The Appeal: The smash-hit bestseller

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I wasn’t aware of any other writing while working on my first two novels. If it’s a movement, then hopefully it’s like most movements in art – it arises naturally in response to what we as a society choose to consume as entertainment. A lot of readers say they like that my style is different, so it could simply be that a change is as good as a rest…

I was intrigued by this book and have been wondering for a while whether or not I should give it a go. Having been burnt by too many modern mysteries which have been labelled as Christie-esque, I was somewhat on the fence. Whilst this is not a glowing review, the weaknesses mentioned do not seem to make it impossible to enjoy the story nevertheless. By the sounds of it, is it more in style of Philip Macdonald’s book than Dorothy L. Sayers’? Sayers, from recollection, is more relationship driven I would say.One of the most enjoyable books I've read all year. Extremely addictive, it will reel you in, one piece of evidence at a time. Ingenious and highly original -- Alex Pavesi, author of Eight Detectives And, yes, the prospect of future novels from this course is a very exciting one. I shall await developments, Hallett, a screenwriter before she turned to fiction, defined “cosy crime” as a genre that “reduces the horror, and amplifies the mystery,” creating a “safe space to consider and to explore the very worst experiences of humanity”. Sam tells James she knows what’s going on. James kills Sam, using his twins’ birth as an alibi. Issy knows James did it, but for some reason, she agrees to keep his secret.

You also find yourself in a world where problems are solved,” the debut novelist added. “You’ve got a puzzle, and you’ve got the solution. And in real life it’s not quite that simple. So it’s quite a comfy world”. This is author Janice Hallett's first novel, inspired by her lifelong interest in amateur dramatics. And for a first novel it is a tour de force. What a book. Right up there with the best I've read this year. Great characters, smart structure, and kept me guessing all the way to the end -- Dan Malakin, author of The RegretFrom the latest Scandinavian serial killer to Golden Age detective stories, we love our crime novels! Is Sam just being paranoid given her unhappy history with Tish? Or is something truly sinister afoot, something that could cost one or more of the Fairway Players their lives as Sam seeks to expose the truth? I haven't enjoyed a book this much since Standard Deviation. Congratulations, Janice Hallett! -- Louise Voss, author of The Last Stage While researching Poppy’s treatment at the hospital, Sam discoveres that Paige, Helen’s daughter, was frequently ill. Fiendishly clever, highly original and totally gripping -- Cass Green, bestselling author of In a Cottage in a Wood

Oh, The Maze is certainly much drier — there’s a clear focus on the relationships and interactions between the characters, and a very clear importance on that element of things being key.

Brilliantly original, inventive and clever. I loved this book and you will too -- Phoebe Morgan, author of The Doll House What a book. It has galvanised me to do better! Exceptional -- Matt Wesolowski, author of Six Stories