This might be my last dalliance with Janice Hallett. I absolutely despised the main character Amanda. Everything I dislike about her is a spoiler so I won't say more than she comes across as manipulative and ruthless which is not a dynamic I'm interested in reading. The mixed media elements of this don't work as well as I've seen in other books. It's mostly transcripts of conversations, texts, and emails. I wanted more things like newspapers and webpages and other unique ways of doing the mixed media.

DNF. I loved her first book, The Appeal, but the two that follow were both the NF for me. I think the format is really really fun, and I get hooked at the beginning, but then they seemed to really draw out. I will continue to try her books but I think if she’s got to keep us in this format, she’s gotta find a way to keep it a little more interesting and fast past

This book started off kind of slow but honestly I continued to read it because I am a huge fan of Hallett and her work. I was not let down once the book got really going the story flew off the pages for me. Truly a fantastic read and got me back on track with thoroughly enjoying her work again.

Dnf at 30% just could not get into it. Super disappointing because I love the authors other work. I’m not sure exactly what it is was about it but I’m so sad.

I absolutely loved the format of this book. I described it to my friends as “found footage” but a book instead of a film. Getting everything in snippets made everyone an unreliable narrator. No one was truly likable, and I actually kind of enjoy that in a book. I’m not rooting for a person, I’m rooting for information, for the solution to be made clear. My only complaint was that the mystery all unraveled so quickly at the end. It suddenly all became so easy to explain, so that left me reeling and side-eyeing slightly. But overall, I will absolutely be recommending this book to everyone!

Janice Hallett has done it again! Truly, this was such a great, and compelling book. The concept of this book is so interesting, and I loved following the perspective of a true crime author. I thought it was an interesting perspective to follow an investigation through. I also loved the variety in mixed media within this book. The other Janice Hallett books are mostly told through the same media, and despised still liking those books (in fact The Appeal is still my favourite) I do think switching between recording, e-mails, messages, and more made the book feel less repetetive in a way. It was just fun to see those different elements through the book.
Like I said, the premise of this book is great. It's such an interesting topic, and it was so incredibly clouded in mystery. I also just really liked how it got slowly unraveled throughout the book. I also loved taking my own guesses throughout the novel about what was going on. Our main character is incredibly smart, and I loved seeing her go down roads that most people wouldn't even think of because of that. I love when a mystery has a smart main character like that. Oliver was also an interesting character to have opposite her, as he's so different. It made for a very compelling read.
My main complaint about this book is that it's just extremely slow, especially at the start. There's just A LOT of information. All of it are puzzle pieces that do end up fitting together at the end absolutely brilliantly, but at the start it could feel a bit like a slog. Especially because it isn't entirely clear what is important in which way at all. It did hinder my enjoyment a little, which is why I ended up docking a star. However, I was incredibly interesting to find out what was happening throughout the entire book, and the section of the book were most of the reveals/action happens genuinely had my heart racing, and me sitting at the edge of my seat because it was just so incredibly done. So yeah, not a perfect read for me but incredibly enjoyable, and well crafted as well. I feel like Janice Hallett has become a favourite author for me, and I'm already excited for her next release.

This book was a rollercoaster and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It's absolutely confusing but I have come to accept that from Janice Hallett books and am just along for the ride. The voice of all characters is clear and it's fun to read the numerous conflicting accounts of the same events, as well as the lies told by the "author" using different angles with every source. I never saw the different reveals coming and couldn't devour this book quickly enough.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is a really well written unique mystery.
I have really enjoyed reading this authors other novels.

The characters are well written and fleshed out.

I really how perfectly paced the story was.

Book Rating: 4/5
Audiobook Rating: 5/5

Janice Hallett writes the most unique books, and so far, I have loved how they are written in a mixed media fashion. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is the type of novel that is begging for a full-cast audiobook and that is exactly what we have. Unlike her previous book The Appeal which I had somewhat of a hard time following along with, I did not have that issue with this one, and it probably helped that I tried to give it my full attention at all times. Annie Aldington, Nneka Okoye, Gareth Armstrong, Sid Sagar & Kristin Atherton are all incredible narrators, and they are mixed up enough throughout the audio that it sounds like there are even more people narrating! It is just so well done, and I highly recommend it.

The storyline itself is a little sad at times, but I loved following along with all of Amanda's research for her true crime novel. There is a lot of depth to this story, and it becomes quite dark and complex. I am endlessly impressed with the way Hallett can keep everything straight and turn her books into such engaging and cohesive stories. Perhaps it is the style in which it is told, or maybe it is because I listened to the audiobook, but the climax didn't shock me the way I thought/hoped it would. This is why I ended up at a 4/5 overall, however, she definitely gets 5/5 for originality, writing, and the storyline as a whole!

I originally received this book from net gallery but I got behind on my reading so I had to get it again after it was released. I’m glad I was persistent though because overall this was a good 3.5 stars. It took me longer to get through then most. I had nicknamed it “my angel book” when my family asked what I was reading. I spent most of the book trying to figure out what the heck Amanda and Oliver were doing! The ending was a tad bizarre as well. All in all it was interesting and I did learn a bit about police investigations and baby adoption processes.

Another masterpiece by Janice Hallett! After being slightly disappointed with her last book, this reminded me of everything I loved about about the Appeal. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is an epistolary novel told through emails, voice recording transcriptions and messages and tells the mystery of the Alperton Angels, a cult that believed they were angels sent to take out the anti-christ who was a baby at the time. 18 years later, Amanda Bailey is writing a true crime book about the cult and is trying to find the baby and what happened the night that the cult members were found dead in a warehouse. I just love how Hallett tells these stories. I was struggled to put this one down. It was fast paced and I was constantly trying to figure out the mystery and what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this one, especially for those who loved her first one!

For those who enjoy nosing around in true crime and relish a challenge, this book is a must-read. And if you never read crime, and If you're a fan of authors like Jennifer Egan, "The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels" by Janice Hallett will charm you. This thrilling novel takes you on a deep dive into true crime writing as the author unravels a chilling murder mystery involving a cult, a baby, and a desperate race against time. So, get ready to be absorbed by this gripping and subversive thriller.

Amanda Bailey and Oliver Menzies are on a mission to find the Alperton baby and write the book of the year. However, they soon realize that things are not as simple as they appear. As they attempt to work together, they must navigate their complicated history while competing to be the first to uncover the truth. The secrets they discover about the Angels are shocking, leaving them reeling. The stakes are high, and the danger is real as they risk becoming part of the story they are trying to tell.

What sets this book apart is its authenticity. You'll feel like you're right there with Amanda as she conducts her research, battles her rival, and meets some truly unique characters along the way. The use of WhatsApp messages, emails, and interview transcripts makes you feel like an active participant in the investigation. With snarky banter, sizzling chemistry, and dogged determination, Amanda and Oliver will stop at nothing to find that one crucial piece of information that will break the case open.

The unique storytelling approach employed in this book manages to maintain its momentum and intrigue, while also incorporating quirky details such as snarky comments from Amanda's transcriber - one of my personal favorites. However, at times, I found myself wishing for more descriptive passages as the book doesn't allow for total immersion and instead requires active participation. As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself piecing together clues alongside Amanda and Oliver. This book is not for the faint of heart or the lazy reader; it's a highly interactive and engaging way to experience a mystery.

An exceptionally creative work that focuses on the whole true crime fad that has been going on for some time now. A true crime writer is commissioned by a publisher to write the story of the Alperton Angels -- a cult that considered its members angels on earth, and who planned to murder an innocent newborn baby for being the antichrist. Now, all these years later, the baby, who survived, will be turning 18, and finding that baby is important to the author. The entire story is told through text messages, emails, transcripts of interviews, letters, articles, and various other texts. Fun and fascinating to read and puzzle out.

True crime author Amanda Bailey is looking to revive her career. She decides to write a book about The Alperton Angels, a cult that almost convinced a teenage girl that her baby was The Anti-Christ and needed to be killed. But after she calls the police and is dropped off at the hospital, she disappears and so does the baby.

Now Amanda is trying to find the perfect angle for this book when she discovers that Oliver, another author, is also on the case. When they decide to collaborate, they discover that the story goes deeper than they could have imagined.

I started reading this book but then switched to the full-cast audio version and could not put it down. The book is written as WhatsApp messages, emails, and transcripts. I absolutely loved this five-star read and highly recommend the audio version for a deeper reading experience.

The twists at the end! Oh my goodness. The epistolary queen of mystery is back! This is probably my favorite of hers so far. I would recommend this to all types of readers, not just mystery readers.

I thought this book had such an interesting premise and kept me guessing the whole time. I really love when stories are written in this perspective with emails/texts/documents. It really stands out in comparison to the popular thrillers/mysteries currently out. An easy 5 stars, I didn't want to put this one down and honestly wished there was more.

This book was something out of my comfort zone however I must say it was a decent read. I enjoyed the story and I was completely fond of the characters.

Bestselling true crime author Amanda Bailey needs a new project. So when her editor comes to her and suggests the Alperton Angels. It was a cult mass suicide, where a baby was supposed to be sacrificed. Supposedly, the baby was the antichrist, and the cult were angels who were tasked with stopping the infant before it could grow up and destroy everything. All the angels were waiting for was the Alignment, where the heavens aligned, creating the perfect moment to rid the planet of the evil that is about to come.

But they failed. The infant got away unharmed, and three of the angels were found dead, killed by suicide, their bodies mutilated and left by the fourth. There were also two teenagers in the cult, known as Holly and Jonah. They also escaped alive, protecting the baby from harm and then all disappearing into social services right afterward. Gabriel, the only angel who survived, was tried for the murder of a neighbor that had happened in the weeks leading up to the massacre and is spending the rest of his life in jail.

The case had always had a lot of unusual interest. Between the angels, the possible human sacrifice, and the cult symbols left on the floor, the public have never known what to make of the Alperton Angels. But Amanda thinks it’s time to revisit the case, since the baby is about to turn 18. Amanda is determined to find that baby from when it disappeared into social services, and she’s going to write a new bestseller with that information.

The problem is that the information is hard to come by. Sources have died or don’t want to talk about the case. And those who do talk give her conflicting information. There were three dead men in the warehouse. There were four dead men in the warehouse. There were cult symbols on the floor. There were no cult symbols. Gabriel was the father of the baby. Teenaged Jonah was the father of the baby. Everywhere Amanda looked, the facts were murky at best. And adding to the mystery is the movies and novels that add some things and leave out some things, making it all that much more confusing.

Amanda reaches out to everyone she can think of to try to make sense of this case—the police who were there, the social workers, her fellow true crime writers, and her transcriptionist. She taps into her sources from other works and emails with armchair investigators. She visits the locations and reads all the news accounts and fictional accounts of the night the baby went missing. Amanda is determined to get to the answers. She is determined to get to the truth. She is determined to get to the Alperton baby. Even knowing that others have died trying to solve this case. And finding the truth will set her free. But it may not be the way she wanted or expected.

Master mystery plotter Janie Hallett is back with The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, and it is an amazing work of fiction. Told through texts, emails, transcripts, excerpts from novels and film scripts, and Amanda’s own opening chapters, this story unfolds slowly. There are bread crumbs from the start, little bits of information that draw readers in, and as you keep going and find more bread crumbs, it gets harder and harder to put the book down and walk away. And as so often happens with Hallett’s books, you will think you have it figured out only to find out that you were wrong, over and over and over.

I got sucked into this story right away. I was looking forward to a creepy cult story, and I got that . . . for a while. Then it slowly changed into something else entirely. And then again. And then again. But one thing that stays the same throughout is the understanding of a coercive relationship and the damage it can do to someone who is vulnerable. While nothing of this story turned out the way I expected, it was amazing and surprising and brilliant. It’s why I love Janice Hallett so much, for creating this roller coaster of a story and sliding in back into place so perfectly at the end. So buckle up and get ready for a wild, wild ride! It will be unforgettable.

Egalleys for The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels were provided by Atria Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

I think this might be my favorite Janice Hallett book. She has completely perfected this unique storytelling formula of hers.This time around, she has crafted a compelling multi layered mystery that will keep you entertained and guessing until the very end. If you enjoyed her other novels, then you'll love this one.

I have to admit that because I have learned what to expect from her that I wasn't quite as surprised by the reveal as I was with The Twyford Code. But even so, I immensely enjoyed every minute of this intriguing book. I look forward to seeing what she has in store next for her readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It really is interesting how Janice Hallett can tell a story through such unconventional means and I still feel as though I personally witnessed everything. This story is interesting because it deals with cults and how people can end up doing things they wouldn't otherwise do because they become so convinced of things that aren't true.
The mystery unwinds at a good pace, and this was an interesting story. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this