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

Product Information

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. 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.

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.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?! I thought it was great how Janice Hallett managed to make her characters so distinct although all we had to go on were messages and conversations. Very cleverly done. 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?

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.

As Amanda and Oliver are forced to collaborate, they realise that what everyone thinks they know about the Angels is wrong. The truth is something much darker and stranger. And the devilish story of the Alperton Angels is far from over... It’s safe to say I loved this book. It was clever, ambitious and so incredibly gripping. I now can’t wait to read Janice Hallett’s previous novels. You may also be interested in: But do you know who I think are the most vulnerable? People who believe they can never be drawn in.” So for a lot of the middle it felt kind of like a slog to get through, but once the story neared the third act and the narrative was doing the job of wrapping things up I was once again invested. You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?"

Long-buried truth meets long-awaited fiction with deadly consequences in The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, the third fiendishly complex novel by Janice Hallett. Having skewered the venerable pastimes of amateur dramatics and children’s literature in her previous books, this time round Hallett focuses her perceptive storytelling on the phenomenon of true crime, shining a light on the particularly unsavoury aspects of the hugely popular genre. Francoise Guyonnet, Executive Managing Director TV Series, STUDIOCANAL expands: “We are delighted to announce our investment in BIRDIE PICTURES today and in a UK producer of this calibre. Phil is an extremely talented producer with a real gift for helping to bring a writers’ vision to the screen. Phil has worked with all the U.K. broadcasters throughout his rich career and has excellent relationships with writers and talent. Phil shares STUDIOCANAL’s global ambition for projects and we know he is going to bring a strong line-up of relatable English language programming to STUDIOCANAL to share with the international market and audiences worldwide.”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. But anyone who has experienced something life altering, such as a bereavement, can be vulnerable. In simple terms, as soon as someone knows what you want, they can control you with the promise of getting it for you. 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. Would be a full 5 star read, but there was one part that felt a little rushed, however it's too much of a spoiler to discuss. Might just be me being sceptical, though.

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� 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. Phil Temple comments: “I am thrilled to join STUDIOCANAL’s growing group of creative production companies and very pleased to seal the deal on this truly brilliant book. It is just the twist-laden, fiendishly clever mystery that I have been looking for, and which audiences will be mesmerized by, just like I was when I read it and couldn’t speak to anyone for two days as I raced to find out how it ended.” Angels is clever and funny, well plotted, a good twist on a conventional thriller and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Once I got started I gulped it down in three sittings. With Angels we have the notes, interviews, texts, news reports and extracts from other playwrights/authors who have all been intrigued by a decades old mystery involving a cult called The Alperton Angels and its ensuing cover up (or not).

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. 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. 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. The story of the Alperton Angels is far from over. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels Review: My Opinion 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!