Book Review: The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

My Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Open the safe deposit box. Inside you will find research material for a true crime book. You must read the documents, then make a decision. Will you destroy them? Or will you take them to the police?"

True crime writer Amanda Bailey has been commissioned to write a book on the eighteen-year-old case of the Alperton Angels – a cult led by “Gabriel”, presently incarcerated, three members of which were found dead (apparent ritualistic suicide) in an abandoned warehouse in Alperton, a suburb of northwest London. Another murder, a presumed ritualistic killing committed by Gabriel also figures in the list of crimes. Two surviving members, Jonah and Holly, both teenagers and their baby have withdrawn from the public eye since then. Gabriel, their charismatic leader had convinced them that they were angels in human form and the child was the Antichrist. Holly was instrumental in protecting the child from harm and in the process exposed the members of the group. Amanda’s research includes studying existing documentation, tapping into her sources contacting law enforcement officers, hospital staff and social workers who interacted with the members, attempting to interview anyone and everyone linked to the case including Gabriel and tracking down the survivors including the child who would now be eighteen years old and from whose perspective Amanda’s book is to be based. Complicating things further is the fact that fellow writer Oliver Menzies is also working on a similar book commissioned by another publishing house. Forced to collaborate, but unable to trust one another (there is history here, and it's not pleasant!), they race to uncover the truth behind the story of the Alperton Angels. Assisted by Ellie Cooper, who is helping in transcribing the interviews and phone conversations, Amanda is determined, perceptive and fearless, committed to getting to the bottom of things. But there are forces at play that don’t want them to succeed and people who would go to any length to make sure that the secrets surrounding the case stay buried.

Presented through a series of email correspondence, WhatsApp messages, letters, transcripts of interviews and phone conversations, and excerpts from fiction inspired by the Alperton Angels case and other documents, the narrative hooks you in from the very first page. To say that the plot is complex would be an understatement. The twists and turns and the direction the narrative ultimately took left my head spinning. There are more than a few characters to keep track of which adds to the confusion and the pace does waver in parts, but the author cleverly weaves a gripping tale that keeps you guessing, topping it off with an ending that you do not see coming. This book requires a bit of patience (and maybe a bit of notetaking to keep track of who’s who) but it is definitely worth the effort and time invested. With an intriguing premise, clever plotting and engaging narrative, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett is a thoroughly satisfying read.