This was a super clever and engaging mystery. I loved the format — emails, texts, and transcripts — because it made the book zoom by and also allowed me to sift through the evidence myself to try to draw conclusions about the mystery. I loved the twists and turns combined with some moments of humor and levity. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I have read all of Janice Hallett's books, and she does not disappoint. I love the style of her novels, and how the story unfolds for the reader much like an investigator reading a file for the first time. After reading some of her previous novels, I expected this one to be creepy and a bit chilling, but I was not creeped out as much as I was invested in how each of the characters fit together. The concept of a pub quiz being the center of a mystery made it all seem a bit innocuous, but I guess that's what was meant to be chilling about it.

I am glad I picked this one up, and will definitely be recommending it to others.

Five stars! Janice Hallett does it again. Who knew the competitive trivia night could become so serious! With twists and turns all along the way I found myself wishing I could watch the documentary they're pitching!

It was an interesting read, I have read most of Janice Hallett’s books and when I saw that she was coming out with this one I knew that I wanted to read it. The only thing that is harder for me is that I frequently have to use Google to understand most of the British terms that are in the story. This can be annoying to do.

The twists and turns in the story were good and I like the format of the story but it was confusing at times because the story flips back and forth between the present and the past. I would be reading about the present and then all of a sudden it would jump to the main characters past. I like that it was the first plot line that I know of that utilizes Netflix true crime documentaries ( I have never really gotten into wanting to watch any of them).

Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC via Netgalley.

The book unfolds through a series of emails, texts, news articles and flashbacks, setting up an intriguing premise for a storyline that unfolds over 3 distinct periods of time. Using the weekly pub quizzes as breaks between chapters is a smart way to distinctly break up the narrative and mystery that occurs over time. However, the constant flip flopping of medium and time does introduce a bit of disarray, making the storyline slightly tough to follow.

Overall, the characters are likable and Janice Hallet has a unique sense of humor that reflects in her characters. The mystery itself wasn’t as intriguing as I would’ve imagined but the pace and overall plot keeps the readers reeled in. I would’ve liked a bit more of a straightforward writing style but still enjoyed this book nonetheless.

Well, Janice Hallett did it again, The KIller Question is proof that Janice Hallett is the Queen of epistolatory writing and she just keeps getting better!

The backstory is a nephew sending documents and emails to someone at Netflix in hopes of getting his Aunt and Uncle's escapades turned into the next true crime blockbuster. The main setting is a small town pub who hosts a weekly quiz night where things start unraveling when a new group of quizzers start showing up as well as a dead body. The setting and theme of this one is original and fun and in true Janice Hallett fashion, slowly many twists and turns are presented through mixed media making for a great fun mystery.

Big thanks to Janice Hallett, Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

Janice Hallett you are evil (and I love you for it) this kept me up until 130AM finishing it! I think this theme is so interesting and will be popular. The twist was a little predictable, but I only say that because I know not to trust ANYTHING or ANYONE in her books and was keeping alert for the "killer" twist. Also, it did not make me like the book any less for it. I love Janice's book and she is easily in my top 5 fav authors. I have so far recommended this book to several people and I already can't wait for her next book.
I have been lucky enough to have been given ARCs from her in the past and I am so grateful for it. Please give me ALL her book!!!!!

Sue and Mal are new to the pub business, but they take their roles as the landlord and lady of The Case is Altered very seriously, especially when it comes to the pub's weekly quiz. The quiz is attended regularly by several local members of the area, some who take it a little more seriously than others. However, the entire quiz ecosystem at the pub is knocked over when a dead body is found in the river just nearby. Who is this person? Did it have anything to do with the new and undefeated quiz team? Told through the fun mixed-media of texts, transcripts, and emails, Janice Hallett delivers yet another fantastic murder mystery that manages to be dark, humorous, and completely original.

Janice Hallett is an auto-buy author for me, and this newest novel did not disappoint. In a way, she reminds me of Fredrik Backman in that she just writes people so well. There's something about the way she gives her characters voices that make me think I truly know that person and have met them somewhere before. In this novel, you'll find yourself laughing and turning the pages in order to get to the bottom of this mystery that, as usual, is so much more than it appears at a first glance.

-Stars HANDS DOWN. No one is writing like Janice Hallett writes. Her books draw you in and put you in the detective’s chair. With the epistolary format you will fly through these books and still be shocked at the ending.

Every single time I read one of these mysteries and think I’ve got it figured out - I’m wrong. But in the BEST way. This is not one of those plot hole filled books - everything is covered. The tiniest of sentences can end up being a clue towards the final reveal.

I absolutely adored the setting being this pub in a small town that holds a quiz every week. I loved reading all the texts and emails and messages and they all come together to reveal twist after twist.

Truly an ending you will NEVER see coming. And all of her books are like this. I’m obsessed. I will eat up this writing and preorder every single book she writes.

PRE-ORDER THIS NOW if you are a mystery fan. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Big thanks to Janice Hallett, Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions! 🖤

Janice Hallett is truly a modern hero of mystery. I anxiously await every new release of hers with hopes to be approved for an advance review copy, and I was delighted to receive just that for The Killer Question: releasing in the United States on September 23, 2025!

Janice writes in epistolary - a literary form where you're directly immersed in the story, which is being told through documents - WhatsApp chats, e-mails, letters, text messages, and more. The Killer Question is no different; as it opens, we are introduced to a nephew that is writing to Netflix about his idea for a true crime series based on his aunt and uncle. From then, we are immediately dumped into the world of quiz night at a homey, local pub. Run by novice barkeeps but extremely dedicated trivia hosts, Mal and Sue are simple folk that mostly live for their Monday night game and the regulars it brings. When a new team comes in and seems to know all the answers - but won't answer any questions about themselves - feathers are ruffled and suspicious raised. Who are these newcomers and why are they visiting Sue and Mal's rundown pub?

I loved the way, as always, that this book puts the reader directly into the story, living along with it and trying to decipher what's a clue and what needs to be remembered for later! I was truly shocked when it came down to "the reveal" - truly shocked, and yet it made such perfect sense. I am very disappointed to be finished and will anxiously await my next Hallett read! Make sure to add this to your fall TBR - it's the perfect book to cozy up with as the seasons turn!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have read all of Janice Hallett's previous novels and absolutely love them -- I am so impressed by the way she sets up her books and am always in awe how she pulls it off! I read this one as soon as I was approved for it and really loved it.

I have a long-standing trivia team and absolutely loved that this was set in the world of trivia -- so much of that rang true for me and made me laugh. I enjoyed the characters and it kept me engaged and guessing -- I was surprised by the ending!

I would recommend this one to anyone who likes quirky novels in unique formats, is a trivia person, or enjoys slow-burn mystery novels. It was so good! I can't wait to see what Janice Hallett writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Janice Hallett always knocks it out of the park. The style of writing breaks up the monotony of reading large chunks of text, and throughout the course of reading I feel like a detective solving a crime behind the scenes. Her twists have me absolutely shocked, and I could not put this book down. The entire time I was trying to figure out one part of the mystery, all for it to unravel at the end and every knot to be tied. i will always read anything by Janice Hallett, i have yet to be disappointed.

Janice FREAKING Hallett does it AGAIN!!!! I am beyond grateful to our lovely author, NetGalley, and Atria Books for granting me advanced digital access to this mysterious creation before it hits shelves on September 23, 2025.

I have consumed every single JH book and I’ve been anticipating this one for a long time!

Scenario: Dominic Eastwood is writing into a Netflix documentarian with a pitch for a new true crime piece, being sure to attach all the gritty details, which readers get to unpackage and try to solve, adding so much fun to the reading experience.

Dominic’s aunt and uncle Sue and Mal, own a pub called The Case is Altered and they host weekly trivia quizzes which have become quite the buzz, especially after a team titled The Shadow Knights seem to be either the wisest quizzers in the county, or they’ve finagled a way to cheat, angering other teams and the quizmaster.

One evening, a disturbance within the crowd occurs leaving guests on edge and when that same troublemaker’s body is found down the road, a few days later, patrons grow fearsome of their surroundings and hosts, yet the quiz most trudge onward.

I LOVED this book and always enjoy playing detective as all of the evidence unveils itself to me. Many stars, all the stars!

This was so good!!!!
When I tell you I read this book in 24 hours I could not put it down! The twists and turns in this book had my blood pumping and the unreliable characters… 👀
A must read for fans of mystery thrillers!

The Case is Altered pub is empty and boarded up, but it once held lively weekly pub quizzes. Why did the pub shut down, and what happened to its proprietors, Mal and Sue? The reader finds out by reading through a history of emails, texts, quiz sheets, WhatsApp messages, and reports.

I like Hallett's books because of their unusual storytelling format---it's refreshing to get bits of information from various characters and to try and put the puzzle pieces together. It's amazing how much characterization comes through in one's texts or emails. The pub quiz (bar trivia night for US readers) made for an interesting focus, and it was fun to read about the various questions and quiz topics, and to see how different characters reacted to their difficulty (or lack thereof). This isn't my favorite of Hallett's books (I still like The Appeal best); the stakes don't feel incredibly high for most of the book, and while murders make up part of the storyline, they come so late that this book overall has a more lighthearted vibe. I especially enjoyed the youngest character, whose name is completely escaping me now---her texts were very much what I expected from someone her age and often very funny when contrasted with the older adults'. Recommended for any mystery reader open to a little something different.

Man, I love Janice Hallett. Her books are so fun. I was so excited when I saw she was releasing a new book. I love her style of writing, and she does it so well! It cannot be easy to create mystery books in the epistolary style, but she's great at it. If you pay attention, the mysteries are solvable. She gives you plenty of legitimate clues, but it's also not so obvious that you feel bored. There were many twists that surprised me! There were quite a few characters to keep track of, but she made it easy to get to know them by listing which pub and quiz team each belonged to, so after a while, it became easier. If you liked her past books, you'll like this one too, and if you've never read one of her books before, I greatly encourage you to pick this one up or one of her older ones; they're just so good!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for letting me read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Killer Question has the most intriguing premise and it delivered on it. Through emails (which we get to follow throughout) following Dominic’s mission to get his Aunt and Uncle’s pub’s mystery created as a Netflix show, and then texts chronicling that same mystery (and some other events relevant to the plot) we get a fairly wild tale around trivia, of all things.

The story was entertaining, though the format of this sadly wasn’t my favorite. I thought the emails and texts were entertaining, along with the other forms of presenting the story (articles, transcripts, at one point a play), but they were used for all of the book. At no point did we get a character moving the story along directly and while this must have been incredibly challenging to write, it was also challenging to read. The story is so great and I have to believe there was a way to present it, still utilizing this format creatively, that would be more effective. Still, it’s immensely entertaining and if the format would work for you, or if you’re not a straight through, one book at a time, type of reader, I think it’s absolutely worth reading.

I always look forward to Hallett’s books, so of course I dropped everything when I got approved for this DRC and began it immediately! It’s another fun epistolary mystery and has one heck of a twist to it. I felt like this wasn’t quite as strong as Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, especially in terms of using a variety of media types. It starts and ends really strong, but the middle section dragged at times with some repetitive bits or long winded emails from side characters that go off on random tangents. I think trimming it back a bit would have made it a more engaging read.

I appreciate the unique story and quirky cast of characters. There are quite a few to track but there are helpful lists with who belongs with which quiz group at the start of each new quiz week, though on ebook I found them somewhat hard to read as they were lighter colored and very small (and didn’t change with font size).

While it wasn’t my fav by the author, I really enjoyed it and would most definitely recommend it. Thanks Atria Books & NetGalley for the DRC!

This one is written in the same way as her others, fully in mixed media format. The entire story is told through email and text threads and I just love this format. It moves so fast and Janice is incredibly clever.

This book was the first time I felt a lack of planning evidence itself in the story. Because this one was great in the first 20%. I was IN> But the middle 50% were incredibly tedious. The characters were flat, the story sort of dull and we just kept doing the same thing over and over and over until I was actually looking at the table of contents to see if I could tell by the chapter titles when we’d move forward.

When we did, we went into a faster-moving last 30%, which did include at least one twist that was pretty darn great. But overall,. The entire book was just mid. It felt rushed and sort of … thin?

It doesn’t escape my notice that she’s now pumping out a new book every year and now is when we’re seeing this lack of quality show itself.

But also, this could be a one off. I remain a Janice Hallett evangelist and highly, highly recommend several of her books, as they are nothing short of incredible.

This one, not so much.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC copy!

I powered through this book in 1 day, and I can’t decide if that was a mistake or not 😂 I think it definitely helped in keeping the slightly tense atmosphere going, but overall I’m not feeling as satisfied as I normally do after finishing a Janice Hallett book…

This story is about quiz night at a local pub, told through found documents by the nephew of the owners of said pub. The fun part is we get to experience a whole bunch of quiz nights before the mystery is solved, with a lot of drama and interpersonal bickering mixed in! The not-so-fun part is there is a LOT of setup to get to where we need to go, which is a common occurrence with Hallett’s books. Usually, I find the payoff is worth the lengthy setup! Here, I think it’s not quite as explosive as I’d have hoped.

I will say, I LOVE mixed media novels, and I’m no stranger to Hallett’s work, but even so I found this one a bit more boring and less intense than expected. It wasn’t as juicy as the gossip in The Appeal, and the mystery wasn’t as thrilling as in Alperton Angels.

However: this was still very well written, and a tight mystery! I was surprised in the end, and I overall enjoyed the journey to get there. I think it just needed a little extra to get it to the level of the other books I’ve loved from this author.

I would absolutely still recommend this! Don’t let the critiques fool you 😂