• Author: Janice Hallett
• Series: Standalone
• Genre: Crime
• Star Rating: 5 stars
• Gifted by Publisher: No

Plot: 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?

Another year gone. Another 5 star Janice Hallett book. It is becoming a nice tradition to spend the beginning of Autumn losing myself in a new Janice Hallett crime book and what a great way to welcome the season.

I probably now have too high of an expectation when it comes to Hallett’s books. Which is both thrilling and terrifying as I desperately hope to love it as much as the last one and amazingly Janice Hallett manages to exceed my expectations every time.

This book is similar to the Twyford Code with its focus on giving you all the information first before you get hit with a barrage of truth bombs and twists. I found myself drawn in by the hilarious characters and the mundane antics of the toxic dynamics found in a local pub quiz that before I know there are 100 pages left and Hallett has put the book in full speed ahead and is about to give me the best whiplash of a reading experience ever.

As always Hallett’s understanding and portrayal of complex human dynamics and realistic human dialogue was incredible. As I said before, I was so ingrained in the hilarious pub quiz dynamics that I forgot about the bigger mystery. Hallett is able to find a great balance between complex murder mystery and light-hearted human foils that have you giggling quietly to yourself. 

But while I really enjoyed the ‘Chris trying to beat the pub quiz’ storyline. THE COMPLEXITY of this over arching mystery made me want to stand up and applaud. This book felt like a labour of love and a reward for the long game. Hallett really does give you slowly and methodically all the pieces for the reader that she then in one full swoop manages to piece together for you so expertly I had to sit by myself for a moment to process everything!

Another great book from my fave author yet again!