander dark paths. Legal thrillers create mazes you get lost in. Cosy mysteries walk cobbled streets.

And then you have The Appeal. Although it belongs to the crime fiction genre, I had never read anything like. Weird for someone who has been devouring murder stories for years!

Herself to Meggy
6:01pm

You’ve confirmed you know what you are talking about. Now get to the point!

Meggy to Herself
6:03pm
No need to rush things!!!!

Herself to Meggy
6:07pm
If I don’t, you’ll babble for another half hour. WHY DID YOU LIKE THE BOOK?

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cc: herself@gmail.com
6:57pm

The book reads like a game. You stand at the start line and get a brief idea of what you’re going to face. Your trainer only gives you the basics. Read the documents. Find the truths and lies hidden in them. And so it begins.

Let’s talk about the format. Formats, should I say. The Appeal is made up of bits and snippets. Emails, WhatsApp conversations, messages, articles. Miscellaneous documents revolving around a group of people, a play, and a sick child. If the idea sounds brilliant, it takes one grain of sand to turn it into a mess. Thankfully, the author’s flair and skill deliver one of the best narrations I have ever read.
Some things are very clear from the start: a solicitor has tasked two of his assistants to dig into a case to find evidence that the woman convicted of murder did not do it. Crystal clear and yet so intricate…

Herself to Meggy
7:55pm
You and your suspense…

Meggy to Herself
8:01pm
Leave me alone, I can’t help it if I like to play with my reviews when a book has inspired me!

Herself to Meggy
8:03pm
As long as you don’t bore the world to death…

Twitter @RousselMeggy
When your inner voice won’t shut up and you really don’t need it to finish a review… Too bad you can’t strangle it!

From chocolatenwaffles@gmail.com to chocolatenwaffles@wordpress.com
cc: herself@gmail.com
8:07pm

You don’t know who is in jail. You don’t know who died. But you meet a mixed cast of characters through their correspondence. Reading all the emails and texts, I realize just how many bits of ourselves we put out there, but also how easy it is to build an idea or opinion on words without having the full context surrounding them. The result is scary. So, I treaded carefully from one email to the other, from one phone to the other, memorizing names and places. The author forced me to stay alert and scrutinize everything. EVERYTHING.

An amateur drama club is planning their next play. Little Poppy gets sick. A cure is available, but money is needed. Everyone gets involved, even the newly arrived in town: Sam and Kel. Who wouldn’t want to help a kid get better?

Despite all the good intentions floating on the surface, it soon appears that something is off.

Instagram DM
Herself to Meggy
8:14pm
Don’t forget to get personal. No one wants a scientific analysis of the book. Not that you could write one, ha!


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cc: herself@gmail.com
8:17pm

I could not put my finger on what sounded wrong, but the book oozed real disturbing vibes. It was as if I was looking at the surface of the water, could see small waves, but was unable to catch a glimpse of what created them.

I had the fleeting worry that getting to know characters through their own words, or the words of others about them would create a distance between them and me, but it only lured me in, reeled me in, hooked me until I was swiftly turning the pages to get the next gossip, the next news, the next bomb. I had to remember to be careful, as each piece had been carefully worded. I simply adored trying to decipher what was hidden between the lines. One step forward, two steps back. I assessed and categorized. I put names on Good Guys and Bad Guys lists, with a grey route in between.

It was fascinating to learn about everything that was happening through broken messages. Have you ever lied in an email? I know I have, so could I trust what I was reading??

I felt a push as the events unravelled and the big dramatic end of a protagonist came and raised even more questions. More information was thrown at me, and they forced me to re-evaluate what I thought I’d worked out! It was invigorating to be part of the digging team and follow a team of law professionals try to reach conclusions that don’t appear at first glance.

Meggy to Herself
9:21pm
Dinner break. Need food.

Herself to Meggy
9:23pm
Weak. What about the plot?! The ending? The writing?

Twitter @RousselMeggy
Does your brain have a swich off button? I’m looking for mine!

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cc: herself@gmail.com
10:14pm

As I said earlier, the narration is unique, and exceptionally wrought by Janice Hallett, who kept me guessing until the very end. The plot and its subplots are more than enough to give any reader a fantastic time. When the pieces begin to fall into place, the clouds disappear, but not without shaking some of the ideas I had! I wish I could unpick the full play with you, but where would be the fun in that? Simply trust me when I say you’re in good hands!
If it can be difficult to tell a character’s voice from another with certain books, this is not the case here. Everyone is unique, everyone has a tone, a clear image (a mask or a genuine face?) and I never mixed up anyone by mistake. I did have my preferences, but again had to be careful not to be misled by what I was reading. After all, words can trick you!

Herself to Meggy
10:45pm
This is getting too long.

Meggy to Herself:
10:49pm
I can talk about The Appeal FOREVER.

Herself to Meggy
11:01pm
For the sake of your fellow readers, don’t.

Meggy to Herself
11:04pm
Spoilsport…

From chocolatenwaffles@gmail.com to chocolatenwaffles@wordpress.com
cc: herself@gmail.com
11:44pm

In brief, The Appeal is beautifully executed, perfect to forget the world for a few hours as you get immersed in the world of amateur plays and fundraising… If you enjoy complex novels powered by a cracking characterization and enough red herrings to lose a kid in the forest, you’re in for the best read of your year with this one!

Herself to Meggy
12:12am
GO TO BED.