Janice Hallett studied English at UCL, and spent several years as a magazine editor, winning two awards for journalism. After gaining an MA in Screenwriting at Royal Holloway, she co-wrote the feature film Retreat. The Appeal is inspired by her lifelong interest in amateur dramatics. Her second novel, The Twyford Code, will be published by Viper in 2022. When not indulging her passion for global adventure travel, she is based in West London.
This dazzlingly clever cosy crime novel in emails completely trumps Richard Osman... Hallett uses the epistolatory form to superb effect in this terrific debut * Sunday Times * [A] daring debut... Hallett will soon have you laughing out loud... The Appeal is clever and funny * The Times * Very gripping. I loved the ambitious and unusual approach -- Sophie Hannah, bestselling author of <i>Haven't They Grown</i> If you're looking for a crime novel that is very different but very satisfying I thoroughly recommend The Appeal by Janice Hallett. I loved it -- Elly Griffiths, bestselling author of <i>The Postscript Murders</i> If you're looking for something insanely gripping to take to the sofa with, then run to The Appeal by Janice Hallett. It's a brilliantly fresh, ingenious and original whodunnit that is heading to the top of the bestseller chart if there's any justice. So, so good -- India Knight, <i>author of In Your Prime</i> The Appeal grips from the start, expertly stage-managing emails and messages to create an intriguing mystery with a cast of vivid, memorable characters. Original, clever, devious - and never less than utterly compelling - this is a case you're about to become obsessed with. A real triumph -- Alex North, bestselling author of <i>The Whisper Man</i> Takes the whodunnit to a whole new level. Intriguing, clever and above all, wholly original. A rare feat indeed, and to be savoured -- Elizabeth Haynes, bestselling author of <i>Into the Darkest Corner</i> One of the most enjoyable books I've read all year. Extremely addictive, it will reel you in, one piece of evidence at a time. Ingenious and highly original -- Alex Pavesi, author of <i>Eight Detectives</i> Fiendishly clever, highly original and totally gripping -- Cass Green, bestselling author of <i>In a Cottage in a Wood</i> Sly, funny, perfectly observed and clever. A superior and sophisticated Midsomer Murders packed with delicious red herrings -- Kate Griffin, author of <i>Kitty Peck and the Music Hall Murders</i> What a book. It has galvanised me to do better! Exceptional -- Matt Wesolowski, author of <i>Six Stories</i> Fresh, funny and impossible to put down. The Appeal is about an amateur dramatics group and an appeal to raise funds for a sick child and it's brilliant -- Mark Edwards, bestselling author of <i>The House Guest</i> Brilliantly crafted, The Appeal is a refreshingly different take on the modern crime novel. Full of suspicion and secrets, I raced my way to the end - and what an ending! -- Lisa Hall, author of <i>The Party</i> What a cracking book. Fresh, original and very clever -- Mel Sherratt, author of <i>Taunting the Dead</i> Brilliantly original, inventive and clever. I loved this book and you will too -- Phoebe Morgan, author of <i>The Doll House</i> Ingenious and page-turning traditional crime given an original twist... like a modernised Agatha Christie -- Maxim Jakubowski, <i>Crime Time</i> Highly original with characters that leap off the page. An addictive read -- Michelle Frances, author of <i>The Girlfriend</i> I loved this - it's utterly compulsive and unlike anything I've read in a while. It is such a cliche to say it, but I genuinely could NOT put it down. Bravo -- Katie Lowe, author of <i>The Furies</i> A very clever novel that puts you in the place of an investigator. A hugely enjoyable challenge and a most original book -- Jane Lythell, author of <i>The Lie of You</i> A totally original take on a thriller - intriguing and dark but with a dash of humour - I raced through it -- Catherine Cooper, author of <i>The Chalet</i> A wonderfully revealing portrait of how we communicate - what we hide and show of ourselves. It's sharp, funny, a brilliant game, and once you start playing you won't be able to stop -- Rachel Elliot, author of <i>Whispers Through a Megaphone</i> So cleverly written. I felt like I was a trainee lawyer sifting through evidence and trying to discover the culprit. It was exciting, fresh, and forces the reader to be an active investigator. I loved it -- Louise Mullins, author of <i>I Know You</i> What a book. Right up there with the best I've read this year. Great characters, smart structure, and kept me guessing all the way to the end -- Dan Malakin, author of <i>The Regret</i> A brilliant hybrid of Agatha Christie and Silk -- Guy Morpuss QC