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The Killer Question
9 hours, 54 minutes
Janice Hallett, “the new queen of crime” ( Electric Literature ), returns with a fresh, edge-of-your-seat mystery that takes place at a pub’s weekly trivia night, revealed through quiz categories, phone messages, and email correspondence.
Sue and Mal Eastwood run an isolated rural pub called The Case is Altered where a weekly trivia game has revived its flagging fortunes—that is, until a body is found in the nearby river. Soon after, a mysterious new team arrives and shakes up the diverse field of regulars by scoring top marks in every round...every week.
Meanwhile, Sue and Mal have a secret of their own. Before arriving here, they were caught up in a secret police operation which meant they had to leave town—and whatever happened back then seems to have finally caught up with them.
Five years later, the pub lies derelict, and their nephew Dominic is determined to make a documentary about their story. What happened at this unassuming pub? And can a single question really kill?
Janice Hallett, “the new queen of crime” ( Electric Literature ), returns with a fresh, edge-of-your-seat mystery that takes place at a pub’s weekly trivia night, revealed through quiz categories, phone messages, and email correspondence.
Sue and Mal Eastwood run an isolated rural pub called The Case is Altered where a weekly trivia game has revived its flagging fortunes—that is, until a body is found in the nearby river. Soon after, a mysterious new team arrives and shakes up the diverse field of regulars by scoring top marks in every round...every week.
Meanwhile, Sue and Mal have a secret of their own. Before arriving here, they were caught up in a secret police operation which meant they had to leave town—and whatever happened back then seems to have finally caught up with them.
Five years later, the pub lies derelict, and their nephew Dominic is determined to make a documentary about their story. What happened at this unassuming pub? And can a single question really kill?
Audiobook
First published September 4, 2025
885 people are currently reading
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About the author
Janice Hallett
13 books2,614 followersJanice Hallett is a former magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. She wrote articles and speeches for, among others, the Cabinet Office, Home Office, and Department for International Development. Her enthusiasm for travel has taken her around the world several times, from Madagascar to the Galapagos, Guatemala to Zimbabwe, Japan, Russia, and South Korea. A playwright and screenwriter, she penned the feminist Shakespearean stage comedy NetherBard and cowrote the feature film Retreat. The Appeal is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,585 reviews
September 23, 2025
Janice Hallet is a genius. SERIOUSLY.
She has delivered a highly entertaining murder mystery using her unique style of ONLY using text and phone messages, email correspondence, recorded conversations and police interviews to tell the story.
Sue and Mal Eastwood have retired early from their jobs and are now pursuing a lifelong dream of running an isolated rural pub called “The Case is Altered”. Once on a top trivia team themselves, they revived the unassuming Pub by running a weekly Pub Quiz (trivia) game every Monday night, attracting a group of regular patrons who take quizzing very seriously.
Things are going well, with the biggest nuisance being one quizzer from the team “The Plucky Losers” who is NEVER happy, and challenges something every week.
BUT THE QUIZMASTER’s DECISION IS FINAL-even if he is subsequently proven to be wrong.
We get to know a little bit about each team by seeing the QUIZ categories, team members in attendance at each table, and the Final Scores of the night.
AND, THEN A BODY IS FOUND IN A RIVER BEHIND THE PUB.
It puts the PUB on the map, and soon a mysterious NEW team, “The Shadow Nights” arrives and begins to beat the regulars, EVERY WEEK, disrupting the Status Quo.
AND EVERYTHING CHANGES IN THE TWISTY, SURPRISING SECOND HALF.
The book opens FIVE YEARS after the pub CLOSES for the second time. Sue and Mal’s nephew Dominic is pitching a true crime documentary to NETFLIX hoping to tell their story and expose the truth about the events that doomed the Pub-once and for all.
I have read two of the author’s books prior to this one-“The Appeal” and “The Twyford Code” and while they impressed me-this was MY FAVORITE by far. Maybe, it was the HUMOR, maybe it was the PUB SETTING, but this was easier to follow and the characters more relatable making this an enjoyable read for me from page 1!
Don’t let the page count scare you! Because of the style it’s written in, it’s a fast read!
AVAILABLE NOW!
A buddy read with MarilynW. Be sure to watch for her thoughts coming soon!
Thank You to Maudee Genao at Atria books for the invitation to read this. A gifted ARC was provided through NetGalley and as always, these are my candid thoughts!
She has delivered a highly entertaining murder mystery using her unique style of ONLY using text and phone messages, email correspondence, recorded conversations and police interviews to tell the story.
Sue and Mal Eastwood have retired early from their jobs and are now pursuing a lifelong dream of running an isolated rural pub called “The Case is Altered”. Once on a top trivia team themselves, they revived the unassuming Pub by running a weekly Pub Quiz (trivia) game every Monday night, attracting a group of regular patrons who take quizzing very seriously.
Things are going well, with the biggest nuisance being one quizzer from the team “The Plucky Losers” who is NEVER happy, and challenges something every week.
BUT THE QUIZMASTER’s DECISION IS FINAL-even if he is subsequently proven to be wrong.
We get to know a little bit about each team by seeing the QUIZ categories, team members in attendance at each table, and the Final Scores of the night.
AND, THEN A BODY IS FOUND IN A RIVER BEHIND THE PUB.
It puts the PUB on the map, and soon a mysterious NEW team, “The Shadow Nights” arrives and begins to beat the regulars, EVERY WEEK, disrupting the Status Quo.
AND EVERYTHING CHANGES IN THE TWISTY, SURPRISING SECOND HALF.
The book opens FIVE YEARS after the pub CLOSES for the second time. Sue and Mal’s nephew Dominic is pitching a true crime documentary to NETFLIX hoping to tell their story and expose the truth about the events that doomed the Pub-once and for all.
I have read two of the author’s books prior to this one-“The Appeal” and “The Twyford Code” and while they impressed me-this was MY FAVORITE by far. Maybe, it was the HUMOR, maybe it was the PUB SETTING, but this was easier to follow and the characters more relatable making this an enjoyable read for me from page 1!
Don’t let the page count scare you! Because of the style it’s written in, it’s a fast read!
AVAILABLE NOW!
A buddy read with MarilynW. Be sure to watch for her thoughts coming soon!
Thank You to Maudee Genao at Atria books for the invitation to read this. A gifted ARC was provided through NetGalley and as always, these are my candid thoughts!
September 1, 2025
Clever, clever, clever, unique, unique, unique! Janice Hallett is an author who has her own personal style of writing using text, emails, interrogations etc. In The Killer Question,
Trivia, mystery and murder are the names of the game in The Killer Question! Sue and Mal Eastwood host weekly trivia games at The Case Is Altered their rural pub, it's a popular event where locals come to flex their trivia knowledge. It sounds like fun and games, right? Well, not for the dead person found behind the pub! Time goes on and their nephew Dominic wants to make a documentary about Sue, Mal, and the pub. Will their story become a Netflix original? Who are Sue and Mal? Readers of The Killer Question will find out some interesting trivia about them while reading this book!
This is the fourth book which I have read by Janice Hallett. Her books are clever, unique and told in an interesting manner. Readers will either enjoy the format, or they won't. I have gone back and forth between my ratings (either 3 or 4 stars) on them. I enjoyed this one and how the mystery was solved. There are a few twists and turns along the way. It's close to 500 pages long and yet, I did not feel it's length. The way the author writes the book via various mediums (texts, emails, correspondence, etc.) keeps the pace up and had me turning the pages. I always enjoy doing my own super sleuthing while reading and I have to say I did not solve the mystery in this book. I love it when that happens. Hallett is very clever and kept me on my toes.
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Trivia, mystery and murder are the names of the game in The Killer Question! Sue and Mal Eastwood host weekly trivia games at The Case Is Altered their rural pub, it's a popular event where locals come to flex their trivia knowledge. It sounds like fun and games, right? Well, not for the dead person found behind the pub! Time goes on and their nephew Dominic wants to make a documentary about Sue, Mal, and the pub. Will their story become a Netflix original? Who are Sue and Mal? Readers of The Killer Question will find out some interesting trivia about them while reading this book!
This is the fourth book which I have read by Janice Hallett. Her books are clever, unique and told in an interesting manner. Readers will either enjoy the format, or they won't. I have gone back and forth between my ratings (either 3 or 4 stars) on them. I enjoyed this one and how the mystery was solved. There are a few twists and turns along the way. It's close to 500 pages long and yet, I did not feel it's length. The way the author writes the book via various mediums (texts, emails, correspondence, etc.) keeps the pace up and had me turning the pages. I always enjoy doing my own super sleuthing while reading and I have to say I did not solve the mystery in this book. I love it when that happens. Hallett is very clever and kept me on my toes.
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
October 11, 2025
Told via emails, texts, interrogations, and more, The Killer Question was another humdinger of a crime fiction novel from the unstoppable Janice Hallett. Beyond original and unguessable in the extreme, the mixed media format was only the starting point of how this book hit it out of the park. Taking place in a small village on the edge of nowhere England, the quirky characters and laugh-out-loud drama quickly pulled me into this unique cozy-ish novel. You see, not only were the themes a mix of easy-to-read and serious, but it was perfect for fans of *chef’s kiss* twists and dynamite plot reversals that took place right up until the very last page. A well-layered storyline that kept delivering in spades, it was a masterclass in how to plot perfectly timed misdirection that got me to look the other way over and over.
All said and done, no matter how much I tried to solve this one before the truth was laid bare, it was simply impossible to predict a single one of these shocking twists. Complex, clever, and fun, despite the book’s initial slow pace, I was hooked from the very first scene. After all, the almost satirical nature of the studiously serious pub quiz-takers had me giggling with glee for the entirety of this 400+ page novel. Crafting a classic mystery vibe with a comfy atmosphere that would be at home on any cozy crime-fighting show on BritBox or Acorn, I couldn’t help but smile as one funny catastrophe befell this motley crew of puzzlers after another. So if you love books filled with eccentric characters and many about-faces, grab this one now. You definitely need to dive into it as soon as you can. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Sue and Mal Eastwood run an isolated rural pub called The Case is Altered where a weekly trivia game has revived its flagging fortunes—that is, until a body is found in the nearby river. Soon after, a mysterious new team arrives and shakes up the diverse field of regulars by scoring top marks in every round...every week.
Meanwhile, Sue and Mal have a secret of their own. Before arriving here, they were caught up in a secret police operation which meant they had to leave town—and whatever happened back then seems to have finally caught up with them.
Five years later, the pub lies derelict, and their nephew Dominic is determined to make a documentary about their story. What happened at this unassuming pub? And can a single question really kill?
Thank you to Janice Hallett and Atria Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 23, 2025
Content warning: murder, kidnapping, blackmail, gaslighting
All said and done, no matter how much I tried to solve this one before the truth was laid bare, it was simply impossible to predict a single one of these shocking twists. Complex, clever, and fun, despite the book’s initial slow pace, I was hooked from the very first scene. After all, the almost satirical nature of the studiously serious pub quiz-takers had me giggling with glee for the entirety of this 400+ page novel. Crafting a classic mystery vibe with a comfy atmosphere that would be at home on any cozy crime-fighting show on BritBox or Acorn, I couldn’t help but smile as one funny catastrophe befell this motley crew of puzzlers after another. So if you love books filled with eccentric characters and many about-faces, grab this one now. You definitely need to dive into it as soon as you can. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Sue and Mal Eastwood run an isolated rural pub called The Case is Altered where a weekly trivia game has revived its flagging fortunes—that is, until a body is found in the nearby river. Soon after, a mysterious new team arrives and shakes up the diverse field of regulars by scoring top marks in every round...every week.
Meanwhile, Sue and Mal have a secret of their own. Before arriving here, they were caught up in a secret police operation which meant they had to leave town—and whatever happened back then seems to have finally caught up with them.
Five years later, the pub lies derelict, and their nephew Dominic is determined to make a documentary about their story. What happened at this unassuming pub? And can a single question really kill?
Thank you to Janice Hallett and Atria Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 23, 2025
Content warning: murder, kidnapping, blackmail, gaslighting
June 10, 2025
4.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ' Killer Question' ARC by Janice Hallett. She writes in an epistolary style, which is not for everyone. She has mastered this format, and I have read all her mysteries with pleasure. I admit that I struggled with this one. I found parts overly long and tedious, and wasn't fully engaged by the characters or storyline. There were British words and colloquialisms. It seemed like a 3-star read, but its full impact came after I had finished the book, and everything fell into place in my mind. The characters became stronger and more easily identified, and the plot was brilliant.
The story is told through pub reviews, quiz sheets, WhatsApp, police records, emails, etc. Why is a police investigation included? We are introduced to Mal and Sue Eastwood, a couple who are trying to revive a pub. The Case is Altered Pub is located on an isolated, dark, dismal road near a small English town with several more prosperous pubs. Mal and Sue hold weekly quiz nights, with Mal preparing trivia questions. Their attempt to draw in more customers is working. The quiz teams consist of members of various ages and abilities who enjoy the weekly competitions. One night, a prospective customer and friends enter the bar. He is thrown out after a scuffle, and later is found dead in a nearby river.
Teams must put phones and tablets away during the quiz. A new team enters the competition, and little is known about its members personally. They begin to win every week with perfect or near-perfect scores, much to the chagrin of the other teams. The proprietors watch them closely as they are suspected of cheating, but cannot find anything unusual. Mal manipulates the questions to give the disgruntled losing teams a better chance. Mal and Sue had a secret life before opening the pub. The pub that seemed to be on the verge of success closed quickly. Why?
Their nephew, Dominic, frames the story. Five years later, he is trying to sell the mysterious story of Mal and Sue and the pub's closure as a TV documentary. He presents the outline of his documentary with its timeline out of order, and with clues, cliffhangers, and twists in hopes of keeping future TV viewers interested. What has happened to Mal and Sue?
There are small unexpected revelations, and a major twist that comes as an unforeseen shock.
I recommend this book to all fans of Janice Hallett's mysteries and to anyone willing to try books told in an epistolary format. It was a well-thought-out book with a terrific, complex plot. The date of publication is September 23/2025.
The story is told through pub reviews, quiz sheets, WhatsApp, police records, emails, etc. Why is a police investigation included? We are introduced to Mal and Sue Eastwood, a couple who are trying to revive a pub. The Case is Altered Pub is located on an isolated, dark, dismal road near a small English town with several more prosperous pubs. Mal and Sue hold weekly quiz nights, with Mal preparing trivia questions. Their attempt to draw in more customers is working. The quiz teams consist of members of various ages and abilities who enjoy the weekly competitions. One night, a prospective customer and friends enter the bar. He is thrown out after a scuffle, and later is found dead in a nearby river.
Teams must put phones and tablets away during the quiz. A new team enters the competition, and little is known about its members personally. They begin to win every week with perfect or near-perfect scores, much to the chagrin of the other teams. The proprietors watch them closely as they are suspected of cheating, but cannot find anything unusual. Mal manipulates the questions to give the disgruntled losing teams a better chance. Mal and Sue had a secret life before opening the pub. The pub that seemed to be on the verge of success closed quickly. Why?
Their nephew, Dominic, frames the story. Five years later, he is trying to sell the mysterious story of Mal and Sue and the pub's closure as a TV documentary. He presents the outline of his documentary with its timeline out of order, and with clues, cliffhangers, and twists in hopes of keeping future TV viewers interested. What has happened to Mal and Sue?
There are small unexpected revelations, and a major twist that comes as an unforeseen shock.
I recommend this book to all fans of Janice Hallett's mysteries and to anyone willing to try books told in an epistolary format. It was a well-thought-out book with a terrific, complex plot. The date of publication is September 23/2025.
September 7, 2025
On the hunt for a very unique read? Got one for you right here!📍
Janice Hallet pens a murder mystery centered around an English pub, and its quiz night, using only text messages, emails and such.
That’s right!
All the correspondence tells the story. No traditional paragraphs and chapters!
I told you it was different!💁🏻♀️
Did it work for me? Unfortunately, not as well as I had hoped. I do enjoy when authors include these pieces of media within their storylines. But when it becomes the central focus of the book…well, it just became too much for this reader.
At almost 450 pages it is on the longer side, but that being said, the originality of the format allowed for a speedy read.
⚠️I’m very much an outlier as others enjoyed this book and its originality a lot more than I did. I strongly urge you to read other reviews.
Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss and Atria Books.
✍️Janice Hallett
📄448 pages
👉 mystery thriller
Janice Hallet pens a murder mystery centered around an English pub, and its quiz night, using only text messages, emails and such.
That’s right!
All the correspondence tells the story. No traditional paragraphs and chapters!
I told you it was different!💁🏻♀️
Did it work for me? Unfortunately, not as well as I had hoped. I do enjoy when authors include these pieces of media within their storylines. But when it becomes the central focus of the book…well, it just became too much for this reader.
At almost 450 pages it is on the longer side, but that being said, the originality of the format allowed for a speedy read.
⚠️I’m very much an outlier as others enjoyed this book and its originality a lot more than I did. I strongly urge you to read other reviews.
Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss and Atria Books.
✍️Janice Hallett
📄448 pages
👉 mystery thriller
November 3, 2025
3.5⭐
Genre ~ amateur sleuth mysteries
Setting ~ UK
Publication date ~ September 23, 2025
Est Page Count ~ 448 (no chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 54 minutes
Narrators ~ Matt Bates, Rachel Dale, Sarah Durham, Joe Eyre, Keith Wickham, Harvey Quinn, Jennifer Saayeng, Ashley Tucker, Melissa Vaughan
Featuring ~ multiple timelines, a whole lotta characters
Well, this was a different format than the norm that takes a minute to get used to. Told solely in text messages, email exchanges and police interviews.
While I definitely loved the narration I'm just not sure this is the best way to follow along with the story. There are quite a few characters to keep track of, there aren't chapters, and the timeline switches here and there, so you have to pay attention to who is who and what is what and where is where.
Overall, it held my interest (mostly, I might have nodded off once or twice), there was a good twist and I do like uniqueness so I'll round up.
Narration notes:
9 narrators! Yahoo 🙌 Always thrilled when there's a full cast and they all did well.
Genre ~ amateur sleuth mysteries
Setting ~ UK
Publication date ~ September 23, 2025
Est Page Count ~ 448 (no chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 54 minutes
Narrators ~ Matt Bates, Rachel Dale, Sarah Durham, Joe Eyre, Keith Wickham, Harvey Quinn, Jennifer Saayeng, Ashley Tucker, Melissa Vaughan
Featuring ~ multiple timelines, a whole lotta characters
Well, this was a different format than the norm that takes a minute to get used to. Told solely in text messages, email exchanges and police interviews.
While I definitely loved the narration I'm just not sure this is the best way to follow along with the story. There are quite a few characters to keep track of, there aren't chapters, and the timeline switches here and there, so you have to pay attention to who is who and what is what and where is where.
Overall, it held my interest (mostly, I might have nodded off once or twice), there was a good twist and I do like uniqueness so I'll round up.
Narration notes:
9 narrators! Yahoo 🙌 Always thrilled when there's a full cast and they all did well.
August 8, 2025
Once again, Janice Hallett has crafted a unique novel using a variety of writing methods - emails, texts, WhatsApp, lists, police interviews and recorded conversations. This is definitely her style and it either works for you or doesn’t. It works for me. There’s plenty of humor, both subtle and otherwise. Seek this one out for the entertainment value.
This time, the story centers on two retired police that own a country pub that holds weekly trivia nights. We know something has happened to them as their nephew is trying to hawk the story as a true crime docuseries. The drama unfolds as two things happen almost simultaneously- a dead body is found in the nearby lake and a new team shows up which upsets the weekly quiz night dynamic.
It can take a while to adjust not just to the format but also get a grasp on the large number of characters. Not just Sue and Mal, the pub owners, but all the trivia team members, other pub owners in the area and the local constable, not to mention the individuals involved in the last crime they worked as police. The story goes back and forth between their history as police officers in 2014 and their time as pub owners in 2019.
Initially, I felt it moved at a slower pace than her previous books. But there’s a great twist around the 75% mark and after that, things speed up. In fact, after that, the twists come fast and furious.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
This time, the story centers on two retired police that own a country pub that holds weekly trivia nights. We know something has happened to them as their nephew is trying to hawk the story as a true crime docuseries. The drama unfolds as two things happen almost simultaneously- a dead body is found in the nearby lake and a new team shows up which upsets the weekly quiz night dynamic.
It can take a while to adjust not just to the format but also get a grasp on the large number of characters. Not just Sue and Mal, the pub owners, but all the trivia team members, other pub owners in the area and the local constable, not to mention the individuals involved in the last crime they worked as police. The story goes back and forth between their history as police officers in 2014 and their time as pub owners in 2019.
Initially, I felt it moved at a slower pace than her previous books. But there’s a great twist around the 75% mark and after that, things speed up. In fact, after that, the twists come fast and furious.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
November 7, 2025
Loved the reading experience!!
What to expect -
🍻An isolated pub in the English countryside
🍻Weekly quizzes and a cozy community feel
🍻Mixed media format
🍻A body in the river that stirs up trouble
🍻A mysterious quiz team who keeps winning
🍻Secrets buried long ago
🍻True crime vibes
The Case is Altered is a pub run by husband and wife duo, Mal and Sue Eastwood, in rural England. The quaint, isolated pub is a gathering spot for people of all ages, thanks to its main attraction - the weekly Monday quiz and its cheap prices. All is well until a mysterious quiz team starts showing up, winning every time, & right around the same time a body is discovered in the river nearby. Could the new team be responsible? Or are they just quiz addicts with the brains of the top 1%? You'll have to read to find out.
This was my first book by the author and definitely not my last because I couldn't put it down!! I thought having an entire book in mixed media format would feel overwhelming, but it was not the case as it made for such an amazing reading experience. I found myself taking notes, highlighting suspicious behaviour, and feeling like the main character investigating the case. And I would highly recommend this to all my thriller & true crime aficionados.🔍
The story unfolds through WhatsApp chats, emails, witness statements, quiz questions, and more, all compiled by a relative of the Eastwoods who sends them to a producer as he thinks the story would make a great Netflix documentary. Through these snippets, we meet all the characters who frequent the pub, each revealed through their own conversations and quirks, which honestly say so much more about them than a traditional pov ever could. And I'm genuinely astonished at how the author pulled that off and how unique and memorable some of these characters were.
And the twists?!! I was shook😳🤯 I had an idea as to one of them but the main reveal?! I never saw that coming!!!! I'm still flabbergasted thinking about it, and maybe a little mad at myself for not catching on sooner (guess I'm not as much of a mystery expert as I thought 😭) but now I totally get why people keep recommending Janice Hallett's books!! I already have another one that I'm planning to start soon, and I couldn't be more excited.
Overall, if you're looking for a unique, interactive mystery, that makes you feel like a detective and keeps you turning the pages, you have to check out her work.
Huge thanks to Hachette India for sending me the physical ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
✨Pre-read -
Have always wanted to try her works cuz we get to play detective along with the MC and look at all the clues. So, got my detective hat & glasses ready, let's go🕵🏻♀️✨
What to expect -
🍻An isolated pub in the English countryside
🍻Weekly quizzes and a cozy community feel
🍻Mixed media format
🍻A body in the river that stirs up trouble
🍻A mysterious quiz team who keeps winning
🍻Secrets buried long ago
🍻True crime vibes
The Case is Altered is a pub run by husband and wife duo, Mal and Sue Eastwood, in rural England. The quaint, isolated pub is a gathering spot for people of all ages, thanks to its main attraction - the weekly Monday quiz and its cheap prices. All is well until a mysterious quiz team starts showing up, winning every time, & right around the same time a body is discovered in the river nearby. Could the new team be responsible? Or are they just quiz addicts with the brains of the top 1%? You'll have to read to find out.
This was my first book by the author and definitely not my last because I couldn't put it down!! I thought having an entire book in mixed media format would feel overwhelming, but it was not the case as it made for such an amazing reading experience. I found myself taking notes, highlighting suspicious behaviour, and feeling like the main character investigating the case. And I would highly recommend this to all my thriller & true crime aficionados.🔍
The story unfolds through WhatsApp chats, emails, witness statements, quiz questions, and more, all compiled by a relative of the Eastwoods who sends them to a producer as he thinks the story would make a great Netflix documentary. Through these snippets, we meet all the characters who frequent the pub, each revealed through their own conversations and quirks, which honestly say so much more about them than a traditional pov ever could. And I'm genuinely astonished at how the author pulled that off and how unique and memorable some of these characters were.
And the twists?!! I was shook😳🤯 I had an idea as to one of them but the main reveal?! I never saw that coming!!!! I'm still flabbergasted thinking about it, and maybe a little mad at myself for not catching on sooner (guess I'm not as much of a mystery expert as I thought 😭) but now I totally get why people keep recommending Janice Hallett's books!! I already have another one that I'm planning to start soon, and I couldn't be more excited.
Overall, if you're looking for a unique, interactive mystery, that makes you feel like a detective and keeps you turning the pages, you have to check out her work.
Huge thanks to Hachette India for sending me the physical ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
✨Pre-read -
Have always wanted to try her works cuz we get to play detective along with the MC and look at all the clues. So, got my detective hat & glasses ready, let's go🕵🏻♀️✨
September 3, 2025
Mal and Sue Eastwood run a pub called The Case is Altered, where they host quizzes for locals and newcomers alike, trying to move on from a police investigation that urged them to move. All is calm and normal until a body is found in the river nearby, followed by a new team that ruffles feathers and raises suspicions amongst the pubs for their winning streak. Who are they, and how do they constantly win? Are they just really smart, or is the past finally catching up to Mal and Sue?
Whatever it is, the pub is now neglected five years later, and the Eastwoods' nephew, Dominic, wants to turn their story into a documentary. What happened for the pub to be abandoned? Will the truth ever come out?
I had high hopes for this book after all the positive reviews I read for it. On the mystery aspect, it did not disappoint. I was guessing and guessing on what was going on and how this story was going to end. And I was SHOCKED! 😱 I was not expecting that at all! Where did that curveball come from? 😅 I motion for this book to actually be turned into a show or something. All those in favor, say “Aye!” 🙋♀
However, I didn’t really like 1) how long the book dragged on, and 2) the format of the story. I know, I know, and I am truly sorry! 😭 It’s unique and it’s super interesting, I get it and I completely agree, but I didn’t love it. I suppose I’m used to the style of most books. So it’s most definitely a me-problem. 😅
Other than that and the fact that one of the characters took the quizzes way too seriously (like, good grief, dude. Relax. It’s literally a game, not war, lol! 😂), I did enjoy the book. As I said, the plot was so, so interesting, the writing was immersive and straightforward, and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end.
Do I recommend this book? Yes. Absolutely. Although I didn’t love it, it still deserves a read, and I hope you will be as surprised as I was when you find out the answer to the killer question. 🧐
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Death, murder, & mentions kidnapping
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No
Whatever it is, the pub is now neglected five years later, and the Eastwoods' nephew, Dominic, wants to turn their story into a documentary. What happened for the pub to be abandoned? Will the truth ever come out?
I had high hopes for this book after all the positive reviews I read for it. On the mystery aspect, it did not disappoint. I was guessing and guessing on what was going on and how this story was going to end. And I was SHOCKED! 😱 I was not expecting that at all! Where did that curveball come from? 😅 I motion for this book to actually be turned into a show or something. All those in favor, say “Aye!” 🙋♀
However, I didn’t really like 1) how long the book dragged on, and 2) the format of the story. I know, I know, and I am truly sorry! 😭 It’s unique and it’s super interesting, I get it and I completely agree, but I didn’t love it. I suppose I’m used to the style of most books. So it’s most definitely a me-problem. 😅
Other than that and the fact that one of the characters took the quizzes way too seriously (like, good grief, dude. Relax. It’s literally a game, not war, lol! 😂), I did enjoy the book. As I said, the plot was so, so interesting, the writing was immersive and straightforward, and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end.
Do I recommend this book? Yes. Absolutely. Although I didn’t love it, it still deserves a read, and I hope you will be as surprised as I was when you find out the answer to the killer question. 🧐
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Death, murder, & mentions kidnapping
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No
September 22, 2025
3.5 Stars
An extremely unique novel told mainly between text messages and emails.
Sue and Mal host trivia night at their small out-of-the-way pub. Typically the quiz nights are local groups getting together having fun until a new group shows up. This new group is extremely good at the quizzes and the other teams are convinced they have to be cheating somehow. The competition level is taken up a notch! At the same time these new quizzers show up a dead body is discovered near the pub. Told through three different timelines it is the readers job to try and piece together what has happened in the past as well as the present.
I really enjoyed the unique concept and it made me feel like I was a patron at the pub participating as well. What I really struggled with was the pacing. It was just too long and a bit too repetitious for a good chunk of the novel. Once all of the reveals happened, it felt like the pace really picked up and how everything tied together was done really well. Unfortunately, for me the pacing and length of the novel just was a complete struggle.
For any quiz lovers out there definitely check this book out. While it may not have been 100% for me, it may be for you! I am a bit of an outlier in my opinion so please check out all the other fabulous reviews.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review .
An extremely unique novel told mainly between text messages and emails.
Sue and Mal host trivia night at their small out-of-the-way pub. Typically the quiz nights are local groups getting together having fun until a new group shows up. This new group is extremely good at the quizzes and the other teams are convinced they have to be cheating somehow. The competition level is taken up a notch! At the same time these new quizzers show up a dead body is discovered near the pub. Told through three different timelines it is the readers job to try and piece together what has happened in the past as well as the present.
I really enjoyed the unique concept and it made me feel like I was a patron at the pub participating as well. What I really struggled with was the pacing. It was just too long and a bit too repetitious for a good chunk of the novel. Once all of the reveals happened, it felt like the pace really picked up and how everything tied together was done really well. Unfortunately, for me the pacing and length of the novel just was a complete struggle.
For any quiz lovers out there definitely check this book out. While it may not have been 100% for me, it may be for you! I am a bit of an outlier in my opinion so please check out all the other fabulous reviews.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review .
September 24, 2025
4 stars for "A Killer Question" by new-to-me author, Janice Hallett. As someone who really loves trivia games, (especially on cruises - did 3 or 4 a day on my last LOL), I just had to read this cozy mystery about a rural pub that takes off with it's pub trivia nights until something happens and it end's up shuttered for good. The format - sort of a modern epistolatory (texts & emails) worked okay for me, though I found it a bit harder to connect with the large cast of characters, I really liked the way it all came together at the end & I did not see where this was really going, so that's a win. Will check out the author's back-list, for sure.
September 23, 2025
the setup…
Mal and Sue Eastwood live in a rural area of Hertfordshire, England and manage a pub called The Case is Altered. It’s 2019 and they conduct a weekly trivia game that is popular with several teams who compete for that coveted first place spot. It all works well…that is until a body shows up in the adjacent river. Not long after, a new trivia team joins the locals, causing disruptions and the like as they win the game every week. Shift forward to 2025 and Mal’s nephew Dominic Eastwood is pitching a true crime story to Netflix…about The Case is Altered.
the heart of the story…
There are three periods of time here, transitioning from 2014 to 2019 and present day. The epistolary format is perfect here as the insights from each team are shared, along with each week’s quiz topics and reactions. There’s mystery surrounding the new team who upsets the dynamics and brings some shade with them. Secrets get slowly revealed and the twists get bigger and fly faster. There was a point where my jaw dropped open and I couldn’t put this book down.
the narration…
This story deserved a full cast narration and the payoff was spectacular! The performances were excellent, individually and collectively.
the bottom line…
I didn’t know where this story would lead as its focus was initially on the trivia contests, which were lively and fun. When it took a sharp turn into the first twist, it gave me pause to question everything. This is one clever story that will upend you without notice in a very good way with an ending that will leave you stunned. I knew I’d love it but this was special.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Mal and Sue Eastwood live in a rural area of Hertfordshire, England and manage a pub called The Case is Altered. It’s 2019 and they conduct a weekly trivia game that is popular with several teams who compete for that coveted first place spot. It all works well…that is until a body shows up in the adjacent river. Not long after, a new trivia team joins the locals, causing disruptions and the like as they win the game every week. Shift forward to 2025 and Mal’s nephew Dominic Eastwood is pitching a true crime story to Netflix…about The Case is Altered.
the heart of the story…
There are three periods of time here, transitioning from 2014 to 2019 and present day. The epistolary format is perfect here as the insights from each team are shared, along with each week’s quiz topics and reactions. There’s mystery surrounding the new team who upsets the dynamics and brings some shade with them. Secrets get slowly revealed and the twists get bigger and fly faster. There was a point where my jaw dropped open and I couldn’t put this book down.
the narration…
This story deserved a full cast narration and the payoff was spectacular! The performances were excellent, individually and collectively.
the bottom line…
I didn’t know where this story would lead as its focus was initially on the trivia contests, which were lively and fun. When it took a sharp turn into the first twist, it gave me pause to question everything. This is one clever story that will upend you without notice in a very good way with an ending that will leave you stunned. I knew I’d love it but this was special.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
September 9, 2025
Fun, silly, grabby, all (thankfully) without scaling the heights of ludicrousness seen in The Examiner. At a quiet country pub named The Case is Altered, the quiz is the main event of every week, but feathers are ruffled when a mysterious new team turn up and keep beating all the long-established quizzers. It’s all framed within a bundle of documents sent to a TV producer by the landlords’ nephew, who hopes to turn the story into a true crime series. The straightforwardness of the pub-quiz setup calls back to The Appeal’s amateur drama group; the messages, emails and transcripts are similarly comic and readable. I read Hallett for a fix of light-hearted entertainment, and this delivered. A great page-turner.
I received an advance review copy of The Killer Question from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received an advance review copy of The Killer Question from the publisher through NetGalley.
September 27, 2025
4.5 stars - This was a combo of The Appeal's small town vibes & The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angel's cold case goodness. Not sure if everyone will like this as much as I did, but it hit the spot for me!
January 6, 2026
Janice Hallett is now undoubtedly the new British Queen of "unique" crime stories.
Weaving phone messages, emails, quiz posters, score results and varied forms of written communication, The Killer Question is another brilliant conundrum filled read.
This time the world of quizzing sets the scene for a series of events that twist and turn more than Birmingham's Spaghetti Junction. Each week in the pub," The Case is Altered", Mal and Sue Eastwood play host to a group of teams who enjoy their weekly challenge of a quiz and a simple money prize but the equilibrium is knocked with the arrival of a new team who are getting incredible scores- something is not right.... then a body is found in. the nearby canal.
A good cast of characters - especially the different landlords /owners of the pubs and the word play and banter in messages is brilliant.
This is a great read- yes, it is fun in many ways - but the meticulous plotting through the use of various types of print once again displays an ingenuity that keeps the reader on their toes up until the very end... is anybody what they appear to be? The past comes back to haunt. To say anymore would spoil the surprises
Another winner which will be enjoyed by many. through the autumn evenings of 2025
Thank you to Serpent’s Tail / Viper books for the ARC
Weaving phone messages, emails, quiz posters, score results and varied forms of written communication, The Killer Question is another brilliant conundrum filled read.
This time the world of quizzing sets the scene for a series of events that twist and turn more than Birmingham's Spaghetti Junction. Each week in the pub," The Case is Altered", Mal and Sue Eastwood play host to a group of teams who enjoy their weekly challenge of a quiz and a simple money prize but the equilibrium is knocked with the arrival of a new team who are getting incredible scores- something is not right.... then a body is found in. the nearby canal.
A good cast of characters - especially the different landlords /owners of the pubs and the word play and banter in messages is brilliant.
This is a great read- yes, it is fun in many ways - but the meticulous plotting through the use of various types of print once again displays an ingenuity that keeps the reader on their toes up until the very end... is anybody what they appear to be? The past comes back to haunt. To say anymore would spoil the surprises
Another winner which will be enjoyed by many. through the autumn evenings of 2025
Thank you to Serpent’s Tail / Viper books for the ARC
December 18, 2025
My third Janice Hallett book and her latest, and as with the other two I’ve read (Alperton Angels and Twyford Code), the presentation is unusual and the plot convoluted.
What do I mean by “unusual presentation”? A contemporary version of an epistolary novel. In place of letters or diary entires, we have text messages, emails, and transcripts. By this time I was prepared for the format, which I think worked extremely well here. The headers for each entry were effective in establishing time and character, in contrast to Twyford Code, where they were somewhat redundant since they were pretty much all the same except for the date, and thus became annoying by the end.
The plot was deliciously intricate. I don’t know of anyone writing crime fiction today who is as talented at creating complex story lines that continually evolve, but stay within the original cast of characters. Not a story where you can take at face value your first introduction to any event or any character.
The “Killer Question” has multiple meanings in this book, given that one layer of the plot revolves around the competing teams in a series of weekly pub quizzes. For the most part we aren’t presented with specific questions, although we get lists of the categories, which get harder week after week as various plot element coalesce. (I don’t do a lot of pub quizzes, but I’ve done enough to appreciate the feeling of winning - and the agony of knowing that you should have listened to that one team member who had the right answer that would have put you over the top.)
The combination of format and plot requires that an audiobook reader pay close attention, but the full cast narration I listened to was a delight. Based on my standard rubric that stars should be awarded within a genre, this one has earned all five.
LBC
What do I mean by “unusual presentation”? A contemporary version of an epistolary novel. In place of letters or diary entires, we have text messages, emails, and transcripts. By this time I was prepared for the format, which I think worked extremely well here. The headers for each entry were effective in establishing time and character, in contrast to Twyford Code, where they were somewhat redundant since they were pretty much all the same except for the date, and thus became annoying by the end.
The plot was deliciously intricate. I don’t know of anyone writing crime fiction today who is as talented at creating complex story lines that continually evolve, but stay within the original cast of characters. Not a story where you can take at face value your first introduction to any event or any character.
The “Killer Question” has multiple meanings in this book, given that one layer of the plot revolves around the competing teams in a series of weekly pub quizzes. For the most part we aren’t presented with specific questions, although we get lists of the categories, which get harder week after week as various plot element coalesce. (I don’t do a lot of pub quizzes, but I’ve done enough to appreciate the feeling of winning - and the agony of knowing that you should have listened to that one team member who had the right answer that would have put you over the top.)
The combination of format and plot requires that an audiobook reader pay close attention, but the full cast narration I listened to was a delight. Based on my standard rubric that stars should be awarded within a genre, this one has earned all five.
LBC
September 27, 2025
It is either that I overdosed in Janice Hallett's books or her books are getting more and more artificial and contrived. Or most likely, it's probably a mix of the two, it's not just me, it's not just the book, it's both.
The first couple of the author's books were brilliant to me in their setups, the epistolary formats, the ahah moments, but the reader both starts to expect it and can became a bit cynical at why all the story really is in those written pieces and it is all seeming way over the top contrived (one novel a year plus an extra is a serious schedule for any author, and presumably the first manuscripts were trunk stories, hence they had more time to mature before publication).
In this book, a relative is pitching a true crime twisty story to a netflix producer, involving family members who run a pub and where the whole story is centered about the Monday pub quizz. With twists, obviously. And my suspension of disbelief just did not work, so very often, starting on why a production company would be so enthusiastic to spend their time putting up with a long reveal requiring hours of reading, and so many other details, so often. I guessed a couple of the twists incidentally but maybe I overdosed. I will probably call it quits with the author here, her stories felt fresh and fun for a bit, but no longer quite clicking for me. Might be my own fault, that!
The first couple of the author's books were brilliant to me in their setups, the epistolary formats, the ahah moments, but the reader both starts to expect it and can became a bit cynical at why all the story really is in those written pieces and it is all seeming way over the top contrived (one novel a year plus an extra is a serious schedule for any author, and presumably the first manuscripts were trunk stories, hence they had more time to mature before publication).
In this book, a relative is pitching a true crime twisty story to a netflix producer, involving family members who run a pub and where the whole story is centered about the Monday pub quizz. With twists, obviously. And my suspension of disbelief just did not work, so very often, starting on why a production company would be so enthusiastic to spend their time putting up with a long reveal requiring hours of reading, and so many other details, so often. I guessed a couple of the twists incidentally but maybe I overdosed. I will probably call it quits with the author here, her stories felt fresh and fun for a bit, but no longer quite clicking for me. Might be my own fault, that!
September 10, 2025
In The Killer Question, Janice Hallett transported us to the drama-filled, cut-throat world of the English pub quiz – a setting brimming with scandal, rivalry, jealousy, betrayal, obsession, and, inevitably, murder.
October 2024 – Dominic Eastwood contacts Netflix to pitch a true crime limited series about his aunt and uncle, Mal and Sue Eastwood, who were at the heart of a high-profile case five years earlier. Having compiled extensive research and uncovered some shocking new details – he is ready to tell their story.
September 2019 – Mal and Sue are landlords of The Case is Altered, a pub tucked down a shadowy lane on the outskirts of Fernley. Despite its eerie isolation, their weekly quiz night has become a roaring success, with five loyal teams competing week after week.
But disruption soon arrives. On the 2nd of September, The Cheaters are given their marching orders by Mal for exactly what their name suggests. A week later, The Shadow Knights appear, and immediately dominate, leaving the regulars – especially The Plucky Losers – bitterly resentful.
And then, on the 1st of October, the stakes escalate when a body is pulled from the river beside the pub.
The Killer Question was cosy crime at its finest – light-hearted, witty, and gleefully entertaining, yet laced with something darker thanks to the pub’s remote location and the tangled motives for murder. The twists were outstanding – I only managed to spot one minor reveal before it landed, and even then, it carried more weight than I’d anticipated. The plot was intricately constructed, with clues scattered everywhere – so many that I know I missed plenty on my first read. I see a reread in my future.
This was my first encounter with Janice Hallett’s signature storytelling style, which unfolded entirely through mixed media: WhatsApp chats, texts, emails, articles, interviews, police body cam footage, and more. As someone who loves dialogue-heavy fiction, I was delighted. The pace was brisk, and the constant flow of information kept me on my toes. It was a novel that you definitely have to read carefully, and your full attention is required.
Initially, I planned to experience the audiobook, which featured a full cast of narrators – one of my favourite tropes. The production was superb, complete with sound effects and music which brought the story vividly to life. Unfortunately, a mini reading slump meant I kept losing track of details, so I switched to the ebook, which suited me better this time. That said, I still highly recommend the audio edition, a stellar performance that enriched the text.
The Killer Question was an absolute winner for me – ingenious, immersive, and endlessly entertaining. Janice Hallett’s inventive format and sharp plotting have me eager to dive into the rest of her work.
October 2024 – Dominic Eastwood contacts Netflix to pitch a true crime limited series about his aunt and uncle, Mal and Sue Eastwood, who were at the heart of a high-profile case five years earlier. Having compiled extensive research and uncovered some shocking new details – he is ready to tell their story.
September 2019 – Mal and Sue are landlords of The Case is Altered, a pub tucked down a shadowy lane on the outskirts of Fernley. Despite its eerie isolation, their weekly quiz night has become a roaring success, with five loyal teams competing week after week.
But disruption soon arrives. On the 2nd of September, The Cheaters are given their marching orders by Mal for exactly what their name suggests. A week later, The Shadow Knights appear, and immediately dominate, leaving the regulars – especially The Plucky Losers – bitterly resentful.
And then, on the 1st of October, the stakes escalate when a body is pulled from the river beside the pub.
The Killer Question was cosy crime at its finest – light-hearted, witty, and gleefully entertaining, yet laced with something darker thanks to the pub’s remote location and the tangled motives for murder. The twists were outstanding – I only managed to spot one minor reveal before it landed, and even then, it carried more weight than I’d anticipated. The plot was intricately constructed, with clues scattered everywhere – so many that I know I missed plenty on my first read. I see a reread in my future.
This was my first encounter with Janice Hallett’s signature storytelling style, which unfolded entirely through mixed media: WhatsApp chats, texts, emails, articles, interviews, police body cam footage, and more. As someone who loves dialogue-heavy fiction, I was delighted. The pace was brisk, and the constant flow of information kept me on my toes. It was a novel that you definitely have to read carefully, and your full attention is required.
Initially, I planned to experience the audiobook, which featured a full cast of narrators – one of my favourite tropes. The production was superb, complete with sound effects and music which brought the story vividly to life. Unfortunately, a mini reading slump meant I kept losing track of details, so I switched to the ebook, which suited me better this time. That said, I still highly recommend the audio edition, a stellar performance that enriched the text.
The Killer Question was an absolute winner for me – ingenious, immersive, and endlessly entertaining. Janice Hallett’s inventive format and sharp plotting have me eager to dive into the rest of her work.
May 24, 2025
5-Stars HANDS DOWN. No one is writing like Janice Hallett writes. Her books draw you in and put you in the detective’s chair. With the epistolary format you will fly through these books and still be shocked at the ending.
Every single time I read one of these mysteries and think I’ve got it figured out - I’m wrong. But in the BEST way. This is not one of those plot hole filled books - everything is covered. The tiniest of sentences can end up being a clue towards the final reveal.
I absolutely adored the setting being this pub in a small town that holds a quiz every week. I loved reading all the texts and emails and messages and they all come together to reveal twist after twist.
Truly an ending you will NEVER see coming. And all of her books are like this. I’m obsessed. I will eat up this writing and preorder every single book she writes.
PRE-ORDER THIS NOW if you are a mystery fan. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Big thanks to Janice Hallett, Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions! 🖤
Every single time I read one of these mysteries and think I’ve got it figured out - I’m wrong. But in the BEST way. This is not one of those plot hole filled books - everything is covered. The tiniest of sentences can end up being a clue towards the final reveal.
I absolutely adored the setting being this pub in a small town that holds a quiz every week. I loved reading all the texts and emails and messages and they all come together to reveal twist after twist.
Truly an ending you will NEVER see coming. And all of her books are like this. I’m obsessed. I will eat up this writing and preorder every single book she writes.
PRE-ORDER THIS NOW if you are a mystery fan. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Big thanks to Janice Hallett, Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions! 🖤
Read
May 29, 2025really not a fan of the author using chatgpt to "list 'sinister-sounding fictional towns in the north of england'" and then using that as inspiration to name the fictional towns in this book. cannot stress enough how much of a turn off it is to know that someone has used chatgpt, especially to help them in their creative process. as if generative ai is not profiting off the works of creatives and ruining the environment and also humanity. loser behavior.
author also says in her acknowledgments that "while some place names here have been inspired by the results of those searches, [she] has no plans to use AI in the future and do[es] not consent to [her] books being used to train it" so like. whatever.
book itself was fine btw. but reading that in the acknowledgments pissed me off real bad.
author also says in her acknowledgments that "while some place names here have been inspired by the results of those searches, [she] has no plans to use AI in the future and do[es] not consent to [her] books being used to train it" so like. whatever.
book itself was fine btw. but reading that in the acknowledgments pissed me off real bad.
October 12, 2025
*4.5 stars
I don't know how Janice Hallett comes up with these intricately layered plots, but I'm here for it. This style of book isn't going to be for everyone, you're basically reading transcripts of conversations, emails, and texts. So it can be hard to follow where the story is going, but if you hang in until the end, it'll be worth it.
This story revolves around Sue and Mal Eastwood who used to run a pub in England called The Case Is Altered. Several nights a week they did quiz nights that attracted all sorts from the community, but all is not what it seems. Sue and Mal are hiding a secret, and stakes get higher every time a new quiz night begins. Trust me when I say you'll never guess where this is heading, and that's a good thing!
Definite recommend.
I don't know how Janice Hallett comes up with these intricately layered plots, but I'm here for it. This style of book isn't going to be for everyone, you're basically reading transcripts of conversations, emails, and texts. So it can be hard to follow where the story is going, but if you hang in until the end, it'll be worth it.
This story revolves around Sue and Mal Eastwood who used to run a pub in England called The Case Is Altered. Several nights a week they did quiz nights that attracted all sorts from the community, but all is not what it seems. Sue and Mal are hiding a secret, and stakes get higher every time a new quiz night begins. Trust me when I say you'll never guess where this is heading, and that's a good thing!
Definite recommend.
September 16, 2025
I love Janice Hallett's mixed media murder mysteries and this was another solid addition to her oeuvre. Centering Mal & Sue Eastwood, owners of a rural pub that hosts a weekly quiz night, the mystery follows what happens after a team of cheaters goes around all the pubs, someone ends up dead in the river behind the Eastwood's pub, and then a new team comes around that is mysteriously able to get everything correct. It seems like they're cheating, but no one can prove it. Are they? And what does that have to do with the dead body?
Lots to uncover, lots of layers, and I liked the framing narrative that now one of the Eastwoods relatives is submitting this story for a NetFlix documentary. A very solid, good time that could be a good introductory to Hallett for new readers.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.
Lots to uncover, lots of layers, and I liked the framing narrative that now one of the Eastwoods relatives is submitting this story for a NetFlix documentary. A very solid, good time that could be a good introductory to Hallett for new readers.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.
May 5, 2025
ARC for review. To be published September 23, 2025.
4.4 stars.
Sue and Mal Eastwood run a rural pub called The Case Is Altered where they have a weekly quiz game. After a quiz night a body is found in the river near the pub and the next week a mysterious new team shows up to do the quiz, winning every week and seriously annoying some of the regulars.
Cut to, five years later: the pub is abandoned and the Eastwoods’ nephew is trying to interest a true crime producer in the story. What happened?
Oh, this was fun. Told entirely in texts, reports and the like, Hallett scores again (she’s so good) with her newest book. I always see every suspense book being sold with “loads of twists.” They have not SEEN loads of twists. Hallett does well with a huge cast of characters and I really enjoyed the whole thing. Strong 4.4 stars.
4.4 stars.
Sue and Mal Eastwood run a rural pub called The Case Is Altered where they have a weekly quiz game. After a quiz night a body is found in the river near the pub and the next week a mysterious new team shows up to do the quiz, winning every week and seriously annoying some of the regulars.
Cut to, five years later: the pub is abandoned and the Eastwoods’ nephew is trying to interest a true crime producer in the story. What happened?
Oh, this was fun. Told entirely in texts, reports and the like, Hallett scores again (she’s so good) with her newest book. I always see every suspense book being sold with “loads of twists.” They have not SEEN loads of twists. Hallett does well with a huge cast of characters and I really enjoyed the whole thing. Strong 4.4 stars.
October 14, 2025
4.5 stars. Rtc. 🎧
May 11, 2025
Janice Hallett EXCELS at writing in epistolary format. It’s a very limiting and divisive format, but somehow she’s mastered it. Even if the plot isn’t my favorite, I’m always in awe of how she manages to create twisty, tense situations through various forms of media.
I had a fun time with The Killer Question, but The Appeal still reigns as my favorite of her mysteries. TKQ is about 450 pages and it felt veryyy long. As always, Hallett graced us with multiple twists at the end, but the last one I felt needed a bit more development. Things just felt a bit tedious at times, but I always finish a Janice Hallett book feeling like I’m reading this generation’s Arthur Conan Doyle.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the arc!
I had a fun time with The Killer Question, but The Appeal still reigns as my favorite of her mysteries. TKQ is about 450 pages and it felt veryyy long. As always, Hallett graced us with multiple twists at the end, but the last one I felt needed a bit more development. Things just felt a bit tedious at times, but I always finish a Janice Hallett book feeling like I’m reading this generation’s Arthur Conan Doyle.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the arc!
January 16, 2026
Probably closer to 3.5* but it deserves rounding up.
Fun and twisty mystery told through texts, emails, and other documents.
In 2024, Dominic Eastwood is soliciting various documentary filmmakers in hopes that someone will decide to tell the story of what happened to his aunt and uncle five years earlier.
We first meet Mal and Sue Eastwood in 2019, during the final weeks of their tenure as the landlords of The Case Is Altered pub, located in a fairly isolated spot in Hertfordshire. The pub was part of a conglomerate owned by Ye Olde Goat Brewery. Each Goat pub in Hertfordshire has a different spin: for example, one has become the local LBGTQ+ hangout and another one is known for its fine cuisine. All of them host a quiz night.
As Dominic pitches his true crime idea to Netflix, he sends along texts, email, police reports, and other evidence that the potential producers and writers can use for the documentary. The story is told non-chronologically, so we move back and forth through time and place, all the while asking ourselves questions like What was the crime? What happened to Mal and Sue? and Why was the pub shuttered?
Much of the novel is set in 2019 and centers around the weekly quizzes, especially the ones hosted by Mal and Sue. We meet the teams, learn about who is cheating, and get to know some of the individual players. Intermittently, we read about Mal and Sue's past and discover why and how they moved to Hertfordshire to run a pub.
As we read through the various documents, the tensions builds and we begin to piece together the crime and make predictions about the solution.
I really liked the format of The Killer Question. It's fun to read through the various documents. The mix of likeable and questionable characters, the hints at various wrongdoings, and the documented crimes and misbehavior kept me guessing about how it was all going to end. I was surprised by some of the twists and by the ending and kicked myself for not picking up on some of the clues.
This is my first Janice Hallett book, but now I want to see what else she's written. I recommend this for a quick, enjoyable read.
Thanks to Atria for the galley.
Fun and twisty mystery told through texts, emails, and other documents.
In 2024, Dominic Eastwood is soliciting various documentary filmmakers in hopes that someone will decide to tell the story of what happened to his aunt and uncle five years earlier.
We first meet Mal and Sue Eastwood in 2019, during the final weeks of their tenure as the landlords of The Case Is Altered pub, located in a fairly isolated spot in Hertfordshire. The pub was part of a conglomerate owned by Ye Olde Goat Brewery. Each Goat pub in Hertfordshire has a different spin: for example, one has become the local LBGTQ+ hangout and another one is known for its fine cuisine. All of them host a quiz night.
As Dominic pitches his true crime idea to Netflix, he sends along texts, email, police reports, and other evidence that the potential producers and writers can use for the documentary. The story is told non-chronologically, so we move back and forth through time and place, all the while asking ourselves questions like What was the crime? What happened to Mal and Sue? and Why was the pub shuttered?
Much of the novel is set in 2019 and centers around the weekly quizzes, especially the ones hosted by Mal and Sue. We meet the teams, learn about who is cheating, and get to know some of the individual players. Intermittently, we read about Mal and Sue's past and discover why and how they moved to Hertfordshire to run a pub.
As we read through the various documents, the tensions builds and we begin to piece together the crime and make predictions about the solution.
I really liked the format of The Killer Question. It's fun to read through the various documents. The mix of likeable and questionable characters, the hints at various wrongdoings, and the documented crimes and misbehavior kept me guessing about how it was all going to end. I was surprised by some of the twists and by the ending and kicked myself for not picking up on some of the clues.
This is my first Janice Hallett book, but now I want to see what else she's written. I recommend this for a quick, enjoyable read.
Thanks to Atria for the galley.
September 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an ARC of The Killer Question by Janice Hallett in exchange for honest feedback.
Ok so there are definitely some positives here. This is my first Janice Hallett novel and I will say did enjoy the unique writing style of sorting through text messages, emails, and police reports - not to mention the sharp and witty humor throughout. It was a nice change from the standard writing I’m used to. I also loved the ending - very twisty and I can honestly say I did not guess them all!
Where I struggled was with the pacing. I feel like the story was wayyyyyy too long and draw out. I spent the first 70% of the book trying to figure out what we were even trying to solve as the only “crime” they briefly highlighted seemed to be quickly brushed under the rug. For most of the book it felt more like a general fiction novel about two main characters and their experience owning/operating a pub. By the time things started to get juicy, I was so frustrated it was hard to get excited again.
Overall, the story was fun and the twists were twisting, but I needed about 125 pages less.
Ok so there are definitely some positives here. This is my first Janice Hallett novel and I will say did enjoy the unique writing style of sorting through text messages, emails, and police reports - not to mention the sharp and witty humor throughout. It was a nice change from the standard writing I’m used to. I also loved the ending - very twisty and I can honestly say I did not guess them all!
Where I struggled was with the pacing. I feel like the story was wayyyyyy too long and draw out. I spent the first 70% of the book trying to figure out what we were even trying to solve as the only “crime” they briefly highlighted seemed to be quickly brushed under the rug. For most of the book it felt more like a general fiction novel about two main characters and their experience owning/operating a pub. By the time things started to get juicy, I was so frustrated it was hard to get excited again.
Overall, the story was fun and the twists were twisting, but I needed about 125 pages less.
September 15, 2025
⭐️3.5 stars
Dominick Eastwood is hoping to interest Reel Life Productions in filming a true-crime documentary about his aunt and uncle, Sue and Mal Eastwood, who ran an English public house called The Case is Altered, in the county of Hertfordshire, northwest of London, from December, 2017 to October, 2019, after retiring from police work. Dom corresponds with a production assistant named Polly Baker, slowly doling out the tantalizing details about the case through various texts, emails, and documents until she is quite hooked.
Back then, the Eastwoods held a weekly pub quiz on Monday evenings and quite a bit of the story is about those contests and the rivalry that developed when a new group of contestants came in and started winning consistently. Everyone thought they must be cheating but how? Then a body turned up in the river nearby...
Janice Hallett has mastered the art of telling a mystery through texts and emails. It's amazing how much one can learn about a character through such documents. I found parts of the story slow going but the shocking ending was quite worth the wait.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Dominick Eastwood is hoping to interest Reel Life Productions in filming a true-crime documentary about his aunt and uncle, Sue and Mal Eastwood, who ran an English public house called The Case is Altered, in the county of Hertfordshire, northwest of London, from December, 2017 to October, 2019, after retiring from police work. Dom corresponds with a production assistant named Polly Baker, slowly doling out the tantalizing details about the case through various texts, emails, and documents until she is quite hooked.
Back then, the Eastwoods held a weekly pub quiz on Monday evenings and quite a bit of the story is about those contests and the rivalry that developed when a new group of contestants came in and started winning consistently. Everyone thought they must be cheating but how? Then a body turned up in the river nearby...
Janice Hallett has mastered the art of telling a mystery through texts and emails. It's amazing how much one can learn about a character through such documents. I found parts of the story slow going but the shocking ending was quite worth the wait.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
October 15, 2025
I’m DNFing sorry, I don’t know if it’s the format but I just can’t get into this and don’t feel like I want to pick it up. I wanted to love it based on the reviews and have tried to struggle to a twist but I genuinely don’t care at this point.
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