‘Compared to my previous novels, this is more procedural’

Janice Hallett was hailed as one of the UK’s pre-eminent crime writers in 2022, with The Appeal and The Twyford Code introducing readers to a new way to solve her complex mysteries.

The new year gives fans of Hallett’s stories an opportunity to indulge in a new twisting tale, which will have readers wracking their brains for the answers, right up to the final page.

Speaking to The Book Insider, Janice explains what we can expect from The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels and readers had better buckle up for the ride they will go on.

Janice said: “I’d say it’s creepier than my previous novels, but with a vein of dark humour running through it.

“Compared to The Appeal and The Twyford Code it’s rather more procedural – I aimed to put into play all I’d learned from writing the first two books to give the reader a really meaty story they can have a good stab at solving.”

Janice said that for those who enjoyed how The Appeal and The Twyford Code were presented, then The Mysterious Case of The Alperton Angels will feel familiar but takes the format to another level.

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Janice continued: “It’s similar to the others in that it’s an unconventional narrative. We’re reading not a book, but a bundle of documents compiled by a true crime author as she researched her latest book… the reader has to make a decision at the end. It’s inspired by reality – certain real-life crimes and true crime as a genre of entertainment.”

The debut from Janice was quite a daring way of making a splash on the crime writing scene but it wasn’t her original plan for The Appeal.

She said: “The unusual layout of The Appeal happened quite by accident. I’d been writing scripts and screenplays for years, but decided to write a novel on the spur of the moment. I didn’t think about it as a different structure or form. In fact, I didn’t think very much at all.

“The script I’d had in mind to write was about a couple who arrive back in the UK after a decade volunteering in war zones. Their experiences inform how they see the inhabitants of a small town drama group.

“A vague thought came to me that I could explore this story via emails flying back and forth between minor characters – off-stage so to speak – while the main action happens unseen.”

Janice continued: “A bit like Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard, which I’ve always loved. Suddenly these voices rang out of nowhere, all talking about the main character, Sam, and the book had started.

“That’s why we never hear from Sam, and a couple of other main players. It happened by accident and yet is the element of the novel I’m most proud of.”

Janice had a snippet of advice for those who wanted a different approach to story writing and suggested spending time getting the characters to interact with each other, to find how their voices would be with different people.

The bestselling author said: “I would certainly urge writers to explore their characters by having them write to each other.

“Their relationships will dictate how they say hello and goodbye, how much or how little they write, whether they ask questions or not. We give away so much when we write to someone.

“We reveal how we feel about them, and sometimes how we feel about ourselves.”

Janice Hallett released her third novel, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels in January 2023 and can be ordered HERE.