There’s something different about Claire. Something vacant in her eyes, something inside that fuels her art. And something in her handbag that can eliminate those who annoy or upset her.

While attending her father’s funeral, Claire receives an email that takes some of the sting out of her loss: an opportunity for an aspiring artist, and she’s been selected. But the next day, even that small comfort is taken from her when a second email explains that the first was a regrettable mistake. Claire seeks out the author of those emails—and finds his level of remorse sorely lacking. He’ll soon feel sorry.

Crafty, clever, wicked, with cutting humor, You’d Look Better as a Ghost is delightfully dark (and I mean that in the best possible way). Joanna Wallace has written a darkly funny novel in an irresistible narrative style that puts readers inside the mind of a wickedly calm and calculating character I couldn’t help but like. Claire’s deadpan delivery—both her inner dialogue and observations, and her carefully chosen spoken words—is absolutely pitch-perfect.

An exceptional read that left quite an impression on this reader.