You'd Look Better as a Ghost

A Novel

By: Joanna Wallace

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham

National bestseller

“Refreshingly original and laugh-out-loud funny.” —Clare Mackintosh, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Party

A comic thriller following the trials and tribulations of Claire, a part-time serial killer, who is keen to keep her favorite hobby a secret—despite the efforts of a determined blackmailer

The night after her father's funeral, Claire meets Lucas in a bar. Lucas doesn't know it, but it's not a chance meeting. One thoughtless mistyped email has put him in the crosshairs of an extremely put-out serial killer. But before they make eye contact, before Claire lets him buy her a drink—even before she takes him home and carves him up into little pieces—something about that night is very wrong. Because someone is watching Claire. Someone who is about to discover her murderous little hobby.

The thing is, it's not sensible to tangle with a part-time serial killer, even one who is distracted by attending a weekly bereavement support group and trying to get her art career off the ground. Will Claire finish off her blackmailer before her pursuer reveals all? Let the games begin . . .

Critic reviews

Praise for You'd Look Better as a Ghost:

“Dark, creepy, and wholly fascinating, Wallace's imagining of the mind of a successful serial killer will be appreciated by readers who don’t mind sleeping with one eye open.”
—Booklist

“Deliciously eerie and darkly funny. . . an uncommonly assured debut from a promising new voice in crime fiction.”
—Publishers Weekly

“The female serial killer as antihero is a growing subgenre (see Oyinkan Braithwaite’s My Sister, the Serial Killer, 2018), and Wallace’s sociopathic protagonist is a mordantly amusing addition. . . Dexter meets Killing Eve.”
—Kirkus

“A welcome addition to the burgeoning subgenre of darkly humorous female serial killer novels. . . You’d Look Better as a Ghost and its ilk are, I suspect, 'Marmite' books. If you’re a fan, this one will be a treat: a pacey page-turner, written in an enjoyably deadpan style.”
—The Guardian (UK)

“This darkly comedic thriller turns serial killer convention on its head, mainly because you can't help but root for protagonist Claire. . . Utterly unique and an absolute roller-coaster of a read.”
—Daily Mail (UK)

“Horrifying and hilarious in equal measure.”
—Woman and Home (UK)

“This is a splendidly funny and buoyant, even jolly, novel. . . There are some deliciously ingenious twists. . . it's first-class escapist entertainment—the most fun you're ever likely to have with a hammer-wielding maniac.”
—Daily Express (UK)

“Refreshingly original and laugh-out-loud funny. This is a superb debut.”
—Clare Mackintosh, #1 international bestselling author of A Game of Lies

“If you loved 'Killing Eve,' Wallace’s giddy dark ride will be your private Eden, filled with serpent-like twists beguiling you to bite! Her enticing wit had me enthralled and outwitted!”
—Rupert Holmes, New York Times bestselling author of Murder Your Employer

“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.”
—Janice Hallett, international bestselling author of The Appeal

“Wallace had me at the title and kept me reading late into the night. Wicked, funny and charming, a delicious combination.”
—Sascha Rothchild, author of Blood Sugar

Funny and Interesting

I really liked the main character because she was funny but also extremely complex. I liked the storyline itself and there was only one predictable twist. The story was good and I really appreciated that even monsters can feel pain.

For Eleanor Oliphant fans!

Good read. Dark in just the right way. The characters were interesting and the story keeps your attention.

Great!!

Slow start! I had to speed it up. But then it came alive! I love the witty character and how the author has the reader siding with a serial killer!! The dialogue and characters were well done easy to distinguish everyone and I loved that! The character names were golden as well! Great read and great pace!!

This is a must have for your collection

Masterfully written and executed. This was an amazing story. I loved it from the beginning all the way to the ending. I couldn’t stop listening.

Dark, witty and fun

This would be an incredible mini series! If you enjoy dark humor, this book is for you. A quick read that may have you questioning yourself as a person at certain times. Would love a sequel!