🎧Audio Book Review🎧

The Dead Friend Project
Joanna Wallace

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Wow!
This is one of those books that just looked so appealing and I knew from the title that it would be right up my street.
What I hadn't realised was just how completely hooked I'd become!

There was so much going on here - from the twisty, complex plot - to friendship group dynamics - new friends and old - characters with flaws galore and a narrative that will have you laughing, crying and nodding along as you relate to every single part of it!

Essentially, Beth has been having a hard time over the last year. Her husband had an affair and left her for one of her best friends and her other best friend died in an rta.
On returning to the school run after the holidays, she struggles to reacquaint with the old gang of school mums, feeling judged at every turn and just can't get out of her head, why Charlotte died!?

Now I can't go into any more plot as I hate giving spoilers and I honestly couldn't fit it all in!
This was completely packed with so much going on at every page turn - but as complex as it was, this was so well written that it just all flowed beautifully and made complete sense!

I followed Beth on her journey to hunt out the truth and on her journey deeper and deeper into her breakdown and was so completely immersed in everything, there was just no time to even make any assumptions or theories.....and I blooming loved it!

Although it's been a while, those school run days are forever seared into my brain and oh my gosh, if you have kids, you can't help but relate to every second of this.
The cliques, the PTA meetings, the comparisons and the judgement.
I remember it all like it was yesterday!

The diversity and dynamics of all the characters were literal perfection!
I could almost feel myself going completely mad with them all too!

Woven into all the crazy, we also explore some really tough topics - cheating, allergies, alcohol dependency, mental health and more - but these all serve a purpose and fit into the storyline brilliantly. They are dealt with sensitively and often followed with a touch of realism or humour to avoid this ever getting too dark or preachy.
However, there's definitely a huge lesson in here to always treat people with kindness as you really never know what they are dealing with!

Ok, I've gone off topic a bit - but this was a total masterpiece - with memorable characters, a unique and complex plot (with an ending you'll never see coming) and writing that will have you feeling every emotion under the sun - this is definitely a book I'll keep recommending and an author I can't wait to read more of!



💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

After seeing the reviews on Netgalley I was expecting more from this Audio book but to me it was just an average listen
I like a good psychological thriller and this is more of a black comedy so not my normal read
I struggled to finish this as the narrator screeched as some of the character's and it got on my nerves to be honest don't get me wrong I could definitely not do the number of voices Imogen Church does in this audio book but some of them just grated too much

‘The Dead Friend Project’ is a who-done-it murder mystery, following Beth as she tries to discover and investigate what happened the night her best friend Charlotte tragically died. Many sensitive subjects are woven into this storyline, but Wallace has handled these incredibly well.

The plot unravelled leisurely, a bit too slow for my preferences, but it only added to the suspense and anticipation. With each turn of the page, my desire to uncover the outcome grew stronger, making me eager to continue unravelling the layers of the story. My conclusion was amazingly wrong as the ending drew the story close.

The school playground mums are relatable, and I am confident that readers will identify with these characters individually and as a whole.

While the narration of this audiobook was too slow for my liking, increasing the playback speed on my software solved the issue. Some of the character voices were cringe-worthy, but not enough to ruin my enjoyment of this new release. I look forward to reading future releases by this author.

In conclusion, 'The Dead Friend Project' is definitely a worthwhile read, and I anticipate it being a popular summer book in 2024.

Pre-order a copy today in any format!

Could not stand the narration of this book. The narrator tried putting on different voices for different characters and they were all awful. Shame because I enjoyed the actual story. The book itself was a good read. Enjoyable

Hilarious satire, deeply human emotion and perfect narration in this brilliant comedy crime novel!

There’s something about blending grizzly crime with astute social satire that makes for truly compelling reading, and Joanna Wallace does this to perfection! I always knows that I wanted to read this book, but when I saw that the audiobook was narrated by none other than @imogenchurchgobshite - QUEEN of narration - I KNEW I had to listen to it and my request for it was in faster than Emily can direct visitors to park in her ‘orchard’. Church imbues every character with exactly the right accent, tone and inflection, really bringing the story vividly to life. She perfects the comic timing, really bringing the satire of Wallace’s words to the forefront of the story, which had me laughing out loud at more points than I can remember. Church’s narration complements Wallace’s writing more than I can express and it’s a relationship made in heaven. I wholeheartedly urge you to listen to this book, even if you aren’t a fan of audio, because you will not be able to resist being bowled over!

The narrative itself is absolutely addictive. Wallace blends mystery, satire and raw human emotion with panache. I was desperate to understand what had happened to Charlotte and who her murderer was, but I was also equally invested in Beth’s life. This story is just as much about Beth’s journey back to a healthier place (both mentally and physically), as it is about her quest to solve the mystery of her friend’s death. Wallace tackles hard-hitting subjects such as separation, co-parenting, adultery, addiction, loneliness, and judgement. These really propel the story forward, whilst also adding meat to the entirely on point, scathing satire that makes this novel so funny. It’s a book that is built with both humour and heart. Wallace’s observations on parenthood and the associated social hierarchy and incessant playground dramas feels so real (even from this dad’s perspective!). I could both relate to elements of this book and also feel entirely grateful that I haven’t experienced others! Brilliantly constructed, this is definitely a must-read if you enjoy your crime novels laced with a generous measure of humour and humanity.

Beth has been having a rough time. Her husband has left her for one of her school gate friends and her best friend, Charlotte, has died - hit by a car whilst out training for her latest marathon. When Beth is finally ready to return to everyday life she hears snippets of the final hours of Charlottes life and things aren’t adding up. There is no way Charlotte would leave her child home alone and who was heard in the background of a brief telephone call minutes before her death? Beth is determined to find out but with her new best friend alcohol involved, no-one is taking her seriously. Can Beth sober up for long enough to prove the death was no accident?
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and finished it in a couple of days. It’s a great story with characters so true to life they virtually jump off the page. There’s dark humour and of course a mystery to solve. A solid 4 stars from me, now I need to read Joanna’s previous book - You’d Look Better As A Ghost.

I loved the premise of this novel and I've read a couple on similar themes recently. A misfit mum (why do I always relate to the misfit?!!) with a gaggle of school gate friends, and the only one who 'got her' is dead. No-one seems to be bothered by the fact the friends death just doesn't add up, and when Beth realises her friend apparently left her 2yr old to go for a run... she decides to investigate.

This was a quick entertaining read. There were some really unlikeable characters and I was invested in the story. The audiobook was read by Imogen Church. I'm not sure what it is about Imogen's voice, but it sounds highly strung a lot of the time which puts me on edge. It can sometimes be a little more dramatic than it needs to be. For me, it slightly detracted from the story. I know lots of people who love the narration, so I know it's just personal taste.

It is so refreshing to read a "messy woman struggling with herself" novel that doesn't just gloss over issues and pretend that a good man will fix her. Instead, Wallace has her characters address the mental health and substance abuse and get treatment! Hallelujah! I also really enjoyed how well written the first person narrative was allowing Beth's wobbling wellbeing to reflect in how she sees the other characters. A refreshing ending too that can be read as solved or open ended.

Beth an overwhelmed single mum, is part of the ‘mummy crowd’ at their kids school. A year after their friend Charlotte dies, Beth still can’t move on

Although Charlotte’s death is essential to the plot, the focus is on Beth, her relationships and her health

The audiobook narrator was the perfect choice for this book. Her talent for voices comes across and enhances the experience and I’d definitely recommend listening to the audio

Beth is very witty and made me laugh out loud. However, she’s an alcoholic in denial so goes too far which gets a little cringe and then super tragic

What starts out as a hilarious cozy mystery, turned out to be a tragic tale of a woman’s downfall

Thanks to Netgalley and Profile Books Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

I absolutely loved this book and will definitely be looking for more books from the author. The narrator did an amazing job....I couldn't listen to the book quick enough. The story was gripping and I kept guessing where the story was going throughout the story. My first 5 star read in a long time. Thanks so much to netgalley for giving me the chance to listen to it.

The first book I've read by Joanna Wallace.

At times it was very funny, the main character has great dark humour but is very troubled after being left by her husband, who shacks up with one of the other mum's, and the death of her best friend.

Drawn into finding out what really happened to her best friend the main character descends into a booze fuelled madness. Unfortunately this got a little repetitive, the middle could have moved faster but on the whole I enjoyed it.

Oh this was fun!! Another book that I flew through in a day and I am not sorry about it one little bit!! While there are some very dark themes going on in this story, it was full of dark humour and laugh out loud situations. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of the audiobook, narrated by one of my favourite narrators, Imogen Church. Something about the books she reads always have me hooked and laughing. If I see her as the narrator then I am bound to love it.

Beth is the mother to 3 young children and really having a hard time. Her husband has left her for one of her friends, and she is struggling to come to term with the death of her best friend Charlotte almost a year earlier. When she learns something about the night she died, she cannot help but think that there is more to what happened than everyone knows. She is determined to find out what really happened, and the school.mums group is the perfect place to start.

I thought that I had this one all worked out, but I could not have seen that ending coming. It was a fun mystery.

Thanks so much to Profile Books, Viper for both the kindle and audiobook. Out on July 11th,

Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy the narrator so this was a DNF for me. I liked the start of the story and more than likely would read the book itself but I wasn’t a fan of the audiobook.

The Dead Friend Project by Joanna Wallace

I love an unreliable narrator and especially when the author slowly uncovers their truth and the real truth behind the situation. This is exactly what I we have here and I loved it!

I thought Beth was a very sympathetic character who, although having a lot of her own demons had been dealt a really poor hand by the people around her, especially the ex husband and his monumentally bad timing. Her relationships with the other school mums was difficult and touching and times which made them feel real. This novel portrayed well that even when you think people have a perfect life that is rarely the case.

I do wish there was a happier ending for Beth but I feel she found community in those around her which was heartwarming to see at the end.

And the final plot twist I didn’t see coming but was well foreshadowed throughout if you knew where to look.

I really enjoyed the narration but I found it very slow for me. I normally listen at 1.75-2.00x speed but I very comfortably listened to this at 2.50x speed. This didn’t bother me at all but if you are very sensitive to the reading speed I would sample the book first to make sure it is going to be a comfortable listen for you.

A great crime book for fans of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl or Lisa Jewell’s crime novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Profile Books Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook to review.

I absolutely loved Wallace’s last book (You’d Look Better as a Ghost) and had high hopes for this one, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite what I was expecting/hoping for. There was some solid snark about the Sweaty Betty moms who never leave home without a yoga mat in tow, and the voice the narrator used for Emily was epic (like a British Maura Rose), so it was entertaining to listen to at first, but it got very repetitious, and Beth was such a self-sabotaging hot mess that it just got sad and became hard to get through (which is fine - sad books are fine, but that was not the mystery that I thought I signed up for here). I didn’t love this, but I will still happily read whatever Wallace writes in the future.

Given the title, even from there I knew this was going to be a book I would enjoy. And once I read what it was about, I was further on board. It was an immediate hook and I really looked forward to rejoining the story.

Imogen Church narrated the audiobook and (when sped up slightly) she provided all the energy and life to the characters. I can never listen at normal speed but it’s a fairly slow narration so sped up it’s perfect. She really did a great job and it made the book even more enjoyable.

The story itself was super intriguing and with a rather unconventional MC. She had a slightly unhinged air about her that made following the book even more enjoyable. I also didn’t expect to love the side characters as much as I did so it was super easy to be engaged and remain that way!

I absolutely sped through this and got more and more into it as it began to near its conclusion. Tantalising tidbits are littered throughout so I was super eager to find out how it was going to conclude. Really enjoyed!

"The Dead Friend Project" by Joanna Wallace, narrated by Imogen Church, left me stunned. The book offers a masterclass in storytelling with an engaging, suspenseful, and expertly crafted plot.
As I listened to the story unfold, I found myself drawn into the world of Beth, a woman who's struggling to come to terms with her husband's infidelity, the death of her best friend Charlotte, and her sense of purpose. The author has done an incredible job of crafting a relatable protagonist who's easy to root for, even when she's making questionable decisions.
The story is like a drama from television that comes to life in your head, with a complex web of characters and relationships that are expertly woven together. The author's writing is superb, with a keen eye for detail that makes it easy to visualise the characters and settings.
As Beth delved deeper into the mystery of Charlotte's death, I found myself becoming more and more invested in the story. The characters are all multi-dimensional and flawed, with secrets and motivations slowly revealed throughout the book. I loved how the author took her time to build up the tension and suspense, dropping subtle clues and hints along the way.
Imogen Church's narration is fantastic, bringing each character to life with her impressive range of voices and accents. She has a knack for conveying the emotional turmoil that Beth is going through, making it easy to become fully invested in her journey.
One of the things that I loved most about this book is how it explores the everyday struggles of parenthood and relationships. The author tackles topics like social media comparison, parenting pressures, and the challenges of maintaining friendships in a way that feels authentic and relatable.
If you're looking for a book that's engaging, suspenseful, and well-written, then "The Dead Friend Project" is worth checking out. The story is expertly paced, with a satisfying conclusion that leaves room for a potential sequel.
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or drama.

I loved this audio book! The narration is fantastic and & Imogen Church portrays the characters exactly how I would imagine them and you can tell them apart easily too ! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a light mystery with lots of humour through out especially Beth's comments! I will definitely be checking out more by this author! Thank you to the publisher & netgalley for this audio arc.

3.5 ⭐

A real mix this one, it was at times, sad and intriguing, and crazy.
Beth went from being very amusing, to a worrying character.
The playground mums were relatable, yet very annoying.
Real moments of empathy, to surprising behaviour.
It was a roller-coaster ride.
Not sure how I feel about the ending either.
Mostly, it was pretty great.

I loved the opening pages of this novel, it gives just the right amount of intrigue to the reader and a reason to invest in the story. We all want to know what he saw.

Beth’s life has detailed, her husband has left her for her friend on the same night her best friend died in an accident while out for a late night run.

Beth is busy trying to keep herself to herself since Charlotte’s death, looking after her kids, putting a brave face on and she’s finding solace at the bottom of a bottle a little too often, but while the school gate mums are tattling and prattling on she discovers a fact that she didn’t know, and that Charlotte left her youngest child Leo alone to go for a run, she knows her friend would never do this, along with dealing with the daily minutiae of family life and trying to hold on to her sanity, Beth becomes invested in finding out what exactly happened to her friend.

The school mums were EVERYTHING to this story, and not necessarily in a good way, very stereotypical but the humour that they brought was absolutely priceless. I howled with laughter throughout, and I felt for Beth, I also saw a lot of people I know within the group, whether that’s good or bad I’m undecided 🤭😂

Great writing! I enjoyed the narration by Imogen church, she brought drama and tension but added the humour to perfection.

Thank you to Profile Books Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audio arc in return for an honest review.