You’d Look Better as a Ghost by Joanna Wallace review

About The Book

Book: You’d Look Better as a Ghost
Author: Joanna Wallace
Standalone or Series: Standalone
Publisher: Viper Books
Publication Date (UK): 21st September 2023

My Review

This debut comic thriller introduces us to Claire, whose life is currently spiraling out of control. Her father has just passed away, and to top it off, what seemed like good news about her artwork turns out to be a case of mistaken identity – the congratulatory email was sent to the wrong Claire.

This sends Claire into a tailspin, and we quickly learn there’s something else peculiar about her… she’s a serial killer. As she starts to slip up and take more risks, her secret life begins to unravel, leading to a suspenseful race for her survival.

The humor elements throughout are well done. There’s a moment where Claire realises an elderly woman is using the same pricey night cream as her. “It’s expensive stuff and promises to ward off wrinkles. I make a mental note to try a different brand,” Claire thinks. This reminded me so much of the Coupling episode “Sex, Death & Nudity,” where Sally, the beautician terrified of aging, finds herself at a funeral and gets into a hilarious confrontation with an older woman who tells her, “You use a lot of face cream, don’t you? So did I,” leaving Sally horrified. That kind of dry, dark humor is woven perfectly throughout the book.