The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels: the Bestselling Richard & Judy Book Club Pick

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Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club novels have reawakened interest in the cosier end of the crime fiction spectrum, and Hallett has been one of the chief beneficiaries; her novels, their covers adorned with the Osman-esque chunky italic lettering that publishers now use to signify “murder for pleasure”, are perfect reading for Osmanites. But although Hallett’s books are unlikely to give you nightmares, they are not insipid: they are designed to give the reader a good time, but Hallett’s idea of a good time encompasses the provoking of deep and sometimes uncomfortable thoughts. There was something very captivating about their dynamic - there was a deep-seated enmity between the two - an unspoken challenge that while they were both vying for the covetous position of being the first to break the story - it never let on that there was something more lurking beneath their conversations - some hidden agenda that was taking root of which the readers were bereft to. And I think, that's what made my mood suddenly plummet towards the end of the novel. 😒 Michelle’s book is brilliantly written. She was an accomplished wordsmith and absolutely wrote from her heart in a way not all true crime authors do. But when you watch the documentary about her, you can see she becomes so engaged with trying to solve the case that she simply can’t write the book, yet she’s desperately trying to finish it in time for a deadline. I identified with that completely and I’m sure most writers do.

But do you know who I think are the most vulnerable? People who believe they can never be drawn in.” However Amanda is forced to join forces with rival writer Oliver Menzies who is also looking for the baby. As Amanda and Oliver delve further into the case, they realise everything they thought they knew was wrong. 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. Right, if you've read either The Appeal or The Twyford Code you will know what to expect with a Janice Hallett novel in that she doesn't write a novel the way others do. In Appeal we got a story patched together from notes, texts and I loved it. Twyford was patched together prose and recordings and I hated it but that was mainly because I thought the story insane. What is remarkable is Hallett's ability to make her characters come alive... combined with her undoubted skill as a plotter, this places Hallett's books in the rare category of rereadable whodunnits * Telegraph *

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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? Her best so far... Deeply intriguing, warm and so much fun -- Marian Keyes, author of AGAIN, RACHEL It was initially inspired by a script I wrote many years ago, and which I rewrote for this novel. It didn’t go anywhere as a film script, but the story never left me. While searching for my next project I read it again and my first thought was ‘this feels like it happened many years ago’ – possibly because I’d written it many years ago – but for some reason it felt like an historic case. That triggered the idea for a present-day true crime author attempting to rehash an old crime story for a low-budget beach read – and unexpectedly uncovers aspects to the case no one realised at the time. 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 *

So many writers have inspired me: Cervantes, Thomas Hardy, Emily Bronte, Agatha Christie, Enid Blyton, Patricia Leitch, Douglas Adams… and that’s only a few. stars HANDS DOWN. Did I immediately buy every single one of Hallett's books? Yes I did. This is in the top 3 mysteries I have read in the last 5 years for sure. I will be recommending this book to everyone and will be screaming from the rooftops about it. A small but significant role is played in Janice Hallett’s third novel by a group of recreational detectives: the Cold & Unsolved Murder Club. Is this a little homage by Britain’s second most successful new crime novelist to its first?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. 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? Her latest is entitled The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels and it’s out 19 January 2023. The story involves a two rival authors, Amanda Bailey and Oliver Menzies, who are both researching a the mad case of a cult that brainwashed a teenage girl and convinced her that her newborn baby was the anti-Christ and tried to kill the baby. Now, that child is 18 and both Amanda and Oliver think there’s a story in it. Indeed, there is, but it’s not quite what they anticipated… A tasty, if not always tasteful, tale of supernatural mayhem that fans of King and Crichton alike will enjoy. Maybe mixed media novels just aren’t really for me - I find the concept fun, but I do need to really connect with characters to love a book and this narrative style sometimes feels too distanced for me. I know that’s the point of them, especially when you’re trying to solve the puzzle, but it�

What makes her a publisher’s dream is the bank of ideas stored up from screenwriting. “The fact they didn’t get made as scripts turns out to be a good thing, because now I can develop them further as books.” Woven through Alperton Angels is a script adapted from one Hallett wrote in 2006, about a group of angels who are trying to save the Antichrist. “The twist was that they weren’t angels at all, it was a grooming ring. It was great to build on that story and make it bigger and more relevant to today.” 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.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. What are the advantages and disadvantages to you as an author, or to the reader, of telling a story in this way? After ensnaring the teenagers and convincing them that the baby was destined to doom humanity, they planned to kill the infant at the appointed time – 10 December 2003 – when five planets were due to align in a rare astral occurrence. However, despite the cult’s best laid plans, the ritual sacrifice did not go ahead as arranged, as Holly had second thoughts about the whole thing, took the baby to safety and called the police. Janice Hallett says “I am beyond thrilled to be working with Phil Temple, Birdie Pictures and STUDIOCANAL to bring The Mysterious Case of The Alperton Angels to the screen. Phil’s expertise in, and enthusiasm for original storytelling will deliver this vivid and surprising tale to a wide TV audience. I am so proud to be a part of his new company’s first screen project.” 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) *