The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, by Janice Hallett

I have now read and rated 5* all three of her books - I just love them! This one was probably my favourite so far.

This was another intricate, detailed and layered plot that demanded my full attention but is so easily immersive, shocking and gripping.

Similar to The Appeal, the story is told through a series of documents which have been ordered chronologically, including letters, emails, audio transcriptions of conversations and interviews, film scripts and text messages. I just love this format so much, it is so immersive, and it includes the reader right from the start by explaining that after reading these documents you must make a decision whether to destroy the evidence or take it to the police.

The main character of this book is an author trying to investigate an 18 year old case of a cult that tried to kill a baby, believing that it was the antichrist. The baby, now 18, was lost in the care system, as was the mother and father and youngest members of the cult. As she tries to identify these people, she ends up having to work with a rival author who is also researching the case, and she is faced with increasingly worrying hurdles and barriers that stop her being able to find out more information. As the authors discover more information about the case, we get to see both authors descend into states of obsession and determination to uncover the truth.

Accessibility:

Although I find these books quite challenging to read, they are so worth the attention and concentration. There are A LOT of names in this book, but you can kind of let some of the minor ones wash over you because for every transaction the author reminds you who the character is, or what their job is (e.g. publicist).