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  ALYSSA HALL

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Hero of Blackpool         JAN 14
Posted by Literary Titan
   ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️           FOUR STARS
Alyssa Hall’s Hero of Blackpool is a gripping detective mystery featuring the steadfast Joe Parrott and a host of characters with intertwining lives and dilemmas. The novel kicks off with a tense prologue, setting a dark tone under the moonlit pier, and gradually shifts to the bustling streets of Sheffield and the intriguing yet dangerous seaside town of Blackpool. When Sally Booth’s roommate Hanna goes missing, the story follows Sally, Joe, and an ambitious budding investigator, Stefan Nowak, as they untangle a web of secrets and navigate personal challenges.
What stood out to me first was Hall’s atmospheric descriptions. Early in the story, the tension under the pier immediately drew me in, as did Sally’s frazzled journey through Sheffield’s noisy, chaotic streets. The detailed settings made me feel like I was walking alongside her. Hall captures a strong sense of place and mood, particularly in scenes like Stefan’s ill-prepared trip to the zoo, which was a humorous yet poignant moment showing his naivety as a private investigator.
The writing balances suspense and human emotion well, only occasionally dipping into melodrama. I found Stefan’s character a delightful addition. His eagerness to impress Joe and his half-cooked plans to solve Hanna’s disappearance lend a layer of endearing vulnerability to the plot. At the same time, Sally’s frantic yet brave persistence in finding her friend adds urgency. One standout scene for me was when Stefan discovers Hanna’s photos with the mysterious Ian and another shadowy figure. It was chilling, and Hall’s subtle hints here made my heart race.
Hero of Blackpool is an engaging blend of mystery and personal drama. I enjoyed Hall’s ability to weave the complexities of relationships, whether Joe’s mentor-like bond with Stefan or the fraught ties between Sally and her roommate, into the suspenseful narrative. It made the stakes feel real and relatable.
I’d recommend this book to fans of private investigator stories with a personal touch. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys mysteries with richly drawn characters and a sense of place, especially those who appreciate a mix of action, heartfelt moments, and the occasional touch of humor. The charm of the characters and the layered mystery make it a worthwhile read.

MY WRITING JOURNEY

With no formal background in writing, I nonetheless felt driven to try. I was surprised at how easily the words flowed ... and I managed to write my first novel, Trusting Claire, in three months. This was followed by Wanting Aidan, which was published four months later. Then I somewhat slowed down with Romero Pools, my third novel - the three of which were written within a year and a half - my first year as a published author. Romero Pools was released Christmas 2021. Now my fourth is on the way. I have, up to now, written maybe half of Hero of Blackpool. But I have slowed down considerably. I have developed patience and discipline, and feel I have grown in my art. Thank you for following my journey.
I am so proud of Romero Pools, and very excited about Hero of Blackpool, which will be released in the fall of 2022. In the story I bring back PI Joe Parrott, from Wanting Aidan. Please enjoy my books, and keep reading!
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​Now also available in select Chapters/Indigo locations.

Toronto Star Newspapers

3/21/2021

1 Comment

 
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By Aileen ZangoueiYorkRegion.com

​Newmarket native Alyssa Hall’s first book, “Trusting Claire,” contains many of her experiences growing up in a family of Russian immigrants. 
Hall, whose maiden name is Pugach, said she'd been wanting to write about her upbringing in a home of fresh immigrants for a very long time, but ultimately wrote it with a twist of a murder mystery to make it more interesting. 
“(‘Trusting Claire’) ended up not being about me, but a great deal of my memories,” Hall said. 
Claire Perova is the main character, whom Hall described as being “too trusting,” which is just one part of her personality that stems from the author. 
Claire has always struggled to find the people and places that make up “home.” 
After a lengthy university adventure in Greece, she returns to Canada, where she eventually meets two men. But just as her romantic life starts getting complicated, Claire becomes embroiled in a strange death, which is where the murder mystery kicks in.
Or was her boyfriend actually murdered? 
Despite her best efforts, she can’t escape the aftermath of the crime. Every new step gives rise to surprise encounters, risky situations, and all-or-nothing alternatives. Soon, Claire learns that people are not always what they seem, and smiling faces conceal scheming motives. 
Hall said the murder mystery is fiction and not based on her life; however, other experiences of Claire's, such as her job at a real estate office on Main Street, are. 
“Actually, when I grew up in Newmarket, I don't recall any murders happening there,” Hall said, adding that she doesn't officially mention in the book that it takes place in that town to avoid “tainting” the city that is very close to her heart.
Writing her first book was very important to Hall since growing up in a family of immigrants was difficult for her. 
Her family were Russian war refugees who were captured by Germans before coming to Canada in 1949, arriving first in Thessalon, near Sault Ste. Marie. Eventually her family would be sponsored by Bill Koshel of Newmarket, who had been running a “one-man” agency to bring refugees to Canada, according to an article in the Newmarket Public Library's digital historical collection. 
“It was really hard growing up as an immigrant ... children were cruel, and I grew up very insecure,” Hall said, adding that having written “Trusting Claire,” she has something that makes her feel good about herself for the first time. 
Pre-pandemic, Hall had only just thought of writing a book, but it was amid the pandemic that she finally decided to take the leap and pick up a pen to write. 
Since then, she said she has found something that many of her family and friends said she is very good at — writing — and is currently working on a romance novel.
Hall moved to British Columbia with her family in 1988, but often visits her friends in Newmarket.

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1 Comment
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