You’d Look Better as a Ghost

A darkly humorous tale of murder and secrets

Joanna Wallace author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Profile Books Ltd

Published:11th Apr '24

Should be back in stock very soon

This paperback is available in another edition too:

You’d Look Better as a Ghost cover

In this darkly humorous thriller, a part-time serial killer sees people as ghosts before their deaths, leading to unexpected consequences and a gripping narrative.

In You’d Look Better as a Ghost, readers are introduced to Claire, a part-time serial killer with a unique gift: she sees people as ghosts before they die. This darkly humorous thriller unfolds after the death of Claire's father, where a chance encounter with Lucas in a bar leads to a series of unexpected and deadly events. Unbeknownst to Lucas, his life hangs in the balance due to a simple, yet fatal, mistake—a misdirected email that places him in Claire's sights. As the night progresses, Claire's intentions become chillingly clear, but an unseen observer is also watching her every move.

As Claire navigates her dual life of attending a bereavement support group and pursuing her art career, the tension builds. The stakes are raised when someone begins to unravel her secret—her penchant for murder. The narrative delves into Claire's psyche, exploring her motivations and the lengths she will go to protect her hidden life. The juxtaposition of her dark deeds with moments of humor creates a compelling read that keeps the audience engaged.

You’d Look Better as a Ghost is not just a thriller; it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that challenges the reader’s perceptions of morality and humor. With witty dialogue and unexpected twists, this novel offers a refreshing take on the genre, ensuring that readers will be entertained from start to finish.

This darkly comedic thriller turns serial killer convention on its head, mainly because you can't help but root for protagonist Claire as she follows through on murderous thoughts that would be fleeting fantasies in anyone else... Utterly unique and an absolute roller-coaster of a read * Daily Mail *
Splendidly funny and buoyant [with] some deliciously ingenious twists... First-class escapist entertainment - the most fun you're ever likely to have with a hammer-wielding maniac * Daily Express *
A welcome addition to the burgeoning subgenre of darkly humorous female serial killer novels... This one will be a treat: a pacey page turner, written in an enjoyably deadpan style * Guardian *
Horrifying and hilarious in equal measure * Woman and Home *
Intelligent and witty and for most of the novel the tone is lighthearted, allowing the deaths to feel thoroughly satisfying * Literary Review *
[Wallace] writes like a dream, with an easy flow and sharp wit. She is skilled at writing fast-paced, authentic dialogue, summing up her characters best by simply letting them talk * Big Issue *
Refreshingly original and laugh-out-loud funny, this is a superb debut -- Clare Mackintosh, author of I LET YOU GO
What a corker of a debut. Delightfully shocking and irreverently funny, this is a pitch-black comedy horror with a heart... of stone. Roll-up for your one-way ticket to the warped world of a glamorous psychopath and her relentless succession of hapless victims. I only took my eyes off the page to check Claire wasn't standing behind me. You'd Look Better as a Ghost is the darkest debut you'll read all year. Perfect for fans of Killing Eve -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEAL
I was utterly hooked. Joanna Wallace's prose is scalpel-sharp, with one-liners that made me howl - trust me when I say that this is book is bloody funny - literally. Claire is a serial killer you can't help but love, while wondering if she could ever truly love you back... (picture Fleabag, but she's a blood-splattered psychopath wielding a hammer). I doubt I'll read a more original thriller this year -- Jack Jordan, author of DO NO HARM
I absolutely loved this book. The combination of dark themes and black comedy is spot on -- Emma Curtis, author of ONE LITTLE MISTAKE

  • Winner of Crime Fiction Lover Awards 2023 (UK)

ISBN: 9781800811324

Dimensions: 198mm x 128mm x 28mm

Weight: 320g

400 pages

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