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.

This story is like a drama from television come to life in your head and although many books become movies or TV series the books are genrally always better. This was so well written that I literally felt like I was watching each part play out like a scene of a movie or similar.

Beth is truly a magnificent character who I'm sure many people can relate to she battles with the separation of her husband, who leaves her for one of her friends after the birth of her youngest child. The death of her best friend Charlotte on Halloween night and a group of "friends" made up of school mums and those who attend toddler groups. She drinks a little too much and is trying to piece together what happened to Charlotte because it wasn't as simple as her running and being hit by a car in an accident.

As Beth is really putting herself into investigating this "accident" 18 months or so after the event her friends all seem to be less willing to talk about it, they are almost evasive explaining it away as not wishing to dwell on the past and being present in the moment making Beth more suspicious. Anna wasn't in the group at the time, and she actually moved into Charlotte's house after the tragic death of Charlotte her husband decided it best to move away for the sake of his family. This doesn't stop Beth at all as she continues to probe into the lives of each friend in the group getting little pieces of information leading her to some conclusions along the way not always accurate but she perseveres for the love of her friend Charlotte she is determined to get to the truth.

All the characters Emily, Jade, Danielle, Anna, Farah, not to mention the fantastic children & husbands have so many varying attributes making this story very enthralling, gripping and truly well delivered. I did begin to put some things together myself as to who was involved at times then I'd change my mind it really keeps you thinking throughout and I wasn't disappointed in the way this was tied up although it felt a little cut short I do feel it leaves it open for opportunity of a sequel which I'd absolutely love as I really felt like I knew these characters as I listened.

This brings all the things many parents deal with everyday from playdates, to friendships that can be at times cliques everyone trying to find their place in life & purpose, everyday life stresses of cooking, cleaning, comparing one parent to another thinking everyone else seems to have life sussed out when you dont when actually everyone is peddling their way through on one way or another. All of those were done whilst in the midst of a gripping story of a tragic death and a well written who done it. Why and how did it all happen really novel.

Narration by Imogen Church was fantastic and really worked very well for this novel she absolutely reeled me in to this with amazing capability to alter tone, pitch, accent even for all the varying characters and there are many. I'd happily listen to this narrator again thoroughly enjoyed this audio. The book cover sums it all up pretty well!

Amazing work, Joanna Wallace & Immogen Church.

With thanks to Netgalley & Profile Books Audio/Viper for the opportunity to listen to this in return for an open honest review of which all opinions are my own.

#Allthestars
#Highlyreccomended
#Joanna Wallace
#Imogen Church