Thank you so much to Viper Books for my eArc of Alperton Angels - unfortunately the format of the book on my Kindle missed a lot of bits out e.g. the emojis throughout the text conversations, so I was left a bit confused, and then sometimes it missed gaps between the different emails/conversations/manuscripts so I wasn't sure what was going on. I got a physical copy so that I was able to better understand what was going on.

As soon as I had the physical copy I sped through it! I love how Janice sets out her books and how we have to piece it all together through conversations. I was thoroughly engrossed with this book - I loved the suspense it held with trying to piece everything together! My favourite character was definitely Ellie Cooper - I loved her witty comments throughout her transcribed conversations and her thoughts on what was happening.

I was not expecting the huge twist at the end, it came quite abruptly and really shuck me. I'd love to say I'd pass all the info on the police but I think I'd just destroy it and then move away to a different country!

I can't wait to get the paperback to add to my shelves and go with Janice's other books, I also can't wait for The Examiner which is due out in 2024, eek!!

Admittedly, I read this book over the course of two weeks and I didn’t have the time to properly focus on all the details, of which there were LOADS.
I think the entire story wraps up well and in a quite satisfying way. I think given the amount of characters introduced throughout, this book would read better if I was able to read it in a shorter amount of time to keep all names and events fresh in my mind.

However, I adore Janice Hallett’s attention to details and slow building of the world that has so many intertwined characters.
The story of Alperton Angels was a well structured mystery. I really enjoyed the format consisting entirely of interview transcripts, whatsapp messages and email exchanges. I know not everyone is a fan of that, but I personally found it very readable.

Thank you so, so, so much to Viper Books and Janice Hallett for this copy of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels.
This was my first time reading Hallett's work and I am kicking myself! I picked this up in January ahead of its release and it quickly became a firm favourite! From the first page I could not put this book down. I. Loved. It!

The style/layout of this book made it unputdownable! The mixture of emails, transcripts, texts, WhatsApps and interviews had me on edge. Giving the reader little breadcrumbs throughout made this such a bingeable book and I had it read in no time! I think the story also had a huge amount to do with why I devoured this novel so quickly. I am a huge true crime fan so I was really intrigued by the premise behind the Alperton Angels. I loved the cult/occult aspect and it was definitely creepy in parts!

All in all, I absolutely adored this book! It was one of my favourites of January and I cannot wait to read everything Hallett has to offer. Her writing is quirky, thrilling and gripping!

* Please research any trigger warnings before reading *

Janice Hallett has me in a choke hold with her books. I have loved every single one and this one was no different. I love how she is able to use mixed media to tell a story that's so compelling I will stay up late to find out what is happening. This one cleverly weaves a true crime story about a cult into a collection of information that tells of the events that lead to the death of multiple victims and a baby that was thought to be the Anti-Christ. Using Whatsapp messages, emails, screenplays and book chapters we are taken down a path of discovery that will leave you reeling when all is revealed.

I really enjoy being a part of the mystery in Hallett's books. Rather than her telling you what is happening like in usual crime books, she includes you in the investigation. Spending time digesting the evidence unearthed by the characters and following the strings to the next clue is so rewarding as a reader and makes the whole experience far more intriguing. Yet again I had no idea where I was being lead and the ending was a real shocker, but it played out so beautifully. I think I can safely say I'm Janice Hallett's number one fan.

Having been impressed by the intricate plotting and unique style seen in both The Appeal and The Twyford Code, I was keen to see how Janice Hallett developed her modern take on the epistolary format in her third novel, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels.

As with Hallett’s previous books, Alperton Angels takes the form of letters, emails, diary entries, newspaper clippings, and records of WhatsApp conversations and recorded interviews. The premise is that you, the reader, have come into possession of a the key to a safety deposit box and these are its contents. The files belonged to a true crime author, Amanda Bailey, and contain her research into the case of the titular Alperton Angels: a cult-like group whose members apparently sacrificed themselves when they failed in their plot to kill a baby that they believed to be the anti-Christ.

Amanda has been tasked by her publisher with finding the now-eighteen-year-old Alperton baby, tracking down the surviving cult members – the baby’s parents, Holly and Jonah – and securing an interview with the group’s charismatic leader, Gabriel. Only problem is that Gabriel is in maximum security prison – and not inclined to provide interviews – whilst Holly, Jonah, and the baby all disappeared into the care system and haven’t been heard of since. Even more frustrating, Amanda’s former colleague, rival author Oliver Menzies, has been given exactly the same brief by a competing imprint and is on the trail of the Alperton baby too.

Saying any more about the plot would spoil the many surprises that The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels has in store: this is definitely one of those books that the less you know going in, the better! Needless to say, however, the case of the Alperton Angels is far from the usual story of vulnerable people and their ensnarement by a charismatic cult leader. Instead be prepared for a wild ride that takes in conspiracies, police corruption, systematic failures in social care, and a personal vendetta with dangerous and unexpected consequences. Despite guessing some of the twists and turns along the way, I did not see where the ending was going!

As with Hallett’s previous novels, it did take a little while for the story to fully emerge. There are a LOT of characters here as well as several interweaving and connected plot strands, so it takes a while to put all the pieces into play and establish the background to the events being discussed. But, as with her previous novels, Hallett does an excellent job of keeping control of the reins, reminding readers of important clues and information at key points, and bringing the whole thing to a deeply satisfying – if unsettling – conclusion.

The other downside of Hallett’s trademark mixed-media style is that it can take a little longer to connect with the characters but, given the limitations of the form, Hallett does an excellent job of distinguishing her characters and building up a clear ‘voice’ for each of them. Both Amanda and Oliver are deeply flawed as individuals but, for me, it made them all the more identifiable and empathetic and I came to enjoy the competitive rapport between them and developed as real sense of creeping dread as external forces start to interfere with their investigation – and their sanity.

Anyone who loved Hallett’s previous novels is sure to find The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels just as enthralling. And mystery fans who have yet to discover her work should definitely consider diving in here! Once the story is established, it rapidly turns into a clever page-turning mystery worthy of Agatha Christie at her finest.

This is the first book I’ve read of Hallett’s, even though I own The Appeal! I enjoyed it!

I wasn’t expecting the different mediums of writing, I wasn’t sure how excerpts from interviews, text messages, newspaper articles, calls and such was going to work in telling a story… point proven! It works when Janice Hallett does it! 👌🏻 The writing style with the multiple formats is refreshing and fully immersing experience for the reader!

I enjoyed the story, it was dark, entertaining and complex how it was woven. I don’t think you could read this when your tired!

I was kindly gifted a kindle copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to @viper

True crime author Amanda Bailey has been commissioned to write a book looking back on the story of the Alperton Angels - a cult of people who believed they were angels and set out to destroy the Anti-Christ. Only it’s not just Amanda who is searching for the truth, fellow journalist and rival Oliver Menzies is also writing a book, and it’s a race to see who can uncover the story first…

The story is told via mixed media, transcripts of conversations, e-mails, text messages etc which is a really interesting way to watch the story unfold and allows you to feel like you are uncovering the mystery alongside Amanda. I will say this may also have led to the book having a bit of a slow start, however from the halfway point the mystery picks up with new evidence being thrown into the mix and different theories being explored.

A really enjoyable read and definitely worth it if you enjoy a mystery.

This story was so cleverly written and definitely makes me want to read more by this author. I engross the relationship between Oliver and Amanda throughout and feel it added to the overall mystery.

I love a mystery and The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels did not disappoint. The plot and writing style were unique, I did not see the twists and turns coming and the story unfolding the way it did was unpredictable. An entertaining read, dark and disturbing, though there is a little humour.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Serpent's Tail / Viper via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Another deliciously layered mystery from Janice Hallett, and if you have enjoyed her innovative way of presenting her previous stories, you will love it.
Rather like "The Appeal", the story is presented as a series of emails, Whats App messages, letters, news clippings - and phone recordings, transcribed by a faithful assistant, Ellie, whom we can also thank for the excellently curated presentation of the materials. The dossier was originally compiled by Amanda, a true-crime journalist who has decided to write her next story focusing on several grizzly murders which took place decades ago. The murders were centred around a small group dabbling in the occult, and convinced they were saving the world from the anti-Christ; the perpetrator was instantly taken into custody at the time, and is now (thankfully) incarcerated in secure institution. After the group was disbanded, a baby was taken into care, and, seeing her way into the story, Amanda starts her mission to locate the surviving members of the group, and, most importantly, "the baby" - a mission which she pursues obsessively and ruthlessly, without any apparent ethical or moral considerations. If all that were not difficult enough, Amanda is forced by her publishers to work with Oliver, an old colleague - perhaps nemesis even - upon whom, it becomes clear, she is intent on meting out some kind of personal revenge.
Seen through their communications, Amanda is a classic and intentionally obvious "unreliable narrator", and Oliver seems to steadily disintegrate to a state of nervous breakdown - but in contrast, Ellie is a delight, and provides a much-needed stable and realistic viewpoint, while she doggedly researches and transcribes the material Amanda provides her with.
Once again I did enjoy the author indulging her ability at pastiche in reproducing sections of other (fictional) blockbuster novels of differing genres inspired by the murders, as well as a hitherto unproduced screenplay.
This is a much darker story than Hallett's previous books, and I felt a constant sense of anxiety, although I am not sure of its source as it was not concern for the characters, who are for the most part not very sympathetic. Although we don't like Amanda, the story is compelling with a terrifically tense and unexpectedly twisty ending - and most of all, we do love Ellie.

My thanks to NetGalley and Viper publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
I confess it did get me a while to adapt to the books format but once I did 'Brilliant' a definite page turnertowards the end.

This author can literally do no wrong! I loved this as much as The Appeal.

I was completely hooked from the start, I do feel like I missed out on some aspects by reading it on my kindle, so I will be purchasing a copy for a re-read and will update my review/rating

This was another absolutely brilliant read from Janice Hallett (to be fair it's not like I expected any less)
Told in the brilliant way Janice does, it kept me hooked as I tried to unravel all the clues and find the answers before the last page, and fail once again.

Everyone has heard of the Alperton Angels, a cult that planned on killing a baby to save the earth from it. Luckily this never happened and the mother vanished into the care system along with the baby. The baby is due to turn 18 so true crime author Amanda Bailey wants to track the baby down and finally solve this mystery. Alongside her is fellow author Oliver who also wants to be the one to interview the baby.

This was just incredible, it was gripping. I was sold on the cult-like aspect of this but this runs so much deeper. The plot is thick heavy and intertwined in ways you would never expect. Amanda and Oliver have a history of working together so you would expect the relationship of the pair to develop and boy does it.

I loved the way this was told through all the research that was discovered in the process of trying to track down the baby. This obviously allows the reader to try and discover what actually happened on that night and in the immediate aftermath. I find that Janice writes these books that are unlike any others I have ever experienced.

I think you have to really lose yourself in this book because you really need to concentrate on what is happening if you want to stand a vague chance of figuring it out but realistically - that isn't going to happen and it's just going to hook you in. This was 100% a 5* read for me. I found i trusted no one and i wasnt warming to the characters this became very apparent towards the end as i started to question everything i had read so far and well it just is a kicker. Fantastic book.

The plot is so clever, and the books format, with it being written through letters, transcripts, media and emails is genius and really makes you feel like an integral part of the plot.

I found it fast paced, intriguing and highly addictive. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, the story was so compelling.

An integral part to the the story was based Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight was my home for fifty years and I've visited the Abbey many a time, so I found this relatable and easy to visualise.

Many thanks to The Tandem Collective for my spot on the Readalong.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved this so much, the characters were written well and the action had lots of great twists and turns. The writing was really good and that kept me hooked all the way through. I liked how the action was paced and i felt like i was really drawn in as i had to know what was gonna happen next. This was such a great read and i can't wait to read the next book by Janice Hallett!

Wow what a book! After reading The Twyford Code for Netgalley last year, and enjoying The Appeal the year before, I was very excited to read The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels this time around.

Amanda is a true crime writer and is hot on the case of the Alperton Angels, a suicide pact gone wrong after the plot to kill a baby known as the 'antichrist' nearly 18 years ago. The story is told through WhatsApp messages with emojis, emails between characters, playscripts, letters and many more. I loved this set up and the different formats lure the reader into the sense that we are helping, we are piecing together the information too and trying to find out the truth. I just went along for the ride!

What a fun read! The characters are not particularly appealing apart from Ellie, Amanda's assistant, who writes up transcripts with great wit, but I was rushing to the end to find out how it is all resolved. Interesting, very interesting!

In 2003 teenagers Holly and Jonah escaped from a cult with a baby who they believed to be the antichrist. Cult leader Gabriel is now in prison but what became of the teenagers and the baby? Journalist, Amanda Bailey plans to find out and write about the so-called Alperton Angels in a new book deal.

If you have read Hallett’s previous two books then you will be used to her style of story telling, this book continues that theme of her trademark signature, telling the story through messages, emails and transcripts of interviews.

This book took me a while to get into as there were lots of characters and different communications used at the beginning. However once I got passed this and the number of characters dwindled, it was a great read! The main character Amanda, isn’t likeable but there is something comical about her selfish personality 😂

A quirky mystery with lots of twists and turns!

AS ever a wonderful story by Janice Hallett, I truly enjoy her style of crime writing and my only criticism is that they don't last long enough. Easy reading that will have you hooked in pages.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is the third book by Janice Hallett. As with her other books, it's a mixed media story, comprising of different communications. In this book it's a combination of emails, voice transcripts, newspaper articles, screenplays and WhatsApp messages.

The idea is that the reader has the key to a safety deposit box containing all of the items mentioned. Once the reader has gone through it, the decision must be to lock it away again or take it to the police.

The Alperton Angels were a group of men with a couple of teenagers, in almost a cult where they believed they were angels, and the teenage girl Holly was the mother of a baby that they all believed was the Antichrist. They intended to sacrifice the baby, but at the last minute Holly changed her mind and because the plan failed, the men killed themselves and were mutilated post-mortem. Holly, the other teenager Jonah and the baby were taken into care and subsequently vanished. The lead angel, Gabriel survived and was in prison, having been convicted of the murder of one of the group prior to the sacrifice.

Nearly 20 years later, when the baby is due to turn 18, two publishers commission authors to write new books looking back at the incident and with the intention of locating the baby. One of the authors is well-respected true-crime author Amanda, the other Oliver is someone from her past, who was responsible for something traumatic that happened to Amanda.

They are forced to work together, to ensure they create books looking at the case from differing points of view. The more they look into the case, the more confusion it causes, as things that they believed turn out to be much more sinister, and a lot less clear-cut. There also appears to be supernatural forces at work, complicating their research.

There were so many twists and turns that every time you think the truth is within grasp, it slips through your fingers again, and you feel like you're back to square one. It is such a clever book with so much complexity and multiple layers, it makes it a true page-turner because you become obsessed with finding the truth as much as the characters do.

Oh my goodness - Janice Hallett has done it again. This is an outstanding mystery that twists and pulls you in to conspiracy theories, predictions and possibly the truth.

The layout through a series of emails, messages, interviews and extracts of fiction build the case and ultimately reveals the answers.

Filled with tension this really is a gripping read.