There is no one better at drip-feeding information, heightening tension and springing surprises

The Times (star pick)

Janice Hallett, the author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code, is on a roll... [A] quirky, clever tale

The Times (Best Books of 2023)

I'm agog at the skill with which Hallett uses her unconventional storytelling method, not just in unfolding the plot and springing surprises, but in building up memorable characters. Character and plot, wit and creepiness, are all in perfect balance. It's another resounding success

Daily Express

Undeniably clever and captivating, and delivers a brilliant twist that will delight fans of her previous books

Sunday Express

A gripping read, which keeps the reader guessing until the last page

Independent

As ever, the author's control of the material is masterly

Guardian

Hallett's gripping novel dares the reader to beat Amanda to the dark and twisted truth

Daily Mail

Sharp humour and playfulness entertainingly coexist

Financial Times

The indefatigable Janice Hallett is back with another ingenious-sounding brain twister

Metro

Hallett structures her novels as dossiers of found documents, transcripts and other evidence, leaving the reader to try to find the real story among unreliable narrators' statements. That process appeals to the journalist in me, which might explain why I read about 80 percent of this in a single sitting. It clearly also appeals to a lot of other people

New York Times

Mind-meltingly complicated, fiendishly well plotted, replete with delicious snark about publishing, clear-eyed and very funny about cold-blooded writerly ambition ... In its assured dexterity and exuberance, it is a bravura performance

Irish Times

God bless Janice Hallett and her especially twisty thrillers that, if you work even a shred of detail out, you feel amazing. Her third novel is brilliant

Belfast Telegraph (Book of the Month)

The author has garnered many fans since her debut The Appeal, and this will delight them... Featuring two true crime writers battling it out to get the best scoop, a cult, and mysteries galore, this had me obsessed

Prima

A richly rewarding, blisteringly clever read that raises questions about human gullibility in all its forms, while still moving forward propulsively

Reader's Digest

A gripping read to the very last

The i

A must-read for anyone who loves a good Netflix doco or podcast on cults and conspiracy theorists

Red

Another clever mystery from the author of The Appeal

Good Housekeeping

Such an original concept you can't help but be fully absorbed in trying to solve the mystery

Yours Magazine

Many-layered, highly complex, and imaginative... Hallett shocks readers with satisfying twists and a dark, unpredictable ending

Kirkus

Hallett's fans and newcomers alike will relish this brilliantly constructed and eminently satisfying mystery

Publishers Weekly

Stylish fiction that also stands as a cautionary tale about what can happen when a writer gets too close to her subject

Toronto Star

Her best so far... Deeply intriguing, warm and so much fun

- Marian Keyes, author of AGAIN, RACHEL,

It's not enough to say that this book is fascinating, gripping and clever. It's an astonishing piece of work. Janice Hallett is playing a different ball game to the rest of us

- Ian Moore, author of DEATH AND CROISSANTS,

The queen of the narrative twist. She takes the conventions of the modern mystery novel and upends them as Christie did. And the themes of this book are haunting

- S.J. Bennett, author of THE WINDSOR KNOT,

Hallett has made the epistolary crime novel her own. An engaging crime tale using her unique narrative style. Inventive, absorbing and hotly anticipated by her legion of fans

- Vaseem Khan, author of THE UNEXPECTED INHERITANCE OF INSPECTOR CHOPRA,

Janice Hallett has done it again. Engrossing from the very first page, it's deviously clever and as charming as it is chilling

- Tom Hindle, author of A FATAL CROSSING,

Hooked me in completely... It's travelled with me to work, to the dentist's and even up a couple of mountains! A real treasure trove of a read

- J.M. Hall, author of A SPOONFUL OF MURDER,

Compelling, unputdownable, filled with Hallett's trademark fierce intelligence and kindness, this is the most intricate, spellbinding and befuddling mystery I have read in years

- Catriona Ward, author of THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET,

Fantastic. Keeps the 'found footage' narrative structure that Hallett does so well and injects some real darkness into it

- Tariq Ashkanani, author of WELCOME TO COOPER,

Trade mark brilliant. I loved the witty story telling, that mix of text, the layered plotting, the characters both unreliable and highly engaging. And that quiet wing beat of evil driving the story ... Extremely clever, compelling and very chilling

- Jane Shemilt, author of THE PATIENT,

Janice at her absolute best - an intricate and surprising plot which keeps you turning the pages, interspersed with gentle but laugh out loud humour. I absolutely loved it - my favourite Janice Hallett book yet

- Catherine Cooper, author of THE CHALET,

Hallett continues to evolve the modern detective novel. Absolutely gripping

- Greg Buchanan, author of SIXTEEN HORSES,

Smart, witty and menacing - everything you want from a mystery. Utterly brilliant!

- Marion Todd, author of OLD BONES LIE,

Agatha Christie has found her heir. A genius premise. A perfect puzzle. Crime fiction fans will not want to miss this one!

- Victoria Selman, author of TRULY, DARKLY, DEEPLY,

A unique and completely immersive novel about manipulation, and seeking the truth at all costs. An absolute triumph in storytelling

- L.V. Matthews, author of THE TWINS,

I loved The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. It's fresh, whip-smart, dark and intriguing with a brilliant, compelling heroine. Janice Hallett is surely the queen of the brain-twisting, just-one-more-page mystery novel

- Gilly Macmillan, author of THE NANNY,

Constantly surprising, witty and fresh. I really enjoyed it!

- Emma Curtis, author of ONE LITTLE MISTAKE,

Compulsive, dark, twisty and unputdownable. A work of true genius, masterfully plotted, funny and unique

- Sarah J. Harris, author of THE COLOUR OF BEE LARKHAM'S MURDER,

Sinister and utterly compelling

- Andrew Wilson, author of A TALENT FOR MURDER,

Hallett has done it again! Brilliant, clever, and will have you hooked and guessing throughout

- Charlotte Levin, author of IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU,

It knocked me sideways. Just as brilliant as you would expect from Janice Hallett. Twisty as a labryinth and so gripping I cancelled plans to finish it

- Sophie Irwin, author of A LADY'S GUIDE TO FORTUNE-HUNTING,

A clever, complex epistolary novel with explores our fascination with true crime, cults and storytelling itself

- Brian McGilloway, author of GALLOWS LANE,

Janice Hallett is a murder mystery mastermind. A new Agatha Christie for the modern age. This book is sure to grow her already considerable cult following

- A. J. West, author of THE SPIRIT ENGINEER,

I absolutely loved it. A brilliantly crafted proper mystery, I couldn't put it down

- Lisa Hall, author of THE PARTY,

Is anyone telling stories quite like Janice Hallett? It feels interactive, with readers invited to solve the mystery alongside the brilliantly tenacious protagonist. Intricate, funny and a total page-turner

- Amanda Block, author of THE LOST STORYTELLER,

Hallett is a wording wizard. Her storytelling ability is enviable. Characters whom I loved very quickly and intrigue are the beating heart of this book.

- J.M. Hewitt, author of THE OTHER SON,

What a switchback ride it is! The big twist made me drop my book but there are so many smaller shocks along the way. I enjoyed it hugely!

- Hope Adams, author of DANGEROUS WOMEN,

Janice Hallett dials her brilliance up yet another notch, exploiting the compulsive readability and inherent slipperiness of her chosen form to dazzling effect

- Leonora Nattrass, author of BLACK DROP,

I was absolutely mesmerised by The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - stupendously clever, but also brilliant fun, with characters that just jump off the page

- Frances Quinn, author of THAT BONESETTER WOMAN,

I absolutely loved it. It is the funniest, cleverest and most innovative novel I've read for years

- Sarah Stovell, author of THE HOME,

Absolutely loved The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. So gripping but also has real emotional heart. Bravo

- Alice Clark-Platts, author of THE COVE,

Very clever, twisty, shocking, and yet another reinvention of the crime novel by Janice Hallett. Brilliant, unique and compelling!

- Guy Morpuss, author of FIVE MINDS,

An outstandingly clever, compelling and unique read. Pitch-perfect story told in the most innovative way

- Cesca Major, author of THE SILENT HOURS,

Wickedly clever and immersive. I just can't get enough of Janice Hallett's writing

- Sophie Flynn, author of KEEP THEM CLOSE,

I genuinely don't know how Janice Hallett does it. The detail, the plot twists, the humour, even in dark places - she creates a brilliant puzzle for the reader to solve. I loved it

- Victoria Scott, author of PATIENCE,

A masterclass. It's exactly what you've come to expect: compelling written and utterly addictive. It's funny, dark, and the puzzle comes together brilliantly at the end

- Chris McDonald, author of A WASH OF BLACK,

Brilliantly clever, ingenious in structure and throughly compelling. Full of wonderful characters and extremely funny!

- Sarah Bonner, author of HER PERFECT TWIN,

I slowed down because I didn't want it to end. Heavenly and creepy combined with twisted genius. Outstanding

- Joy Kluver, author of BROKEN GIRLS,

What an absolute treat. Twisty and dark, packed full of angels and demons and monsters, with a thrilling mystery that keeps you guessing till the end

- Lynsey James, author of THE SINGLE DAD'S HANDBOOK,

It's so good. Gripping but my favourite thing is the humour - actual laugh out loud moments despite the shocking tale. Genius

- Heather Darwent, author of THE THINGS WE DO TO OUR FRIENDS,

Another absolutely brilliant mystery by one of my favourite crime writers. Take the role of investigator and let yourself be immersed in this fantastic novel. Five stars!

- Louise Mullins, author of ONE NIGHT ONLY,

What a compelling, complex, utterly gripping read. Hallett's cast of characters - both major and minor - are fully formed and so integral to the unfolding plot

- Sue Teddern, author of ANNIE STANLEY, ALL AT SEA,

Fiendishly clever. I am so impressed. Bravo!

- C.S. Green, author of THE WHISPER HOUSE,

Fans of true-crime podcasts will find this complex and eerie novel just as satisfying, surprising and rapidly consumable as their favorite episodes

Shelf Awareness