I read this last year - it's the only Janice Hallett book I've read - and I agree with everything you say. I enjoyed certain aspects of it, and I did appreciate its cleverness, but from what I remember it all felt a bit too convoluted for me, the scheme too elaborate, and by the end I found it hard to care about any of it. Overall, it didn't really work for me and it put me off reading anything else by her. But it's good to hear you talk so positively about some of her other books and you've made me think that perhaps I should give her another go. So I am going to keep an open mind about her and perhaps give The Appeal or Alperton Angels a go.
If you decide to give her books another go, I really hope you enjoy them! I definitely think The Appeal and The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels are much stronger books ☺
Similar review here too. I think it's a pretty clever book. I couldn't have predicted the ending. I also think it's more realistic and has less plot holes than The Appeal. Like you, I'll def be reading her next book. Funny thing is, The Appeal was an absolute page-turner for me although not perfect. The Twyford Code fell off somewhere in the middle. It took me almost 2 months to finish this. However, I think it was a great story nonetheless.
It's definitely a clever book, like you say. And there was no way I could have predicted that ending! I hope you enjoy her third book. I'm looking forward to picking it up. I have it reserved at my library already. You'll have to let me know your thoughts once you've read it ☺
First thing to say is that I seem to be unique in that I haven't read The Appeal so I have no comparison with a book most say is vastly superior to Janice Hallett's second offering! I found the 'Code' an easy read. Most of the characters were kept at a distance and only came into the dialogue every now and again so you really didn't warm to any. The main Character was essentially an 'old lag' who's life story the author told in painstaking detail to merit a sympathetic connection for the reader! Loved the historical content in relation to the book as that particular period I have a particular interest in and this for me enriched the book as it lost it's way a little and enjoyed the twist at the end. A decent read though and now off to read The Appeal!
It does happen sometimes when it comes to mysteries where the mystery is clever but the reading experience is either a bit dry or not so fun. I had that when I tried dorothy l sayers. I have read the appeal and unfortunately I didn't like it :( I really struggled with the format. I was curious to see if this one would be different but seeing as it is the same layout but not as interesting, I think I will have to skip over this one!
I read this last year - it's the only Janice Hallett book I've read - and I agree with everything you say. I enjoyed certain aspects of it, and I did appreciate its cleverness, but from what I remember it all felt a bit too convoluted for me, the scheme too elaborate, and by the end I found it hard to care about any of it. Overall, it didn't really work for me and it put me off reading anything else by her. But it's good to hear you talk so positively about some of her other books and you've made me think that perhaps I should give her another go. So I am going to keep an open mind about her and perhaps give The Appeal or Alperton Angels a go.
If you decide to give her books another go, I really hope you enjoy them! I definitely think The Appeal and The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels are much stronger books ☺
i agree with you! It was clever, sure, but it didn't leave me going ooooh after the big reveal. I felt played and that wasn't a nice feeling 🥱
Definitely understandable. Such a disappointment!
Super amazing very nice video ..👌👌👌👌
Similar review here too. I think it's a pretty clever book. I couldn't have predicted the ending. I also think it's more realistic and has less plot holes than The Appeal. Like you, I'll def be reading her next book. Funny thing is, The Appeal was an absolute page-turner for me although not perfect. The Twyford Code fell off somewhere in the middle. It took me almost 2 months to finish this. However, I think it was a great story nonetheless.
It's definitely a clever book, like you say. And there was no way I could have predicted that ending! I hope you enjoy her third book. I'm looking forward to picking it up. I have it reserved at my library already. You'll have to let me know your thoughts once you've read it ☺
First thing to say is that I seem to be unique in that I haven't read The Appeal so I have no comparison with a book most say is vastly superior to Janice Hallett's second offering! I found the 'Code' an easy read. Most of the characters were kept at a distance and only came into the dialogue every now and again so you really didn't warm to any. The main Character was essentially an 'old lag' who's life story the author told in painstaking detail to merit a sympathetic connection for the reader! Loved the historical content in relation to the book as that particular period I have a particular interest in and this for me enriched the book as it lost it's way a little and enjoyed the twist at the end. A decent read though and now off to read The Appeal!
Really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this book. I hope you enjoy The Appeal! You'll have to let me know what you think of it ☺
It does happen sometimes when it comes to mysteries where the mystery is clever but the reading experience is either a bit dry or not so fun. I had that when I tried dorothy l sayers. I have read the appeal and unfortunately I didn't like it :( I really struggled with the format. I was curious to see if this one would be different but seeing as it is the same layout but not as interesting, I think I will have to skip over this one!
You're absolutely right! Yeah, I'd definitely give this one a miss if you didn't like The Appeal because The Appeal is so much better than this one.
"That's about all the good things I can say." Same 😂 this was so disappointing!
Haha Amber! Such a disappointment. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who didn't enjoy it!
It sounds so good but a shame that it didnt work
I know! Such a great concept. I'm looking forward to whatever she writes next though! ☺