The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels: the Bestselling Richard & Judy Book Club Pick

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Nearly two decades later, true-crime author Amanda Bailey is writing a book on the Angels. The Alperton baby has turned eighteen and can finally be interviewed - if Amanda can find them, it will be the true-crime scoop of the year, and will save her flagging career. But rival author Oliver Menzies is just as smart, better connected, and is also on the baby's trail. I loved the format and the whole story felt so authentic. I almost believed there was a real life case of the Alperton Angels. I think the format of the book really added to the authenticity.

Undeniably clever and captivating, and delivers a brilliant twist that will delight fans of her previous books * Sunday Express *

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Nope, no happy ending here. Not for your brain either because that's just going to explode into such a big pile of mush that you'll forget your own name. He adds, “Birdie will be a home where writers feel listened to, empowered and supported. We will make quality drama and comedy that audiences will fall in love with, and we also want to have fun doing it.” If you're still here, I'm not gonna say you made the wrong decision, but . . . just kidding. Maybe you need more info. The premise here is that an investigative journalist is writing a book about an infamous cult murder/suicide that took place about eighteen years before. The Alperton Angels, as the cult members were called, believed that a specific baby was the Antichrist and were getting ready to sacrifice said baby when a police raid interrupted them. All of the cult members killed themselves, and the baby was taken into custody. But now in present day, the baby is eighteen years old and available to interview, if it can be found. Our journalist MC, Amanda, is determined to find the baby and break open the Alperton Angels case in a new way, making a name for herself. Amanda is a well-known true crime author who has been invited to write a book about the mysterious case of the Alperton Angels, a small cult which twenty years ago committed mass suicide after attempting to sacrifice an infant they believed to be the Anti-Christ. All the most sensational details you can think of attend this case, but Amanda - who has reluctantly teamed up with neurotic Oliver, a fellow author - begins to realize that the truth might still be hidden - and still dangerous.

I wasn’t aware of any other writing while working on my first two novels. If it’s a movement, then hopefully it’s like most movements in art – it arises naturally in response to what we as a society choose to consume as entertainment. A lot of readers say they like that my style is different, so it could simply be that a change is as good as a rest… From Matt Wesolowski’s Six Stories to Only Murders in the Building, fictional true crime and epistolary storytelling have become pretty popular – it might even be a movement. Do you see it that way and why do you think readers are gravitating to this and indeed to true crime? What is remarkable is Hallett's ability to make her characters come alive... combined with her undoubted skill as a plotter, this places Hallett's books in the rare category of rereadable whodunnits * Telegraph *This witty, clever, and multi-layered plot is a dark story relieved by touches of humour. Amanda is compelled to work with a rival author, Oliver Menzies, who is also writing a book about the Angel's case for a different publisher. Amanda was deeply hurt by him in the past but decides to cooperate. They agree to focus on different aspects of the case for their upcoming books. Amanda is considered the better reporter, but Oliver has better connections. Oliver publishes in a newspaper some of Amanda's work and a photograph she took. He is not embarrassed or apologetic for his deception and manages to get an interview with Gabriel. He refuses to share anything regarding this interview with Amanda. Oliver seems to have fallen under Gabriel's spell and is becoming obsessed with supernatural spirits, angels, demons, and the Antichrist. People are concerned about his break from reality, but Amanda insists he will snap out of it. However Amanda is forced to join forces with rival writer Oliver Menzies who is also looking for the baby. As Amanda and Oliver delve further into the case, they realise everything they thought they knew was wrong. JS: No, I can’t. I can’t sleep. I stayed up really late last night because I just needed to know what happened. And if I didn’t find out what happened I wouldn’t have been able to sleep either. And then I was getting these palpitations because I couldn’t read it fast enough. WHAT SHOULD I DO?!