It was thanks to Sarah that I found out that Janice Hallett had released a new book, The Examiner. This is the joy of running a book linky you get to find out so many books that you are glad to have not missed. I’m so glad I didn’t miss this one.
The Blurb
Six Students. One Murder. Your Time Starts Now…
The mature students of Royal Hastings University’s new art course have been trouble from day one. From acclaimed artist Alyson who seems oddly overqualified, to hapless Patrick who can barely operate design software, and city boy Cameron who blusters his way through assignments. Not to mention Jem, who’s a gifted young sculptor… but cross her at your peril.
The year-long course is blighted by students setting fire to one another’s artwork, a rumoured extra-marital affair and a disastrous road trip. But finally they are given their last assignment: to build an art installation for a local manufacturer. With six students who have nothing in common except their clashing personal agendas, what could possibly go wrong?
The answer is: murder. When the external examiner arrives to assess the students’ coursework, he becomes convinced that a student was killed on the course and that the others covered it up. But is he right? Only a close examination of the evidence will reveal the truth. Your time starts now…
My Review of The Examiner
If you’ve never read any of Janice Hallett books before you might think it’s a little strange. All of her previous novels have been written in different forms. The first one I read was the Twyford Code which was in transcripts that had been recorded. I listened to it on Audible and found it worked quite well. But her other books, The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, The Appeal and the novella The Christmas Appeal are all better as books. The stories are told in the form of e-mails, text messages, notes etc and you have to piece it all together. I think they are original and not only dark but have some really funny parts too. I’ve really enjoyed them all.
The Examiner is coming in as one of my favourites though. Written in the form of ‘Doodle’ (which I guess is a student forum) What’s app, e-mails and text messages. It’s definitely a book to read rather than listen too, you’ll understand why about half way through. (Yes, I did find myself flicking back to check)
Usually you have a story with twists and turns, I’d prefer to describe this book as having layers. You learn things as you go along and get those, ah ha moments. Each part gives you a little more to work with (which is great seeing as it’s an art course.)
It starts off tamely enough, the students are a bit of weird mix, from a young 21 year old, a busy mum, a couple of possible affairs, and an old Irish man who seems out of his depth but also incredibly helpful to the youngster Jem.
The course itself is a little iffy and you have to wonder what the heck they are up to, as the book progresses the assignments presented become more like confessions or ‘get out’ clauses. It’s all very weird.
It’s obvious there is something else going on which you get from the private conversations, but it’s so tricky to work it out. Just when you think you know, you realise that you were not there at all. It’s half way through the book when everything seems to get serious and you find out some things that you hadn’t realised before.
I really don’t want to give anything away, but there is a murderer on the course, can you work out who it is? It’s a tricky puzzle and a definite page turner. I think this is Janice Hallett’s darkest book, but it’s also funny as the bungling students don’t even know how to get their stories in order let alone pass an MA course. I think it is my favourite book so far. I’m going to have to read it again to see where I went wrong, lol.
To find out some more great reads check out my book worms link up. You can link up as many times as you wish every month.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I loved it. There were some moments when I was completely shocked.