Janice Hallett Books in Order with Summaries
Janice Hallett books have quickly become must-read books for Kirsten and me. We know that her books will keep us on our toes and will give us so much to talk about.
So, it will come as no surprise that between the two of us, we have read all the Janice Hallett books in order of publication- since we read them before they are even published! Obviously, we are fortunate in that respect and must thank Atria Publishing for sending Kirsten and me copies of the books!
Janice Hallett is singular in her writing style and format. The mysteries themselves are extremely well crafted, but it is her unique method of incorporating texts, transcripts, Whatsapp messages, handwritten notes, and interviews that make each book so captivating.
If you are an audiobook lover, each of the Janice Hallett Books is narrated by a cast of narrators. Each character is easily distinguished from the other by just the narrator’s voice which makes it feel like you are listening to a play.
Janice Hallett Books in Order
- The Appeal (2022)*
- The Twyford Code (2023)*
- The Christmas Appeal (2023)
- The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels (2024)*
- The Examiner (2024)
*The publication years differ in the UK and North America. The dates listed are the US publication dates
Janice Hallett Books with Summaries
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
The Appeal
Author: Janice Hallett
Year: 2022
Genre: Thriller
More info: International Bestseller
Best Book of 2022 by The New York Times
Crime Writer Association New Blood Dagger Award
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I was utterly charmed by this unique murder mystery book! The premise is great – a detective duo has been given a stack of correspondence (text and emails) and asked to read through and determine who was murdered, why, and who was wrongly accused.
Of course, we readers get to come along for the ride – reading their post-it notes or texts to each other as they try to solve the mystery. I was desperately trying to solve it along with them but I was stumped!
The ending was truly shocking and the many twists and turns had me flying through the story. I read part of it and listened to part. Both formats make for a wonderful experience! This is one I’ll be recommending this pick from the ultimate list of mystery books for years to come!
Trigger Warnings
Cancer
Why Kirsten loves it
This is the first of Janice Hallett’s book and it firmly placed her in the “must-read” author category. The format of this book is brilliant and her other books are equally entertaining, well-written, and brilliantly plotted.
Find this book in: Detective Books / The Ultimate List of Mystery Books / The Best British Mysteries / Epistolary Novels / Janice Hallett Books in Order
The Twyford Code
Author: Janice Hallett
Year: 2023
Genre: Mystery
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Name a more unique mystery writer than Janice Hallett. You can’t because her mystery books are unlike any I’ve ever read before. It’s not just the incredible mysteries that keep you on your toes – it’s HOW the stories are told.
Smithy was in a remedial English class when he found a copy of a book written by author Edith Twyford. She believed that the writings in the book were part of a secret code. When the teacher goes missing, Smithy thinks she may have been correct.
Now Smithy is out of prison and is looking for answers.
Trigger Warnings
Prison
Why Kirsten loves it
The Twyford Code is laid out as a collection of audio file transcripts that you need to decipher to find the treasure. The ending BLEW MY MIND. The genius of Hallett to lay it out like that… I’m in awe of this book.
Find this book in: Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Best Puzzle Books for Adults / Janice Hallett Books in Order / Janice Hallett Books in Order
The Christmas Appeal
Author: Janice Hallett
Year: 2023
Genre: Mystery
More info: The Appeal #2
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The Fairway Players theater group is back and preparing for their Christmas play. They find themselves once again in the middle of a murder that threatens to halt their production.
Hallett puts you in the detective seat as you unravel clues, sift through Christmas letters, and dig into police transcripts to unmask the culprit before the final curtain falls.
Why Kirsten loves it
I was crying-laughing reading this story. It’s equal parts hysterical and cunning. I can never figure out the mystery before the end of Hallett’s books. #gifted
Find this book in: Christmas Books 2023 / Best Christmas Books of All Time / Christmas Mystery Books / Janice Hallett Books in Order
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
Author: Janice Hallett
Year: 2024
Genre: Mystery
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range:16+
Plot
True crime author Amanda Bailey is looking to revive her career. She decides to write a book about The Alperton Angels, a cult that almost convinced a teenage girl that her baby was The Anti-Christ and needed to be killed. But after she calls the police and is dropped off at the hospital, she disappears and so does the baby.
Now Amanda is trying to find the perfect angle for this book when she discovers that Oliver, another author, is also on the case. When they decide to collaborate, they discover that the story goes deeper than they could have imagined.
Trigger Warnings
Cults
Why Jackie loves it
I started reading this book but switched to the full-cast audio version and could not stop listening. The book is written as WhatsApp messages, emails, and transcripts. I loved this five-star read and highly recommend the audio version for a deeper reading experience. #gifted
Find this book in: Cult Books / Full Cast Audiobooks / Ultimate List of Mystery Books / Summer Reads of 2024 / Janice Hallett Books in Order
The Examiner
Author: Janice Hallett
Year: 2024
Genre: Mystery
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
In the quintessential Hallett style, this story is told in emails and texts. Gela Nathaniel must find six students for her Multicultural Art program or risk losing her funding. But the students give her trouble from the start. Some don’t come regularly, some are very stuck in their ways, and supplies are going missing.
When the examiner for the course starts looking through emails and texts of the students and Gela, he realizes someone is in danger. The question is whether they are dead already.
Why Jackie loves it
I listened to this book #gifted and loved every minute. I immediately got a sense of all the characters and their quirks. I quickly loved and hated them simultaneously. I was never sure exactly what was going on, in the best possible way.
Find this book in: Best New Mystery Books of 2024 / Janice Hallett Books in Order / Giftable Books
Expert Tip
Janice Hallett’s books can take a little bit of time to adjust to reading because of the format of the books. If you are having a hard time getting into the books here are some helpful hints
- Take a quick flip through to see the different formats. If there are a lot of initials (like in a transcript of an interview), take a minute to determine who is having the conversation before reading through the interview. That way, you will know who is talking and can just read it knowing that with each new person talking, it is a new line of text
- Try listening to the audio version of the book. Each character has a different narrator so you will always know who is talking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Janice Hallett
Janice Hallett was born in 1969 and is a bestselling author of mystery books. In 2022, she won the Crime Writer Association New Blood Dagger for her debut novel, The Appeal. Hallett is British and studied screenwriting and wrote a horror-thriller film called Retreat in 2011. She also worked as a journalist before moving into writing mystery novels.
Do you have to read the Janice Hallet books in order?
No, you do not have to read the Janice Hallet books in order with one exception. The Appeal should be read before The Christmas Appeal. The rest of the books are standalone books and are not part of a series, unlike other mystery writers like Louise Penny. These books are more similar to Lisa Jewell whose books are all standalone with one exception.
Are Janice Hallett Books cozy mystery books?
No, these are not cozy mystery books. Most of these books have a detective on the case and the crimes are often too involved to be considered a cozy mystery. The Alperton Angels, in particular, has creepy vibes that are not considered cozy.
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Epilogue
Have you read the Janice Hallett books in order? Did you read or listen to the books? I am so curious to know which book is your favorite!
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