The Appeal: The smash-hit bestseller

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Hallett seems to have done that rae things of pleasing the classicists and the modernists…no mean feat for her first novel!

Very gripping. I loved the ambitious and unusual approach -- Sophie Hannah, bestselling author of Haven't They Grown Yeah, it’s too early to tell how Hallett might compare to Christie, and at this stage in Agatha’s career even she wouldn’t have been seen as the force she went on to be. 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? I was intrigued by this book and have been wondering for a while whether or not I should give it a go. Having been burnt by too many modern mysteries which have been labelled as Christie-esque, I was somewhat on the fence. Whilst this is not a glowing review, the weaknesses mentioned do not seem to make it impossible to enjoy the story nevertheless. By the sounds of it, is it more in style of Philip Macdonald’s book than Dorothy L. Sayers’? Sayers, from recollection, is more relationship driven I would say.There’s something really timeless and universal about those familiar stories that is quite comforting in uncertain times. And the trends for authors revisiting those stories for a contemporary audience has been incredibly popular recently,” said Carvalho. The constant notes from them 'oooh did you spot that thing that x said, nudge nudge' spelling out the clues for the reader. Oh, The Maze is certainly much drier — there’s a clear focus on the relationships and interactions between the characters, and a very clear importance on that element of things being key. I raced through it and liked it a lot, but I did find the law student framing really annoying and contrived: 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 The Lie of You

So many writers have inspired me: Cervantes, Thomas Hardy, Emily Bronte, Agatha Christie, Enid Blyton, Patricia Leitch, Douglas Adams… and that’s only a few. Is Sam just being paranoid given her unhappy history with Tish? Or is something truly sinister afoot, something that could cost one or more of the Fairway Players their lives as Sam seeks to expose the truth? Martin and Helen reveal that Helen lost a child to meningitis years ago, before their children Paige and James were born.Thanks JJ for the review – sounds like I need to get my hands on this book sooner rather than later! Is it a book I can get via my local Kindle store – or does the ‘murder dossier’ format require a hard copy? Allowing each character to speak for themselves is a great benefit of this style. I much prefer writing in the first person, where I can jump into that character and see the world from their perspective. As a screenwriter I had to write dialogue from every character’s perspective and I think my novels demonstrate an extension of that. There must be downsides but I haven’t discovered them yet. It feels quite natural to me to write this kind of novel. Synopsis: The Fairway Players, a local theatre group, is in the midst of rehearsals for an Arthur Miller play, when tragedy strikes the family of director Martin Haywood and his wife Helen, the play’s star. Their young granddaughter has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and with an experimental treatment costing a tremendous sum, their fellow castmates rally to raise money.

You were inspired by true crime and Michelle McNamara’s book I’ll Be Gone in the Dark. What is it that interests you about the genre and that book? These are the people you have to see in private practice: the epitome of white entitlement. They think the earth should stop turning for their child to be cured. It doesn’t occur to them no one else is as committed to their family as they are. If they’d seen what we have, they’d be grateful for the many privileges they not only take for granted, but demand, with no sense of their own insignificance in the world. They could afford these drugs if they sold their assets, but they are affronted by the very idea of paying for healthcare and prefer others to foot the bill.I haven't enjoyed a book this much since Standard Deviation. Congratulations, Janice Hallett! -- Louise Voss, author of The Last Stage 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 The Postscript Murders 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 The Party