I was really excited when I read the blurb for this book because i love twisty thrillers. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with this book. It was kind of hard to follow and none of the characters were very likeable. I think the premise was great and there were definitely plot twists that kept me listening. I enjoyed the narrator. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

In this book we meet Donna who has received an email to attend a funeral. She does not know whose funeral but she knows she needs to attend.
At the funeral, she is shocked to see the name on the coffin. It is her real name, Alice Anderson. Donn’s has been in hiding for several years and thought she’d left her pass behind now she’s come face-to-face with a coffin and her name. Who was in that coffin who has taken her name? Donna needs answers and Donna is going to get answers.
At the funeral, she meets charismatic Max who tells her he was Alice’s boss and Alice died in an accident. Offering her a lift to the wake which will be held at his home Donna agrees to go with him.

At the way she meets Max’s wife Tara and was trying to find the answers to who was pretending to be Alice. Donna finds herself offered the job Alice originally did for Max.

Moving in with Max and Tara and becoming Max‘s secretary Donna I hope she can uncover the secrets of who Alice really was whilst keeping her own identity a secret.

Whilst I found this an interesting storyline I struggled with all of the characters and their actions and reactions to situations that they were putting in it all seemed extremely far-fetched and unrealistic. The story flowed well and I found myself listening so that I could get the answers, but it was just the so Unreal. I struggled.. I did not like any of the characters I did not feel drawn to any of them in anyway and became more and more irritated with them as the story unfolded .

Even the ending left me feeling very little.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this title. I think the narrator did a good job of telling the story and portraying the characters.

Alice is living under a fake name Donna Slade, as she is trying to escape her troubled past - she gets invited to a funeral, and when she arrives there she is completely shocked to see her past name on the gravestone!

Out of curiosity and fear Donna accepts her new job offer and she wants to find out why her name was on the gravestone
She comes face to face with the killer(s) or so she thinks - totally compelling story and kept me hooked throughout . Thanks to netgalley, bookouture audio for the ARC in exchange for honest review

This is my first time reading a book by Helen H Durrant. The description of the book hooked me. An edge of your seat mystery about a down on her luck woman, Donna, being invited to a funeral of a person that has HER name. Not only was it a shock that the person buried had her first and last name but she was offered a job to work for a wealthy lovely family, Max, Tara and their daughter Hannah. The woman who died worked for them and Donna would be her replacement. This opportunity would be a lifesaver since Donna is living paycheck to paycheck and is sleeping on a friends couch. Despite her misgivings about her skillset to fill in the shoes of the person that just passed away she agrees to take the job. What more could I ask for..

Well actually I could have asked for a lot more. Although this book is short, it was extremely slow paced. A big jolt of excitement happens within the first 10 minutes of the book, when we find out that Donna and the victim have the same name. But if you were looking for a book based on a Funeral this where the connection of the book to the title stops. I wanted more action, but really the middle of the book, we see Donna trying to figure out if she is qualified to work for Max and Tara, why both Max and Tara seem to have split personality, she is trying to solve the mystery of why she received an e-mail to go to the funeral and how she can help the daughter Hannah. But what really made me struggle with this book was Donna's inability to see crazy when it is right in her face. Max and Tara both try to manipulate Donna, they get angry at the drop of a hat and then go right back to being nice. Donna had proof that something was amiss in the house and yet SHE STAYED. She kept saying she was a great judge of character but did not see that there was something off about Max and Tara. I had to suspend so much reality to read this book, it was frustrating.

To give a book their flowers I also try to find good things about the book. The book was very quick to read, so if you are just now getting into thriller mysteries this may be the book for you. There was a little bit of humor in the book, so that also entertained me a little bit. The ending was a good cliff hanger but the twist was somewhat predictable but again for someone just getting into mystery thrillers this may be just the book for them.

I received The Funeral from NetGalley and Bookouture in return for my honest opinion. I would only recommend this book to people just starting with mystery thrillers.

The Funeral has an irresistibly twisty premise that immediately grabbed my attention, though the execution felt more average than explosive. While the plot had its moments of suspense, some of the twists were predictable and the pacing lagged in spots. However, what truly elevated the experience for me was the audiobook, the narrator brought a chilling intensity and nuance to the story that made it far more engaging. I also loved having the option to read and listen at the same time, which kept me invested even when the story slowed down. A solid psychological thriller with a great audio performance for fans of dual-format reading.

Very interesting concept. I enjoyed the book but sometimes felt lost but still was interested to finish the book. If you’re new to the thriller genre it would be one I’d recommend to get yourself started

This book hooked me right from the start. Donna receives an anonymous invitation to a stranger’s funeral—but the twist is, the deceased is listed as Alice Anderson, which just so happens to be Donna’s real name. Someone clearly knows her secret… but who? And why?

The mystery unfolds with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. I really enjoyed the suspense and how everyone seemed suspicious—there are quite a few unlikeable characters, which added to the tension and made it tricky to pin down what was really going on. The pacing was solid, never dragging, and the ending was really satisfying. I loved the narration—it added a lot to the atmosphere.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the free audio copy.

This one had a killer premise (literally)—a woman shows up to a funeral, sees her own name on the gravestone, and realizes someone has stolen her identity. Total goosebumps moment. The mystery kicks off strong, and I was instantly pulled into the whole “what is happening and who can I trust?” vibe.

The pacing was solid, and the tension stayed steady throughout. There were a few twists that surprised me and some that felt a little predictable, but overall the story kept me curious enough to keep flipping pages. I wouldn’t call it a jaw-dropper, but it had just enough suspense and weird energy to keep things interesting.

Main downside? The characters didn’t fully land for me—I wanted a bit more depth or spark to really feel invested. Still, the plot itself was compelling and I had to know how it all played out.

The Funeral has an excellent premise and started out so well, but I'm afraid I found the story to be so unbelievable it really got in the way of my enjoyment. Why would anyone offer an unknown person a job in a position that they're unqualified to do, and even if the applicant was desperate, would they really take it and move in the same day? There are parts of the book I enjoyed, but I didn't feel the suspense level was sufficient for a psychological thriller and the ending fell flat because it finished on a cliffhanger. This is more of a mystery. Very sorry that this book wasn't for me but I'm sure plenty of other people will enjoy it as the writing flows well and the narrator is accomplished.

Thank you to Helen Durrant, Bookouture and Netgalley for my advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for this audiobook copy. I chose this due to the cover and description but unfortunately its title didn’t really reflect the story. On reading other reviews it appears this book has an alternative title ‘The Other Alice’ which I feel was more of an appropriate title. The funeral only appears in the first chapter. I think the premise of this story is promising but unfortunately it was very predictably disappointing, unbelievable events and repeating details which became boring. The narrator was the only thing that made me finish as I’d sadly guessed the end about half way through.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC.

Story: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟

A fun, quick thriller about a woman receiving an invitation to a funeral…for someone with her name. I loved this hook and had a lot of fun flying through this audio. Great narration and fast-paced read.

ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Helen H. Durrant's The Funeral plunges readers into a gripping psychological thriller where a past identity becomes a present danger. The protagonist receives an anonymous funeral invitation, with no name, only a chilling directive: "I can't afford to miss it." Despite her initial disbelief, she arrives to find her fears confirmed: the gravestone bears the name Alice Anderson—her own former identity.

Trapped in a crowd of curious onlookers, she desperately wants to flee but knows she must maintain her composure. Someone at this funeral knows the secret she'd "kill to keep," and they've orchestrated this confrontation. However, her unknown tormentor gravely underestimates her. She's not a victim; she's been preparing for this moment. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear she has a plan, and she knows "exactly what's going to happen next." The Funeral is a tense, electrifying read about a woman cornered by her past, forced to fight for her future against an unseen enemy determined to make her pay.

Imagine showing up to a funeral and seeing your name on the gravesite...
For Alice Anderson, this is her living nightmare. After receiving an anonymous invitation to a funeral, Alice's curiosity is heightened. Upon her arrival, the body bears her own name. Distraught and confused, Alice becomes determined to find out who sent her the invitation and why. Alice becomes entangled in a tricky web of lies and comes head on with the past she was so desperately trying to escape.

This was my first book by Helen Durant and the plot teaser really enticed me. Overall, I didn't love the book. It seemed to move a bit slowly and I felt slightly bored at times. I did enjoy the audiobook narration and would be willing to try another book by this notorious British author.

If you're looking for a psychological thriller with a unique concept, this could be the perfect book for you. Be prepared to question everyone, trust no one, and search for the true motive for Alice's invitation to her own funeral.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a twisted thriller with so many twists and turns. I enjoyed the premise of the story and did not see that ending coming! I enjoyed this thriller and how it grabbed my attention from the beginning.

Helen H. Durrant's *The Funeral* is a 4-star psychological thriller that grabs you from its chilling opening and never loosens its grip. When Alice receives a mysterious funeral invitation, she's horrified to discover the casket bears her own name—launching a twisted mystery that blends paranoia and suspense in equal measure.

Durrant crafts an expertly paced narrative filled with clever red herrings and believable character development. While some astute readers might guess a twist or two ahead of time, the journey remains compelling thanks to tight plotting and an atmosphere of creeping dread. Sarah Durham's narration elevates the experience, her performance perfectly capturing Alice's growing unease while maintaining tension throughout.

What makes this thriller stand out is its ability to take a simple, eerie premise and develop it into something truly unsettling. The final revelations feel earned rather than contrived, delivering that rare combination of surprise and satisfaction.

For fans of psychological suspense with strong female leads and unpredictable twists, *The Funeral* makes for an utterly engrossing listen. I'll be seeking out more from both Durrant and narrator Durham.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC. This review represents my honest opinion.

The premise of this book was interesting and had so much potential. I mean, can you imagine being invited to your own funeral?! Unfortunately, the overall execution of this story just did not work for me. I think the narrator did an excellent job with the audiobook and she kept me invested when the pace of the story slowed down and the plot became confusing. Overall, there was nothing memorable about this story when there was so much potential.

Fast paced, twisty thriller that I enjoyed from start to finish! New author for me but may be tempted to read more! Quick, easy and entertaining- thanks for ARC!

This wasn't really for me. It seems really constructed that a family like that would just invite a complete stranger into their house, when they are this dysfunctional. Everyone is behaving so weird I don't know where to start...
The narrator did a good job.

The premise to this story was unique, so I was excited to dive into this audiobook. This gripping thriller begins with a chilling start: a mysterious funeral invitation that leads to murder. A woman receives an invitation to a funeral for a mystery person. Intrigued, she decides to attend the funeral to see who had passed away. When she gets there, she sees Alice Anderson as the name of the deceased. How can that be? She is Alice Anderson, but she hasn't used that name in. years. Who knows her secret? She must stay calm and level headed to find out.

This was a quick listen that was messy and had me doubting everyone. This complex story kept me guessing right up until the end. From the first chapter, the tension is palpable, as secrets from the past begin to surface and a web of deceit slowly unravels. The story follows a group of characters connected by buried trauma, lies, and old rivalries. When one of them turns up dead, it becomes clear that someone wants revenge — and no one is safe. The story cleverly develops from multiple points of view and timelines to help build suspense. Many of the twists and turns were unexpected and had me audibly gasping. This was a very enjoyable story! Sarah Durham did a good job with the narration.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

In this first novel I’ve read by the very talented Helen H. Durrant, I stayed mesmerized in the story! I felt with Donna/ Alice that she was lost in a sort of ‘House of Horrors’ with no one surrounding her that seemed trustworthy. This is a completely addictive page-turner from beginning to end!