Janice Hallett delivers a uniquely told thriller with “The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels,” a tale of revenge and manipulation.
When true crime author Amanda Bailey is tasked with writing a book about the strange 2003 case of the Alperton Angels — where several men convince a teenage couple they are all angelic beings and the baby they are caring for is the antichrist, needing to be destroyed — Amanda knows the real story is tracking down the missing baby who will soon be turning 18.
After being forced to work with a rival author, Oliver Menzies, the two begin to slowly unravel the almost 20-year-old case to come to the truth and reveal the identities of not only the baby but the two teens, while each fighting their own personal demons.
Told by using text messages, e-mails, interview transcriptions and other written formats, “The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels” is an intense story written in a unique manner, filled with twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing. Hallett does an incredible job of creating intense characters and throwing in some good themes, like dealing with revenge; overcoming the manipulation of cult leaders and how they claim their power (“Cult leaders — influential, charismatic people — have an aura that attracts those who are insecure and vulnerable. A perfect psychological storm”); and dealing with adversities life throws at you.
One disclaimer: this book, which is due out Jan. 23, does contain some course language.
Five stars out of five.
Atria Books provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.