The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

What an imaginative and engaging book. The story and the format in which it is told are interesting and grabbed me from the beginning.

It is eighteen years after the gruesome end to the Alperton Angels cult, where three members committed suicide, one went to prison, and three others disappeared. True crime writer Amanda Bailey and rival Oliver Menzies both decide to attempt to find the members who disappeared. Forced to collaborate by their editors, the long-standing dislike they have for each other must be put aside for the sake of their stories. As they dig deeper into the cult, Oliver struggles not to get caught up in the myths, while Amanda tries to divert his attention away from the direction her story is taking--at best, it is an uneasy alliance.

The story format, which is told through Whats App messages, emails, transcribed interviews, and other source material, is at first distracting, but once I got into the flow, the unusual format worked. This is a fast-paced book as the author not only reveals what happened to the cult but also the effects of the beliefs on both Oliver and Amanda. It is dark and twisty, just the way I like my murder mysteries. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Camino Ghosts by John Grisham

Expert storyteller John Grisham has done it again. In this visit with the characters introduced in "Camino Island," Grisham blends the tragedy of slavery with the current era of developers' greed into a compelling new read.

Lovely Jackson, the last descendant of escaped enslaved people who made the remote Dark Island their home for generations, tells her story in a self-published book that catches the attention of Camino Island bookstore owner Bruce Cable. When developers propose to build a resort community and casino on the now-vacant Dark Island, the question of ownership arises. Does Lovely own the island, or does the State of Florida? Enter author Mercer Mann and environment lawyer Steven Mahon, who join Lovely's uphill battle to share her story and preserve the island's historical significance.

This fascinating read made me uncomfortable at times because of the telling of Africans captured and enslaved. Painful or not, it is a dark period in the history of some countries and one that should not be swept under the carpet. Grisham adeptly tells of the terror and mistreatment suffered by those who were captured. Add courtroom drama to this, and you will have a recipe for an engaging story, as only John Grisham can tell. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 28, 2024.

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The Lost Children by Michael Wood

 I usually enjoy this series—it's dark and twisty, just the way I like them. This book, however, was just a bit too dark, even for me. It deals with child abuse, a subject I don't enjoy. Even so, it is a trademark Michael Wood crime thriller—fast-paced with many twists and turns.

Peter Ogilvy has been trying to get an investigation into a murder that occurred at his former boys' home, Magnolia House. Still, with no body, the South Yorkshire police have been sweeping it under the carpet for years. Then, a high-profile man is found gruesomely murdered. When DCI Matilda Darke and her team begin investigating, they uncover his unsavory past, a link to the suspected murdered boy, and physical abuse that occurred at Magnolia House over the years. The investigation is thwarted at every turn by those higher up in the police department, forcing Matilda and her team to hide their proper investigation. It raises questions about possible police involvement in the abuse--why else try to hinder the investigation?

This is an emotionally disturbing book that some readers may find off-putting. Still, it is an excellent police procedural that is gripping and character-driven. Wood's plots are intricate, with characters facing moral dilemmas and not always choosing the best way forward. This series is addicting.

4/5 stars.

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