The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

Summary

The website content is a review of "The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels" by Janice Hallett, which is praised as an engaging and uniquely formatted mystery novel.

Abstract

The book "The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels" by Janice Hallett is commended for its captivating narrative and innovative storytelling approach. The review highlights the protagonist Amanda Bailey's determination in investigating an 18-year-old murder case, where the now-adult child who was present at the crime scene can finally provide insights. The story unfolds through various forms of communication, including WhatsApp messages, emails, and interviews, offering a refreshing take on narrative structure that immerses the reader in the investigation. The reviewer finds the main character relatable and inspiring, and while the unconventional format may initially confuse, it ultimately proves to be a satisfying reading experience. The novel is recommended for those who appreciate a good mystery and are open to a mixed-media style of writing.

Opinions

The reviewer found the book to be a "fantastic read" that held their attention throughout.
Amanda Bailey, the true-crime author and protagonist, is described as a character with energy and determination, potentially a good friend to the reviewer.
The reviewer expressed sadness over the senseless loss of life due to murder, as depicted in the book.
The unique narrative style, which uses various forms of communication to tell the story, is initially challenging but becomes engaging once the reader adjusts.
The story is praised for moving forward without extensive descriptive paragraphs, which the reviewer finds refreshing.
The book is recommended for readers who enjoy mysteries and are open to experimental storytelling formats.
The reviewer acknowledges that readers who prefer traditional narratives with detailed character and setting development might find this book less appealing.
The review includes an affiliate link, indicating that the reviewer may receive a commission for purchases made through the link provided.

This book is a fantastic read! The story pulled me in and kept me there all the way through.

Image created by Ann Leach

True-crime author Amanda Bailey is digging into a murder mystery that is 18 years old. The baby at the centre of the story was present at that murder and is now a legal adult who can (finally) be interviewed.

As Amanda Bailey and her rival Oliver Menzies dig into the Alperton Angel case interviewing witnesses, police persons, doctors, and others connected to the case 18 years ago, they find the facts don’t all lineup. There is something else at play.

I liked Amanda Bailey. She and I might be good friends. Her energy and determination in seeing this story all the way through are inspiring. I was curious about the baby, an unwilling character in the story of the murders with really no story to tell having been only an infant at the time, yet how could its life not have been impacted by the part it played in the circumstances leading up to the murders? I felt sad at the senseless loss of life that is murder.

This entire story is told through conversations between the characters via WhatsApp messages, Emails, Text messages, Twitter messages, and transcriptions of recorded meetings and interviews with a few excerpts taken from an unpublished book, film script, and personal notes of Amanda Bailey . Every conversation moves the story forward without the reader having to plough through paragraphs of landscape, cityscape or other descriptions. How refreshing and at times confusing! This is my first experience reading a story written in this style and like reading a story written in mid-19th century English, it does take some getting used to. But after that, I liked it.

I recommend The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels* to readers who enjoy a good mystery and digging into the details themselves to solve the mystery. Those open to the mixed media style of writing will have a better read than those who are more suited to a narrated story with words spent on character and setting building.

*Affiliate Link: When you make a purchase after clicking this link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you.

BOOK REVIEW

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

This book is a fantastic read! The story pulled me in and kept me there all the way through.