Janice Hallett’s ingenious new thriller, THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS, could be the beginning of a new form of storytelling. Using only correspondence, WhatsApp messages, interviews, research, emails, and news clippings, Hallett’s narrative never falters. She invites the reader to be an amateur detective. Hallett begins with a hair-raising choice. A safety deposit box contains all the documents and research about the case, and we are told that we must read all the contents and then decide to…

EITHER:

REPLACE THE DOCUMENTS AND THE BOX, THEN THROW THE KEY WHERE IT WILL NEVER BE FOUND…

OR

TAKE EVERYTHING TO THE POLICE

Who can refuse? We first join journalist Amanda Bailey in an email exchange with her agent. Amanda is tired of writing about crime and wants to write a novel. Her agent, however, dangles the idea of writing about the Alperton Angels cult from a different angle for a new series of crime books. The Alperton Angel cult once believed a baby born to one of its members would grow up to destroy humankind. They planned to sacrifice the baby, but their plans were thwarted, the baby was rescued, and the cult committed mass suicide.

How about finding the Alperton Angel’s baby who is now eighteen? What happened to the child over the years? Does it know its history? Amanda is hooked. Wouldn’t readers love to read about that?

Unfortunately, Oliver Menzies, an old associate of Amanda’s, plans to write a book from the same angle. Amanda is furious. The only solution their agents can see is for the two of them to join forces. Amanda can’t stand Oliver. He’s a practical joker, uncooperative, and not good at his job. Amanda can dish it out almost as good as she gets, making the competition fierce. Ellie, Amanda’s good friend, confidante, and transcriber of audio interviews, keeps her sane and writes her thoughts on the transcribed pages.

One of the people Amanda and Oliver most desire to talk with is Gabriel, the leader of the cult who survived the mass suicide and is in prison for the death of an Asian man. Gabriel’s voice—ask anyone—mesmerizes. Even Oliver, who nabs the interview with Gabriel, falls under his spell.

The story misdirects and takes sharp twists as the investigation leads to retired detectives and social workers, screenwriters and producers of documentaries on the cult, social media amateur detectives, online murder clubs, true crime fanatics, authors of books about the cult, a monastery, and the site of the suicides in Alperton NW London.

Amanda and Oliver soon find that much of the old case findings doesn’t add up. The closer they get to finding the “baby,” the more dangerous it becomes. People they contact who have information die in house fires that destroy their files or in accidents. Who is this grown-up baby? What really happened with the cult? Why was the Asian man killed? What aren’t people telling them? Why are their contacts dying? Amanda’s friend Ellie fears for her safety and rightly so.

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS went right to the top of my favorite books of all time. Every character felt real and substantive, even with its form of storytelling. Amanda and Oliver viciously compete, and you know they have a “history.” Ellie acts as the voice of reason for the impulsive, driven Amanda. Even though the book has a long list of characters, many of them minor, all of them feel necessary to the telling of the story and to the plot, an amazing feat of writing.

The book could be called a murder mystery, a procedural, a suspenseful puzzle, a cult thriller, and a cold-case crime story, but it falls squarely in the noir category with its two detective journalists, its dark underpinnings about today’s culture, and an ending that stabs you in the gut.

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Janice Hallett for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

This book! Ugh - so good! One of my favourite types of books to read are epistolary. Hallett takes this style to the next level. There is something so incredibly fascinating about an author who is able to tell a story and develop characters only through the use of emails, texts, newspapers etc.

Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for a copy of this book!

Janice Hallett does it again! While I thought it started a little slow, I got sucked right into this book! Written in the same unique style as Janice's other books, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is told through a series of emails, texts, news articles, and book chapter excerpts. This makes it such a quick and fun read.

While it can be a little confusing, we're learning the facts at the same time as our main character, Amanda. You see her get mislead and confused about the information, same as you may be. There's lies, there's fiction, there's conspiracies all leading to the actual truth about the Alperton Angels.

I've read all of Janice's other books and I would rank this #2 (The Appeal, Alperton Angels, The Christmas Appeal, Twyford Code), but have had a lot of fun reading them all. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Read. This. Book!

I couldn’t put this book down and it kept me up too late at night. Crime writer Amanda is investigating the case of the Alperton Angels, a cult from the early 2000’s who committed suicide after they failed to kill an infant they believed was the Antichrist.

Epistolary novels are a favorite of mine and this was one of the best ones I’ve read! Through texts, emails, excerpts from book/screenplays, news article and WhatsApp messages, the mixed media really brought this story together.

The characters are really well developed and Ellie, the assistant was one of my favorites and definitely one of the smartest! The plot is twisty and complex, which I love, but be warned- you need to pay attention. Too often I found myself going back in the book to refresh my memory around plot points given in a certain interview or conversation as I tried to guess where this story was headed. I thought the ending was great and really brought everything back full circle.

This is one not to be missed and I am so glad I was able to read this with some great friends as we played amateur slueths🙂

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS is a fictional true-crime investigation with an ending I am still reeling over. With her unique style, Hallett compiles various formats of our character's research to carefully construct a multilayered mystery.

There was something about this story. It is downright addictive. When I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking about it. Personally, I believe it is the blend of exploration into the Alperton Angels cult, the relationships Amanda has, and the realness Amanda Bailey’s character brings to it all. I wasn’t sure how it would all come together, but it did. The mystery of what happened is revealed one fact at a time. Reading Amanda’s emails, interviews, and messages, allows the reader to feel as if you are right there. What she learns, we learn. And yet, there is also the distinctively personal side of our true crime writer seeping into the narrative. All bringing it to an entertaining and surprising ending.

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS takes the best of what we all love about true crime, the investigation, and still manages to showcase intriguing, flawed, and honest characters throughout. With this book, Hallett has converted me into a fan.

Reader’s Note: I will be honest. I have tried and failed to read one of this author’s books before. I don’t know if it was the timing or if I wasn’t ready to read a book with this type of formatting, but I didn’t finish. And yet, when I got this book in the mail, something told me to keep going. And boy am I glad I did. I loved it so much that I am going to go back and try to read Hallett’s other books.

I loved the format of this book, it was really fun to read and to see the differences in people's perceptions of the same events. The story and subject matter were interesting, although confusing at points near the end. I would highly recommend this.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is a very well written and cleverly constructed standalone mystery by Janice Hallett. Released 23rd Jan 2023 by Simon & Schuster on their Atria imprint, it's 432 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in 3rd quarter 2024 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

The author is well known for her multimedia style of writing. Readers are given the key to a fictive safe deposit box full of letters and other materials and tasked with solving a decades old true crime case of a religious cult suicide alongside the investigative journalist protagonist. A rival journalist is on the same trail, trying to locate a baby who is now 18 years old and interviewed, if successfully found.

The format of the mystery is very challenging, and readers might struggle for immersion. This one is also -very- character heavy with a large cast, and there are some difficulties with keeping them all straight. That being said, once the book achieves liftoff, it's an engaging and surprisingly cleverly constructed puzzle.

Three and a half stars. This would be a good candidate for a mystery book club read/discussion, public library acquisition, and home use. It's a very oddly formatted book, but readable and engaging after a while (the first third is something of a slog).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Janice Hallet writes mysteries that have multiple viewpoints, multiple plotlines, and deserve multiple stars!
In this, we read the WhatsApp messages, emails, and recording transcriptions of two vying true crime authors, each seeking to break open the aftermath of a cult murder from 18 years ago. The truth is labyrinthine, with each author reaching out to connect new information, old memories and track down the lone survivor who is not in prison.

What is truth?
What is conspiracy?
What is loyalty?

These questions and more come up time and time again, peeling back layers of info to make you wonder what is the just thing to do. Superb!

At first, I didn't know what to think of this book. It's about a true crime author and her research. The whole book is written in a format of text messages and transcribed interviews. Takes a little while to get used to, but it didn't stop me from enjoying this book! The lengths that people go to for revenge, and how it leads to their own downfall. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

I really enjoyed The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett. This is the second book I've read from this author and this was even better than the first. I really loved the mixed media epistolary style and found the story itself very engaging. This would have been a five star read for me except that I found the ending a bit rushed.

Highly recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced read!

I love a thriller novel with an unreliable narrator and @janice.hallett does a great job of creating one through her unique style of storytelling. I have loved her previous books The Appeal, The Christmas Appeal, and The Twyford Code. Janice is definitely on my must read author list!

It should be no surprise that I loved Janice’s most recent book, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. The story is told through all different forms of writing: emails, WhatsApp, text messages, transcripts of recorded interviews, scripts for phone calls, and some book excerpts. The main character, Amanda Bailey, is a true crime author writing her latest book. The book is looking into the group suicide of the cult known as the Alperton Angels.

I highly recommend this book if you love unreliable narrators and found footage thrillers!

Thank you @atriabooks for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website)

Phew this book captivated me. Something about Janice Hallett's epistolary style - in this case letters, emails, transcriptions of interviews and more - is apparently my kryptonite because I could not stop reading. I felt like I was going through these documents myself and loved following the crazy storyline and how everything was collated to really lead you down so many paths and never knowing what to believe. I can say I gasped out loud multiple times and the ending was wild. I cannot wait to read more of her books!

This book hit all my buzzwords. Mystery, Cult, Angels and Divinity and told in a non-traditional formant? Sign me up.

The story is told entirely through emails, letters, transcripts of interviews or phone calls, news articles, screenplays, and excerpts from books. Our lead is Amanda Bailey, journalist turned true crime writer who wants to write about something different and fresh. Seventeen years ago, there was a cult known as the Alperton Angels. There was a baby involved, who will now be turning 18 years old and Amanda and her publisher think finding the baby (now adult) would be an incredible story. Turns out a rival author, Oliver, and his publisher had the same thought. Oliver and Amanda have history from a journalist program years back and while they don't get along, they are encouraged to work together and share resources to get the best story.

The story unravels the Alperton Angels and the history between Amanda and Oliver. It also digs deep into the pressure of publishing and the competition authors can feel in that environment. There was absolutely brilliant information and examples on how manipulation, coercive control and the need to feel special can lead people to do things that seem completely unbelievable to anyone looking in from outside of the situation.

I can absolutely see myself reading this again, but I didn't rate it 5 stars because I wasn't super satisfied with the ending. I also figured out a huge part of the story right near the start and I'm not sure if the author intended for it to be as obvious as it seemed to me but it did make me have a little less excitement for the reveal at the end. I don't want to give anything more away because this is a book where I think the less you know going in, the more you'll be sucked in and unable to put it down until you reach the end.

Thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy of the book to read and review!

Epistolary novels can be hit or miss for me, and this one was definitely a hit! The full cast narration made all the different forms of media really come to life, and I was totally drawn into this story. I loved the authors use of mixed media including texts, emails, news articles, interviews, and excerpts from books and screenplays to tell this story.

The characters were fully developed which can be hard with a story like this, and the cult storyline was done so well. Cults are another trope that doesn’t always work for me, but the way the author handled it was brilliantly done. I loved the twists and trying to figure out what actually happened to the baby.

I’ve heard some people recommend reading a physical copy over listening to the audiobook, but I loved hearing the narrators bring this story to life. Annie Aldington, Nneka Okoye, Gareth Armstrong, Sid Sagar, and Kristin Atherton all did a fantastic job. It was easy to differentiate the characters and follow the story.

This was my second read from Hallett, and I love her unique writing style. She always does something different, and I look forward to seeing what she comes up next.

Thank you Simon Audio and Atria Books for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

4.5/5!

I love Janice Hallett. I think at this point I would read her grocery list and still be 100% invested. I’ve never read anything written epistolary-style except from Hallett and I honestly am just blown away each time. How does someone create an entire book in just the form of email transcripts, texts, articles, book blurbs, etc. and totally make it work? I don’t know, but Hallett has that magic!

Cults are probably one of the topics I find most fascinating to read about, so naturally I knew I would be interested in the premise of this story. Trying to uncover the mystery surrounding the Alperton Angels alongside Amanda was a ton of fun! Add onto that a rivalry with Oliver that seems to have more than a few secrets and this book will keep you on your toes. There were quite a few reveals that I didn’t see coming and one that I was really glad my guess came true about because the reveal was executed perfectly.

My only gripe with this book is very minor and that’s just that the pacing lulled a bit in the middle of the book. I was still invested, but it felt like it took me much longer to get through the middle compared to the build up of the beginning and the tense ending.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
By Janice Hallett
Thriller
Atria Books
January 2024

Amanda Bailey has written best-selling true crime stories and has been commissioned to write a new one to help launch a publishing imprint. The case she has been assigned is a multiple-murder cult killing. The cult leader has been sentenced to life.

But in The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett, questions surrounding the case remain. Primarily, what happened to the infant that the cult was planning to kill, believing it to be the Antichrist?

The baby survived, as did the teenagers who had it in their care. They were believed to be new recruits to the cult of the Alperton Angels. Their leader, Gabriel, convinced those involved that he was an archangel, and that others already in the group were angels when the teens brought the baby to them.

Bailey is a go-getter with steely determination and a way to talking around people's objections to get what she wants. In texts, interview transcriptions, an unproduced screenplay and pages from novels, the story of Bailey's investigation and attempts at writing the opening chapter of her book result in a twisty story that doesn't let up until the very end.

She'll need all that grit because within 48 hours, the publisher wants to know if she has found the baby yet. The child will soon turn 18, so interest in the case will be high again.

But just as Bailey gets rolling with her research and contacts, there is bad news. A rival publisher has commissioned Oliver Menzies to also write a book about the case of the Alperton Angels. Menzies and Amanda have a history that goes back to when they were both in a beginning journalism program. Amanda dropped out and went on to success. Oliver, whose mother had connections that got him into the program, has never quite managed to find and write successfully about a big story.

The novel weaves together the ideas of real trauma, whether angels are real, the power of suggestion, manipulation by those someone trusts and how facts can be accurate yet misleading. It's a balancing act that Hallett carries out with aplomb. This is a twisty novel that can keep a reader guessing and not assuming. When it's all laid out, it holds together. A highly entertaining and thought-provoking suspense tale.

Amanda Bailey, a true crime author, is asked to take on the case of the Alperton Angels. Seventeen years earlier two teenagers, a baby and the leader of the cult were the only survivors of a group suicide. Amanda’s first objective is finding out what happened to the baby. As she interviews the nurse who treated the survivors, the social workers and the police involved in the investigation she gets conflicting stories of the events. Oliver Menzies, a rival author, is also working on a book about the Angels. He has a substantial budget, which Amanda is lacking. He has also received access to Gabriel, the cult leader, who is serving time in prison. Pushed to work together by their publishers, Amanda and Oliver agree to focus on different aspects of the case. It falls to Amanda to discover the fate of the child, which leads to a threat if she does not stop her search. As they continue Amanda and Oliver are drawn in and become a part of the story and someone will not survive.

Like her previous books, Janice Hallett uses phone calls, texts, emails recordings and WhatsApp to tell the story, making it move quickly. Ellie is Amanda’s transcriber. Her comments and observations inject some levity in what is often a dark tale. Twist after twist each offer a hint at what actually happened seventeen years ago until it all comes together with a major twist at the end. I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this book for my review.

In "The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels" author Janice Hallett carves out a fun new niche in the mystery genre with a story inventively told entirely in primary documents including emails, text and WhatsApp messages, excerpts from a novel and a screenplay, lists, newspaper clippings, transcriptions of interviews and meetings, phishing phone call scripts--really, all the scraps of information that true crime author Amanda Bailey has gathered in her research for a book about the s0-called Alperton Angels case, a murder and triple suicide with occult overtones that gripped London in the early 2000s. As the documents accumulate, it's clear that the case is more perplexing--and dangerous--than it initially seemed, as many of the people Amanda contacts suddenly die in mysterious circumstances and witnesses are less than forthcoming. Amanda herself is not above some subterfuge and downright deception of her own as she races to solve the crime and put out her book before rival author Oliver Menzies publishes his. Hallett's structure injects plenty of freshness into the detective fiction tropes and I was happily along for the ride (although I did think she kept one major piece of information from readers until a bit late in the day for fair play). Recommended for fans of "Dear Committee Members" and other epistolary novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an ARC of this title in return for my honest review. Fun stuff!

Another epistolary mystery told through text messages, emails, and scripts from Janice Hallett. This one explores the infamous Alperton Angles, a cult with a deadly past, and the writer trying to tell their story. Like Hallett's other books, the story unfolds gradually through the found documents and the reader gets the enjoyment of trying to piece the case together before the big reveal.