Janice Hallett – författare

* THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *'Murderously good' - DAILY EXPRESS'An addictive whodunnit' - iPAPER'So clever, you'll want to read it again' - WOMAN AND HOMEThe answer is murder. The question is whodunnit?A quiet country pub stands empty, its windows boarded up. And its kindly landlords, Mal and Sue Eastwood, are missing.What could have happened? A lot of strange events occurred in the days before the Eastwoods disappeared. A murdered man pulled from the nearby river. An eccentric couple on a houseboat who claimed to be led by a spirit guide. And a mysterious new team who suddenly appeared and began winning every round at the weekly pub quiz - much to the anger of the locals. They must have been cheating, but no one could figure out how...Can you crack the case of the missing landlords? Someone's not been playing fair, so get the drinks in and see if you can get a perfect score.'Hallett's most fiendishly brilliant book yet' - DAILY MIRROR'Hallett is a master of misdirection' - GUARDIAN'Nobody does the cryptic whodunit like Hallett' - GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

** WINNER OF THE CRIME & THRILLER BRITISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 *** THE PHENOMENAL SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE QUEEN OF COSY CRIME ** LONGLISTED FOR THE THEAKSTON OLD PECULIAR CRIME NOVEL AWARD *A SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2022A TELEGRAPH BEST BOOK OF 2022A GUARDIAN BEST BOOK OF 2022A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2022'Every page is a joy. The queen of unreliable narrators' SUNDAY TIMES'Brilliant - a mind-bending, heartwarming mystery not to be missed' OBSERVER'She's an absolute master of what she does' RICHARD COLESCan you crack the Twyford Code?Edith Twyford was once a world-famous children's author, but now her only legacy is the rumoured existence of the Twyford Code: a series of clues hidden in her books leading to... what? No one knows - but that hasn't stopped the speculation.Steve Smith can trace nearly all the bad things in his life back to Edith Twyford. As a child he found one of her books, covered in strange symbols. He showed it to his teacher, Miss Iles, who was convinced it held the key to the code. Within weeks Miss Iles had disappeared, and Steve has no idea if she is dead or alive - or if she was right. Now he's determined to find out.But the Twyford Code hides secrets some would do anything to possess, and Steve isn't the only one on its trail. The race is on to solve the mystery of the century. Could you get there first?The top ten bestselling cosy crime sensation of the summer from the author of The Appeal, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and S. J. Bennett.

*** THE SMASH HIT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ****** THE GENRE-BUSTING RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK ****** A GUARDIAN BEST BOOK OF YEAR ****** AN OBSERVER BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR ****** A TELEGRAPH BEST SUMMER BOOK OF THE YEAR****** A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR ***'Her best so far' - MARIAN KEYES'The queen of tricksy crime' - SUNDAY TIMES'Another resounding success' - DAILY EXPRESSTHE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL...True-crime author Amanda Bailey knows all about the notorious Alperton Angels cult. There have been dozens of books and films about the Angels, ever since the night nearly two decades ago, when they attempted to sacrifice a baby they believed to be the Antichrist.With all the cultists now dead - apart from their charismatic leader - it seems like there's nothing new to say about the Angels... until now. The Alperton baby has turned eighteen and can finally be interviewed, and if Amanda can track them down, it will be the scoop of the year. But rival author Oliver Menzies is just as smart, better connected, and is also on the baby's trail.As Amanda and Oliver are forced to collaborate, they realise that what everyone thinks they know about the Angels is wrong. The truth is something much darker and stranger. And the devilish story of the Alperton Angels is far from over...From the bestselling author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code comes a stunning new mystery for fans of Richard Osman and S.J. Bennett, that shot straight into the Sunday Times bestseller list in January 2023. The devil is in the detail...

THE SUNDAY TIMES CRIME BOOK OF THE YEARWINNER OF THE 2022 CWA JOHN CREASEY NEW BLOOD DAGGERONE MURDER. FIFTEEN SUSPECTS. CAN YOU UNCOVER THE TRUTH?There is a mystery to solve in the sleepy town of Lower Lockwood. It starts with the arrival of two secretive newcomers, and ends with a tragic death. Roderick Tanner QC has assigned law students Charlotte and Femi to the case. Someone has already been sent to prison for murder, but he suspects that they are innocent. And that far darker secrets have yet to be revealed...Throughout the amateur dramatics society's disastrous staging of All My Sons and the shady charity appeal for a little girl's medical treatment, the murderer hid in plain sight. The evidence is all there, waiting to be found. But will Charlotte and Femi solve the case? Will you?'Agatha Christie for the 21st century' THE TIMES'Witty, clever and completely addictive' MAIL ON SUNDAY'Gripping, ambitious and unusual' SOPHIE HANNAH

*** THE INSTANT TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER **** LONGLISTED FOR THE THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR ** A FINANCIAL TIMES CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR *'The queen of cosy crime' - DAILY TELEGRAPH'A joy to read' - SUNDAY TIMESSix Students. One Murder. Your Time Starts Now...The mature students of Royal Hastings University's new art course have been nothing but trouble. From accusations of theft and setting fire to one another's artwork, to a rumoured extramarital affair and a disastrous road trip, course leader Gela Nathaniel is at her wits' end. But finally they are given their last assignment: to build an art installation for a local manufacturer. With six students who have nothing in common except their clashing personal agendas, what could possibly go wrong?The answer is: murder. When the external examiner arrives to assess the students' coursework, he becomes convinced that a student was killed on the course and that the others covered it up. But is he right? Only a close examination of the evidence will reveal the truth. Your time starts now...'I love Janice Hallett beyond words' - INDIA KNIGHT'Dark, twisty, funny, intelligent and so unpredictable' - CLAIRE DOUGLAS'Janice Hallett serves up another winner' - TOM HINDLE

Shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards 2025: Children’s Fiction Category'Pure catnip for budding young sleuths' The TelegraphThe first children's murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey.When Ava and Luke discover a mysterious box of papers in their attic they are instantly curious about secrets it might hold. As they read through letters, diary entries, newspaper cuttings and listen to secret recordings, they realize that a decades-old, still unsolved, murder mystery is unfolding right in front of them . . .Ava and Luke decide to try and crack the case themselves. But as they work through the clues, it soon becomes clear that the mystery isn't something left in the past: the killer is still out there - and might be closer than they think...YOU know the facts. YOU have all the clues. Can YOU solve the mystery before they do?Look out for DEATH AT THE MUSEUM, the next book in the A Box Full of Murders series, coming June 2026!

The second children’s murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey.Imagine an old museum with more secrets than anyone could ever guess. A school trip that ends in murder. A crime unsolved for decades. . . But who did it?Now, Ava and Luke are on the case, following the clues left in a new box of murders. Using School workbooks, museum records, secret recordings and letters the siblings start to unravel the mystery of a body in the basement. But can they discover what really happened . . . before the killer strikes again?YOU know the facts. YOU have all the clues. Can YOU solve the mystery before they do?Praise for A Box Full of Murders:'Pure catnip for budding young sleuths' The Telegraph

A spine-tingling collection of spooky stories to curl up with on winter nights - perfect for fans of The Haunting Season, The Winter Spirits and M. R. James.This isle is full of noises...From the finfolk of the beaches of Orkney to the plague monsters of the Welsh mountains, and the giant slugs of the Derbyshire peaks to the Beast of Bodmin Moor, Britain is home to many strange creatures of folklore. Some are ancient, as enduring as the forests and mountains they inhabit. Others live among us, in our cities, creating new legends as they scuttle through the shadows. And none of them are to be trusted.In this deliciously chilling collection, award-winning and bestselling authors bring you tales inspired by the monsters that share our land. The perfect read for anyone who's ever spotted something slimy and unexplained in their peripheral vision, or seen eyes reflecting back in the forest where no eyes should be.INCLUDES NEW AND ORIGINAL STORIES FROM:Janice HallettAbir MukherjeeRosie AndrewsStuart TurtonDan JonesJenn AshworthSunyi DeanJane JohnsonRebecca Netley

*** THE SMASH HIT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ****** THE GENRE-BUSTING RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK ****** A GUARDIAN BEST BOOK OF YEAR ****** AN OBSERVER BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR ****** A TELEGRAPH BEST SUMMER BOOK OF THE YEAR ****** A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR ***'The queen of tricksy crime' - SUNDAY TIMES'Her best so far' - MARIAN KEYES'Another resounding success' - DAILY EXPRESSOpen 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?Everyone knows the sad story of the Alperton Angels: the cult who brainwashed a teenage girl and convinced her that her newborn baby was the anti-Christ. Believing they had a divine mission to kill the infant, they were only stopped when the girl came to her senses and called the police. The Angels committed suicide rather than stand trial, while mother and baby disappeared into the care system.Nearly two decades later, true-crime author Amanda Bailey is writing a book on the Angels. The Alperton baby has turned eighteen and can finally be interviewed; if Amanda can find them, it will be the true-crime scoop of the year, and will save her flagging career. But rival author Oliver Menzies is just as smart, better connected, and is also on the baby's trail.As Amanda and Oliver are forced to collaborate, they realise that what everyone thinks they know about the Angels is wrong. The truth is something much darker and stranger than they'd ever imagined. And the story of the Alperton Angels is far from over.From the bestselling author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code comes a stunning new mystery for fans of Richard Osman and S.J. Bennett, that shot straight into the Sunday Times bestseller list in January 2023. The devil is in the detail...

*** THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ****** THE INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER ****** A WATERSTONES BEST CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR ****** A FINANCIAL TIMES CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR ****** FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE APPEAL, THE TWYFORD CODE, THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS AND THE CHRISTMAS APPEAL ***'The queen of cosy crime' - DAILY TELEGRAPH'A joy to read' - SUNDAY TIMES'A huge treat' - INDIA KNIGHTSix Students. One Murder. Your Time Starts Now...The mature students of Royal Hastings University's new art course have been trouble from day one. From acclaimed artist Alyson who seems oddly overqualified, to hapless Patrick who can barely operate design software, and city boy Cameron who blusters his way through assignments. Not to mention Jem, who's a gifted young sculptor... but cross her at your peril.The year-long course is blighted by students setting fire to one another's artwork, a rumoured extra-marital affair and a disastrous road trip. But finally they are given their last assignment: to build an art installation for a local manufacturer. With six students who have nothing in common except their clashing personal agendas, what could possibly go wrong?The answer is: murder. When the external examiner arrives to assess the students' coursework, he becomes convinced that a student was killed on the course and that the others covered it up. But is he right? Only a close examination of the evidence will reveal the truth. Your time starts now...'So unpredictable, I adored it' - CLAIRE DOUGLAS'An absolute original' - MICK HERRON'Hallett at her very best' - ELLY GRIFFITHS'A slice of genius' - LOUISE CANDLISH'Witty, creepy and oh-so-clever' - TOM HINDLE'Fresh and infinitely intriguing' - J.M. HALL'Witty, devious and outrageously brilliant' - IAN MOORE

*** THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ****** THE INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER ****** A WATERSTONES BEST CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR ****** A FINANCIAL TIMES CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR ****** FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE APPEAL, THE TWYFORD CODE, THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS AND THE CHRISTMAS APPEAL ***'The queen of cosy crime' - DAILY TELEGRAPH'A joy to read' - SUNDAY TIMES'A huge treat' - INDIA KNIGHTSix Students. One Murder. Your Time Starts Now...The mature students of Royal Hastings University's new art course have been trouble from day one. From acclaimed artist Alyson who seems oddly overqualified, to hapless Patrick who can barely operate design software, and city boy Cameron who blusters his way through assignments. Not to mention Jem, who's a gifted young sculptor... but cross her at your peril.The year-long course is blighted by students setting fire to one another's artwork, a rumoured extra-marital affair and a disastrous road trip. But finally they are given their last assignment: to build an art installation for a local manufacturer. With six students who have nothing in common except their clashing personal agendas, what could possibly go wrong?The answer is: murder. When the external examiner arrives to assess the students' coursework, he becomes convinced that a student was killed on the course and that the others covered it up. But is he right? Only a close examination of the evidence will reveal the truth. Your time starts now...'So unpredictable, I adored it' - CLAIRE DOUGLAS'An absolute original' - MICK HERRON'Hallett at her very best' - ELLY GRIFFITHS'A slice of genius' - LOUISE CANDLISH'Witty, creepy and oh-so-clever' - TOM HINDLE'Fresh and infinitely intriguing' - J.M. HALL'Witty, devious and outrageously brilliant' - IAN MOORE

* THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE SMASH-HIT THE APPEAL *'Murderously good' - DAILY EXPRESS'An addictive whodunnit' - iPAPER'So clever, you'll want to read it again' - WOMAN AND HOMEThe answer is murder.The question is whodunnit?A quiet country pub stands empty, its windows boarded up. And its kindly landlords, Mal and Sue Eastwood, are missing.What could have happened? A lot of strange events occurred in the days before the Eastwoods disappeared. A murdered man pulled from the nearby river. An eccentric couple on a houseboat who claimed to be led by a spirit guide. And a mysterious new team who suddenly appeared and began winning every round at the weekly pub quiz - much to the anger of the locals. They must have been cheating, but no one could figure out how...Can you crack the case of the missing landlords? Someone's not been playing fair, so get the drinks in and see if you can get a perfect score.'Twisty, funny and irresistibly dark' - TOM HINDLE'Brims with Hallett's signature wit. Her best book yet' - PETER SWANSON'Devilishly additive. I loved every line' - LOUISE CANDLISH'Another brilliant, twisty mystery from Janice Hallett' - ELLY GRIFFITHS'So clever and entertaining' - JENNIE GODFREY'The modern queen of crime does it again' - IAN MOORE

* THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE SMASH-HIT THE APPEAL *'Murderously good' - DAILY EXPRESS'An addictive whodunnit' - iPAPER'So clever, you'll want to read it again' - WOMAN AND HOMEThe answer is murder.The question is whodunnit?A quiet country pub stands empty, its windows boarded up. And its kindly landlords, Mal and Sue Eastwood, are missing.What could have happened? A lot of strange events occurred in the days before the Eastwoods disappeared. A murdered man pulled from the nearby river. An eccentric couple on a houseboat who claimed to be led by a spirit guide. And a mysterious new team who suddenly appeared and began winning every round at the weekly pub quiz - much to the anger of the locals. They must have been cheating, but no one could figure out how...Can you crack the case of the missing landlords? Someone's not been playing fair, so get the drinks in and see if you can get a perfect score.'Twisty, funny and irresistibly dark' - TOM HINDLE'Brims with Hallett's signature wit. Her best book yet' - PETER SWANSON'Devilishly additive. I loved every line' - LOUISE CANDLISH'Another brilliant, twisty mystery from Janice Hallett' - ELLY GRIFFITHS'So clever and entertaining' - JENNIE GODFREY'The modern queen of crime does it again' - IAN MOORE

* THE HUGELY ANTICIPATED SEQUEL TO THE SMASH-HIT BESTSELLER, THE APPEAL *'The pinnacle of modern crime writing' - IAN MOORE'An absolute joy from cover to cover' - CHRIS BROOKMYREA New Play. Another Murder. A Town Full of Secrets...It's a new theatrical season in Lower Lockwood, and the amateur thespians of the Fairway Players are starting rehearsals for their production of Agatha Christie's The Hollow. Despite troublesome new arrivals, countless petty squabbles and a gruesome accident with the lighting rig, surely this will be their greatest show to date?But someone is hiding a devastating secret... and they won't make it to opening night. Could it be Sarah-Jane's sister, back in Lockwood after twenty years abroad? New member Lucas, whose shady business dealings may be his downfall? Or is it Issy, out of prison but still up to her old tricks?Lawyers Charlotte and Femi must sift through the evidence to identify the victim and find out why the convicted murderer refuses to speak in their own defence... Will they uncover the truth in time? Will you?

* THE HUGELY ANTICIPATED SEQUEL TO THE SMASH-HIT BESTSELLER, THE APPEAL *'The pinnacle of modern crime writing' - IAN MOORE'An absolute joy from cover to cover' - CHRIS BROOKMYREA New Play. Another Murder. A Town Full of Secrets...It's a new theatrical season in Lower Lockwood, and the amateur thespians of the Fairway Players are starting rehearsals for their production of Agatha Christie's The Hollow. Despite troublesome new arrivals, countless petty squabbles and a gruesome accident with the lighting rig, surely this will be their greatest show to date?But someone is hiding a devastating secret... and they won't make it to opening night. Could it be Sarah-Jane's sister, back in Lockwood after twenty years abroad? New member Lucas, whose shady business dealings may be his downfall? Or is it Issy, out of prison but still up to her old tricks?Lawyers Charlotte and Femi must sift through the evidence to identify the victim and find out why the convicted murderer refuses to speak in their own defence... Will they uncover the truth in time? Will you?

** THE CAST OF SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING THE APPEAL RETURN FOR A FESTIVE MURDER MYSTERY **** FROM THE WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR *** THE SMASH-HIT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ** AN INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER ** A GUARDIAN BEST BOOK OF 2023 *'A Christmas treat' - OBSERVER'A great deal of festive fun' - GUARDIAN'Sharp, witty and suspenseful' - SUNDAY EXPRESSOne dead Santa. A town full of suspects. Will you discover the truth?Christmas in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, to raise money for the church roof appeal. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking amongst the amateur dramatics enthusiasts. Sarah-Jane is fending off threats to her new position as Chair, the fibreglass beanstalk might be full of asbestos, and a someone is intent on ruining the panto even before the curtain goes up.Of course there's also the matter of the dead body. Who could possibly have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they read the round robins, examine the emails and pore over the police transcripts. Will the show go on?'A perfect stocking filler' - INDIA KNIGHT'Hallett is as good as ever' - OBSERVER

** FROM THE WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR *** THE SMASH-HIT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ** AN INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER ** A GUARDIAN BEST BOOK OF 2023 *'A Christmas treat' - OBSERVER'A great deal of festive fun' - GUARDIAN'Sharp, witty and suspenseful' - SUNDAY EXPRESSOne dead Santa. A town full of suspects. Will you discover the truth?Christmas in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. But there's not much good will among the amateur dramatics enthusiasts. Sarah-Jane is fending off threats to her new position as Chair, the beanstalk might be full of asbestos, and someone is trying to ruin the panto before the curtain even goes up.Plus, there's the small matter of the dead Santa. Who had the victim on their naughty list? Read the round robins, examine the emails and pore over the police transcripts to discover the truth. Will the show go on?'A perfect stocking filler' - INDIA KNIGHT'Hallett is as good as ever' - OBSERVER