Janice Hallett hooked me with her first brilliant novel, The Appeal, and The Examiner, like each of her books, completely blew me away with its unbelievably inventive and flawlessly executed plot, its fascinating mystery, and its brilliant humor. Janice Hallett is a truly remarkable writer and I cannot recommend her books highly enough!

The Examiner draws you in immediately with an unexpected introduction to a mystery and possibly a serious crime. An external examiner tasked with reviewing a master’s degree course in multimedia art messages his colleagues in alarm and informs them that he thinks something terrible happened n that course, and someone may be dead. Before you can begin to wrap your head around how a master’s course could possibly have led to a death, Hallett rewinds to the first week of the course and immerses the reader in the emails and instant message exchanges between the 6 students enrolled in the program, their professor, administrators, and a company acting as a client for the course’s final project, slowly weaving a brilliant and complex story in which few people are who they claim to be, everyone is lying about something, and rules are bent and broken followed by increasingly serious laws. At the same time, the typical petty jealousies and bruised egos fueled by fiercely competitive students plays out in hilarious ways. To explain more would rob readers of the brilliance of experiencing Hallett’s perfectly executed plot that keeps you guessing and will definitely shock you more than once when you see how seemingly unimportant facts fit into this puzzle. This is a MUST READ! I finished it in 2 days and had to force myself to put it down to sleep!

I love Janice Hallett’s style so much. She tells this book in group messages, WhatsApp texts, and emails! I unfortunately found this one hard to connect with. The first 2/3 of the book was so slow to me. The “disturbing event” wasn’t a big part of the first big chunk, so it felt hard to stay interested in the mystery of it! I still found it very entertaining and recommend you give it a try!

I was so excited to be approved to read this ARC thanks to @netgalley and @atriabooks! This one will be out September 10, 2024. 🤍

The Examiner is another solid multi-media format novel from the brilliant Janice Hallett. I've been a fan of Hallett since her debut, The Appeal, and I've read all of her releases. She continues to raise the bar with The Examiner, a story of a small Masters program that will supposedly help its students blend art with business, but what really happens is another story.

The characters in this story are all quite intriguing and each a bit messy in their own ways. Early on it becomes clear something went awry in this MA course, but what happened and when? I won't say much because I think that keeps this novel fun and engaging from the get go. But I will say Janice Hallett mixed it up with this one; this is not formulaic at all while it follows her tried and true format. Hallett had me wondering if she was dabbling in new territory, and I loved trying to solve the mystery and wondering what twists she was going to deliver.

I think this one is great for fans of mysteries, especially if you are attracted to stories with an academic setting and small dysfunctional groups. I can't say enough about Janice Hallett's ability to weave an intricate story that will impress you with its creativity and consistency- there are no plot holes here! I had a heck of a time and the students and tutor from this MA course feel quite real as I continue to think about their unfortunate turn of events.

I was introduced to Janice Hallett’s books a few years ago and instantly fell in love with them for the format and the ability to act as your own detective along the way. While The Examiner was exactly that, it felt a little darker and more sinister of a mystery that I’ve read in the past. But intriguing non the less! I couldn’t put it down once you finally figure out the mystery!

I really loved the juxtaposition of the whole story: marrying education with business, artist creativity with corporate structures, espionage, sinister political undertones and even a touch into the spiritual realm. It kept me hooked!

I was shocked by a few of the plot twists and even surprised in which characters I ended up liking towards the end who I haaaaateed at the beginning. I think Jem is a character I’ll think about for the rest of my life.

Would definitely rate this at the top of my favorite Janice Hallett books! A true who dunnit that will keep you guessing and entertained until the very end. And even question some of your own morality.

This is a solve it yourself kind of book following a group of art students in a prestigious arts program. Even though the premise of the book was great, I felt a bit lost at the beginning. The author throws you directly into the story and by doing so, forgets to properly introduce the characters. Personally, it was hard to follow the story at first. When I think about it though, maybe it was the point because you are supposed to be a detective who does not actually know all the characters. I was also wondering for a while what was the mystery part of the book as we don’t actually know what happened at first. Still, it is a captivating book that makes you want to turn the pages. Is it the best? No. Would I still recommend it? Probably.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

A good, solid mystery. Read it in about 5 hours when I was suffering jet lag. The death was foreseeable but I enjoy the format enough to still continue on and appreciate what’s going on. Good twist at the end too.

The story unveils a labyrinth of deceit and danger. The tension ramps up with each message, leading to a chilling revelation that will keep you on edge. Hallett’s inventive storytelling and sharp wit create a dazzling tapestry of mystery and suspense, making this a must-read for anyone who loves their thrillers fresh and engaging.

6 students in an art program, or is it? 6 very different personalities and abilities, 1 instructor, some examiners and a business. Oh, and an ecological protest group makes the whole story come together.

The examiners are called to read all the emails and chats that tell the story in order to determine if something really did go seriously wrong during this course. Some personalities will drive you crazy.

I thought it was way too long and could have been accomplished in less detail, but it was interesting trying to figure out what happened.

Good story, but not great. Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and are freely given.

This was such an interesting read! I was kept in the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going on. I’m still contemplating the ending and wondering about something ….

This is a dark and satirical mystery about a murder that takes place among a small group of toxically competitive students in a masters program. Told in Hallett’s signature epistolary form, it positions the reader as an investigator who must solve not only when, where, why, and how the murder took place, but also the identity of the victim, as well.

Hallett plays by the rules and gives the reader all the clues she needs while still allowing for some big surprises, and it’s enjoyable to engage with the form and gather information about things that happen off the page. This makes for a quick and addictive read — despite it being 480 pages long, I finished it in two nights.

Something, though, about not knowing the victim’s identity (or much of anything) for so much of the book, is that I didn’t feel personally invested in the outcome. It was a really fun reading experience, but I often felt detached from the characters and struggled to care about them as much as I cared about figuring things out. Maybe that’s part of the point?

Thanks so much to Janice Hallett, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Examiner ahead of its September 10, 2024 publication date! I’ve had two of Hallett’s other novels — The Appeal and The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels — on my tbr for a long time, and now I know that I definitely want to go back and read them.

Janice Hallett is such a gem! There is no one out there writing mysteries like these. Modern, fun, and a look inside our lives using technology in a way that speaks to its mundane usage rather than it's scary "what ifs". I've found that people are tired of the scared "what ifs" of technology! The way new information is given to the reader, and twists are dropped in are just genius. Janice Hallett should be an auto read author for all mystery lovers!

I started this book with a ton of enthusiasm after loving past offerings from Hallett. A school setting usually works well for me too. However, the build up just took too long for me to get as invested as I had hope. Hallett always paints interesting and complex characters. I stayed interested enough in the characters to hang on to find out the big “moment. The big reveal did not hit with enough oomph for me. I will always return to Hallett’s books, but “The Examiner” wasn’t my cup of tea.

As always, many thanks to Net Galley, Janice Hallett, and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my thoughts.

After thoroughly enjoying THE APPEAL, I was excited to read Janice Hallett's new release for 2024, THE EXAMINER. This book takes place at a university, where tutor Gela Nathaniel has assembled a diverse group of six students for her new multimedia art master's program. Gela needs this course to be a success if the school is to continue supporting the arts department. Unfortunately, her students do not form a harmonious team, and things quickly go awry.

While THE EXAMINER is a captivating read, it follows the same general formula as THE APPEAL. Switch out a group of students for a drama club, an examiner for a lawyer, and one annoying young woman for another, and you've got a derivative story.

Moreover, THE EXAMINER feels too chopped together. For the majority of the book, you are following a chronological timeline. Then, as the action picks up towards the end, the reader is presented with a series of other documentation to fill in prior gaps. It made the book feel disjointed and a bit too convenient. Although the dossier format can be fun to read, it may have actually hindered the plot that Hallett was weaving together in this book.

While THE EXAMINER is an overall entertaining read, it's likely the last book I will read by Hallett. It took everything good about THE APPEAL, but didn't do it as well.

Assignment: You are asked to review a set of materials relating to a Masters program on Multimedia and Art Skills. You will be introduced to the students and instructor via the comments of an external examiner who is reviewing the course materials, and who believes that something terrible happened during the 8-month course.

If this is the type of book that you enjoy, then you might love this one! Janice Hallett does a really great job of unpacking the events that transpire using a mix of materials (personal texts, instant group messages, short essays, course assignment descriptions, and emails involving the professor of the course and the students in the Masters program). Each of the six students was distinct and their personalities shone through their communications and coursework. I especially liked Jem, the youngest student. There were a lot of twists and turns (and one in particular was very well done and I wondered how I hadn't seen it coming), but it reached the point that it became a bit trying to have yet one more twist. Overall, I liked it well enough and read through it quickly. Grade: 3.5

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy Hallett's style of using messages, emails, and the like to let the story unfold. Her characters are quirky and quite relatable. I absolutely did not see a lot of the twists and turns coming, which I always appreciate. However, I feel that the plot that finally unfolded was a bit complicated. Other than that, I think the book is interesting, and I will continue to read Hallett's novels.

I so tried to get into this story but it just didn't hold my attention. I'm sure it's a delightful novel but just not for me. It felt stilted and uninteresting. I'm sure others will enjoy it.

4.5 stars rounded up!

The Examiner is a mixed media tale of 6 students taking an MA class that ends in murder and mystery. We read emails, text chains, essays, grades, and more as we attempt to solve the crime alongside the examiners of the course.

This was my first novel by Janice Hallet and I thought it was a blast! Some of the reveals were a bit out there, but I was drawn in by the format and had no problem following along with the story. I was infuriated by most of the characters which was intentional and thought they were all brilliantly brought to life.

I’d highly recommend this to mystery lovers, particularly those who enjoy mixed media! I’m definitely going to pick up Hallet’s other works asap

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love Janice Hallett. I know that not everyone is a fan of her style of writing, but I love it. I love the way it feels less like I'm reading a book and more like I'm sifting through a pile of documents, searching for the truth.

My first exposure to Hallett was last year when I read The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. I'll admit, it took me a minute to really get into it and adapt to her unique story-telling style, but once I did, I was hooked. The Examiner is every bit as good. It's fast-paced and contains all the twists and turns fans of Hallett will be expecting. Is the story a little far-fetched? Sure. Isn't just about every mystery though?

In telling its story of a new Multimedia Art Master of Fine Arts program at Royal Hastings University, The Examiner presents the most toxic and dysfunctional cohort you've ever met. There's young and ambitious Jem, who makes Tracy Flick seem laid-back; Jonathan, the gallery owner who wants to be an artist; Patrick, the old man of the group who wants to be everyone's friend; Ludya, the working mother of two who is always busy and gruff; Cameron, who is almost a caricature of a marketing professional, made of corporate-speak and buzzwords but sadly zero creativity; and Alyson, the professional artist, there to lend the program a little credibility. And then there's the program's tutor, Gela…

In less skilled hands, the plot and characters of The Examiner could feel tired, even trope-y, but Hallett breathes new air into old stereotypes about the people and politics of academia. I honestly loved this book and, once I started it, struggled to put it down. It's rare that a book keeps me up reading through the night but this one did. I kept telling myself "just one more chapter" until far past my bedtime.

<b>Examining the Examiners</b>
<i>Review of the NetGalley eBook ARC downloaded July 27, 2024 of the Atria Books hardcover / eBook / audiobook to be released September 10, 2024.</i>

I have read several of Janice Hallett's contemporary <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistolary_novel">epistolary</a> novels now, so I am quite accustomed to the style which uses emails, text messages, chat groups, transcribed recordings and such, instead of the old-style format of handwritten or typed letters to tell a story. That also comes with the knowledge that there will be unreliable writers and surprise twists. Even with those expectations and my attempts at close reading, I was still surprised by some of the later revelations in this book.

Discussing almost any details here would be a spoiler so it is best to stick to the setup only. An Arts Tutor at the fictional Royal Hastings University has set up a Master of Arts program in Multimedia. The tutor is rather desperate for it to succeed in order to ensure their future employment and they have handpicked the initial 6 candidates which include emerging and professional artists but also business professionals. The program is meant to reinforce the connection of creative arts to the business community and the final team project is an installation / presentation at a telecommunications corporation. The "Examiner" element is that the university has a panel which is doing a post-mortem analysis of the course. For that purpose they have access to all the chat group texts which are recorded in the University's own custom chat board called Doodle.

It soon becomes evident that this is not going to be a harmonious group exercise as the candidates start batting heads almost from the get-go. One seems to be set on accusing or informing on the others. Two of them (who are otherwise apparently married) seem to be having an affair. The tutor themself seems to have some sort of personal relationship with one of the candidates as their private correspondence (even the so-called "private" chat texts are accessible to the examiners) is constantly signed off with by apparently amorous "kiss-kiss" messages. One and then later perhaps another of the candidates simply disappear, although the others insist on denying it. In short, no one is exactly who they seem to be at first. The game for the reader is to try to deduce at least parts of the truth before the author's reveals. I'll admit that I was fooled in almost every instance.

I especially enjoyed the book due to a personal bias as it includes a sub-plot of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASMR">ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response)</a>. One of the artists involved wants to introduce a binaural sculpture to the final installation project such as the binaural microphone heads used in many ASMR videos on YouTube. As I've mentioned in several past reviews*, I am an actual ASMR experiencer as I have had the sensation since childhood. It is comparatively rare though, but many non-experiencers still enjoy the videos or recordings for their calming and relaxing effects.

So 4-stars for another twisty puzzler by Janice Hallett, and for ASMR fans perhaps even a 5-star as this is one of the relatively few examples of #ASMRinFiction to enjoy. Janice Hallett now joins the ranks of [author:Virginia Woolf|6765] and [author:Doris Lessing|7728] in incorporating the "weird sensation" into their fiction. ⚡😌⚡Of course, those earlier authors described it before there was a name for it.

My thanks to author Janice Hallett, Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this preview ARC, in exchange for which I provide this honest review.

<b>Trivia and Links</b>
The author's Acknowledgements explains that the ASMR element in this book was inspired by their seeing the <a href="https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/weird-sensation-feels-good-the-world-of-asmr#">Weird Sensation Feels Good: The World of ASMR</a> exhibit at The Design Museum in London, UK during its 2022-23 presentation. There was a trailer for the exhibition which you can see on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbtoVZ4N7gY">here</a>.

<b>Footnote</b>
* See for example my #ASMRinFiction review of Virginia Woolf's [book:Mrs. Dalloway|14942] at <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1950622576">Are You Experienced (with ASMR)?</a>.

I was so excited to get this book for review, as I loved the Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. The way that Janice Hallett writes through emails, found text and blogs is so interesting and fun to read. I was shocked by a couple of relevations in the story. This is so much more than an dark academic mystery. Loved it and would read another Hallett book!