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Il misterioso caso degli Angeli di Alperton
Tutti conoscono il caso degli Angeli di Alperton, ma nessuno conosce la verità. È per questo che Amanda, giornalista di cronaca nera, vuole scriverne in un libro. Per riuscirci, dovrà risolvere il mistero prima di chiunque altro e aggiudicarsi lo scoop dell'anno.
Che meraviglia tornare a immergersi nelle storie create dalla machiavellica Janice Hallett».
The Observer
«Nessuno come Hallett sa dosare la suspense e i colpi di scena».
The Times
La giornalista Amanda Bailey sta lavorando a un libro sugli Angeli di Alperton, una setta religiosa i cui seguaci, manipolati da un carismatico guru, tentarono di uccidere il figlio di una di loro, convinti di trovarsi di fronte al «male». Ma la madre, Holly, si rivolse alla polizia e gli Angeli si suicidarono in massa, consentendo a Holly e al piccolo di salvarsi e scomparire nell'anonimato. Vent'anni dopo, quel bambino è diventato maggiorenne e Amanda vorrebbe intervistarlo. Per farlo, è costretta a vedersela con un collega rivale, anche lui sulle tracce del ragazzo. Ben presto però, indagando, entrambi si renderanno conto che la verità sugli Angeli di Alperton nasconde qualcosa di molto piú oscuro e pericoloso di quanto avessero mai immaginato.
Che meraviglia tornare a immergersi nelle storie create dalla machiavellica Janice Hallett».
The Observer
«Nessuno come Hallett sa dosare la suspense e i colpi di scena».
The Times
La giornalista Amanda Bailey sta lavorando a un libro sugli Angeli di Alperton, una setta religiosa i cui seguaci, manipolati da un carismatico guru, tentarono di uccidere il figlio di una di loro, convinti di trovarsi di fronte al «male». Ma la madre, Holly, si rivolse alla polizia e gli Angeli si suicidarono in massa, consentendo a Holly e al piccolo di salvarsi e scomparire nell'anonimato. Vent'anni dopo, quel bambino è diventato maggiorenne e Amanda vorrebbe intervistarlo. Per farlo, è costretta a vedersela con un collega rivale, anche lui sulle tracce del ragazzo. Ben presto però, indagando, entrambi si renderanno conto che la verità sugli Angeli di Alperton nasconde qualcosa di molto piú oscuro e pericoloso di quanto avessero mai immaginato.
592 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2023
2075 people are currently reading
62316 people want to read
About the author
Janice Hallett
13 books2,613 followersJanice Hallett is a former magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. She wrote articles and speeches for, among others, the Cabinet Office, Home Office, and Department for International Development. Her enthusiasm for travel has taken her around the world several times, from Madagascar to the Galapagos, Guatemala to Zimbabwe, Japan, Russia, and South Korea. A playwright and screenwriter, she penned the feminist Shakespearean stage comedy NetherBard and cowrote the feature film Retreat. The Appeal is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,940 reviews
June 27, 2024
i want every mystery novel to make me feel totally stumped and also like the smartest amateur detective on earth. so i'm not asking for much.
just kidding, i'm asking for too much.
this was formatted like a bunch of files, which was fun, except some files are by definition boring.
other than that this was a good time: is it a cult? is it magic? is it institutional failures?
the ultimate reveal on this mystery felt overly complex and disappointing, as did the ending itself, but i by and large had a good time reading this book, and i guessed some but not all.
which is more than i can say for a lot of mysteries.
bottom line: i had an okay time, and i'll take it.
(thanks to the publisher for the copy)
just kidding, i'm asking for too much.
this was formatted like a bunch of files, which was fun, except some files are by definition boring.
other than that this was a good time: is it a cult? is it magic? is it institutional failures?
the ultimate reveal on this mystery felt overly complex and disappointing, as did the ending itself, but i by and large had a good time reading this book, and i guessed some but not all.
which is more than i can say for a lot of mysteries.
bottom line: i had an okay time, and i'll take it.
(thanks to the publisher for the copy)
February 8, 2023
"Open the safe deposit box. Inside you will find research material for a true crime book.
You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?"
True Crime writer Amanda Bailey has been commissioned to write a book on the eighteen-year-old case of the Alperton Angels – a cult led by “Gabriel”, presently incarcerated, three members of which were found dead (apparent ritualistic suicide) in an abandoned warehouse in Alperton, a suburb of northwest London. Another murder, a presumed ritualistic killing committed by Gabriel also figures in the list of crimes. Two surviving members, Jonah and Holly, both teenagers and their baby have withdrawn from the public eye since then. Gabriel, their charismatic leader had convinced them that they were angels in human form and the child was the Antichrist. Holly was instrumental in protecting the child from harm and in the process exposed the members of the group. Amanda’s research includes studying existing documentation, tapping into her sources contacting law enforcement officers, hospital staff and social workers who interacted with the members, attempting to interview anyone and everyone linked to the case including Gabriel and tracking down the survivors including the child who would now be eighteen years old and from whose perspective Amanda’s book is to be based. Complicating things further is the fact that fellow writer Oliver Menzies is also working on a similar book commissioned by another publishing house. Forced to collaborate, but unable to trust one another (there is history here, and it's not pleasant!), they race to uncover the truth behind the story of the Alperton Angels. Assisted by Ellie Cooper, who is helping in transcribing the interviews and phone conversations, Amanda is determined, perceptive and fearless, committed to getting to the bottom of things. But there are forces at play that don’t want them to succeed and people who would go to any length to make sure that the secrets surrounding the case stay buried.
Presented through a series of email correspondence, WhatsApp messages, letters, transcripts of interviews and phone conversations, and excerpts from fiction inspired by the Alperton Angels case and other documents, the narrative hooks you in from the very first page. To say that the plot is complex would be an understatement. The twists and turns and the direction the narrative ultimately took left my head spinning. There are more than a few characters to keep track of which adds to the confusion and the pace does waver in parts, but the author cleverly weaves a gripping tale that keeps you guessing, topping it off with an ending that you do not see coming. This book requires a bit of patience (and maybe a bit of notetaking to keep track of who’s who) but it is definitely worth the effort and time invested. With an intriguing premise, clever plotting and an engaging narrative, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett is a thoroughly satisfying read.
You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?"
True Crime writer Amanda Bailey has been commissioned to write a book on the eighteen-year-old case of the Alperton Angels – a cult led by “Gabriel”, presently incarcerated, three members of which were found dead (apparent ritualistic suicide) in an abandoned warehouse in Alperton, a suburb of northwest London. Another murder, a presumed ritualistic killing committed by Gabriel also figures in the list of crimes. Two surviving members, Jonah and Holly, both teenagers and their baby have withdrawn from the public eye since then. Gabriel, their charismatic leader had convinced them that they were angels in human form and the child was the Antichrist. Holly was instrumental in protecting the child from harm and in the process exposed the members of the group. Amanda’s research includes studying existing documentation, tapping into her sources contacting law enforcement officers, hospital staff and social workers who interacted with the members, attempting to interview anyone and everyone linked to the case including Gabriel and tracking down the survivors including the child who would now be eighteen years old and from whose perspective Amanda’s book is to be based. Complicating things further is the fact that fellow writer Oliver Menzies is also working on a similar book commissioned by another publishing house. Forced to collaborate, but unable to trust one another (there is history here, and it's not pleasant!), they race to uncover the truth behind the story of the Alperton Angels. Assisted by Ellie Cooper, who is helping in transcribing the interviews and phone conversations, Amanda is determined, perceptive and fearless, committed to getting to the bottom of things. But there are forces at play that don’t want them to succeed and people who would go to any length to make sure that the secrets surrounding the case stay buried.
Presented through a series of email correspondence, WhatsApp messages, letters, transcripts of interviews and phone conversations, and excerpts from fiction inspired by the Alperton Angels case and other documents, the narrative hooks you in from the very first page. To say that the plot is complex would be an understatement. The twists and turns and the direction the narrative ultimately took left my head spinning. There are more than a few characters to keep track of which adds to the confusion and the pace does waver in parts, but the author cleverly weaves a gripping tale that keeps you guessing, topping it off with an ending that you do not see coming. This book requires a bit of patience (and maybe a bit of notetaking to keep track of who’s who) but it is definitely worth the effort and time invested. With an intriguing premise, clever plotting and an engaging narrative, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett is a thoroughly satisfying read.
October 22, 2022
This is the latest from Janice Hallett, once again she gives us her modern trademark style of mystery that involves the reader, here the premise is that you are in possession of a key to a safety box, full of a true crime book research documents, and you can either read it all and lock it back into the box or you could read it and place it in the hands of the police. As usual, this is a complex, deceptive and twisted narrative that incorporates and draws on numerous sources, such as newspaper articles, transcribed interviews, phone calls, WhatsApp, emails, and conversations. True crime writer Amanda Bailey is hoping to breath life back into her flagging career with a spectacular exclusive, she is planning to re-examine a well known historic case.
The Alperton Angels were a cult led by Gabriel, now in prison, planning to kill a baby thought to be the Anti-Christ, fortunately this does not come to pass as the teenage mother, Holly, flees the cult, but the Angels go on to commit suicide rather than face prison. Amanda is now looking to find, identify and interview that baby, now 18 years old, she is an experienced and manipulative investigator and unearths a raft of contradictory evidence, is there a natural human explanation for this or is there something more sinister at play? Additionally she has unwelcome competition in the form of Oliver Menzies chasing the same scoop, and with whom she has a traumatic past history. Amanda is put in a position where she is having to accept that she has to work with him. Follow the clues in this smart, multilayered and intelligent mystery, with its elements of the supernatural, to the surprising final reveal.
I think fans of the author are likely to love this, familiar as they are with the author's style of storytelling, and readers new to Hallett may enjoy this too. It is a fun, entertaining, dark, disturbing, and humorous on occasion, but it does require patience and paying attention to detail to follow the many threads and all the twists and turns on the path to uncovering the truth. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
The Alperton Angels were a cult led by Gabriel, now in prison, planning to kill a baby thought to be the Anti-Christ, fortunately this does not come to pass as the teenage mother, Holly, flees the cult, but the Angels go on to commit suicide rather than face prison. Amanda is now looking to find, identify and interview that baby, now 18 years old, she is an experienced and manipulative investigator and unearths a raft of contradictory evidence, is there a natural human explanation for this or is there something more sinister at play? Additionally she has unwelcome competition in the form of Oliver Menzies chasing the same scoop, and with whom she has a traumatic past history. Amanda is put in a position where she is having to accept that she has to work with him. Follow the clues in this smart, multilayered and intelligent mystery, with its elements of the supernatural, to the surprising final reveal.
I think fans of the author are likely to love this, familiar as they are with the author's style of storytelling, and readers new to Hallett may enjoy this too. It is a fun, entertaining, dark, disturbing, and humorous on occasion, but it does require patience and paying attention to detail to follow the many threads and all the twists and turns on the path to uncovering the truth. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
December 21, 2023
Janice Hallett has mastered the art of the mixed-media novel. By that I mean in lieu of traditional narrative, there are emails, WhatsApp messages, transcripts, newspaper articles, book excerpts, letters, and a partial screenplay. In The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, a true crime writer agrees to tackle the case of a cult murder/suicide from 18 years prior. A young woman and her newborn baby, along with the baby’s father, are rescued by the police from a cult. Other members of the cult are found dead and the cult leader is arrested for the murder of a waiter and is currently in jail. Now that the baby is officially an adult, Amanda Bailey has been commissioned to find the person and write a book. Only problem is no one has any idea what happened to any of the three individuals - mother, father or baby.
Her nemesis, Oliver, is also looking to write a book on the same subject. And their two editors have the brilliant idea to have them collaborate.
As Amanda interviews those individuals that are still around, the stories don’t coincide. In fact, there are glaring differences.
I’m impressed by how much I felt I got to know Amanda, despite everything being in the form of some kind of correspondence. Oliver provides an interesting take on how someone can get sucked into a “theory”. In these days of QAnon, it hit home. And I adored Ellie Cooper, the transcriber and her little added side comments. She provides gobs of comic relief.
The story tackles trust, manipulation, deceit and what people are willing to believe. This is a story that drew me in deeper and deeper the further it goes along. What starts off light becomes dark by the end.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
Her nemesis, Oliver, is also looking to write a book on the same subject. And their two editors have the brilliant idea to have them collaborate.
As Amanda interviews those individuals that are still around, the stories don’t coincide. In fact, there are glaring differences.
I’m impressed by how much I felt I got to know Amanda, despite everything being in the form of some kind of correspondence. Oliver provides an interesting take on how someone can get sucked into a “theory”. In these days of QAnon, it hit home. And I adored Ellie Cooper, the transcriber and her little added side comments. She provides gobs of comic relief.
The story tackles trust, manipulation, deceit and what people are willing to believe. This is a story that drew me in deeper and deeper the further it goes along. What starts off light becomes dark by the end.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
February 24, 2023
EXCERPT: You have a key that opens a safe deposit box.
Inside is a bundle of documents, archived research material for a book that has just been published.
You must read it all and make a decision.
EITHER:
Replace the documents and the box, then throw the key where it will never be found . . .
OR: Take everything to the police.
ABOUT 'THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS': Open the safe deposit box. Inside you will find research material for a true crime book. You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?
Everyone knows the story of the Alperton Angels: the cult-like group who were convinced one of their member's babies was the anti-Christ, and they had a divine mission to kill it - until the baby's mother, Holly, came to her senses and called the police. The Angels committed suicide rather than go to prison, and Holly - and the baby - disappeared into the care system.
Nearly two decades later, true-crime author Amanda Bailey is writing a book on the Angels. The Alperton baby has turned eighteen and can finally be interviewed - if Amanda can find them, it will be the true-crime scoop of the year, and will save her flagging career. But rival author Oliver Menzies is just as smart, better connected, and is also on the baby's trail.
As Amanda and Oliver are forced to collaborate, they realise that what everyone thinks they know about the Angels is wrong, and the truth is something much darker and stranger than they'd ever imagined.
This story is far from over - and it won't have a happy ending.
MY THOUGHTS: DNF @ 53%
I began intrigued by the opening page. Early on I expressed my doubts about the format of the book which is told entirely in transcripts of interviews, phone conversations, WhatsApp, emails and various other documents.
Because of the format used, it's very drawn out, there's no clear storyline and a confusing multitude of characters, and I use this word loosely as we never actually meet any of them, who may or may not reappear later in the book.
By the time I abandoned this read I had no idea what was going on and really didn't care.
This book may well appeal to true crime readers.
⭐
#TheMysteriousCaseoftheAlpertonAngels #NetGalley.
I: @janice.hallett @serpentstail
T: @JaniceHallett @ViperBooks
#contemporaryfiction #crime #cultfiction #historicalfiction #murdermystery #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Janice Hallett is a former magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. Her enthusiasm for travel has taken her around the world several times.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Inside is a bundle of documents, archived research material for a book that has just been published.
You must read it all and make a decision.
EITHER:
Replace the documents and the box, then throw the key where it will never be found . . .
OR: Take everything to the police.
ABOUT 'THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS': Open the safe deposit box. Inside you will find research material for a true crime book. You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?
Everyone knows the story of the Alperton Angels: the cult-like group who were convinced one of their member's babies was the anti-Christ, and they had a divine mission to kill it - until the baby's mother, Holly, came to her senses and called the police. The Angels committed suicide rather than go to prison, and Holly - and the baby - disappeared into the care system.
Nearly two decades later, true-crime author Amanda Bailey is writing a book on the Angels. The Alperton baby has turned eighteen and can finally be interviewed - if Amanda can find them, it will be the true-crime scoop of the year, and will save her flagging career. But rival author Oliver Menzies is just as smart, better connected, and is also on the baby's trail.
As Amanda and Oliver are forced to collaborate, they realise that what everyone thinks they know about the Angels is wrong, and the truth is something much darker and stranger than they'd ever imagined.
This story is far from over - and it won't have a happy ending.
MY THOUGHTS: DNF @ 53%
I began intrigued by the opening page. Early on I expressed my doubts about the format of the book which is told entirely in transcripts of interviews, phone conversations, WhatsApp, emails and various other documents.
Because of the format used, it's very drawn out, there's no clear storyline and a confusing multitude of characters, and I use this word loosely as we never actually meet any of them, who may or may not reappear later in the book.
By the time I abandoned this read I had no idea what was going on and really didn't care.
This book may well appeal to true crime readers.
⭐
#TheMysteriousCaseoftheAlpertonAngels #NetGalley.
I: @janice.hallett @serpentstail
T: @JaniceHallett @ViperBooks
#contemporaryfiction #crime #cultfiction #historicalfiction #murdermystery #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Janice Hallett is a former magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. Her enthusiasm for travel has taken her around the world several times.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 15, 2023
This was the most ambitious, masterfully plotted of the author's innovative mysteries. The Appeal and Twyford Code fans should be delighted with Janice Hallett's new book. Told in her unique style, the narration consists of emails(often with added emojis), text messages, chats on WhatsApp and Facetime, pages torn novels and screenplays relevant to the case, newspaper clippings, handwritten notes, and transcripts of recorded conversations in person or by phone. I was drawn in and entertained from the beginning and impressed by how brilliantly the author built a complex plot with well-developed characters using the mixed media format. This is Hallett's most ambitious and complicated novel.
The story is told through files researched and collected by true crime novelist Amanda Bailey. Many have been transcribed by her intelligent assistant, Ellie Cooper. Ellie adds comments to these transcripts in brackets or by sticky notes with her thoughts, advice and humour.
Amanda hopes to tie all her research into a new crime novel about the Alperton Angels told from a new perspective. The time is the present, and the Alperton Angel case occurred 20 years ago, in 2003. The Alperton Angels were a small cult led by the charismatic and manipulative Gabriel. His followers were led to believe that they were angels. With the end of days approaching, their duty was to sacrifice a baby he termed the Antichrist. The teenage 'mother' Holly escaped with a young man and the baby; their whereabouts are unknown. In the aftermath of the 'devil child's disappearance, the remaining followers were reported to have committed suicide, and their bodies were displayed in a ritualistic fashion. The number found dead at the scene was disputed.
Several books and screenplays had been based on the events. The missing baby is now approaching their 18th birthday. If Amanda can find the young person, it would be a coup, adding interest and publicity for her book. She also wants to interview Gabriel, now serving time in prison.
This witty, clever, and multi-layered plot is a dark story relieved by touches of humour. Amanda is compelled to work with a rival author, Oliver Menzies, who is also writing a book about the Angel's case for a different publisher. Amanda was deeply hurt by him in the past but decides to cooperate. They agree to focus on different aspects of the case for their upcoming books. Amanda is considered the better reporter, but Oliver has better connections. Oliver publishes in a newspaper some of Amanda's work and a photograph she took. He is not embarrassed or apologetic for his deception and manages to get an interview with Gabriel. He refuses to share anything regarding this interview with Amanda. Oliver seems to have fallen under Gabriel's spell and is becoming obsessed with supernatural spirits, angels, demons, and the Antichrist. People are concerned about his break from reality, but Amanda insists he will snap out of it.
As the two journalists gather information for their books, they face contradictory evidence, baffling twists, and dead ends. For example, the number of deceased cult members after Holly escaped with the baby, the existence of satanic symbols at the death scene, a member brandishing a knife, and the more outlandish recollection that the teenage Holly escaped Gabriel's clutches in the early 1990s instead of 2003. There were also differences in reports of what police and social workers were present at the time of the Alperton deaths. Several people already interviewed or soon to be questioned have died. Is there a conspiracy, and are Amanda and Oliver in danger?
The discrepancies in evidence could be due to memory lapses after twenty years, deliberate lies, or a conspiracy to cover up what really happened, but what could the motive be? The truth is darker and stranger than one could imagine. Recommended!
The story is told through files researched and collected by true crime novelist Amanda Bailey. Many have been transcribed by her intelligent assistant, Ellie Cooper. Ellie adds comments to these transcripts in brackets or by sticky notes with her thoughts, advice and humour.
Amanda hopes to tie all her research into a new crime novel about the Alperton Angels told from a new perspective. The time is the present, and the Alperton Angel case occurred 20 years ago, in 2003. The Alperton Angels were a small cult led by the charismatic and manipulative Gabriel. His followers were led to believe that they were angels. With the end of days approaching, their duty was to sacrifice a baby he termed the Antichrist. The teenage 'mother' Holly escaped with a young man and the baby; their whereabouts are unknown. In the aftermath of the 'devil child's disappearance, the remaining followers were reported to have committed suicide, and their bodies were displayed in a ritualistic fashion. The number found dead at the scene was disputed.
Several books and screenplays had been based on the events. The missing baby is now approaching their 18th birthday. If Amanda can find the young person, it would be a coup, adding interest and publicity for her book. She also wants to interview Gabriel, now serving time in prison.
This witty, clever, and multi-layered plot is a dark story relieved by touches of humour. Amanda is compelled to work with a rival author, Oliver Menzies, who is also writing a book about the Angel's case for a different publisher. Amanda was deeply hurt by him in the past but decides to cooperate. They agree to focus on different aspects of the case for their upcoming books. Amanda is considered the better reporter, but Oliver has better connections. Oliver publishes in a newspaper some of Amanda's work and a photograph she took. He is not embarrassed or apologetic for his deception and manages to get an interview with Gabriel. He refuses to share anything regarding this interview with Amanda. Oliver seems to have fallen under Gabriel's spell and is becoming obsessed with supernatural spirits, angels, demons, and the Antichrist. People are concerned about his break from reality, but Amanda insists he will snap out of it.
As the two journalists gather information for their books, they face contradictory evidence, baffling twists, and dead ends. For example, the number of deceased cult members after Holly escaped with the baby, the existence of satanic symbols at the death scene, a member brandishing a knife, and the more outlandish recollection that the teenage Holly escaped Gabriel's clutches in the early 1990s instead of 2003. There were also differences in reports of what police and social workers were present at the time of the Alperton deaths. Several people already interviewed or soon to be questioned have died. Is there a conspiracy, and are Amanda and Oliver in danger?
The discrepancies in evidence could be due to memory lapses after twenty years, deliberate lies, or a conspiracy to cover up what really happened, but what could the motive be? The truth is darker and stranger than one could imagine. Recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2024
This is the story of published true crime writer Amanda Bailey's investigation for her upcoming book on the Alperton Angels cult; a cult that gained notoriety in the early 2000s in North West London after a murder and suicides, yes, suicides plural. Amanda, like others before her, found herself actually considering whether there was a supernatural slant to the case, as some conspiracy theorists had claimed! When a fellow writer/investigator from Amanda's past started a similar investigation for his book, the two were forced to work together, sort of. Did they uncover the truth about the Alperton Angels? And what did they do when some of their sources, sources plural, got killed in 'random' accidents?
In typical Janice Hallett style the story is told from records of texts, WhatsApps, written letters and notes, published articles, websites, transcribed interviews etc. I very much enjoyed Hallett's other works especially her first book The Appreal, but this mystery investigation just had too many characters as well as too many stories within stories that it just didn't work for me in this modern epistolary format. What did work very well for me, was the way the book looked at how, when, where and why information is shared and how the data owners can use their data to further their own aims; in addition it also take a pretty clever look at how modern conspiracy theories emerge etc. The complexity (of this very good story) wasn't coherent enough for me in this format, as I often lost who was who, and who did what. Armed with the knowledge gained from reading this, I can see how a second reading would produce a much stronger grading from me than the 7 out of 12 Three Stars I have given it this time round.
2024 read
In typical Janice Hallett style the story is told from records of texts, WhatsApps, written letters and notes, published articles, websites, transcribed interviews etc. I very much enjoyed Hallett's other works especially her first book The Appreal, but this mystery investigation just had too many characters as well as too many stories within stories that it just didn't work for me in this modern epistolary format. What did work very well for me, was the way the book looked at how, when, where and why information is shared and how the data owners can use their data to further their own aims; in addition it also take a pretty clever look at how modern conspiracy theories emerge etc. The complexity (of this very good story) wasn't coherent enough for me in this format, as I often lost who was who, and who did what. Armed with the knowledge gained from reading this, I can see how a second reading would produce a much stronger grading from me than the 7 out of 12 Three Stars I have given it this time round.
2024 read
October 2, 2022
Amanda Bailey, best selling true crime author is searching for inspiration for her next novels when her agent points her to the 2003 case of the Alperton Angels. This is a small cult led by ‘Gabriel’ who convinces a young couple their baby is the Anti-Christ. The group hits the headlines and remains there after four people end up dead with the teenage couple surviving as does the baby. The whereabouts of these three becoming a mystery that people have obsessed about ever since and as the baby is about to turn eighteen there is renewed interest in the finding them. Amanda is now on the case using all her ingenuity and contacts to find the elusive ‘baby’. Sadly for her, so is Oliver Menzies, a rival in more ways than one and with whom Amanda has history. Unfortunately for her, she is forced to collaborate. Can the pair find the truth? It’s harder than they could ever imagine as weird anomalies and discrepancies occur, there are numerous smokescreens, blind alleys and red herrings with the truth being beyond their wildest dreams.
As usual, the author uses a mixture of media to tell the startling and dramatic story such as email, WhatsApp, book extracts, transcripts and so on. I enjoy this form of storytelling and what is so clever is that you get a strong sense of the characters. There’s mega competition between Amanda and Oliver, Amanda proves to be a bloodhound, exhaustive in her investigative skills, combined with a bit of Rottweiler but when the need arises she can be more of a golden retriever. Oliver becomes very gullible and gets utterly sucked in by some very bizarre ideas. I love the banter between Amanda and her assistant Ellie who adds plenty of humour. Whenever Ellie appears you know there’s going to be fun!
I think this novel takes a little while to get going but that’s because this is Janice Hallett’s most ambitious novel to date. It’s quite a convoluted plot but she skilfully makes it an easy one to follow. The case is strange if not weird and you get plenty of eye poppers along the route to the truth. The plot becomes thicker if not murkier, extremely mysterious and at times a bit woo-woo via angels and demons and so on. I find myself on the edge of my seat as the conspiracy deepens becoming infinitely more dangerous with so many things not adding up. It gets increasingly dramatic and startling with some of the discoveries with an ending that is maybe unsurprisingly given what we learn though I love the ultimate dilemma!
Overall, a clever novel which I thoroughly enjoy. What a great cover too.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Serpent’s Tail/Viper/ Profile Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
As usual, the author uses a mixture of media to tell the startling and dramatic story such as email, WhatsApp, book extracts, transcripts and so on. I enjoy this form of storytelling and what is so clever is that you get a strong sense of the characters. There’s mega competition between Amanda and Oliver, Amanda proves to be a bloodhound, exhaustive in her investigative skills, combined with a bit of Rottweiler but when the need arises she can be more of a golden retriever. Oliver becomes very gullible and gets utterly sucked in by some very bizarre ideas. I love the banter between Amanda and her assistant Ellie who adds plenty of humour. Whenever Ellie appears you know there’s going to be fun!
I think this novel takes a little while to get going but that’s because this is Janice Hallett’s most ambitious novel to date. It’s quite a convoluted plot but she skilfully makes it an easy one to follow. The case is strange if not weird and you get plenty of eye poppers along the route to the truth. The plot becomes thicker if not murkier, extremely mysterious and at times a bit woo-woo via angels and demons and so on. I find myself on the edge of my seat as the conspiracy deepens becoming infinitely more dangerous with so many things not adding up. It gets increasingly dramatic and startling with some of the discoveries with an ending that is maybe unsurprisingly given what we learn though I love the ultimate dilemma!
Overall, a clever novel which I thoroughly enjoy. What a great cover too.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Serpent’s Tail/Viper/ Profile Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
January 19, 2023
I don’t quite know how Janice Hallett manages to write such long, complex, high quality books so quickly, but I’m really glad she does, because I cannot get enough of her writing and plotting. More in the vein of
The Appeal
than The Twyford Code, this is another irresistibly page-turning mystery, this time following true crime author Amanda Bailey as she attempts to revive her career with a book about a cold case. The ‘Alperton Angels’ were a tiny cult in the early 2000s; after several members died, their manipulative leader was given a life sentence. Amanda’s new angle is to track down a baby rescued from the group – the child will now be 18, and an exclusive interview would launch her book with a splash. But her search runs into so many baffling dead ends that it seems a conspiracy is afoot...
What ensues is told as a patchwork of text messages, emails, transcriptions, extracts from books and scripts, etc. This is a format I simply never get tired of; it’s as moreish as a box of chocolates, and it allows for the narrative to be funny and irreverent as well as gripping. And in the end, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is a story about deception, resentment and professional rivalry as much as it is a crime novel. It relies not so much on plot twists but on shifting the reader’s perception of what the story is really about. Oh, and there’s also a very entertaining creepy/quasi-supernatural element thanks to the unexplained events surrounding the cult. A clever, unpredictable and extremely enjoyable book.
I received an advance review copy of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels from the publisher through NetGalley.
What ensues is told as a patchwork of text messages, emails, transcriptions, extracts from books and scripts, etc. This is a format I simply never get tired of; it’s as moreish as a box of chocolates, and it allows for the narrative to be funny and irreverent as well as gripping. And in the end, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is a story about deception, resentment and professional rivalry as much as it is a crime novel. It relies not so much on plot twists but on shifting the reader’s perception of what the story is really about. Oh, and there’s also a very entertaining creepy/quasi-supernatural element thanks to the unexplained events surrounding the cult. A clever, unpredictable and extremely enjoyable book.
I received an advance review copy of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels from the publisher through NetGalley.
December 18, 2023
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.
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.
February 10, 2024
Janice Hallett has done it again…
This book is written in the same style as her other books, The Appeal and The Christmas Appeal. This novel is written in a mixed multi-media format of texts and emails between all the characters in the book. If you liked her other two novels written in this manner, you are going to find this right up you alley!
The storyline itself is intriguing and slowly peels back layers of clues as to the mysterious case of the missing baby from the Alperton Angels. As our MC reporter tried to trace and chase down any leads, she is met head on with resistance and dead ends. Reading this as it all unfolds definitely left me wondering how all the pieces fit.
I took off a star for the struggle I had in following the characters in the storyline as it jumps back and forth so many times between numerous characters that it became a bit dizzying at times. I would give this a solid 3.5 but rounded up because I felt that a lot of readers would enjoy this sort of new age sleuthing. If you are able to keep pace with a multitude of characters, you will enjoy this book much more than I did. As far as the story itself, I thought it was laid out in true Janice Hallett fashion and did not disappoint in that arena!
This book is written in the same style as her other books, The Appeal and The Christmas Appeal. This novel is written in a mixed multi-media format of texts and emails between all the characters in the book. If you liked her other two novels written in this manner, you are going to find this right up you alley!
The storyline itself is intriguing and slowly peels back layers of clues as to the mysterious case of the missing baby from the Alperton Angels. As our MC reporter tried to trace and chase down any leads, she is met head on with resistance and dead ends. Reading this as it all unfolds definitely left me wondering how all the pieces fit.
I took off a star for the struggle I had in following the characters in the storyline as it jumps back and forth so many times between numerous characters that it became a bit dizzying at times. I would give this a solid 3.5 but rounded up because I felt that a lot of readers would enjoy this sort of new age sleuthing. If you are able to keep pace with a multitude of characters, you will enjoy this book much more than I did. As far as the story itself, I thought it was laid out in true Janice Hallett fashion and did not disappoint in that arena!
December 31, 2023
This is what I'm talking about! I knew Janice was eventually going to give me exactly what I wanted, and this is it. Such a fun mystery with just the right amount of layers, humor, & pathos.
July 17, 2023
It has taken me longer than usual to write this review because I consider this author to be very talented. I have read all her books, The Appeal took me by surprise and I became a fan, a solid five stars. With Twyford I became restless and bored at the beginning but the storyline became suddenly interesting, four stars. The book I just read was nothing like the previous books, the plot was uninteresting and repetitious with dull and unlikable characters.
I hate to say it but her work is becoming formulaic. In a conventional storyline the plot becomes gripping and exciting with each chapter we read especially when it is a mystery. In this case it remained stagnant for at least 300 pages or more, it needed more imagination. I was so tired of reading the ramblings of conspiracy theorists and “flaky” characters that I almost gave up, the ending didn’t merit this torture!
The conspiracy theories like in Twyford were red herrings in order for the plot to advance. The ending didn’t need to be repeated that much. It was such a simple story.
I hate to say it but her work is becoming formulaic. In a conventional storyline the plot becomes gripping and exciting with each chapter we read especially when it is a mystery. In this case it remained stagnant for at least 300 pages or more, it needed more imagination. I was so tired of reading the ramblings of conspiracy theorists and “flaky” characters that I almost gave up, the ending didn’t merit this torture!
The conspiracy theories like in Twyford were red herrings in order for the plot to advance. The ending didn’t need to be repeated that much. It was such a simple story.
October 12, 2024
I’d heard enough good things about Janice Hallett to have put The Twyford Code on my TBR a while back, and though I still haven’t got round to that book, this one seemed so tempting that I jumped the queue and read it first.
The concept, briefly: Nearly two decades ago a small cult planned to sacrifice a baby alleged to be the anti-Christ. It didn’t work out as planned, with the result that the cult leaders, who styled themselves archangels, were dead, but the baby and two teenagers escaped. Now, two writers are separately planning true crime books taking off from the fact that the baby, wherever they are, will now be eighteen.
The story is told from the POV of Amanda Bailey, one of those authors, and the narrative style is a compilation of texts, emails, What’s App messages, transcriptions of taped conversations, old newspaper articles, and extracts from three works of fiction based on the Alperton Angels’ story. Interspersed with all this are multiple drafts of Amanda’s first chapter, each of which is hugely different from the previous as the focus of her investigative efforts shifts.
Yes, this sounds gimmicky, and with a different story in the hands of a different author I can imagine it would have been a disaster. Hallett is the right author, though, and this hodgepodge of media turns out to be an ideal way to capture the feel of Amanda’s ever-evolving research into the people and events at the core of the mystery.
If you don’t like disjointed narratives, this book isn’t for you. It appears that I do, since for some reason books with changing narrators and POVs and tenses and timelines that sometimes turn others off invariably seem to appeal to me.
In fact, there really wasn’t anything about this book that I disliked. It’s bright and fresh and intriguing - it had my rapt attention from the first page to the end, appropriate for a novel in which nothing is as it first appears. Definitely 5 stars.
Note:
Although my listening experience went just fine, it might be easier to track the characters and follow the story reading in print. There were definitely a couple of “Wait, who is this person who is texting her?” moments, which might have been easier to sort out in a print version.
The concept, briefly: Nearly two decades ago a small cult planned to sacrifice a baby alleged to be the anti-Christ. It didn’t work out as planned, with the result that the cult leaders, who styled themselves archangels, were dead, but the baby and two teenagers escaped. Now, two writers are separately planning true crime books taking off from the fact that the baby, wherever they are, will now be eighteen.
The story is told from the POV of Amanda Bailey, one of those authors, and the narrative style is a compilation of texts, emails, What’s App messages, transcriptions of taped conversations, old newspaper articles, and extracts from three works of fiction based on the Alperton Angels’ story. Interspersed with all this are multiple drafts of Amanda’s first chapter, each of which is hugely different from the previous as the focus of her investigative efforts shifts.
Yes, this sounds gimmicky, and with a different story in the hands of a different author I can imagine it would have been a disaster. Hallett is the right author, though, and this hodgepodge of media turns out to be an ideal way to capture the feel of Amanda’s ever-evolving research into the people and events at the core of the mystery.
If you don’t like disjointed narratives, this book isn’t for you. It appears that I do, since for some reason books with changing narrators and POVs and tenses and timelines that sometimes turn others off invariably seem to appeal to me.
In fact, there really wasn’t anything about this book that I disliked. It’s bright and fresh and intriguing - it had my rapt attention from the first page to the end, appropriate for a novel in which nothing is as it first appears. Definitely 5 stars.
Note:
Although my listening experience went just fine, it might be easier to track the characters and follow the story reading in print. There were definitely a couple of “Wait, who is this person who is texting her?” moments, which might have been easier to sort out in a print version.
February 11, 2024
So, the Alperton Angels were a supposed cult near London that was the setting for a shocking crime back in 2003. Many years later, Amanda Bailey sets out to write a new angle on this case for a series of true crime books. What she uncovers along the way could very well put her and others in danger, because someone wants the truth to stay hidden.
I don't know how Janice Hallett comes up with these intricate, meticulous plots for her books. I had no idea where this story was going, but I sure had fun trying to figure it out. I sat thinking about this book long after I read it, it's that good!
Definite recommend.
I don't know how Janice Hallett comes up with these intricate, meticulous plots for her books. I had no idea where this story was going, but I sure had fun trying to figure it out. I sat thinking about this book long after I read it, it's that good!
Definite recommend.
November 2, 2022
Imagine you get to have your hands on the laptop of a celebrated true crime writer ! You'll have access to her whatsapps, her mails, research documents and transcripts of interviews. Now, that would be very interesting and intriguing - but also very illegal. Luckily Janice Hallett delves into that desire and presents us with a legal alternative: this book ! It is a collection of all the above-mentioned documents and files and as a reader you are free to roam into this fictitious collection. It is a big puzzle at first, but I was quickly drawn in as the subject matter of Amanda's new book is also one of a kind: a collective murder / suicide of a cult that was about to kill an infant as they believed it was a new Antichrist. Luckily and thanks to the mother of the child, the baby survives. What has happened that fatal day? And where is that baby now? What starts out as a mysterious case turns into a race against time, as the events unfold to a new and dangerous climax.
I absolutely loved the format, which draws the reader in immediately and even makes them complicit in the quest to get to the truth. But of course, people aren't always who they seem, people lie and are guided by their own history and motives, which aren't always clear. This is a book with multiple layers and complex characters, and the story will turn into another direction every now and then. And very much to my surprise, I absolutely didn't see that end coming.
Just like the Twyford Code, this book isn't written in a regular chapter format and just as well. It is clever and intriguing, and I loved every minute of it. Greatly recommended !
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Viper books and the author for a advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved the format, which draws the reader in immediately and even makes them complicit in the quest to get to the truth. But of course, people aren't always who they seem, people lie and are guided by their own history and motives, which aren't always clear. This is a book with multiple layers and complex characters, and the story will turn into another direction every now and then. And very much to my surprise, I absolutely didn't see that end coming.
Just like the Twyford Code, this book isn't written in a regular chapter format and just as well. It is clever and intriguing, and I loved every minute of it. Greatly recommended !
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Viper books and the author for a advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2023
Transcript of 999 call by me (JS) to call taker (CT), made 25 January 2023, transcribed by me…
CT: 999, which service do you require?
JS: Ambulance
CT: Is the patient conscious & breathing?
JS: Yes, it’s me, I’m the patient. I’m having palpitations. I read this book, you see, this book about the Alperton Angels & it was so good & so realistic & OMG is it real? Is there an Antichrist? Is the world going to end?
CT: Miss, calm down, take a breath…
JS: But I’m scared because now I know all this stuff, all this information, what do I do with it? Will they come for me? I don’t know what to do.
CT: Maybe you just need to get some rest…
JS: No, I can’t. I can’t sleep. I stayed up really late last night because I just needed to know what happened. And if I didn’t find out what happened I wouldn’t have been able to sleep either. And then I was getting these palpitations because I couldn’t read it fast enough. WHAT SHOULD I DO?!
CT: Just take some deep breaths, & slow that heart rate right down. You can do this. We’ll send someone round to ensure you don’t talk, I mean, ensure you don’t get worse. We’ll just keep this between us…
CT: 999, which service do you require?
JS: Ambulance
CT: Is the patient conscious & breathing?
JS: Yes, it’s me, I’m the patient. I’m having palpitations. I read this book, you see, this book about the Alperton Angels & it was so good & so realistic & OMG is it real? Is there an Antichrist? Is the world going to end?
CT: Miss, calm down, take a breath…
JS: But I’m scared because now I know all this stuff, all this information, what do I do with it? Will they come for me? I don’t know what to do.
CT: Maybe you just need to get some rest…
JS: No, I can’t. I can’t sleep. I stayed up really late last night because I just needed to know what happened. And if I didn’t find out what happened I wouldn’t have been able to sleep either. And then I was getting these palpitations because I couldn’t read it fast enough. WHAT SHOULD I DO?!
CT: Just take some deep breaths, & slow that heart rate right down. You can do this. We’ll send someone round to ensure you don’t talk, I mean, ensure you don’t get worse. We’ll just keep this between us…
January 29, 2024
خوب راجب این کتاب چی بگم که حق مطلب ادا کنه؟
اولش به فکر یه کتاب جنایی هیجان انگیز شروعش کردم اما بیشتر از هیجان دلهرهآور، این داستان معمایی هیجان اور بود😅
داستان راجب نویسنده جنایی که میخواد در مورد یه پرونده مرموز ۱۸ سال پیش کتاب بنویسه و هرچی بیشتر تحقیق میکنه بیشتر نکات مرموزی براش رو میشه. توی این پرونده یه فرقه مذهبی که ادعا میکردن فرشته هستن میخواستن یه نوزاد قربانی کنن چون ادعا میکردن که فرزند شیطانه اما موفق نشدن پس همگی باهم خودکشی کردن.
چرا فکر میکردن فرشته هستن؟ چرا فکر میکردن این بچه خاص "فرزند شیطان" هست؟چرا اتفاقاتی که شاهدا تعریف میکنن همخوانی ندارن؟ و از همه مهمتر اینکه الان اون نوزاد کجاست؟
داستان تماما به صورت چتهای واتسآپ،ایمیلهایی که بین افراد رد و بدل شده و ویس های ضبط شده از مصاحبه های اماندا با افراد مختلف تشکیل شده. شاید اولش بنظرتون ارتباط گرفتن با داستان سخت باشه اما یکم که برید جلوتر جوری خود "معمای داستان" جذبتون میکنه که دیگه این شیوه نگارش اصلا به چشم نمیاد.
شخصیت اصلی داستان اماندا بود و نوع ارتباطش با الی کوپر دستیارش خیلی دوست داشتم. از شخصیت اولیور از لحظه اول متنفر بودم(مرتیکه احمق روانی😒)
و گابریل.... لعنت بهش.... خودتون بخونین و فحشش بدید من چیزی نمیگم!
بازی ذهنی که نویسنده داستان با مای مخاطب تو صفحه اخر انجام داد خیلی دوست داشتم😬 یعنی در عین حال که عصبانی میشی و میگی چرا اینجور تمام میشد به خودت میایی و میبینی خیلی حقیقی تمام شد👍🏻
اولش به فکر یه کتاب جنایی هیجان انگیز شروعش کردم اما بیشتر از هیجان دلهرهآور، این داستان معمایی هیجان اور بود😅
داستان راجب نویسنده جنایی که میخواد در مورد یه پرونده مرموز ۱۸ سال پیش کتاب بنویسه و هرچی بیشتر تحقیق میکنه بیشتر نکات مرموزی براش رو میشه. توی این پرونده یه فرقه مذهبی که ادعا میکردن فرشته هستن میخواستن یه نوزاد قربانی کنن چون ادعا میکردن که فرزند شیطانه اما موفق نشدن پس همگی باهم خودکشی کردن.
چرا فکر میکردن فرشته هستن؟ چرا فکر میکردن این بچه خاص "فرزند شیطان" هست؟چرا اتفاقاتی که شاهدا تعریف میکنن همخوانی ندارن؟ و از همه مهمتر اینکه الان اون نوزاد کجاست؟
داستان تماما به صورت چتهای واتسآپ،ایمیلهایی که بین افراد رد و بدل شده و ویس های ضبط شده از مصاحبه های اماندا با افراد مختلف تشکیل شده. شاید اولش بنظرتون ارتباط گرفتن با داستان سخت باشه اما یکم که برید جلوتر جوری خود "معمای داستان" جذبتون میکنه که دیگه این شیوه نگارش اصلا به چشم نمیاد.
شخصیت اصلی داستان اماندا بود و نوع ارتباطش با الی کوپر دستیارش خیلی دوست داشتم. از شخصیت اولیور از لحظه اول متنفر بودم(مرتیکه احمق روانی😒)
و گابریل.... لعنت بهش.... خودتون بخونین و فحشش بدید من چیزی نمیگم!
بازی ذهنی که نویسنده داستان با مای مخاطب تو صفحه اخر انجام داد خیلی دوست داشتم😬 یعنی در عین حال که عصبانی میشی و میگی چرا اینجور تمام میشد به خودت میایی و میبینی خیلی حقیقی تمام شد👍🏻
May 14, 2025
"Open the safe deposit box. Inside you will find research material for a true crime book.
You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?" 🧐
WOW 🤯🫨😮💨😵
Every time I read a Janice Hallett book I enjoy it even more than the previous…how long can I keep these streak going for? It certainly hasn’t ended yet! This one was my FAVOURITE!
This time round the story is written from the POV of True Crime writer Amanda Bailey has been commissioned to write a book on the eighteen-year-old case of the Alperton Angels; a cult led by Gabriel, now imprisoned. The cult is well-known for brainwashing a teenage girl into believing her baby was the anti-Christ 🤯 When the girl came to her senses and called the police, the Angels committed suicide and mother and baby disappeared. That same baby is now turning 18 and Amanda is set on finding the latest scoop from the baby themselves. She comes across MANY obstacles, leading to a dark and complex storyline. The twists and turns leave you on edge and constantly wanting more…wanting the truth!
Janice’s stories are SO unique. I don’t know how she comes up with such fantastic, and incredibly unique, plots every single time. She dares to tackle what few (if any?) have done before.
“You just need to use the right words, at the right time, to show them certain things and hide others. They’ll do the rest all by themselves.”
She also has SUCH an addictive way of writing. The narrative flows so smoothly throughout the whole book making it almost impossible to put down 😅 This novel was presented via email correspondence, WhatsApp messages, transcripts of conversations and interviews, along with fictional stories inspired by the Alperton Angels case. There is A LOT of resources to get through, and it does take a bit of patience, but it is SO worth it!!
Janice has done it again - delivering a highly captivating and incredibly clever mystery novel 🙌🏼
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?" 🧐
WOW 🤯🫨😮💨😵
Every time I read a Janice Hallett book I enjoy it even more than the previous…how long can I keep these streak going for? It certainly hasn’t ended yet! This one was my FAVOURITE!
This time round the story is written from the POV of True Crime writer Amanda Bailey has been commissioned to write a book on the eighteen-year-old case of the Alperton Angels; a cult led by Gabriel, now imprisoned. The cult is well-known for brainwashing a teenage girl into believing her baby was the anti-Christ 🤯 When the girl came to her senses and called the police, the Angels committed suicide and mother and baby disappeared. That same baby is now turning 18 and Amanda is set on finding the latest scoop from the baby themselves. She comes across MANY obstacles, leading to a dark and complex storyline. The twists and turns leave you on edge and constantly wanting more…wanting the truth!
Janice’s stories are SO unique. I don’t know how she comes up with such fantastic, and incredibly unique, plots every single time. She dares to tackle what few (if any?) have done before.
“You just need to use the right words, at the right time, to show them certain things and hide others. They’ll do the rest all by themselves.”
She also has SUCH an addictive way of writing. The narrative flows so smoothly throughout the whole book making it almost impossible to put down 😅 This novel was presented via email correspondence, WhatsApp messages, transcripts of conversations and interviews, along with fictional stories inspired by the Alperton Angels case. There is A LOT of resources to get through, and it does take a bit of patience, but it is SO worth it!!
Janice has done it again - delivering a highly captivating and incredibly clever mystery novel 🙌🏼
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
February 23, 2024
This was so addicting, it didn't feel like a semi-long book at all, I finished it in no time. You'd think because it's told through transcribed conversations, emails, texts etc that it would be a bit dry, but it wasn't. There were multiple narrators which helped me to fully immerse myself into the story.
There's only about 8 chapters so the author was committed to that "true crime author is the narrator of the story" bit to the T. Some real life nonfiction books about cults are name dropped and mixed in with fictional books about the case Amanda is researching. I can't tell if it works or not, but I see what the author was trying to do there.
I love how the case kept getting stranger and stranger with each new clue, theory, interview. You as the reader aren't sure if the cult was correct in their beliefs, or if there really was something supernatural going on until the very end.
The ending surprised me, it's a tragic one so be warned!!! It makes sense with everything that happened before, but I still wasn't ready and didn't see it coming.
There's only about 8 chapters so the author was committed to that "true crime author is the narrator of the story" bit to the T. Some real life nonfiction books about cults are name dropped and mixed in with fictional books about the case Amanda is researching. I can't tell if it works or not, but I see what the author was trying to do there.
I love how the case kept getting stranger and stranger with each new clue, theory, interview. You as the reader aren't sure if the cult was correct in their beliefs, or if there really was something supernatural going on until the very end.
The ending surprised me, it's a tragic one so be warned!!! It makes sense with everything that happened before, but I still wasn't ready and didn't see it coming.
January 29, 2024
janice hallett has quickly become an audio-read author for me, i find her mixed media books very fun but a lot of the time i feel like i struggle to get through the middle of her books and this book was no different for me unfortunately. love some of these twists though.
June 23, 2023
What it comes down to with this book is that I just had a great time while reading it. I really feel like Janice Hallett is getting better with every book. She had the puzzle element down in the first book but I didn't care about the characters or connect emotionally with the story. In her second book, The Twyford Code, I connected hard with the characters thanks to some clever twistiness and she still had the nice puzzle element, even leveled up a little. With this one she had the puzzle (leveled up again, I think), she had the characters, and for the first time the stakes were INTENSE rather than personal like in her first two books.
If you like a mystery, if you like puzzles, and mixed media storytelling with intense stakes (while still maintaining the mystery atmosphere, a opposed to a thriller one), read no further in this review and just go pick up the book. Knowing as little as possible is the best way to go in.
If you're still here, I'm not gonna say you made the wrong decision, but . . . just kidding. Maybe you need more info. The premise here is that an investigative journalist is writing a book about an infamous cult murder/suicide that took place about eighteen years before. The Alperton Angels, as the cult members were called, believed that a specific baby was the Antichrist and were getting ready to sacrifice said baby when a police raid interrupted them. All of the cult members killed themselves, and the baby was taken into custody. But now in present day, the baby is eighteen years old and available to interview, if it can be found. Our journalist MC, Amanda, is determined to find the baby and break open the Alperton Angels case in a new way, making a name for herself.
The story is told in fragments of mixed media, as we are told we're reading Amanda's files after the fact. We have emails, journal entries, transcripts, screenplays, text messages, etc. I love this format when done well, as it was here. And the format allowed Hallett to get crafty hiding her clues in plain sight, and also allowing her to properly wallop you, should you so desire, with several twists (but the clues are there to figure out for yourself if you want to, and if you are a less passive reader than I am; I just like stories to happen to me!).
Highly recommend this one!
[4.5 stars, rounded up]
If you like a mystery, if you like puzzles, and mixed media storytelling with intense stakes (while still maintaining the mystery atmosphere, a opposed to a thriller one), read no further in this review and just go pick up the book. Knowing as little as possible is the best way to go in.
If you're still here, I'm not gonna say you made the wrong decision, but . . . just kidding. Maybe you need more info. The premise here is that an investigative journalist is writing a book about an infamous cult murder/suicide that took place about eighteen years before. The Alperton Angels, as the cult members were called, believed that a specific baby was the Antichrist and were getting ready to sacrifice said baby when a police raid interrupted them. All of the cult members killed themselves, and the baby was taken into custody. But now in present day, the baby is eighteen years old and available to interview, if it can be found. Our journalist MC, Amanda, is determined to find the baby and break open the Alperton Angels case in a new way, making a name for herself.
The story is told in fragments of mixed media, as we are told we're reading Amanda's files after the fact. We have emails, journal entries, transcripts, screenplays, text messages, etc. I love this format when done well, as it was here. And the format allowed Hallett to get crafty hiding her clues in plain sight, and also allowing her to properly wallop you, should you so desire, with several twists (but the clues are there to figure out for yourself if you want to, and if you are a less passive reader than I am; I just like stories to happen to me!).
Highly recommend this one!
[4.5 stars, rounded up]
May 7, 2025
«Dicen que nunca hay que volver atrás, pero si el pasado viene a buscarte, tiene que haber una razón, ¿no?»
Hace unos meses descubrí a Janice Hallett gracias a la búsqueda de libros y ejemplos sobre literatura ergódica que estaba haciendo para un artículo del blog (que ya podéis leer). Y, por supuesto, la reina del engaño, la considerada heredera de Agatha Christie del S. XXI con sus versiones modernas de la novela epistolar, acabaron —como estaba predestinado a ocurrir— cayendo en mis garras lectoras. Si hace unas semanas hable de La apelación, donde tenemos un asesinato, quince sospechosos y tres grandes preguntas por contestar, hoy le toca al turno a su última publicación en español, El misterioso caso de los Ángeles de Alperton. La nueva obra de Hallett gira 180º en su temática —que no en su forma— y centra su perspicaz narración en el fenómeno del true crime, ensamblando un tortuoso y retorcido rompecabezas que combina los mejores aspectos de la novela policíaca con varios comentarios a la orden del día sobre el crimen como (mundano) entretenimiento.
La triste historia de los Ángeles de Alperton
Todo el mundo conoce la triste historia de los Ángeles de Alperton: la secta que le lavó el cerebro a una adolescente y la convenció de que su bebé recién nacido era el anticristo. Creyendo que tenían la misión divina de matar al bebé, sólo los detuvieron cuando la niña recobró el sentido y llamó a la policía. Los Ángeles se suicidaron antes de ser juzgados, mientras que la madre y el bebé desaparecieron en los registros. Casi dos décadas después, la autora de crímenes reales Amanda Bailey está escribiendo un libro sobre los Ángeles de Alperton. El bebé ha cumplido dieciocho años y por fin puede ser entrevistado. Solo, claro, si Amanda puede encontrarlo(s). Será, por supuesto, la primicia del año sobre crímenes reales y lo que puede salvar su carrera, que en estos momentos anda en horas bajas.
Sin embargo, un autor rival, Oliver Menzies, es igual de inteligente que ella, está mejor conectado y también anda tras la pista del bebé. Cuando Amanda y Oliver se ven obligados a colaborar juntos, se dan cuenta de que lo que todos creen saber sobre los Ángeles está mal. La información falsa pulula por todos lados. La verdad es algo mucho más oscuro y extraño de lo que jamás habían imaginado. Y la historia de los Ángeles de Alperton está lejos de terminar. Aquí tienes, en este libro, una llave para una caja de seguridad. En ella, un grueso paquete de material: transcripciones de entrevistas, recortes de noticias, textos, mensajes de WhatsApp, extractos de novelas y guiones, intercambios de correos electrónicos y otros fragmentos de información aparentemente aleatorios. Debemos leerlo todo y tomar una decisión, si entregarlo a la policía… o tirar la llave y olvidarnos para siempre de ello.
Entre voces y documentos
Señala Ellie, una de las voces que leemos entre los documentos que Hay algo en este caso. Se introduce insidiosamente en tu mente y luego se propone cambiarla. Utilizando el formato epistolar típico del siglo XIX (como La inquilina de Wildfell Hall de Anne Brontë o el Drácula de Bram Stoker) combinado con los medios de comunicación del siglo XXI (correos electrónicos, transcripciones de mensajes y grabaciones,...etc) la narrativa de Hallett adquiere un carácter co-creativo para el lector: misterio y satisfacción se reparten a partes iguales, donde somos tanto lectores como investigadores. Si has leído algún otro libro de Janice Hallett ya sabes por dónde van los tiros, pero si esta es tu primera vez, prepárate para zambullirte en una maraña de documentos que arrojan luz a fuego lento y tratan de engañarte más de una vez.
A veces, sin embargo, puede parecer que el libro está haciendo malabares con demasiadas cosas: historias de fondo entre los personajes, conspiraciones, crímenes entrelazados, dinámicas interpersonales y un desenlace que debemos armar. El misterio —también en esta ocasión— está bien enterrado, es verdaderamente oscuro, y según se van revelando en los capítulos finales nos damos cuenta de lo bien que (de nuevo) Janice Hallett tenía todo (bien) atado. Por que entre testimonios, mensajes, correos y conversaciones, en esta ocasión también tenemos fragmentos de un libro y un curioso guion de una película que, a la vez, funcionan como un hilo y una pista de algo más que involucra a la secta de Los Ángeles de Alperton. Todo el libro, que en teoría es una caja de documentos, son el material recolectado por la propia Amanda para escribir ese libro y que posteriormente guardó en una caja de seguridad. Janice nos sitúa una vez más en el papel de detectives, de reconstructores de los hechos, rebuscando entre voces y documentos.
Amanda no es The Fairway Players
Aunque formalmente sean parecidos, creo que El misterioso caso de los Ángeles pierde contra La apelación en el carisma y empatía de sus personajes, pero gana respecto a su comentario social. La motivación de Amanda Bailey no tiene nada que ver con lo que nos implica la relación emocional con los miembros de The Fairway Players en La apelación. Ella simplemente busca ganar dinero y recobrar su fama, no sé está jugando la vida de alguien que (supuestamente) ha sido culpada de asesinato. Aunque el misterio es igual (o más) intrincado que la anterior, El misterioso caso de los Ángeles de Alperton si que gana la partida al ser más cercana al thriller criminal que cotidiano (o cozy), poniendo el foco en el boom de los morbosos crímenes reales y desvelando, ya desde el principio, una atmósfera genuinamente espeluznante que da cierto crédito a los elementos sobrenaturales que sobrevuelan el caso. Es un libro mucho más sombrío que La apelación, pero es mucho más cercano a las docuseries sobre sectas o crímenes reales que vemos, día a día, en nuestras plataformas digitales. Y, sin duda, es otro adictivo libro de misterio de la genia Janice Hallett.
Reseña en el blog: https://boywithletters.blogspot.com/2...
Hace unos meses descubrí a Janice Hallett gracias a la búsqueda de libros y ejemplos sobre literatura ergódica que estaba haciendo para un artículo del blog (que ya podéis leer). Y, por supuesto, la reina del engaño, la considerada heredera de Agatha Christie del S. XXI con sus versiones modernas de la novela epistolar, acabaron —como estaba predestinado a ocurrir— cayendo en mis garras lectoras. Si hace unas semanas hable de La apelación, donde tenemos un asesinato, quince sospechosos y tres grandes preguntas por contestar, hoy le toca al turno a su última publicación en español, El misterioso caso de los Ángeles de Alperton. La nueva obra de Hallett gira 180º en su temática —que no en su forma— y centra su perspicaz narración en el fenómeno del true crime, ensamblando un tortuoso y retorcido rompecabezas que combina los mejores aspectos de la novela policíaca con varios comentarios a la orden del día sobre el crimen como (mundano) entretenimiento.
La triste historia de los Ángeles de Alperton
Todo el mundo conoce la triste historia de los Ángeles de Alperton: la secta que le lavó el cerebro a una adolescente y la convenció de que su bebé recién nacido era el anticristo. Creyendo que tenían la misión divina de matar al bebé, sólo los detuvieron cuando la niña recobró el sentido y llamó a la policía. Los Ángeles se suicidaron antes de ser juzgados, mientras que la madre y el bebé desaparecieron en los registros. Casi dos décadas después, la autora de crímenes reales Amanda Bailey está escribiendo un libro sobre los Ángeles de Alperton. El bebé ha cumplido dieciocho años y por fin puede ser entrevistado. Solo, claro, si Amanda puede encontrarlo(s). Será, por supuesto, la primicia del año sobre crímenes reales y lo que puede salvar su carrera, que en estos momentos anda en horas bajas.
Sin embargo, un autor rival, Oliver Menzies, es igual de inteligente que ella, está mejor conectado y también anda tras la pista del bebé. Cuando Amanda y Oliver se ven obligados a colaborar juntos, se dan cuenta de que lo que todos creen saber sobre los Ángeles está mal. La información falsa pulula por todos lados. La verdad es algo mucho más oscuro y extraño de lo que jamás habían imaginado. Y la historia de los Ángeles de Alperton está lejos de terminar. Aquí tienes, en este libro, una llave para una caja de seguridad. En ella, un grueso paquete de material: transcripciones de entrevistas, recortes de noticias, textos, mensajes de WhatsApp, extractos de novelas y guiones, intercambios de correos electrónicos y otros fragmentos de información aparentemente aleatorios. Debemos leerlo todo y tomar una decisión, si entregarlo a la policía… o tirar la llave y olvidarnos para siempre de ello.
Entre voces y documentos
Señala Ellie, una de las voces que leemos entre los documentos que Hay algo en este caso. Se introduce insidiosamente en tu mente y luego se propone cambiarla. Utilizando el formato epistolar típico del siglo XIX (como La inquilina de Wildfell Hall de Anne Brontë o el Drácula de Bram Stoker) combinado con los medios de comunicación del siglo XXI (correos electrónicos, transcripciones de mensajes y grabaciones,...etc) la narrativa de Hallett adquiere un carácter co-creativo para el lector: misterio y satisfacción se reparten a partes iguales, donde somos tanto lectores como investigadores. Si has leído algún otro libro de Janice Hallett ya sabes por dónde van los tiros, pero si esta es tu primera vez, prepárate para zambullirte en una maraña de documentos que arrojan luz a fuego lento y tratan de engañarte más de una vez.
A veces, sin embargo, puede parecer que el libro está haciendo malabares con demasiadas cosas: historias de fondo entre los personajes, conspiraciones, crímenes entrelazados, dinámicas interpersonales y un desenlace que debemos armar. El misterio —también en esta ocasión— está bien enterrado, es verdaderamente oscuro, y según se van revelando en los capítulos finales nos damos cuenta de lo bien que (de nuevo) Janice Hallett tenía todo (bien) atado. Por que entre testimonios, mensajes, correos y conversaciones, en esta ocasión también tenemos fragmentos de un libro y un curioso guion de una película que, a la vez, funcionan como un hilo y una pista de algo más que involucra a la secta de Los Ángeles de Alperton. Todo el libro, que en teoría es una caja de documentos, son el material recolectado por la propia Amanda para escribir ese libro y que posteriormente guardó en una caja de seguridad. Janice nos sitúa una vez más en el papel de detectives, de reconstructores de los hechos, rebuscando entre voces y documentos.
Amanda no es The Fairway Players
Aunque formalmente sean parecidos, creo que El misterioso caso de los Ángeles pierde contra La apelación en el carisma y empatía de sus personajes, pero gana respecto a su comentario social. La motivación de Amanda Bailey no tiene nada que ver con lo que nos implica la relación emocional con los miembros de The Fairway Players en La apelación. Ella simplemente busca ganar dinero y recobrar su fama, no sé está jugando la vida de alguien que (supuestamente) ha sido culpada de asesinato. Aunque el misterio es igual (o más) intrincado que la anterior, El misterioso caso de los Ángeles de Alperton si que gana la partida al ser más cercana al thriller criminal que cotidiano (o cozy), poniendo el foco en el boom de los morbosos crímenes reales y desvelando, ya desde el principio, una atmósfera genuinamente espeluznante que da cierto crédito a los elementos sobrenaturales que sobrevuelan el caso. Es un libro mucho más sombrío que La apelación, pero es mucho más cercano a las docuseries sobre sectas o crímenes reales que vemos, día a día, en nuestras plataformas digitales. Y, sin duda, es otro adictivo libro de misterio de la genia Janice Hallett.
Reseña en el blog: https://boywithletters.blogspot.com/2...
January 24, 2023
Adoro que os livros desta escritora sejam escritos através de e-mails, mensagens, notícias, etc. infelizmente, cultos é um tema que eu não gosto nada :/
January 6, 2024
The format really threw me off. It's mostly emails and WhatsApp messages you're reading through to tell the story. On occasion it's news articles and handwritten letters. It can get confusing between all of them and having to double check the headers to see who said what, so that's the reason for removing 1 star. As you must be very detail oriented to not cause yourself any confusing during this read. Otherwise, if you can look past the layout and format... the story is quite decent in the 2nd half of the book. I was shocked by the twist at the ending. 3.5 to 4 stars!
I received this book from NetGalley to read and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this book from NetGalley to read and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
February 6, 2023
Where do I start? I read The Twyford Code,didn´t like it,so why did I give this one a chance???
It´s awful.
a) the style: I wasn´t bothered by it (transcripts,emails,etc) but don´t see the need,except to provoke the usual "oh,what a original writer"...which she isn´t. There are narratives that need this style,like Matt Wesolowski´s six stories or the brilliant True Crime Story by Joseph Knox,because they are told from various points of view,which often contradict each other. In this case,as the axis of the whole book is Amanda...not necessary.
b) the plot: absolutely ridiculous. The premise is good,but it quickly degenerates into silliness,and the ending is so over the top that it seems a parody (what of,baffles me, it´s that bad)
c) what starts as an interesting mystery dilutes into plot holes,"twists"-part of the recent trend in which authors seem to compete to provide the most outlandish "twist"- and by that point I didn´t care to find out what the solution was.
So,after reading two books by Hallett, I conclude she´s just smoke and mirrors. Absolutely no substance. Some readers are dazzled by the "style",I´m glad someone can enjoy this. Not me.
It´s awful.
a) the style: I wasn´t bothered by it (transcripts,emails,etc) but don´t see the need,except to provoke the usual "oh,what a original writer"...which she isn´t. There are narratives that need this style,like Matt Wesolowski´s six stories or the brilliant True Crime Story by Joseph Knox,because they are told from various points of view,which often contradict each other. In this case,as the axis of the whole book is Amanda...not necessary.
b) the plot: absolutely ridiculous. The premise is good,but it quickly degenerates into silliness,and the ending is so over the top that it seems a parody (what of,baffles me, it´s that bad)
c) what starts as an interesting mystery dilutes into plot holes,"twists"-part of the recent trend in which authors seem to compete to provide the most outlandish "twist"- and by that point I didn´t care to find out what the solution was.
So,after reading two books by Hallett, I conclude she´s just smoke and mirrors. Absolutely no substance. Some readers are dazzled by the "style",I´m glad someone can enjoy this. Not me.
February 11, 2024
this is the shittiest book i’ve ever read in my life. if i could give it 0 stars i would.
i don’t even want to honour it with a nicely written review so i will just list the things i disliked:
1. so unrealistic. Amanda would have a lead and then literally as she’s about to contact the lead they would just DIE? like be so fr
2. Amanda as a narrator was also so incredibly unlikeable. She’d exploit the pain of others and in the same call out people for not ‘checking their privilege’ - babe needs to look in the mirror and understand the privilege that she must have to be able to take advantage of the vulnerable lol
3. In general i could tell this was written by a white woman in her 50s who has never had a conversation with a poc before lol e.g the police officer walked into a room, she was black’. Gives that she was just ticking racial diversity off like it was a checklist but didn’t have any meaningful value whatsoever.
4. format of whatsapp messages and scripts and transcripts was experimental (i will give hallet that) but simply didn’t work. was not engaging and didn’t allow me to get sucked in.
5. Also for a mystery/thriller i don’t think i was shocked/surprised once.
This book was a chore to get through and i felt like i was torturing myself each time i turned the page.
i don’t even want to honour it with a nicely written review so i will just list the things i disliked:
1. so unrealistic. Amanda would have a lead and then literally as she’s about to contact the lead they would just DIE? like be so fr
2. Amanda as a narrator was also so incredibly unlikeable. She’d exploit the pain of others and in the same call out people for not ‘checking their privilege’ - babe needs to look in the mirror and understand the privilege that she must have to be able to take advantage of the vulnerable lol
3. In general i could tell this was written by a white woman in her 50s who has never had a conversation with a poc before lol e.g the police officer walked into a room, she was black’. Gives that she was just ticking racial diversity off like it was a checklist but didn’t have any meaningful value whatsoever.
4. format of whatsapp messages and scripts and transcripts was experimental (i will give hallet that) but simply didn’t work. was not engaging and didn’t allow me to get sucked in.
5. Also for a mystery/thriller i don’t think i was shocked/surprised once.
This book was a chore to get through and i felt like i was torturing myself each time i turned the page.
December 2, 2024
💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels features two rival authors desperately hunting down the same scoop.
Amanda Bailey and Oliver Menzies have a history together, not necessarily pleasant. Yet they're about to be back in each other's orbit as the both investigate the whereabouts of a baby who survived a cult, the Alperton Angels, close to two decades ago.
The Alperton Angel cult brainwashed a teenage girl into believing her baby was the anti-Christ. Eventually, the girl came to her senses and contacted the authorities for help.
It was a huge case at the time, which garnered a lot of attention due to its sensational and bizarre circumstances. The Angels committed suicide, but the baby was free and survived. However, after that, the baby disappeared, their circumstances never made public knowledge.
Now that baby has turned 18, and the world is dying to know, where have they been all this time? What is the true story behind the Alperton Angels cult? And where is the baby now? Who have they become?
Amanda and Oliver, against their own inclinations, decide to collaborate in their baby research. If they both agree to focus on different aspects of the case, it shouldn't be a problem to both cover the case at the same time.
In fact, it may actually be helpful, as each book could create more interest for the other. But the truth about the Angels is much more disturbing than they originally anticipated, putting them dangerously close to the heart of the story.
Janice Hallett has made quite the name for herself as the Queen of the Unconventional Narrative. Her books are always a journey, a truly a unique reading experience.
As the Reader, you are supplied with all of the same documents a researcher may use when studying a real life case. You have access to things such as emails, text messages, news articles, and even transcripts from phone conversations.
These things are blended together in such a way that eventually helps to perfectly piece together the overall story. It's pretty amazing how well Hallett can build out a story using solely these mixed media elements.
For me, her novels seem to work better via audiobook, but that's 100% personal preference. I have read one of her books physically, and it at times it seemed jarring, and occasionally, even a little boring.
The other two I have listened to via audio, and because of the vibrant narration, have felt more pulled in and engaged with the story. This one in particular was fantastically executed via audiobook and I would recommend that format.
This story got pretty wild. I definitely wasn't expecting the direction it ended up going. Writing a novel in this format has got to be extremely challenging, but somehow Hallett nails it every time.
I won't claim to have been able to follow every single detail of this. Hallett's stories are impressive in scope. There's a lot going on, and at times, it can feel chaotic. Regardless, this one was never dull. Fast-paced and intriguing the whole way through, this was a great time.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Hallett's uniquely-presented and impeccably-plotted Literary Mysteries will keep me coming back as long as she keeps cranking them out.
I can't wait to see what's next!
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels features two rival authors desperately hunting down the same scoop.
Amanda Bailey and Oliver Menzies have a history together, not necessarily pleasant. Yet they're about to be back in each other's orbit as the both investigate the whereabouts of a baby who survived a cult, the Alperton Angels, close to two decades ago.
The Alperton Angel cult brainwashed a teenage girl into believing her baby was the anti-Christ. Eventually, the girl came to her senses and contacted the authorities for help.
It was a huge case at the time, which garnered a lot of attention due to its sensational and bizarre circumstances. The Angels committed suicide, but the baby was free and survived. However, after that, the baby disappeared, their circumstances never made public knowledge.
Now that baby has turned 18, and the world is dying to know, where have they been all this time? What is the true story behind the Alperton Angels cult? And where is the baby now? Who have they become?
Amanda and Oliver, against their own inclinations, decide to collaborate in their baby research. If they both agree to focus on different aspects of the case, it shouldn't be a problem to both cover the case at the same time.
In fact, it may actually be helpful, as each book could create more interest for the other. But the truth about the Angels is much more disturbing than they originally anticipated, putting them dangerously close to the heart of the story.
Janice Hallett has made quite the name for herself as the Queen of the Unconventional Narrative. Her books are always a journey, a truly a unique reading experience.
As the Reader, you are supplied with all of the same documents a researcher may use when studying a real life case. You have access to things such as emails, text messages, news articles, and even transcripts from phone conversations.
These things are blended together in such a way that eventually helps to perfectly piece together the overall story. It's pretty amazing how well Hallett can build out a story using solely these mixed media elements.
For me, her novels seem to work better via audiobook, but that's 100% personal preference. I have read one of her books physically, and it at times it seemed jarring, and occasionally, even a little boring.
The other two I have listened to via audio, and because of the vibrant narration, have felt more pulled in and engaged with the story. This one in particular was fantastically executed via audiobook and I would recommend that format.
This story got pretty wild. I definitely wasn't expecting the direction it ended up going. Writing a novel in this format has got to be extremely challenging, but somehow Hallett nails it every time.
I won't claim to have been able to follow every single detail of this. Hallett's stories are impressive in scope. There's a lot going on, and at times, it can feel chaotic. Regardless, this one was never dull. Fast-paced and intriguing the whole way through, this was a great time.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Hallett's uniquely-presented and impeccably-plotted Literary Mysteries will keep me coming back as long as she keeps cranking them out.
I can't wait to see what's next!
July 29, 2023
Amanda is a well-known true crime author who has been invited to write a book about the mysterious case of the Alperton Angels, a small cult which twenty years ago committed mass suicide after attempting to sacrifice an infant they believed to be the Anti-Christ. All the most sensational details you can think of attend this case, but Amanda - who has reluctantly teamed up with neurotic Oliver, a fellow author - begins to realize that the truth might still be hidden - and still dangerous.
This is my second Janice Hallett book. While I've read plenty of epistolary works before, this author's trademark is to notch things a bit higher, entangling the reader as deep in the mystery as possible, encouraging them to really root through the clues for the truth. I definitely understand what she's doing - I'm just not sure still if I prefer it!
The mystery is a twisty one, of course, and made rather more confusing at first as the story unfolds in fits and starts, with plenty of digressions and snarky humor in between. My gripe from my last Hallett book, that there's no one to root for, is not the case here, as I got quite attached to Ellie and even Amanda, even if I wasn't convinced the latter always made the best choices during the course of the investigation. I also really enjoyed the commentary about how close a writer can or should get to their story - I had picked up on the parallels with the likes of Michelle McNamara and Jill Dando even before the author paid them homage.
However, I just found the solution of the case too mundane in an odd way. A lot of coincidences had to pile up to make the story as bizarre as it was, so seeing it all unravelled felt almost underwhelming. Additionally, I didn't really find the solution very realistic in some places. I'm trying to avoid spoilers here - but in such a straightforward plan, why the angels, Gabriel? I wish we had gotten more clear answers there. Also, I didn't like Oliver throughout, but by the end he was really off the rails in the worst way.
My final opinion? Hallett is a good read for the puzzles - but as I am not really a puzzle person, she is simply not a good fit for me!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is my second Janice Hallett book. While I've read plenty of epistolary works before, this author's trademark is to notch things a bit higher, entangling the reader as deep in the mystery as possible, encouraging them to really root through the clues for the truth. I definitely understand what she's doing - I'm just not sure still if I prefer it!
The mystery is a twisty one, of course, and made rather more confusing at first as the story unfolds in fits and starts, with plenty of digressions and snarky humor in between. My gripe from my last Hallett book, that there's no one to root for, is not the case here, as I got quite attached to Ellie and even Amanda, even if I wasn't convinced the latter always made the best choices during the course of the investigation. I also really enjoyed the commentary about how close a writer can or should get to their story - I had picked up on the parallels with the likes of Michelle McNamara and Jill Dando even before the author paid them homage.
However, I just found the solution of the case too mundane in an odd way. A lot of coincidences had to pile up to make the story as bizarre as it was, so seeing it all unravelled felt almost underwhelming. Additionally, I didn't really find the solution very realistic in some places. I'm trying to avoid spoilers here - but in such a straightforward plan, why the angels, Gabriel? I wish we had gotten more clear answers there. Also, I didn't like Oliver throughout, but by the end he was really off the rails in the worst way.
My final opinion? Hallett is a good read for the puzzles - but as I am not really a puzzle person, she is simply not a good fit for me!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
December 30, 2023
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels offers a real treat for fans of mystery novels with complex, creative plotting. It's one of those books that encourage late-night reading binges.
This is my second Janice Hallett novel (my first was The Twyford Code), and it certainly won't be my last. The novel follows a cold case, the "Alperton angels murders," in which a group of self-proclaimed angels determined to prevent the birth of the anti-Christ fail in their task, commit suicide (or did they?), with only a handful of cult members remaining: their leader, who is serving a life sentence for a related murder and two teenagers, the parents (or are they?) of that potentially apocalypse-initiating baby, and the baby itself.
Amanda Bailey, a well-known author of true crime novels has been tasked with writing a book based on that cold case as what will be the 18th birthday of that baby nears. If she can track that baby down and get exclusive rights, she'll have a blockbuster on her hands. But of course, there are complications.
The baby has been carefully hidden within social services red tape. Other authors who have researched the case are dying of what are assuredly unnatural causes. And Bailey finds herself forced to collaborate with a hated rival who seems to be embracing the angels and anti-Christ logic underlying the crime. Imagine the possibilities...
The novel consistently surprises until the end. If you like mysteries that make you think, you'll love The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher; the opinions are my own.
This is my second Janice Hallett novel (my first was The Twyford Code), and it certainly won't be my last. The novel follows a cold case, the "Alperton angels murders," in which a group of self-proclaimed angels determined to prevent the birth of the anti-Christ fail in their task, commit suicide (or did they?), with only a handful of cult members remaining: their leader, who is serving a life sentence for a related murder and two teenagers, the parents (or are they?) of that potentially apocalypse-initiating baby, and the baby itself.
Amanda Bailey, a well-known author of true crime novels has been tasked with writing a book based on that cold case as what will be the 18th birthday of that baby nears. If she can track that baby down and get exclusive rights, she'll have a blockbuster on her hands. But of course, there are complications.
The baby has been carefully hidden within social services red tape. Other authors who have researched the case are dying of what are assuredly unnatural causes. And Bailey finds herself forced to collaborate with a hated rival who seems to be embracing the angels and anti-Christ logic underlying the crime. Imagine the possibilities...
The novel consistently surprises until the end. If you like mysteries that make you think, you'll love The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher; the opinions are my own.
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