The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, emotional abuse, child abuse, and addiction.

True-crime author Amanda is the novel’s protagonist. The narrative centers on Amanda’s interactions with other characters as she researches the Alperton Angels case. Hallett depicts Amanda as a flawed individual who fulfills the stereotypical role of the determined investigator. Hallett showcases her ruthlessness in her exploitation of all contacts at her disposal. For example, she attempts to blackmail social worker Sonia Brown into revealing classified information. The author illustrates Amanda’s single-minded ambition even in her relationships with friends. Although Minnie Davis helps her with research, Amanda cuts all contact when Minnie is discredited as an author.

Amanda’s character highlights the novel’s exploration of The Ethics of True Crime. Hallett illustrates her lack of moral boundaries in her phishing phone calls, her posing as a police officer, her claim to be a close friend of recently deceased witnesses to access their homes, and her habit of recording interviewees without their knowledge. Amanda’s refusal of £300,000 to stop investigating the case demonstrates that her dogged investigation is not financially motivated. Hallett emphasizes that Amanda is driven by a compulsion “to take any route to expose the truth, whatever the cost” (491).