The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels: A Novel

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

The premise of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is based on the popularity of true crime. A fan of the genre herself, Hallett explores the public fascination with real-life criminal cases. Writing for The Guardian, the author emphasized that “[w]hat drives so many of us to consume true crime is a need to understand the extremes of humanity from the safe distance of the page or headphone” (Hallett, Janice. “Writing Wrongs: How True Crime Authors Can Fall Victim to Tragedy.” The Guardian, 13. Jan 2023). She also delves into the ethically contentious implications of using real tragedies as a source of entertainment.

Amanda’s investigation of the Alperton Angels case underlines true crime’s potential exploitation of victims. The author emphasizes that Holly and Jonah were highly vulnerable minors. Consequently, Amanda’s ruthless pursuit of them feels uncomfortable. Her determination to get to the truth disregards Holly and Jonah’s desire for privacy and a fresh start. Amanda’s lack of consideration for the victims in the case is echoed in her editor’s repeated emphasis on the importance of locating and interviewing the now-grown baby.