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Michelle 's Reviews > The Appeal

The Appeal by Janice Hallett
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really liked it

This is not only a tricky book to read but a tricky book to review. 🤔

Make sure to have your thinking cap on while reading this debut novel by Janice Hallett.

All you know in the beginning is that someone was murdered, someone was sent to prison, and it's up to you, the reader, to figure out the who, what, when, where, and how. 🕵️‍♀️

This book is like reading 400 pages of an email chain and all the while you are trying to put the puzzle pieces together. It's an ingenious idea making for a compelling read. I'll admit to some confusion amongst the characters as there are many players involved and I did have a hard time keeping them all straight. While the style of this novel did work for me I can see other readers struggling with it. This won't be for everyone but I do have to commend Hallett for putting her own spin on the mystery novel. One of my suspicions was proven correct but there were other little and some bigger surprises along the way making my reading experience a worthwhile one. This book did start to get drawn out at the end. Maybe some editing here or there would have benefited this book. Still, I am so happy to have read this for the unusual journey it brought me on. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my complimentary copy.
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Reading Progress

September 22, 2020 – Shelved
September 22, 2020 – Shelved as: to-read
August 19, 2021 – Shelved (Hardcover Edition)
August 19, 2021 – Shelved as: to-read (Hardcover Edition)
November 17, 2021 – Started Reading
November 22, 2021 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-41 of 41 (41 new)

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Jayme Wonderful review! 💝 I will be reading this soon and I am more excited to start now!


message 2: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Jayme wrote: "Wonderful review! 💝 I will be reading this soon and I am more excited to start now!"

Thank you, Jayme! 💖 This is a very unique reading experience and one that I can't wait to hear your thoughts on.


message 3: by Melissa (new) - added it

Melissa ~ Bantering Books It definitely sounds like a different kind of read, but in a good way. Terrfic review, Michelle! :)


Holly  B (slower pace!) I have the widget, thinking I should go ahead and download it! I'm a bit nervous about the structure though. Thrilled you had a 4 star experience Michelle!


message 5: by Terrie (new)

Terrie  Robinson Well, that's a bit different and I know I would be totally lost with this one not being a super sleuth like you, Michelle. Great review and really glad you enjoyed it! :-D


message 6: by Catherine (last edited Nov 22, 2021 08:12AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - so very behind! Sounds interesting and outside of the norm, which is always good! I’m really considering this one sooner than later now. Wonderful review, Michelle! 💕


message 7: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Melissa wrote: "It definitely sounds like a different kind of read, but in a good way. Terrfic review, Michelle! :)"

Thank you, Melissa! 💛 It's always refreshing to read something a little different.


message 8: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Holly wrote: "I have the widget, thinking I should go ahead and download it! I'm a bit nervous about the structure though. Thrilled you had a 4 star experience Michelle!"

Thanks, Holly! 💕 I took me a little bit to wrap my head around the unusual structure.


message 9: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Terrie wrote: "Well, that's a bit different and I know I would be totally lost with this one not being a super sleuth like you, Michelle. Great review and really glad you enjoyed it! :-D"

Haha! Thanks, Terrie! 💜 I was completely baffled throughout so I think I need to return my super sleuth badge. 😉


message 10: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Catherine wrote: "Sounds interesting and outside of the norm, which is always good! I’m really considering this one now. Wonderful review, Michelle! 💕"

Thanks very much, Catherine! 😍 Just make sure to have time to dedicate to this because it's not one that you pick up and put down on a whim.


message 11: by Regina (new)

Regina Very helpful review, Michelle! I'll make sure I only pick this one up when I feel like dialing my brain power up to 100. ;)


Tamar...playing hooky for a few hours today I loved this review...I'm going to look for this❤️


message 13: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Regina wrote: "Very helpful review, Michelle! I'll make sure I only pick this one up when I feel like dialing my brain power up to 100. ;)"

Thanks so much, Regina! 💜 I think that is a wise choice. This is not a beach-y read.


message 14: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Tamar...playing hooky for a few hours today wrote: "I loved this review...I'm going to look for this❤️"

Yay! Thanks, Tamar! 💗


message 15: by Michael (new)

Michael David (on hiatus) Fantastic review, Michelle! 💕 I'm still torn on downloading this one though. Lol! I'll probably have to read it without my indulgence of a glass of wine! 🤣


message 16: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Michael wrote: "Fantastic review, Michelle! 💕 I'm still torn on downloading this one though. Lol! I'll probably have to read it without my indulgence of a glass of wine! 🤣"

Haha! Thanks, Michael! 💗 Probably a good idea to remain sober for this one or you'll be doing a lot of re-reading. 🥴


Ceecee Fantastic review Michelle ❤️


message 18: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Ceecee wrote: "Fantastic review Michelle ❤️"

Thank you so much, Ceecee! 💖


Melissa (Always Behind) Your review has intrigued me. I have been really debating about whether to download or now.


message 20: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Melissa (LifeFullyBooked) wrote: "Your review has intrigued me. I have been really debating about whether to download or now."

Thanks, Melissa! 💜 To download or not to download is one decision that I hate making, LOL!


message 21: by Kat (new)

Kat Fascinating review, Michelle! You have piqued my curiosity for sure. 💕


message 22: by Sheyla ✎ (new)

Sheyla ✎ Great review, Michelle. Interesting premise.


message 23: by Tina (new)

Tina I think this one sounds clever! A great review Michelle!! 👍🏼


Derek (I'M BACKKKK!) Very helpful review, Michelle! I'm intrigued by the format but it's good to know what I'm jumping into. Happy it was worthwhile!


message 25: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Kat wrote: "Fascinating review, Michelle! You have piqued my curiosity for sure. 💕"

Thank you so much, Kat! 💗 It's a really creative and unique way to write a mystery novel. I was impressed.


message 26: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Sheyla ✎ wrote: "Great review, Michelle. Interesting premise."

Thank you, Sheyla! 💕


message 27: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Tina wrote: "I think this one sounds clever! A great review Michelle!! 👍🏼"

Thank you, Tina! 💚 This book is so clever that it's hard to believe this is her debut.


message 28: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Derek wrote: "Very helpful review, Michelle! I'm intrigued by the format but it's good to know what I'm jumping into. Happy it was worthwhile!"

Thank you, Derek! 🧡 It took me a little bit to adjust to the format but once I did the pages practically turned themselves.


message 29: by Kaceey (new) - added it

Kaceey Terrific review Michelle! This format didn’t work for me.🙁


message 30: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Kaceey wrote: "Terrific review Michelle! This format didn’t work for me.🙁"

Thanks, Kaceey! 💜 I'm sorry to hear that it didn't work out for you. I have a feeling it won't work for a lot of people. I hope whatever you are reading now is a 5 star worthy book.


©hrissie ❁ [1st week on campus-somewhat run-down] Sounds like a puzzl-ing read! Great review, Michelle! :)


message 32: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle ©hrissie ❁ Wor(l)ds*Of*Wonders wrote: "Sounds like a puzzl-ing read! Great review, Michelle! :)"

Haha! Thanks, Chrissie! 💛


Sandysbookaday (currentlyonholidayuntilmid-Jan) An excellent and enticing review, Michelle. ❤📚


message 34: by Michelle (new) - added it

Michelle Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "An excellent and enticing review, Michelle. ❤📚"

Thank you very much, Sandy! 💖


message 35: by Yun (new) - rated it 3 stars

Yun This sounds so interesting! Great review, Michelle! Glad you enjoyed! :)


message 36: by Allison (new)

Allison Faught Awesome review, Michelle!! I love a good mystery where the reader plays detective! 😄 So happy you enjoyed! 💕


message 37: by Christina (new)

Christina Great review and good to know. I will wait to read this until I’m ready to do some mental gymnastics.


Jasmine Great review, Michelle! I have this coming up, so it’s good to know you enjoyed! It sounds like I should take extra notes while reading this one.


message 39: by Jen (new) - rated it 4 stars

Jen Iiiiinteresting. You have me really intrigued now, I always love something a bit different and when authors take risks.


DeAnn Excellent review Michelle! I agree it would have benefited from a bit of editing.


message 41: by JanB (new) - added it

JanB Glad you enjoyed this one Michelle! Great review.


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