Brilliant! Bloody brilliant! Absolutely loved this book. Joanna Wallace really knows how to write a story of suspense, with laugh out loud moments.
I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish.
I found Beth to be the perfect main character, both relatable and at times irritating….in other words flawed, just like the rest of us.
Having had the “Mummy friend group” experience myself, I can completely understand the dynamics involved.,
Just like with her previous novel I can’t really find any fault with this book. Would I say it was a “perfect masterpiece”? Honestly? No.
But it’s also because of this that I love it so much. I mean, what exactly is perfection anyway? As long as I enjoy it, and I feel satisfied when I finish it, there’s nothing else I could ask for.,
I’m so looking forward to more from Joanna Wallace in the future.

This one unfolds at a leisurely pace, which, although slower than my usual preference, effectively builds suspense and anticipation. Each turn of the page made me more desperate to work out what was going on, eager to continue unraveling the story's layers. My predictions were way off, as the ending brought everything to a surprising close.

There is so much going on in this book: a twisty, complex plot intertwined with the dynamics of friendship groups, both new and old. The characters, full of flaws and true to life, practically jump off the page. The school playground mums are particularly relatable, and I’m confident readers will identify with these characters individually and collectively.

Woven into the narrative are explorations of tough topics like cheating, allergies, alcohol dependency, and mental health. These elements are not just there for shock value; they serve a purpose and are seamlessly integrated into the storyline. The dark humor and underlying mystery add depth and richness to the tale.

Overall, this is a compelling and worthwhile read. I anticipate it being a popular summer read.

‘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!

I really enjoyed this one, it was just as good as YOU’D LOOK BETTER AS A GHOST.

I loved Beth as the narrator, even if she was unlikeable and unreliable at times. I would’ve liked an alternative POV though to see the other side to the story!

I really liked the investigation side to the story - Beth trying to figure out what happened to Charlotte whilst trying to juggle life as a single mum.

The ending was very satisfying, everything wrapped up neatly with a bow.

Completely binge-worthy and perfectly executed! The storyline centres around the unlikeliest project. I could not put this book down, with its laidback witty writing style and jaw dropping twists!!!! I’ve already ordered Joanna’s other book ‘You look better as a ghost’ to read next.

Perfect for those who enjoy:
- Laugh out loud books
- Compulsive reading
- Jaw dropping twists
- A woman on a mission fiction

With thanks to Viper books and Netgalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

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,

Up on Goodreads now, live on the blog on 8 July:

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.

An absolutely brilliant book by Joanna Wallace. A genuine triumph in story telling.
We're introduce to Beth, mother of two young boys and a toddler. Every day she's doing the school run, meeting with her friends in the playground who are quite the cast of Characters. There's Emily, the self proclaimed leader of the group,who has to organise everything and have the highest achieving children. There's Danielle, who clings to Emily's coat strings, always offering to help. Clever Fara who is always so calm and knowledgeable, using very long words to express her intelligence. Finally, Ana, who's recently moved into Beth's old best friends house, Charlotte, who died last year after getting hit by a car.
Following Beth's best friends death, her husband left her for her close friend Jade.
Beth's life should be in turmoil, but she's putting on a brave face. Chatting to her playground friends,she hears a comment regarding her friend Charlotte's final night on earth which makes her wonder if her death really was an accident.
As Beth investigates, she's trying to organise playdates which just don't compare to her friends, who she's sure are silently judging her. Nothing is quite so competitive as parents comparing children.
The story is a great blend of hilarious and tragic characters who can have us laughing out loud, feeling exasperated, angry and crying along with them.

You'll feel sorry for Beth and outrage at her behaviour in this incredibly well written, clever and beautiful story.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback

4-4.5 stars
It was not the mystery that got me hooked, but the character studies.
Beth, her family life, the authenticity of her world and POV were engaging, thought-provoking, interesting.
The prose is 4-4.5 stars as well and is a good fit for this type of story.
I am eager to read this author’s other work.

"The Dead Friend Project" by Joanna Wallace, and I have to say that it's been a riotous read from start to finish! I was drawn in by the blurb, which promised a mystery that would keep me guessing until the very end. And boy, did it deliver!
What I loved most about this book is that it defies categorization. Is it a mystery? A cosy? Women's fiction or chick-lit? It's all of these and more, and it's expertly woven together to create a story that's engaging, suspenseful, and utterly addictive.
At the centre of the book is Beth, a woman who's having a rough time of things. Her husband has left her for Jade, one of her friends, her best friend Charlotte died in a car accident, and she's struggling to come to terms with her own identity and purpose. But as she delves deeper into the mystery of Charlotte's death, she begins to uncover secrets and lies that threaten to destroy everything she thought she knew.
The author has done an incredible job of creating a cast of characters that are both relatable and flawed. Beth is a brilliant protagonist, with her witty internal monologue and acerbic observations about the people around her. And the supporting cast is just as well-drawn, with each character adding their unique voice to the story.
The mystery itself is expertly crafted, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. But what sets this book apart is its tone - it's equal parts humorous, dramatic, and honest. The author tackles tough topics like mental health and relationships with warmth and compassion, and the result is a story that's both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with "The Dead Friend Project". It's a gripping novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. If you're looking for a book that's engaging, suspenseful, and just plain fun, then this is the one for you.

The Dead Friend Project is a great light-hearted, speedy read for anyone looking for a mystery with a splash of humor. The main character is great fun, and the way her life unravels as the books goes on is fascinating watching. You don’t know whether to root for her or against her, in the hope she might sort her sh* out! An enjoyable read.

Beth has struggled to come to terms with the accidental death of her close friend Charlotte. A casual remark made by another mother at the school gates makes Beth wonder if the death was an accident.

The Dead Friend Project by Joanna Wallace is hilarious from beginning to end. The opening chapter, in which lead protagonist Beth goes to the primary school to collect her children, reminded me so much of the TV series “Motherland” and the “Why Mummy……” books. The young children have no filter, their chatter is incessant and they say the wrong thing at the worst possible time. The other mothers seem to fit the “yummy mummy” mould and their perfection is something Beth constantly measures herself against – and always comes up lacking.

The leader of the mummy mafia is Emily, she is condescending and judgemental, one of those people who make parenting a competition, and their child always has to be the best. Thankfully, Beth discovers that one of the new mothers has a similar sense of humour to her and forms a new friendship.

Friendship is what Beth needs having recently lost her two closest friends, Jade and Charlotte. Beth’s husband has left her and moved in with Jade, while Charlotte was knocked down by a car and killed outside her home. Depression and low self-esteem have left Beth hiding from the world, unable to fill the void left by her friends.

It’s a casual comment made by one of the mothers at the school gate that sets Beth’s mind racing. She begins to question if Charlotte’s death was truly an accident or was someone else involved. With her young children spending the night with their father, Beth begins her investigation. The problem is all her best thinking is done when she has a bottle of wine (or two, or three). Waking the following morning Beth feels very hungover, hasn’t a clue what happened the night before, and can’t make sense of her own notes, but as each day passes, she’s more and more convinced of her assumption.

Beth’s obsession has her lurching from one disaster to the next, leading to some comical situations. One scene in particular, featuring Wilfred the labrador, had me both cringing and laughing at the same time. I was making assumptions, just like Beth, as I read, thanks to lots of red herrings from Joanna Wallace.

As we near the truth, Beth has to deal with some personal demons. Help also comes from a surprising source, reminding her that appearances can be deceptive and situations manipulated.

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.

If I'm honest, I preferred Joanna Wallace's first book more than "The Dead Friend Project". I was expecting it to be in a similar vein but I only did at times. I mean it is well-written with an unreliable narrator, Beth, who is an angry alcoholic, trying to piece together the night her best friend Charlotte died but at times I found it serious. However, it has a "Motherland" vibe to it, and that I loved! All the parents trying to out do each other with how "perfect" they are and failing miserably plus all the schoolyard banter. It does make you wish you were back in the playground. The ending wasn't quite what I expected but glad that Beth's project was resolved.

What a deadly ride The Dead Friend Project is! I was equally intrigued and entertained throughout the novel. The main character definitely has flaws, but don't we all? So I can forgive the emphasis on alcohol in this book, alcohol that ended up being its own character! Still, we all need a friend like Beth who won't take one version of events at face value!
I have never been disappointed by a Viper book and it's not starting with this book!

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

I really enjoyed this book, which I devoured in one day and a half. I really couldn’t put it down. The tone, both the (un)likeability of the characters and the snarky comments about it that the protagonist makes, reminded me of Where’d you go Bernadette, if Bernadette’s obsession was the death of her best friend. Or maybe Big Little Lies, with all these extremely performing mothers, this mysterious death, and such clear-cut group dynamics. The story, however, is quite original, and I really enjoyed how the mystery, the grief over the death of a friend, and Beth’s obsession mix with each other.

In the story, we meet Beth after what can only be described as a complicated year: her husband has left her for one of her friends, she feels judged by her fellow school mums, her 7yo son is a bit of a handful. Oh, and her best friend Charlotte was hit by a car last Halloween while on a run. It is now the first day of the new school year, and Beth discovers that Charlotte had left her toddler home alone during her last run. The only problem is, Charlotte was a super mom, and never would she have done that. Which means, according to Beth, that maybe this was not an accident, but a murder that needs to be investigated. By her. In the evenings, after she puts her kids to bed.

I really liked the humour of this book, especially the parts where Beth comments – thankfully, in her mind – the dialogues she has with the other school moms. I also thoroughly enjoyed the plot, which peppers clues throughout the pages and has a very satisfying, yet open, ending.

What I did not enjoy, however, were some of the dialogues, which I found very confusing, and the ‘surprise alcoholism’, which to a certain extent is one of the main themes of the story. Personally, I have no problems and no triggers with alcoholism, but I would have appreciated if it was maybe mentioned in the book synopsis.

Content Warnings: death, grief, alcoholism, and *spoiler alert* harm to children.

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.

It's been a year since Beth's life was turned upside down. Not only did she lose her best friend in a tragic accident, the next day her husband left her for another friend of hers. Struggling with grief, anger and isolation from her peers, her drinking becomes out of control.

When new information comes to light about Charlotte's death, Beth's no longer convinced it was an accident and she's determined to find out the truth. Her determination soon turns to obsession and her main suspects are the circle of gossiping school mom's.

Overall, I enjoy the plot of this book. Its a "cozy mystery" book that has plenty of drama, humour and mystery. I did find after a while that the story got a bit repetitive and then the book kind of comes to an abrupt ending it was a bit disappointing. I wanted more from Beth's story, but it was still an enjoyable read that I'd recommend.

Thanks to netgalley and viper books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one. It's a wonderful blend of mystery, obsession, and humour. Beth is really the most perfect character to spend time with - fabulously flawed but completely addictive - and her view on life, and the playground mums she has come to know over the years, really did make me chuckle. She observant, acerbic, and all too often fuelled by a bottle (or two) of the vino, and she doesn't hold back - even if most of her commentary is in her head. I liked her. Worried for her too, but mostly just found her entertaining.

This is her story - sort of - her quest to discover what really happened to her best friend Charlotte who died having been hit by a car. Whilst out on a run. At night. With her young son left alone in the house. Because that's the kind of thing a loving mother does, right? Yeah, Beth didn't think so either, especially not when the mother in question was super-mum, Doctor, PTA planner extraordinaire, and all round good egg, Charlotte. A chance meeting with another mum at the hospital plants a seed of doubt in Beth's mind, which soon takes root, leading her to vow to find out the truth about that fateful night. and what a series of twists and turns her investigation takes. It makes for amusing reading for us, and less than comfortable interrogations for Beth's group of friends.

I love the way in which Joanna Wallace has framed this story. One one hand, we are faced with a very valid question. What would make a devoted mother leave her son to go running in the middle of the night. There are plenty of seeds of doubt planted in our own mind as they author explores aspects of the story that remain hidden to Beth, at least at the start, and left me wondering just what the truth might be. As with any group of friends and school gate acquaintances, there are plenty of half truths shared, and suppositions made, and given that our assessment of the other mums is very heavily clouded by Beth's first person internal monologue, it casts doubt over each of them in turn, even down to a brand new to the school mother who couldn't (maybe) possibly have been around when Charlotte died ... Then again, given what we learn about Beth, it was often hard to trust her judgement and therefore her testimony of what was really going on in the friendship group.

There are many twists, turns and surprises along the course of this book, but more than the occasional moment where I found myself chuckling along. Some of Beth's observations were hilarious, and pretty much the kind of comment I may make myself if faced with similar kinds of personalities, at least in my head, and for me without the aid of alcohol. I did feel for Beth though, and understood her turning the wrong way for support. It's safe to say that she has a very complicated home life, and this is explored with warmth, humour and compassion by the author throughout the course of the book.

Do we ever find out what really happened to Charlotte? Well read the book yourself to find out. I have my own views on what the truth might be but those closing chapters are both emotional and witty and made the perfect ending to a truly entertaining and attention stealing book. Definitely recommended for folks who like a subtly light hearted mystery with an emotional core, a nod to mental health challenges, and a whole host of laughs along the way.