The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels

A Novel

De: Janice Hallett

Narrado por: Annie Aldington, Nneka Okoye, Gareth Armstrong, Sid Sagar, Kristin Atherton

A New York Times Notable Book and Best Thriller of 2024

A whip-smart and “fast-paced mystery” (The Daily Telegraph, London) from the internationally bestselling author of The Twyford Code and The Appeal about a true crime journalist who revives a long-buried case about a cult—and finds herself too close to the story.

Everyone knows the story of the Alperton Angels: the cult who brainwashed a teenage girl into believing her baby was the anti-Christ. When the girl came to her senses and called the police, the Angels committed suicide and mother and baby disappeared.

Now, true crime author Amanda Bailey is looking to revive her career by writing a book on the case. The Alperton baby has turned eighteen; finding them will be the scoop of the year. But rival author Oliver Menzies is just as smart, better connected, and also on the baby’s trail.

As Amanda and Oliver are forced to collaborate, they realize that the truth about the Angels is much darker and stranger than they’d ever imagined, and in pursuit of the story they risk becoming part of it.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A full cast of narrators, including Annie Aldington, Nneka Okoye, Gareth Armstrong, Sid Sagar, and Kristin Atherton, read the letters, WhatsApp messages, and newspaper articles that make up the novel and aid (and sometimes impede) the investigation. The many narrators allow listeners to distinguish between the characters and know when the source has changed, adding an almost palpable sense of urgency." (Elyssa Everling)

"This marvelous audiobook unfolds through a series of emails complete with verbal emojis--a narrator's challenge. Kristin Atherton gives a knockout performance as journalist Amanda Bailey, who is investigating the malevolent cult of the Alperton Angels. Years ago they attempted to persuade a teenage mother to sacrifice her baby--but then the infant disappeared. Sid Sagar portrays Amanda's journalist friend who wants to help her in hopes of horning in on her success. There is an overabundance of graphic violence tied to the cult, and suspense builds as the two reporters don't see the danger. Nneka Okoye as Amanda's street-smart assistant, Gareth Armstrong as the cult leader, and Annie Aldington as the murder club president provide plot twists and turns. All involved create a superbly choreographed performance."

Multiple viewpoints contemporary suspense

There is virtually no prose here, it is all first person viewpoints in text messages, email messages, WhatsApp, messages, and a few newspaper articles. So it reads like a series of conversations. Takes a little getting used to, but the story is complex and ultimately engrossing. Even satisfying. Good narration by all. 

Ok story - bad execution?

Almost wish I had just read this instead of listening. The narrative is a bit confusing when listening as almost an audio drama - the story is pretty intriguing but I found myself lost at points due to the shifting narrative played by the same actors.

Unpredictable ending

The story was initially a little difficult to follow, the various types of documents described and learning the characters, but when the pieces starting coming together I could stop listening. The voices for the story were excellent as well. I can usually predict the ending of mystery novels, but I was thoroughly shocked by this one. I will definitely recommend this to others and look forward to reading the author’s other books.

Dragged me in

And kept me there. I really needed the distraction today and I was able to fully inhabit this story. Thank you Janice. You have made Dystopia Day that much more tolerable.

Masterfully constructed

This book has a really cool structure in that the way that its parts come together is clever and satisfying. I found it to be a bit weirdly paced, though. A lot a lot happens at the end and very little happens in the middle parts.

Unique Approach.

really enjoyed the way it was presented. never read a story written in this way. very cool.

Audiobook ideal

This and The Appeal by Janice Hallett were both so enjoyable to listen to. I don’t know how they would read as a book, but they are so well acted and I didn’t have a hard time following along bc of the detail given and the voice acting. More of these please!

Love!!!

What an interesting and incredible format!!! I wasn’t sure I’d be able to follow but I did.

Very enjoyable listen, well and uniquely written and haunting

I was a bit skeptical as I started listening, I disliked the format at first, with the way the story is built on pieces of communications, the inclusions of emoji especially annoyed me, but I quickly came around as the story began to take shape. It is really a great story, and it is well told, and the narrators are wonderful also.

My favorite author

Janice Hallett can’t write a book that I don’t love. I order her books from England as soon as they come out and then have to wait a year for the audiobook. I love the narrators and the story is just as good the second time.