The Appeal ~ Jane Hallett

The Appeal by Jane Mallet is a debut modern crime novel full of gripping twists and turns. After two newcomers are welcomed into the local theatre group of a small town called Lockwood, a member ends up dead. With all the evidence collated, you just need to read through the lines to find the truth. Although, a few dark secrets will be unraveled along the way.

I absolutely loved the style in which this book was written. A case file collating all the evidence relating to the case. Reading through all the different email and text conversations, newspaper clippings, and play reviews trying to figure out the true culprit. This style of whodunnit was new to me and I thoroughly enjoyed the aspect of being drip-fed the information over time and trying to put all the pieces together myself. I needed to solve the mystery and was hooked from the initial few pages. This book felt so refreshing in a genre that is so overpopulated. 

In terms of whether I solved the mystery before the big reveal is complicated. There were definitely elements that I guessed throughout the novel but I was still shocked by some of the final outcomes. At times I was a little confused mainly due to such a vast set of characters that you have to try and keep on top of. 

Overall, I loved just how much of this read is an immersive experience and gives you the chance to be a part of the narrative. I gave this stunning debut by Jane Hallett a 5 ⭐️ rating. 

M🌸