The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels was a fun mystery with many unexpected twists and turns - just how I like them. Plus it has an underlying cult theme, another one of my faves. Two competing true-crime authors are hunting the same story, which sets up tensions not typically seen in mystery novels - I enjoyed this aspect of the story.

The book is a collection of interview transcripts, messages, and other documents, so you must enjoy that writing style. Hallett's novel is not for you if you prefer a traditional narrative. There are many characters, and I used my Kindle search quite a bit to remind me of characters when they reappeared after a long absence in the story.

If you are looking for a good puzzle, engaging characters, and a not-too-gruesome mystery and enjoy novel writing styles, this book is a good one to pick up.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.

This is Janice Hallett’s third mystery novel after The Appeal and The Twyford Code. (There is also her recent novella, The Christmas Appeal.) Hallett’s trademark is a variation on the epistolary novel. She presents a collection of written materials—emails, WhatsApp and other messages, transcripts of recorded conversations, documents, newspaper clippings, etc.—that someone (in reality, you, the reader) is supposed to go through and decide what has happened and what should now be done. In case you can’t figure it out, there is a figure who breaks it all down at the end.

In this book, writers and nemeses Amanda Bailey and Oliver Menzies are unwillingly forced by their publishers to collaborate on research for a true-crime nonfiction book about the decades-old so-called Alperton Angels cult murder/suicide case. This novel is about the investigation, principally from Amanda’s vantage point, but also about how Amanda and Oliver became enemies and how that plays out during their unwilling collaboration.

While I thought The Appeal was a hoot, I don’t think The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels lives up to it. Once the full story is revealed, the reasons why it has remained a mystery require too much suspension of disbelief. I enjoyed the reading process, though, and the many twists and turns. If the format interests you, and you like twisty crime novels, it’s worth reading.

I found this to be a bit confusing and it did not engage me right away like I was hoping. I've DNF'd it for now and I may try to pick it up again.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I love Hallett’s use of different methods to tell a story. This one was told entirely in transcriptions, text messages, and excerpts from books. This format kept the book moving forward and added to the mystery.

Another thing I enjoy about Hallett’s books is you have to read to the very end to figure out what is going on. This book was no different. The web that was created throughout finally untangled at the end.

While this was not my favorite of Hallett’s books, I was still entertained. I struggled to connect with the main characters in this one. I felt like if we had gotten Amanda’s backstory early on, it might’ve explained more. The teasing of her backstory didn’t work for me.

All in all, fans of mysteries, stories told through different methods, and cults will find this one interesting. Check it out!

4.5 stars rounded up. I absolutely love the non-traditional format that the author uses. She has become an "auto buy" author for me. This was another great one! There were times that my attention would wander and I felt like we weren't really getting anywhere but then it would all line up and things fell together. It's a great story with a great ending.

I absolutely loved The Appeal when I read it this summer. I was so excited to get this advanced copy of Hallett's new book! I've been loving her format. It keeps me engaged with the different styles (I.e., emails, texts, interview transcripts, etc.) The Appeal was more email based, occasionally texts. This book had it all. I think that this was actually too much switching around for me, though, especially when reading via Kindle. As a result, I've had to stop reading this book at about 50%. I enjoyed the story, and I want to give it another chance reading the physical text. But I just could not remain invested in the storyline. It really felt like it was dragging and there was so much information being thrown at me though all of the different formats in the book. I think the big difference between this book and The Appeal for me was the addition of the interview transcripts. I really struggled to get invested in them and understand what was happening. I'm really going to give this another try via physical book, though, before I give up on it entirely.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is a fascinating mixed-media novel about a true crime author investigating a London cult from 18 years prior that ended in tragedy. The story is told largely in Amanda Bailey's perspective and correspondence as she tries to track down what actually happened that night. The small group was convinced that they were Angels on earth and multiple people died by suicide and a baby--presumed to be the antichrist--goes missing. Amanda's story angle is to track down the baby.

Early on, Amanda learns a previous acquaintance, Oliver Menzies, is working on the same story and they combine forces. We see how the story affects both of them as well as multiple perspectives and interpretations of everything that happened and how it still affects those involved. The story delves deeper and deeper into Amanda and Oliver's psyches and I had no idea where it would go as they head towards dangerous territory. How do you investigate a story that people don't want told? It's interesting to ponder how people can be manipulated into thinking things that seem illogical and completely outlandish. The twists were unexpected and the ending was thought-provoking I read the ebook, but this novel might be better as a physical book or audiobook, given the different kinds of media and correspondence within.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels.

Janice Hallet has become one of my favourite authors. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed her other novels and this is no different. This story is told in the form of an epistolary novel. It follows two authors who are writing books about the Alperton Angels, a cult formed by a narcissistic psychopath who reinvents himself as the archangel Gabriel and whose aim is to kill a baby he says is the anti-Christ. But, it is not that simple.

A multi-layered story told through a variety of transcribed media such as WhatsApp messages, emails, and interviews, Amanda and Oliver are researching and writing a book from two different angles. They knew each other years before and are now forced to work together as they try to find the parents and the baby who is turning 18. Whether you enjoy finding the clues to a who done it and trying to solve the mystery or you enjoy reading a good mystery, this book is for you.

I have never read Janice Hallett before this ARC; however, I will now read EVERYTHING as she just became one of my top ten reads of 2023. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is a mysterious case indeed. The Alperton Angels are a cult who managed to brainwash Holly and Jonah, two teenagers, into believing that a baby was the antichrist. Eighteen years later, true crime author Amanda Bailey along with her ex-partner Oliver Menzies are now working together to find the baby and set the story straight as to what happened on the fateful night that Holly and the baby escaped leaving behind dead angels.

Written in an unconventional manner, the reader will engage with Amanda and Oliver in interviews, e-mails, and texts as they research and become the ultimate crime solvers. Twists and turns abound. The reader will have to decide which theories are true and which hold conspiracy. Who can be trusted? Were the angels really angels or simply psychopaths, scorned criminals, foolhardy men. Every page is a delight as the reader gathers evidence that can never quite be corroborated. This is truly for the fan of true crime, investigative journalism, or fans of TV shows such as Unsolved Mysteries.

As if the case of the Alperton Angels was enough of a mystery to solve. What about the secrets being kept by Olive and Amanda?! This amazing story goes on sale January 23rd, 2024 - enjoy!

Janice Hallett deftly handles the text chat, newspaper clipping, message passing format in The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. While this style can be unwieldy, the action and character development in this novel are well done. I quickly got swept up in this story about two writers chasing down a cold case story with lots and lots of missing pieces. It's not just the narrator that is unreliable here, its *all* the characters, and much of the fun is trying to tease truth from lies.

This is a great start to what I hope will be another great year of reading.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Atria Books for the chance to read this book before publication in exchange for an honest review. This was a very unique way to read a mystery/thriller with the reader reading the found footage: interview transcripts, emails, whatsapp chats and even more media. This was the first book of its kind that I read and I sped through it trying to figure out the truth. This reads like a true crime case.

A true crime mystery told through emails, texts, transcribed audio recordings, and letters. The format of Hallett’s book was a fascinating way to dive into a decades-old murder/cult case. And equally hilarious… as our protagonist Amanda Bailey is often caught copying and pasting email templates or reacting to potential leads in lazy, human ways. We learn about characters only through written correspondence but those moments cut to the heart of how we operate in these technological times. This story-telling device kept me hooked and it was a fast read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I like how this book is constructed, gathering all the notes on the investigation on the Alperton angels. You feel like you’re part of the investigation, as you learn what happened as the true crime writer learns about what happened. I feel like the book has enough surprising twists and turns to keep you wanting to read all the way to the end.

With a plot darker than I was expecting, and main characters that were very hard to like, I was sorely tempted to abandon this book for brighter pastures, but by the time I finished this book I was so happy I didn't.

I am a sucker for an epistolary novel and the use of this technique really added to the book - the story and plot grew so organically it was difficult at times not to stop and google the characters to see where it would go and find out more about them and the fiction crimes.

Hallet accomplished what I think is very difficult - having a dislikable main character (whole cast of characters really), but still keeping the reader invested. So often I read books with unlikable main characters that seem written unlikable just to be different. But here there is a very good reason each character is written and developed as they are.

This is a book that sparks so many conversations. I truly appreciated the underlying theme of how exploitative the true crime genre can be. It felt like a real look at the motivations and the results from people looking into horrific crimes just to further their career.

This book feels like watching a spider's web slowly come together around you and then it traps you in the center. Beautifully done and I can't wait to read more by Hallet in the future.

Amanda Bailey is a true crime writer that has decided to cover The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels.

Back in the early 2000's a cult came together and it's leader Gabriel, claiming to be an archangel, convinces two teenagers that their baby is actually the antichrist. They have to protect the baby until the stars align correctly and at that time the baby will be sacrificed and humanity saved.

The only problem is that Holly, the young mother, grows doubtful of Gabriel, and at the very last minute decides she'll save the baby. Unfortunately three *archangels* are killed and mutilated in the process and Gabriel is convicted and receives a lifetime sentence.

That baby is now 18 years old and Amanda makes it her mission to find the baby to hear their side of the story. She isn't alone on the case, though. Her nemesis, Oliver, from early in her writing career, is also covering the story and looking for the baby. The two have been told to work together and what they discover is astounding.

I find it nearly impossible to put into words an intelligent description that will do this book justice. If you've read Hallett before you'll understand what I mean. The entire story is told in a mix-media format from WhatsApp messages, texts messages, news paper clippings, emails, etc. There are a lot of moving pieces and many players to keep track of. Hallett's books require patience and be prepared for some confusion as well. I don't care how smart you think you are Hallett will always be several steps ahead of you. Her storytelling is not only something to be admired, but savored. I got a total kick out of her book, The Appeal, but I liked this one even more. Here's the thing, I dislike cult stories, but this view from the outside in was right up my street, apparently, and the shocking reveals made all the super sleuthing worth it. After that brain workout (ouch!) I think my next selection will be a much more mindless affair. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my complimentary copy.

Fascinating and compelling. You can’t stop reading.
Many thanks to Atria and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I recently read The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett and was hooked from start to finish. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery. The story is set in a small town in England, where a vicar goes missing and the investigation that follows reveals a web of secrets and lies between three women.

The characters are so well-written that it’s hard not to become invested in their lives. Each person has their own unique personality, flaws, and backstory, making them relatable and believable. The writing style is engaging, and the author slowly reveals clues and information, keeping you guessing until the end.

The book explores themes of obsession, manipulation, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy, leaving you wondering about the human psyche. The plot twists are expertly handled, leaving room for speculation without feeling forced.
I highly recommend The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. It’s a gripping and intelligent mystery novel with exceptional storytelling, complex characters, and a masterfully crafted plot. It’s a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final revelation.

Many thanks to Netgalley and publisher for providing me with advance copy ♥️

I LOVE Janice Hallett books. They are so fun and the mystery is ALWAYS dimensional. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels does not fall short. It was a fun take on a mystery from a reporter/author and of course is not what is seems. The mixed media format makes the story fun to follow, fun to play along, and one of those you must keep reading to find the answers books. If you like mysteries at all, I will recommend Janice Hallett every time.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this novel. This is out in the U.S. January 23rd.

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

I liked the story of this one (cult! True crime! Cover up!) but the creative format written in a series of various correspondence and interview transcripts begins to feel a bit like catching up on email after PTO. This is my third by the same author in the same format, so may be less bothersome if it’s your first. Thanks @netgalley for the advanced copy!