What a Way to Go by Bella Mackie

Ever wondered what would happen if Agatha Christie and Succession had a love child raised by true crime podcasters? Wonder no more, because Bella Mackie’s “What a Way to Go” is here to satiate your wildest, wealthiest, and most murderous fantasies.

The Dish on the Dearly Departed

Picture this: It’s a balmy summer evening in the Cotswolds. The champagne is flowing, the canapés are circulating, and Anthony Wistern, financial wizard and legendary philanderer, is celebrating his 60th birthday in spectacular style. Little does he know, he’s about to take his final bow—impaled on a decorative spike in his own lake. Ouch.

But here’s the kicker—nobody seems particularly broken up about it. Not his ice queen wife, Olivia. Not his four delightfully awful children. And certainly not the small army of mistresses, business partners, and social climbers left in his wake.

Enter the Sleuth

Just when you think you’ve got a handle on this dysfunctional family saga, Mackie throws a wrench in the works. Meet Jade Evans, our titular sleuth—a true crime obsessive with a YouTube channel and a grudge. She’s convinced Anthony’s death was no accident, and she’s determined to crack the case wide open, one poorly shot video at a time.

A Cast of Characters You’ll Love to Hate

Mackie has a talent for creating characters so deliciously awful, you can’t help but be drawn in. Let’s break down this motley crew:

Anthony Wistern

• Hedge fund manager extraordinaire
• Serial cheater
• Thinks he’s God’s gift to finance (and women)
• Spoiler alert: He’s dead

Olivia Wistern

• Long-suffering wife (or is she?)
• Has elevated passive-aggression to an art form
• Could freeze hell over with a single glare

The Wistern Children

• Jemima: The eldest, married to the human equivalent of beige wallpaper
• Lyra: The rebel, with a trust fund and a cause
• Freddy: The weird one, more interested in trees than people
• Clara: The baby of the family, with an Instagram following and a flair for drama

Jade Evans

• Our intrepid fictional “detective”
• More enthusiasm than skill
• Desperately needs a better camera and some social awareness

A Plot Thicker Than Clotted Cream

Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Mackie throws another curveball. Was Anthony murdered? If so, by whom? And why does everyone seem to have a motive? The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, keeping you guessing until the very end.

Twists, Turns, and Toffs

Mackie navigates the world of the uber-wealthy with a satirical eye that would make Oscar Wilde proud. From lavish parties to petty rivalries, she skewers the excesses of the elite with gleeful abandon. But underneath the glamour and snark, there’s a sharp commentary on privilege, family dynamics, and the dark underbelly of success.

Laugh-Out-Loud Moments

Despite the murder at its center, “What a Way to Go” is wickedly funny. Mackie’s wit is razor-sharp, and she has a knack for one-liners that’ll have you snorting into your Earl Grey. Some standout moments:

• Anthony’s post-mortem observations from the afterlife (spoiler: it’s not what he expected)
• Clara’s attempts to leverage her father’s death for Instagram followers
• Olivia’s internal monologue, which is a masterclass in polite savagery

A Style All Her Own

If you’ve read Mackie’s debut, “How to Kill Your Family,” you’ll recognize her trademark blend of dark humor and social commentary. But “What a Way to Go” takes it to a whole new level. The multiple perspectives add depth and complexity, while the true crime element gives it a fresh, contemporary twist.

Mackie’s writing is crisp, clever, and compulsively readable. She has a gift for dialogue that crackles with tension and subtext. And her descriptions of the Cotswolds countryside are so vivid, you can practically smell the manure and privilege.

Not Just Another Rich People Problem

While it’s easy to dismiss “What a Way to Go” as a frothy beach read, there’s more going on beneath the surface. Mackie tackles some weighty themes:

• The corrosive nature of wealth and power
• The lengths people will go to maintain their status
• The blurred lines between truth and fiction in the age of social media
• The ethics (or lack thereof) in true crime entertainment

A Mirror to Society

In many ways, the Wisterns are a funhouse mirror reflection of our celebrity-obsessed, wealth-worshipping culture. Their foibles and failures are amplified to ridiculous proportions, but there’s an uncomfortable kernel of truth at the core.

The Verdict

“What a Way to Go” is a rollicking good time from start to finish. It’s the kind of book that’ll have you staying up way too late, promising yourself “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s 3 AM and you’re wondering if you can call in sick to work.

Who Should Read It?

• Fans of dark comedy and satirical takes on the wealthy
• True crime aficionados (especially those who can laugh at themselves)
• Anyone who’s ever wanted to see a hedge fund manager get his comeuppance
• Readers who like their mysteries with a side of social commentary

Who Should Skip It?

• The easily offended (Mackie doesn’t pull her punches)
• Those looking for a cozy mystery (this is more “Knives Out” than “Miss Marple”)
• Anyone who takes themselves too seriously

The Bottom Line

Bella Mackie has done it again. “What a Way to Go” is a deliciously twisted, laugh-out-loud funny mystery that’ll keep you guessing until the very end. It’s the perfect antidote to stuffy country house mysteries and a brilliant satire of true crime culture.

So pour yourself a gin and tonic, settle into your favorite armchair, and prepare to be thoroughly entertained. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself side-eyeing your wealthy neighbors afterward.

Similar Reads

If you can’t get enough of Mackie’s brand of dark humor and social satire, check out:

• “How to Kill Your Family” by Bella Mackie (her debut novel)
• “Crazy Rich Asians” by Kevin Kwan (for more outrageous wealth)
• “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty (murder and moms behaving badly)
• “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman (for a more genteel take on amateur sleuths)

For another mystery thriller, try Saltwater by Katy Hays.

A Final Thought

In a world where the rich seem to get richer and more untouchable by the day, there’s something deeply satisfying about watching them get their comeuppance—even if it’s just in fiction. Bella Mackie gives us that catharsis in spades, while also reminding us that behind every fortune, there’s often a great crime (or at least a lot of morally dubious behavior).

“What a Way to Go” is more than just a mystery—it’s a scathing indictment of wealth inequality, wrapped up in a package so entertaining, you might not even realize you’re being educated. And really, isn’t that the best kind of social commentary?

So go ahead, indulge in a little schadenfreude. Laugh at the Wisterns’ misfortunes. Cheer on our hapless sleuth. And maybe, just maybe, take a closer look at the systems that allow such vast disparities to exist in the first place.

After all, as Mackie so deftly shows us, sometimes the real crime is the society we’ve created.