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The Dead Friend Project
Everyone needs a hobby...
Things haven't been going well for Beth. Her husband has left her for one of her friends. Her fellow school mums judge her for swearing too much and not shifting the baby weight. And now she's stuck in A&E after her son fell off the climbing wall on the first day of school.
In fact, things haven't been going well for Beth since Charlotte died - her best friend, a favourite at the school pick-ups and the only person to ever run an interesting PTA meeting. But after being hit by a car while on an ill-timed evening jog, Charlotte is no longer there to help Beth pick up the pieces of her increasingly difficult life.
That is, until Beth discovers that Charlotte left her toddler alone in the house during that fatal run. The Charlotte she knew would never do something so irresponsible, and suddenly Beth is questioning whether Charlotte's death was really an accident. With a newfound purpose and a glass of wine in hand, it's time for Beth to uncover what really happened to her best friend. And what better place to start than the circle of chatty school mums, who can't be as perfect as they pretend. But which of them is hiding something? Beth's determined to find out... once she's put the kids to bed, of course.
Things haven't been going well for Beth. Her husband has left her for one of her friends. Her fellow school mums judge her for swearing too much and not shifting the baby weight. And now she's stuck in A&E after her son fell off the climbing wall on the first day of school.
In fact, things haven't been going well for Beth since Charlotte died - her best friend, a favourite at the school pick-ups and the only person to ever run an interesting PTA meeting. But after being hit by a car while on an ill-timed evening jog, Charlotte is no longer there to help Beth pick up the pieces of her increasingly difficult life.
That is, until Beth discovers that Charlotte left her toddler alone in the house during that fatal run. The Charlotte she knew would never do something so irresponsible, and suddenly Beth is questioning whether Charlotte's death was really an accident. With a newfound purpose and a glass of wine in hand, it's time for Beth to uncover what really happened to her best friend. And what better place to start than the circle of chatty school mums, who can't be as perfect as they pretend. But which of them is hiding something? Beth's determined to find out... once she's put the kids to bed, of course.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2024
39 people are currently reading
2380 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Wallace
4 books217 followersJoanna Wallace studied law at Birmingham University before working as a commercial litigation solicitor in London, during which time she represented litigants in many fascinating cases and became remarkably proficient at unjamming photocopiers.
Joanna lives near London with her husband, four children and two dogs.
Joanna lives near London with her husband, four children and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
July 2, 2024
Really, I can be jealous at authors like Joanna Wallace who are able to describe even the most horrific things in daily life with so much insight and humour. Main character Beth may be an alcoholic (although she's still in denial) like in so many other books with a divorced (young) mum, I can relate to her because of the fact that she is not the kind of woman who wants to be perfect. On the contrary - she drinks to much, is not into yoga, hates playdates and even more, hates her former friend Jade, who is now in a happy relationship with Beths' husband.
There is a mystery there but this book made me laugh out loud several times. The party where everybody turns up in time when Beth has still absolutely nothing organized! The comments of her 'friends' about 'what did she organize for the children to do'? Hilarious.
Still, next to the mystery there are more things here that meets the eye, because the book is not only about finding what happened to Charlotte the night she died, but also what happened with Beth? Can she go back to being herself, the loving and carefree person she once was?
Read this book and find out.
Thanks to Serpent's Tail / Viper Books and Netgalley for this review copy.
There is a mystery there but this book made me laugh out loud several times. The party where everybody turns up in time when Beth has still absolutely nothing organized! The comments of her 'friends' about 'what did she organize for the children to do'? Hilarious.
Still, next to the mystery there are more things here that meets the eye, because the book is not only about finding what happened to Charlotte the night she died, but also what happened with Beth? Can she go back to being herself, the loving and carefree person she once was?
Read this book and find out.
Thanks to Serpent's Tail / Viper Books and Netgalley for this review copy.
July 11, 2024
Out NOW!!!
Another great, witty, dark book from Joanna Wallace, with a lot of heart and emotion.
This book centres on Beth whose best friend, Charlotte died and her husband left her for her best friend on the same day, since then her life has been spiralling and she's lost her way and feeling lonely as she no longer has her mum friends to turn to.
It's a fabulous book that keeps you guessing as Beth goes on the hunt for who killed her best friend. Everyone else accepts Charlotte's death as a tragic accident, but once Beth starts asking questions the more the details don't sit right with her, the only problem is she's trying to solve the crime after a bottle (or two) of wine and can't decipher her own drunken notes, making it harder to piece together the facts.
Joanna Wallace's character's are believable, relatable and beautifully written and described. I laughed, cried and was hooked by this book.
Thank you very much to Netgalley, Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books, Viper and the author Joanna Wallace for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon
Another great, witty, dark book from Joanna Wallace, with a lot of heart and emotion.
This book centres on Beth whose best friend, Charlotte died and her husband left her for her best friend on the same day, since then her life has been spiralling and she's lost her way and feeling lonely as she no longer has her mum friends to turn to.
It's a fabulous book that keeps you guessing as Beth goes on the hunt for who killed her best friend. Everyone else accepts Charlotte's death as a tragic accident, but once Beth starts asking questions the more the details don't sit right with her, the only problem is she's trying to solve the crime after a bottle (or two) of wine and can't decipher her own drunken notes, making it harder to piece together the facts.
Joanna Wallace's character's are believable, relatable and beautifully written and described. I laughed, cried and was hooked by this book.
Thank you very much to Netgalley, Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books, Viper and the author Joanna Wallace for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon
June 13, 2024
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,
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,
July 6, 2024
The Dead Friend Project is the second novel by British author, Joana Wallace. Beth was hit hard when her best friend Charlotte died in a road accident almost a year ago. And when, soon after that, she discovered that her husband was having an affair with her friend, Jade, she withdrew.
Now, she’s back at the school gate for the start of the new school year, discovering it’s same old, same old with the competitive, judgemental school mums. She does meet a new mum whose attitude is more like her own. Ana, her husband and two daughters have moved into the house where Charlotte lived. But then a comment about how Charlotte died seems completely out of character for the friend she still misses so much.
She starts asking some questions of those who were around at the time, and each tidbit she learns increases her doubt about the accidental nature of Charlotte’s death: ”She was training for a marathon. In the dark? After she’d run ten miles earlier that same day? And she was drinking wine. Her toddler was in the house. Why would she suddenly leave him and go out for a run? It doesn’t make sense.”
One evening when her children are with their father and her ex-good-friend, she sets out what she knows, aided by quite a lot of wine, and comes up with theories about what might have happened. The school mums, though, aren’t persuaded. Meanwhile, Beth is leaning more and more heavily on alcohol, to the concern of her friends and her ex.
Then another mum dies, and Beth becomes convinced it’s linked to Charlotte’s death, and that both are revenge killings. Soon, her wild theories about possible witnesses and potential murderers, and her frank assessments of the school mums are alienating those who care most for her. But is she right?
The story is told over a dual timeline, with Beth occasionally recalling incidents in the lead-up to, and immediate aftermath of, Charlotte’s death. Beth’s inner monologue is often laugh-out-loud funny, although she can also be quite snarky. She claims to feel judged by other mums but, until it is pointed out, fails to recognise her many eyerolls as judgement of others. Her reliability as a narrator comes into question when the volume of her alcohol consumption is revealed.
Wallace’s depiction of the school-gate interactions radiates authenticity, and Beth’s and Ana’s questioning of their priorities is entirely valid: “everyone loves to judge the parent of a screaming child. You’ll be judged. Mostly by other parents. They love to judge, almost as much as they love to compete and everything becomes a competition once you have children.”
This is a tale with characters who will feel familiar to anyone with young children. There’s lots of dark humour, a plot with plenty of red herrings and a few twists, a major meltdown and an utterly wicked final chapter. Entertaining British crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Profile Books.
Now, she’s back at the school gate for the start of the new school year, discovering it’s same old, same old with the competitive, judgemental school mums. She does meet a new mum whose attitude is more like her own. Ana, her husband and two daughters have moved into the house where Charlotte lived. But then a comment about how Charlotte died seems completely out of character for the friend she still misses so much.
She starts asking some questions of those who were around at the time, and each tidbit she learns increases her doubt about the accidental nature of Charlotte’s death: ”She was training for a marathon. In the dark? After she’d run ten miles earlier that same day? And she was drinking wine. Her toddler was in the house. Why would she suddenly leave him and go out for a run? It doesn’t make sense.”
One evening when her children are with their father and her ex-good-friend, she sets out what she knows, aided by quite a lot of wine, and comes up with theories about what might have happened. The school mums, though, aren’t persuaded. Meanwhile, Beth is leaning more and more heavily on alcohol, to the concern of her friends and her ex.
Then another mum dies, and Beth becomes convinced it’s linked to Charlotte’s death, and that both are revenge killings. Soon, her wild theories about possible witnesses and potential murderers, and her frank assessments of the school mums are alienating those who care most for her. But is she right?
The story is told over a dual timeline, with Beth occasionally recalling incidents in the lead-up to, and immediate aftermath of, Charlotte’s death. Beth’s inner monologue is often laugh-out-loud funny, although she can also be quite snarky. She claims to feel judged by other mums but, until it is pointed out, fails to recognise her many eyerolls as judgement of others. Her reliability as a narrator comes into question when the volume of her alcohol consumption is revealed.
Wallace’s depiction of the school-gate interactions radiates authenticity, and Beth’s and Ana’s questioning of their priorities is entirely valid: “everyone loves to judge the parent of a screaming child. You’ll be judged. Mostly by other parents. They love to judge, almost as much as they love to compete and everything becomes a competition once you have children.”
This is a tale with characters who will feel familiar to anyone with young children. There’s lots of dark humour, a plot with plenty of red herrings and a few twists, a major meltdown and an utterly wicked final chapter. Entertaining British crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Profile Books.
July 3, 2024
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.
Overall rating : 4*
Writing skill : 4*
Plot: 4*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 4*
Humor: 4*
There are not many books I devour in a day, but as I had both the ebook and audio versions of this book I flew through it. Having read 'You'd Look Better as a Ghost' last year I knew I was going to like this book. The author creates great (yet maybe infuriating) characters in which she put them in comical situations. I tell you, if I ever come across a mum like Emily im not only moving schools but counties.
A cozy mystery that will have you smiling and questioning all the main characters right until the very end. A super fun time.
Overall rating : 4*
Writing skill : 4*
Plot: 4*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 4*
Humor: 4*
There are not many books I devour in a day, but as I had both the ebook and audio versions of this book I flew through it. Having read 'You'd Look Better as a Ghost' last year I knew I was going to like this book. The author creates great (yet maybe infuriating) characters in which she put them in comical situations. I tell you, if I ever come across a mum like Emily im not only moving schools but counties.
A cozy mystery that will have you smiling and questioning all the main characters right until the very end. A super fun time.
June 23, 2024
Settle down with this quality perfectly narrated audio. The burb reads as if rhus us a cozy mystery against the backdrop of messy everyday life. This is full of fantastic side characters beautifully voiced and deeply complex Beth. This deals with complex issues in a dark humour kinda of ways and shows how big things like alcoholism, infidelity and tragedy can cloud your judgement. This was a fun listen which became a binge listen. I wanted the truth like Beth and this was cleverly executed to show sometimes there aren't any. This was really enjoyable with lots of laugh out loud and really moments. I was disappointed that things seemed unresolved but I think on reflection this was its aim. I would recommended this to anyone who likes an everyday mystery centred in the real world with real issues. This is a 4 star listen.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator
May 30, 2025
I kind of think this is brilliant.
After Beth's husband leaves her for a close friend and her best friend Charlotte has died in a car accident, Beth’s life has spiraled — teetering on the edge. When she discovers that the order of events on the night of Charlotte's death aren't what she thought and that it turns out Charlotte left her toddler alone in the house while she went on what would be a fatal run, Beth begins to question the circumstances of Charlotte’s death and who might be involved.
Last year I read and loved Wallace's debut, You'd Look Better as a Ghost, and I took a chance on pre-ordering this release once it hit the U.S. And I'm thrilled to relay that I loved this one just as much — but in a very different way.
Wallace's dark humor mixed with pointed observations (particularly with the mommy politics that are central to this story) come with a deeper layer if you're paying attention. So much so, that by the time you get to the end, it's hard to discern exactly what kind of novel this is and what Wallace is trying to do here. Once I closed the back cover, I was held in place by the brilliance and maybe a touch of audacity.
After Beth's husband leaves her for a close friend and her best friend Charlotte has died in a car accident, Beth’s life has spiraled — teetering on the edge. When she discovers that the order of events on the night of Charlotte's death aren't what she thought and that it turns out Charlotte left her toddler alone in the house while she went on what would be a fatal run, Beth begins to question the circumstances of Charlotte’s death and who might be involved.
Last year I read and loved Wallace's debut, You'd Look Better as a Ghost, and I took a chance on pre-ordering this release once it hit the U.S. And I'm thrilled to relay that I loved this one just as much — but in a very different way.
Wallace's dark humor mixed with pointed observations (particularly with the mommy politics that are central to this story) come with a deeper layer if you're paying attention. So much so, that by the time you get to the end, it's hard to discern exactly what kind of novel this is and what Wallace is trying to do here. Once I closed the back cover, I was held in place by the brilliance and maybe a touch of audacity.
June 12, 2024
4.5 rounded up
I had so much fun reading this one! Was it perfect? Perhaps not. Did I care? Nope, I had no hoots to give 😂
Honestly, The Dead Friend Project was just what the doctor prescribed. I flew through it in a fashion that was highly reminiscent of my “robot days” when I was able to read a book cover to cover in a day. It grabbed and held my attention, had me coming back for more as soon as I was able, it even had me staying up past my bedtime. It had been a while since I’d last fallen into the “just one more chapter” trap and I was thrilled to be back!
The characterisation was brilliant. Admittedly, there were times I wanted to strangle Beth, but overall, I found her to be a character to root for. The entire group are well-rounded, realistic and rather relatable, going from super supportive to super annoying and I had oodles of fun with them.
The mystery at the heart of The Dead Friend Project, i.e. the project itself, intrigued me from the start. Did something nefarious really happen to Charlotte, or is Beth’s mind playing tricks on her due to paranoia-fuelled alcoholism (or alcohol-fuelled paranoia)? A few twists and red herrings later, the reveal came as quite a surprise!
I had a fantastic time with The Dead Friend Project. Part mystery, part thriller, part drama, a laugh and a tear, it was everything I needed it to be. Recommended.
The Dead Friend Project is out in digital formats, audio and hardcover on 11 July.
Massive thanks to Viper Books and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
I had so much fun reading this one! Was it perfect? Perhaps not. Did I care? Nope, I had no hoots to give 😂
Honestly, The Dead Friend Project was just what the doctor prescribed. I flew through it in a fashion that was highly reminiscent of my “robot days” when I was able to read a book cover to cover in a day. It grabbed and held my attention, had me coming back for more as soon as I was able, it even had me staying up past my bedtime. It had been a while since I’d last fallen into the “just one more chapter” trap and I was thrilled to be back!
The characterisation was brilliant. Admittedly, there were times I wanted to strangle Beth, but overall, I found her to be a character to root for. The entire group are well-rounded, realistic and rather relatable, going from super supportive to super annoying and I had oodles of fun with them.
The mystery at the heart of The Dead Friend Project, i.e. the project itself, intrigued me from the start. Did something nefarious really happen to Charlotte, or is Beth’s mind playing tricks on her due to paranoia-fuelled alcoholism (or alcohol-fuelled paranoia)? A few twists and red herrings later, the reveal came as quite a surprise!
I had a fantastic time with The Dead Friend Project. Part mystery, part thriller, part drama, a laugh and a tear, it was everything I needed it to be. Recommended.
The Dead Friend Project is out in digital formats, audio and hardcover on 11 July.
Massive thanks to Viper Books and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
July 30, 2024
3,5 rounded down?
This book certainly hooked me, it was interesting, it was different, I wanted to see where it went.
But I confess it’s confusing to me that this is marketed as a funny book, or a light read. I actually found it a bit depressing. Beth’s alcoholism spiraling out of control was sad to read about. I didn’t find the situations funny, I found them uncomfortable.
I’m also not a huge fan of unreliable narrators, and Beth is a very unreliable narrator, as well as just not a very likable character. Given that we only meet her at her worst there was never a moment when she was endearing. I feel for the people around her, who had a hell of a time dealing with all the drama. And yes, her husband and Jade were shit for what they did to her, but at the same time, it was always running through my mind “well, if she was always like this, why would he want to stay married to her?”
Also bothered me that the mystery around Charlotte was never actually solved to my satisfaction. I hate reading mystery books that in the end leave it open ended.
That said, it still had me flipping through the pages to find out who dunnit and if Beth was going to get her life back on track.
This book certainly hooked me, it was interesting, it was different, I wanted to see where it went.
But I confess it’s confusing to me that this is marketed as a funny book, or a light read. I actually found it a bit depressing. Beth’s alcoholism spiraling out of control was sad to read about. I didn’t find the situations funny, I found them uncomfortable.
I’m also not a huge fan of unreliable narrators, and Beth is a very unreliable narrator, as well as just not a very likable character. Given that we only meet her at her worst there was never a moment when she was endearing. I feel for the people around her, who had a hell of a time dealing with all the drama. And yes, her husband and Jade were shit for what they did to her, but at the same time, it was always running through my mind “well, if she was always like this, why would he want to stay married to her?”
Also bothered me that the mystery around Charlotte was never actually solved to my satisfaction. I hate reading mystery books that in the end leave it open ended.
That said, it still had me flipping through the pages to find out who dunnit and if Beth was going to get her life back on track.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2024
3.5 ⭐ I didn't like the ending. Nothing was resolved.
May 30, 2024
I was so close to going to 5 stars for this - such an enjoyable read and one of those books you sit down with and 2 hours later you wonder where your morning went.
The book is told from the perspective of Beth - reeling from the death of her best friend Charlotte, the fact her husband has left her after having an affair and struggling through the day with the aid of a few (large) glasses of red wine.
When Beth learns that on the night that Charlotte died, she left her son home alone before being hit by a car, Beth knows that something isn't quite right. Why would she have gone for a run in the pitch black, and why would she leave her young son home alone to do so.
This leads Beth to investigate on her own, much to the annoyance of the clique-y school mum group, what really happened to Charlotte.
As I say, this was thoroughly enjoyable and I really liked the portrayal of the main character Beth. Whilst she was an unreliable narrator, and made some very dubious life choices, I actually couldn't help but feel for her and was rooting for her to figure out the mystery of Charlotte's death.
The author also portrayed the school mums perfectly, they were incredibly annoying but very realistic.
Thanks to Netgalley and Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books | Viper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The book is told from the perspective of Beth - reeling from the death of her best friend Charlotte, the fact her husband has left her after having an affair and struggling through the day with the aid of a few (large) glasses of red wine.
When Beth learns that on the night that Charlotte died, she left her son home alone before being hit by a car, Beth knows that something isn't quite right. Why would she have gone for a run in the pitch black, and why would she leave her young son home alone to do so.
This leads Beth to investigate on her own, much to the annoyance of the clique-y school mum group, what really happened to Charlotte.
As I say, this was thoroughly enjoyable and I really liked the portrayal of the main character Beth. Whilst she was an unreliable narrator, and made some very dubious life choices, I actually couldn't help but feel for her and was rooting for her to figure out the mystery of Charlotte's death.
The author also portrayed the school mums perfectly, they were incredibly annoying but very realistic.
Thanks to Netgalley and Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books | Viper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
June 11, 2024
(( audiobook ))
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.
* thank you to Profile Audio + Viper for the NetGalley review copy. The Dead Friend Project publishes July 11.
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.
* thank you to Profile Audio + Viper for the NetGalley review copy. The Dead Friend Project publishes July 11.
May 25, 2025
4⭐️
AD-PR PRODUCT
A witty mystery infused with humour! ☺️
Wallace is a wonderful writer who instils a sense of warmth, humour and intrigue to her mystery’s and they are so easy to read, just like this book.
Whilst the read started off on the slower side and took a little while to really capture my attention, I found it then picked up in pace and was easy to absorb.
A big aspect of this read was the difficult topics explored and Wallace did not shy away from some important messages. Readers will be able to relate, sympathise or question many of the characters choices, and I liked this.
Whilst Beth, the protagonist, had fluctuating reliability as a narrator, I found it slightly difficult to grasp her character and form a bond. I did love how she didn’t care about the opinions of the other school mums though. At times she had me laughing hard!
The mystery side was clever and I did have a few guesses which were shockingly wrong, and I quite enjoyed the final build up and revelation. Overall, this was a great, engaging and funny book that concluded rather satisfyingly.
I buddy read this with @diaryofabookworm_21 and we both had similar thoughts on this book. I enjoyed our chats. ☺️
A huge thank you @viper.books for this proof of The Dead Friend Project (and the wine which I guzzled immediately). 💚
Check out this book!
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
AD-PR PRODUCT
A witty mystery infused with humour! ☺️
Wallace is a wonderful writer who instils a sense of warmth, humour and intrigue to her mystery’s and they are so easy to read, just like this book.
Whilst the read started off on the slower side and took a little while to really capture my attention, I found it then picked up in pace and was easy to absorb.
A big aspect of this read was the difficult topics explored and Wallace did not shy away from some important messages. Readers will be able to relate, sympathise or question many of the characters choices, and I liked this.
Whilst Beth, the protagonist, had fluctuating reliability as a narrator, I found it slightly difficult to grasp her character and form a bond. I did love how she didn’t care about the opinions of the other school mums though. At times she had me laughing hard!
The mystery side was clever and I did have a few guesses which were shockingly wrong, and I quite enjoyed the final build up and revelation. Overall, this was a great, engaging and funny book that concluded rather satisfyingly.
I buddy read this with @diaryofabookworm_21 and we both had similar thoughts on this book. I enjoyed our chats. ☺️
A huge thank you @viper.books for this proof of The Dead Friend Project (and the wine which I guzzled immediately). 💚
Check out this book!
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
June 14, 2024
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
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
April 1, 2024
this book started off great, it was just the right amount of “cosy” that i like in a cosy crime. very quickly after, however, i felt like this book just began to go round and round in circles, in the sense that it was the same characters, doing the same things, behaving the same way each time, which got quite tiresome after a few chapters of this. the ending 10% felt quite disjointed, but even though i saw one twist coming, i did not see any of the subsequent ones!!
than you to netgalley and serpent’s tail / viper / profile books for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
than you to netgalley and serpent’s tail / viper / profile books for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2024
Weird book, didn’t get it tbh no
Idea what happened and, honestly, I don’t care. Beth drank a lot, cried a lot, ignored her offspring a lot and allowed Rowan (her husband) to stray (a lot, with Jade, her friend???)
Dr Charlotte died before we met her and Danielle died before we learnt to regret her and I’m none the wiser who actually killed anyone, if, indeed, someone did. Pretty dreadful but the next one about ghosts is a doosy.
Idea what happened and, honestly, I don’t care. Beth drank a lot, cried a lot, ignored her offspring a lot and allowed Rowan (her husband) to stray (a lot, with Jade, her friend???)
Dr Charlotte died before we met her and Danielle died before we learnt to regret her and I’m none the wiser who actually killed anyone, if, indeed, someone did. Pretty dreadful but the next one about ghosts is a doosy.
June 11, 2024
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!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this audiobook on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
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!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this audiobook on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
July 13, 2024
This book was such a fun read for me that I flew through it within a few hours. As I’ve come to expect from this author, I found myself laughing out loud a lot while reading this. I’m not quite sure how the author manages to weave such humour into a seemingly dark mystery book but she does, and boy does it keep you glued to the pages.
If you’re looking for a dark humoured mystery that’ll keep you hooked from the start then look no further, this gem of a book is it. Read it ASAP.
Thank you so much to Viper for sending me a proof of this incredible read, and for having me on the blog tour.
If you’re looking for a dark humoured mystery that’ll keep you hooked from the start then look no further, this gem of a book is it. Read it ASAP.
Thank you so much to Viper for sending me a proof of this incredible read, and for having me on the blog tour.
January 30, 2025
I selected this book for a book club challenge where we had to read a book that featured a character with “my name”. This is where these challenges become a gift. I probably wouldn’t have read this book otherwise (due to its low rating on GR) and I’m so glad that I did. The author writes so realistically but with a great sense of humour. There’s so much going on that the reader can latch onto. The mystery solving is brilliantly thwarted by a number of red herrings. Loved the character with “my name”. Enjoyed this immensely. 4.5 rounded up.
April 17, 2025
Beth is struggling… a year after her best friend, Charlotte, is hit by a car and her husband left her for a close friend, Jade…
It’s only when she discovers that Charlotte was home with her toddler that she realises the death doesn’t make sense…
Charlotte becomes obsessed with trying to ‘solve’ Charlotte’s ‘murder’. She starts drinking and becomes confused about what is going on.
I felt for Beth. She was clearly losing her grip whilst searching for ‘the truth’
I loved all the wittiness and dark humour of this story. So many great conversations that had me laughing out loud.
The book was easy to read and pretty fast paced.
Thank you so much to the author and Viper books for the advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed it and it’s one I’d recommend picking up! Opinions expressed here are my own.
It’s only when she discovers that Charlotte was home with her toddler that she realises the death doesn’t make sense…
Charlotte becomes obsessed with trying to ‘solve’ Charlotte’s ‘murder’. She starts drinking and becomes confused about what is going on.
I felt for Beth. She was clearly losing her grip whilst searching for ‘the truth’
I loved all the wittiness and dark humour of this story. So many great conversations that had me laughing out loud.
The book was easy to read and pretty fast paced.
Thank you so much to the author and Viper books for the advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed it and it’s one I’d recommend picking up! Opinions expressed here are my own.
September 3, 2025
This book was such a fun, darkly witty, and refreshingly different take on the typical domestic thriller. The Dead Friend Project is part mystery, part messy-life drama, and part laugh-out-loud mockery of modern motherhood — and I absolutely loved the blend.
Beth, the main character, is chaotic, sarcastic, and completely relatable. Her life is a bit of a disaster: her husband’s left her for one of her friends, she feels judged by the other school mums, and she’s barely holding it together while juggling parenting and heartbreak. When her best friend Charlotte dies in a hit-and-run, Beth is devastated — but when she discovers that Charlotte left her toddler home alone that night, she starts to suspect there’s more to the story. And from there, we’re pulled into Beth’s wine-fueled amateur sleuthing as she digs into the secrets hiding beneath the perfectly polished façades of the school mum clique.
What I enjoyed most about this book is Beth’s voice. She’s sharp, funny, and a little unfiltered, which makes the narrative feel authentic and engaging. Her inner monologue had me laughing out loud one moment and feeling genuinely emotional the next. Joanna Wallace has done a brilliant job of balancing humour and heartache, creating a story that’s both entertaining and surprisingly moving.
The mystery itself kept me hooked, with just enough twists and red herrings to keep me guessing without ever feeling overcomplicated. And the dynamics between the school mums — all the cattiness, competition, and quiet scandals simmering under the surface — added another layer of intrigue that made the story even more addictive.
If I had one small complaint, it’s that some parts leaned a little heavily on Beth’s chaotic drinking-and-swearing persona, which at times felt slightly repetitive. But honestly, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
The Dead Friend Project is perfect if you like your mysteries with a side of dark humour and messy, flawed characters you can’t help but root for. It’s funny, twisty, and heartfelt — the kind of book you fly through in a couple of sittings because you just have to know what really happened to Charlotte.
https://featzreviews.com/the-dead-fri...
Beth, the main character, is chaotic, sarcastic, and completely relatable. Her life is a bit of a disaster: her husband’s left her for one of her friends, she feels judged by the other school mums, and she’s barely holding it together while juggling parenting and heartbreak. When her best friend Charlotte dies in a hit-and-run, Beth is devastated — but when she discovers that Charlotte left her toddler home alone that night, she starts to suspect there’s more to the story. And from there, we’re pulled into Beth’s wine-fueled amateur sleuthing as she digs into the secrets hiding beneath the perfectly polished façades of the school mum clique.
What I enjoyed most about this book is Beth’s voice. She’s sharp, funny, and a little unfiltered, which makes the narrative feel authentic and engaging. Her inner monologue had me laughing out loud one moment and feeling genuinely emotional the next. Joanna Wallace has done a brilliant job of balancing humour and heartache, creating a story that’s both entertaining and surprisingly moving.
The mystery itself kept me hooked, with just enough twists and red herrings to keep me guessing without ever feeling overcomplicated. And the dynamics between the school mums — all the cattiness, competition, and quiet scandals simmering under the surface — added another layer of intrigue that made the story even more addictive.
If I had one small complaint, it’s that some parts leaned a little heavily on Beth’s chaotic drinking-and-swearing persona, which at times felt slightly repetitive. But honestly, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.
The Dead Friend Project is perfect if you like your mysteries with a side of dark humour and messy, flawed characters you can’t help but root for. It’s funny, twisty, and heartfelt — the kind of book you fly through in a couple of sittings because you just have to know what really happened to Charlotte.
https://featzreviews.com/the-dead-fri...
May 27, 2024
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I just need to say this right at the start, the main character in this is insufferable! She's just so mean about everyone (some of it justified), and it felt like letting your intrusive thoughts tell a story.
This book was both very funny and very sad all at the same time. You could really feel the sense of loss the MC is going through.
The characters were well written (even the annoying ones), the plot was nicely paced out, and there were a few red herrings thrown in to send me off down the wrong path! I didn't see the end coming at all.
I just need to say this right at the start, the main character in this is insufferable! She's just so mean about everyone (some of it justified), and it felt like letting your intrusive thoughts tell a story.
This book was both very funny and very sad all at the same time. You could really feel the sense of loss the MC is going through.
The characters were well written (even the annoying ones), the plot was nicely paced out, and there were a few red herrings thrown in to send me off down the wrong path! I didn't see the end coming at all.
July 11, 2024
Happy publication day 🥳🎉
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 derailed, 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.
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 derailed, 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.
July 6, 2024
The Dead Friend Project is the second novel by British author, Joana Wallace. The audio version is narrated by Imogen Church. Beth was hit hard when her best friend Charlotte died in a road accident almost a year ago. And when, soon after that, she discovered that her husband was having an affair with her friend, Jade, she withdrew.
Now, she’s back at the school gate for the start of the new school year, discovering it’s same old, same old with the competitive, judgemental school mums. She does meet a new mum whose attitude is more like her own. Ana, her husband and two daughters have moved into the house where Charlotte lived. But then a comment about how Charlotte died seems completely out of character for the friend she still misses so much.
She starts asking some questions of those who were around at the time, and each tidbit she learns increases her doubt about the accidental nature of Charlotte’s death: ”She was training for a marathon. In the dark? After she’d run ten miles earlier that same day? And she was drinking wine. Her toddler was in the house. Why would she suddenly leave him and go out for a run? It doesn’t make sense.”
One evening when her children are with their father and her ex-good-friend, she sets out what she knows, aided by quite a lot of wine, and comes up with theories about what might have happened. The school mums, though, aren’t persuaded. Meanwhile, Beth is leaning more and more heavily on alcohol, to the concern of her friends and her ex.
Then another mum dies, and Beth becomes convinced it’s linked to Charlotte’s death, and that both are revenge killings. Soon, her wild theories about possible witnesses and potential murderers, and her frank assessments of the school mums are alienating those who care most for her. But is she right?
The story is told over a dual timeline, with Beth occasionally recalling incidents in the lead-up to, and immediate aftermath of, Charlotte’s death. Beth’s inner monologue is often laugh-out-loud funny, although she can also be quite snarky. She claims to feel judged by other mums but, until it is pointed out, fails to recognise her many eyerolls as judgement of others. Her reliability as a narrator comes into question when the volume of her alcohol consumption is revealed.
Wallace’s depiction of the school-gate interactions radiates authenticity, and Beth’s and Ana’s questioning of their priorities is entirely valid: “everyone loves to judge the parent of a screaming child. You’ll be judged. Mostly by other parents. They love to judge, almost as much as they love to compete and everything becomes a competition once you have children.”
This is a tale with characters who will feel familiar to anyone with young children. There’s lots of dark humour, a plot with plenty of red herrings and a few twists, a major meltdown and an utterly wicked final chapter. Entertaining British crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an audio copy provided by NetGalley and Profile Books.
Now, she’s back at the school gate for the start of the new school year, discovering it’s same old, same old with the competitive, judgemental school mums. She does meet a new mum whose attitude is more like her own. Ana, her husband and two daughters have moved into the house where Charlotte lived. But then a comment about how Charlotte died seems completely out of character for the friend she still misses so much.
She starts asking some questions of those who were around at the time, and each tidbit she learns increases her doubt about the accidental nature of Charlotte’s death: ”She was training for a marathon. In the dark? After she’d run ten miles earlier that same day? And she was drinking wine. Her toddler was in the house. Why would she suddenly leave him and go out for a run? It doesn’t make sense.”
One evening when her children are with their father and her ex-good-friend, she sets out what she knows, aided by quite a lot of wine, and comes up with theories about what might have happened. The school mums, though, aren’t persuaded. Meanwhile, Beth is leaning more and more heavily on alcohol, to the concern of her friends and her ex.
Then another mum dies, and Beth becomes convinced it’s linked to Charlotte’s death, and that both are revenge killings. Soon, her wild theories about possible witnesses and potential murderers, and her frank assessments of the school mums are alienating those who care most for her. But is she right?
The story is told over a dual timeline, with Beth occasionally recalling incidents in the lead-up to, and immediate aftermath of, Charlotte’s death. Beth’s inner monologue is often laugh-out-loud funny, although she can also be quite snarky. She claims to feel judged by other mums but, until it is pointed out, fails to recognise her many eyerolls as judgement of others. Her reliability as a narrator comes into question when the volume of her alcohol consumption is revealed.
Wallace’s depiction of the school-gate interactions radiates authenticity, and Beth’s and Ana’s questioning of their priorities is entirely valid: “everyone loves to judge the parent of a screaming child. You’ll be judged. Mostly by other parents. They love to judge, almost as much as they love to compete and everything becomes a competition once you have children.”
This is a tale with characters who will feel familiar to anyone with young children. There’s lots of dark humour, a plot with plenty of red herrings and a few twists, a major meltdown and an utterly wicked final chapter. Entertaining British crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an audio copy provided by NetGalley and Profile Books.
May 6, 2024
Thank you so much to the team at VIPER for sending over a copy of this book ahead of it’s release later this summer. I loved this book, right from the opening lines. I swallowed it up in two days as I couldn’t put it down. Whilst this story deals with a murder mystery, it was the ranting about comparisons between babies or toddlers and their development and their ‘firsts’ that hit hard for me. As a first time mum, comparison with other kids, and their parents is everywhere. If your child is considered ‘behind’ it’s almost as it you’re doing something wrong. The way Beth just fires back at any insinuations regarding this was refreshing! Beth is a complicated character, she’s funny, troubled, lonely, determined and passionate who you’re rooting for from the beginning, even if she is her own worst enemy a little.
July 4, 2024
Throughout this story, you follow Beth as her life takes a turn for the worst. With the death of her best friend and her husband leaving her for one of her other friends, Beth's life goes from bad to worse. She plunges into a dark place full of obsession and addiction, taking hold of her.
What a surprise read this book was. It was not what I was expecting at all. A mix of contemporary fiction, humour, and murder mystery.
I loved this story. It's full of sarcasm, wit, and dark humour, which I totally got and enjoyed very much. At times, it felt like I was reading bits of myself in this book, so relatable in parts. I lost count of the times I laughed out loud. All that aside, underneath that, it tackles some real heavy issues surrounding obsession, alcoholism, depression and self-worth. You feel every bit of Beth's turmoil and emotions. They hit hard. I just wanted to reach out and help her.
The playground mum clique was spot on, every playground has them, and they do exist. You're either going to love or hate the ending. I, for one, loved it! It was an OMG! moment for me.
All on all, this is a compelling, emotional roller-coaster of a read. I finished this in two short sittings. It fully immersed me into Beth's little world and didn't let go. I haven't read a book in this style of writing before. It was so well written and refreshing for me.
Add this to your summer reading lists.
Thank you, Netgalley and Viper Books, for my ARC, in return for an honest review.
What a surprise read this book was. It was not what I was expecting at all. A mix of contemporary fiction, humour, and murder mystery.
I loved this story. It's full of sarcasm, wit, and dark humour, which I totally got and enjoyed very much. At times, it felt like I was reading bits of myself in this book, so relatable in parts. I lost count of the times I laughed out loud. All that aside, underneath that, it tackles some real heavy issues surrounding obsession, alcoholism, depression and self-worth. You feel every bit of Beth's turmoil and emotions. They hit hard. I just wanted to reach out and help her.
The playground mum clique was spot on, every playground has them, and they do exist. You're either going to love or hate the ending. I, for one, loved it! It was an OMG! moment for me.
All on all, this is a compelling, emotional roller-coaster of a read. I finished this in two short sittings. It fully immersed me into Beth's little world and didn't let go. I haven't read a book in this style of writing before. It was so well written and refreshing for me.
Add this to your summer reading lists.
Thank you, Netgalley and Viper Books, for my ARC, in return for an honest review.
July 3, 2024
I listened to this on audiobook. It’s not my normal read but I thought I’d give it a go. The story centers around Beth who has lost her husband to her friend following an affair and her best friend Charlotte who died the previous year having been knocked down by a car.
Beth has been in a slow decline since the loss of her best fiend, binge drinking and obsessing that her friends death wasn’t an accident. The story follows Beth through her newly single life, being a mum and a descent into becoming an alcoholic.
The book is very reminiscent of motherland in the playground cliques, bad play dates and cheesy social events. Some events made me cringe and not in a good way. Motherland made me laugh as I could see myself in some of the situations, I don’t feel that here.
What I liked about the book was its sense of humour and the unreliable narrators decent into a crisis. What I didn’t like were the cliches, a narrator who was overly dramatic and the fact I didn’t actually like a single character. There was a complete lack of empathy from any of the characters and I failed to find any redeeming features to like any of them. I also thought the male figures in the book were very much caricatures and 1 dimensional.
I’m afraid this one wasn’t for me.
Beth has been in a slow decline since the loss of her best fiend, binge drinking and obsessing that her friends death wasn’t an accident. The story follows Beth through her newly single life, being a mum and a descent into becoming an alcoholic.
The book is very reminiscent of motherland in the playground cliques, bad play dates and cheesy social events. Some events made me cringe and not in a good way. Motherland made me laugh as I could see myself in some of the situations, I don’t feel that here.
What I liked about the book was its sense of humour and the unreliable narrators decent into a crisis. What I didn’t like were the cliches, a narrator who was overly dramatic and the fact I didn’t actually like a single character. There was a complete lack of empathy from any of the characters and I failed to find any redeeming features to like any of them. I also thought the male figures in the book were very much caricatures and 1 dimensional.
I’m afraid this one wasn’t for me.
September 21, 2024
This is one of those low-key books that not many are talking about or even know about but it's not at all bad... It's very good actually the reason I'm giving it a 3 star was because it dragged on for a while to a point it became boring and also because of the "alcoholic unstable main character who goes ape shit crazy and forgets all in the morning" yeah its all The Girl on the Train all over again.
But the character, her name's Beth is really fun and hilarious makes an enjoyable read or listen, I did an audiobook and it was superb...
So here's the plot, Beth loses her best friend to a motor accident and her husband to one of her friends, a year passes and she gets a new information about the night her best friend died and she's all of a sudden not convinced that her friend's death was an accident, and so she starts the dead friend project to uncover the truth behind it all...
The story is told around Beth's friends the fellow mums in the school her children attends, the dead friend was also part of. You'll meet some really interesting characters
She's got an alcohol problem though which doesn't help much
But the character, her name's Beth is really fun and hilarious makes an enjoyable read or listen, I did an audiobook and it was superb...
So here's the plot, Beth loses her best friend to a motor accident and her husband to one of her friends, a year passes and she gets a new information about the night her best friend died and she's all of a sudden not convinced that her friend's death was an accident, and so she starts the dead friend project to uncover the truth behind it all...
The story is told around Beth's friends the fellow mums in the school her children attends, the dead friend was also part of. You'll meet some really interesting characters
She's got an alcohol problem though which doesn't help much
July 29, 2024
An unconventional dark comedy, this has its moments of both fun and irreverence. You can easily read this on a day when your mind is craving for something light. No pressure to concentrate. The pace is fast, and the writing makes you want to turn the pages.
And it's also a sober take on alcoholism. Pun unintended.
No complaints. A good Sunday cozy read.
And it's also a sober take on alcoholism. Pun unintended.
No complaints. A good Sunday cozy read.
September 21, 2024
Motherland with murder, perfect
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