Janice Hallett is a successful and accomplished author, whose work has been widely recognized and celebrated. Before turning to fiction, Hallett worked as a magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. She has written articles and speeches for various departments, including the Cabinet Office, Home Office, and Department for International Development. Her professional background in journalism and communications has undoubtedly contributed to her ability to craft engaging and compelling narratives in her novels.
In addition to her work in journalism and government communications, Hallett is also an experienced playwright and screenwriter. She wrote the feminist Shakespearean stage comedy NetherBard and co-wrote the feature film Retreat. These experiences in writing for the stage and screen have no doubt honed Hallett's storytelling abilities and allowed her to bring a unique perspective to her novels.
Hallett's debut novel, The Appeal, was published in 2021 and quickly became a bestseller. It was awarded the CWA Debut Dagger of 2021 and was a Sunday Times’ Bestseller, Waterstones’ Thriller of the Month and Sunday Times’ Crime Book of the Month. Her second novel, The Twyford Code, was named Crime & Thriller Book of the Year in the British Book Awards 2023 and was also a Sunday Times’ Bestseller and a Financial Times book of the year. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels was an instant Times and Sunday Times bestseller on its launch in January 2023. The Christmas Appeal, a festive novella, was launched in October 2023. Hallett's success as a novelist is a testament to her talent for crafting intriguing and engaging stories that resonate with readers.