Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for a copy of this book.

“What A Way To Go” tells the story of Anthony Wistern, a powerful and wealthy financier who is found dead at his 60th birthday - and the suspects include his entire family, who aren’t as innocent as they seem.

It is told in a POV style, from the viewpoint of 3 characters; Anthony, Olivia and the “Sleuth” - a true crime fan who takes a personal interest in the case of Anthony Wistern and ends up in way over her head.

As a lover of thrillers/ murder mysteries, this book caught my attention because of the plot.

I found it hard initially to get into this book, mainly because some of the characters are very unlikeable (they written in a way that will make you love to hate them), but as the story unraveled, I became more and more invested.

I had my suspicions but didn’t quite anticipate the turn of events that lead to the ending of the book - but not in a way that it was a cop-out or disappointing.

The dark comedy from Anthony and Olivia added an air of fun to this book and it was definitely one of the most unique murder mysteries I’ve read in a while.

I received What a Way to Go by Bella Mackie as an ebook so I wasn't going to review it here but it was so quirky that I decided it deserved a spot on this site (such valuable real estate that it is! ;-) ). Ostensibly it's a murder mystery but the person charged with solving the whodunnit is in fact the victim - in the afterlife.. well actually a 'processing centre', a realm between life and afterlife. The unlikeable Anthony (skewered at his own 60th birthday party) is forced to live a monotonous daily existence in the processing centre until he's able to remember how he died - to move into the afterlife.

Anthony is dead when the book opens but he's recounting his final hours, spent at his lavish birthday party. We learn he's super-rich, regularly cheats on his wife, quite disliked by his children, but smart and charismatic enough to accumulate the wealthiest clients and refuse those he doesn't deem worthy of his financial advice. We also quickly learn that things are about to fall apart, though the details aren't forthcoming until later in the novel when the 'reveal' shocks members of his family who had no idea of their precarious situation and their father's role in their ruination. 

In the processing centre Anthony watches his family through a 'viewing window'. It's here he witnesses the fallout of his death and... of his life. And it certainly says something about his personality - how unrepentant he is about his past actions and decisions.

Anthony's wife Olivia is our other narrator, left behind but - we learn - not quite the dim society wife everyone (including Anthony) believed her to be. She has secrets of her own. Although Anthony's children are minimally impacted by their father's death Olivia has to accept they still preferred him to her, and she's not terribly upset about that either.

And finally there's a local girl who'd been on the bad side of Anthony years before. An avid true crime junkie and frequenter of online forums she starts her own YouTube investigation into Anthony's death. In some ways the 'Sleuth' is the most likeable of the characters we meet here, which is certainly saying something given she's freakishly obsessive and becomes more unhinged as her audience grows. 

I appreciated Mackie's take on the 'afterlife' here and she manages to portray that limbo as being muted with grey tracksuits, tasteless food, endless days on repeat. Anthony's desperate to leave, so watching his family and the 'Sleuth', waiting for a clue to help him remember his demise.

The premise of this book is clever and Mackie's tone (through her narrators) is droll and snarky. Despite the cast of self-absorbed and unlikeable characters and not really caring about the lives lost here (yes, there are plural!) I found myself keen to uncover the who and why which is probably the only disappointing part for me as I didn't feel I got the 'closure' I was hoping for... though Mackie does adds a final stab of rather ironic poetic justice, which came close to giving me the satisfaction I was after.

'How To Kill Your Family' was on my to read pile for a rather long time, so long in fact, that Bella Mackie went and wrote another book and I read that before picking up the aforementioned book. 

Luckily, 'What A Way To Go' lives up to my expectation. If you're  a fan of Succession, enjoy the occasional murder mystery, or find yourself playing Cluedo at casual family gatherings: read this book.

The book centres around what happened to Anthony Wistern, successful CEO financial tycoon and dead on the night of his sixtieth birthday. Told from three points of view (Anthony, his wife Olivia or Liv, and The Sleuth), this book looks at wealth, class and family, and is bloody funny. 

Call me morbid, but I love some dark humour and hilarity late at night, and this book delivered. Bella Mackie's writing is excellent - accessible, funny, and spot on.

Bella Mackie’s *What a Way to Go* is an absolute treat—darkly funny, brilliantly witty, and filled with a deliciously dysfunctional cast of characters. This novel is a masterful blend of humor and biting social commentary, showcasing Mackie’s talent for crafting stories that are as thought-provoking as they are laugh-out-loud funny.

At the heart of this novel is one of the most toxic, dysfunctional families I’ve ever encountered in fiction. Mackie pulls no punches when it comes to their absurdities, and yet, she does it with such sharp humor and wit that you can't help but be entertained. The story is told from three different points of view, which only adds to the richness of the narrative, giving us a deeper understanding of each character’s motivations and flaws.

There are plenty of genuine laugh-out-loud moments, along with a few surprises along the way that kept me hooked from start to finish. Mackie has a way of making even the darkest moments feel light with her clever, creative writing.

If you enjoy dark humor and dysfunctional characters, *What a Way to Go* is a must-read. It’s a deliciously twisted, smart, and highly entertaining novel that proves once again why Bella Mackie is a force in modern fiction.

If you loved *Patricia Wants to Cuddle* by Samantha Allen or the *Everyone in My Family* series by Benjamin Stevenson, you’ll feel right at home with Bella Mackie’s *What a Way to Die*. This darkly comedic thriller invites readers into the chaotic world of the Wistern family, starting with the shocking death of their patriarch, Anthony Wistern, on his 60th birthday. As a CEO of Wismere Holdings, Anthony was a financial wizard—or perhaps just an illusion. His wife, Olivia, has spared no expense in throwing him a lavish celebration at their sprawling Cotswolds estate, but things take a turn for the macabre when he suddenly drops dead.

Olivia, characterized by her icy demeanor and aversion to emotional displays, raises the question: will she even mourn her husband? Meanwhile, their four children—Freddy, Jemima, Lyra, and Clara—are left grappling with the fallout of their father's untimely demise. The family dynamics are incredibly toxic, painting a portrait of selfishness and greed that is both grotesque and captivating. As the narrative unfolds from the perspectives of Anthony, Olivia, and a nearby sleuth eager for a breakthrough, readers are treated to a rich tapestry of dark humor and psychological intrigue.

Mackie's storytelling shines as she weaves a slow-burning mystery that explores the depths of family dysfunction. The Wisterns are delightfully ghastly, each character more detestable than the last, yet their flaws make for truly entertaining reading. The author masterfully crafts scenes that range from surreal to absurd, reminiscent of a Fred Karno circus, all while maintaining an undercurrent of dark humor.

For fans of *Succession*, this book will feel familiar, as it expertly delves into themes of wealth, privilege, and the moral void that often accompanies them. The sleuth, positioned just three miles away when the incident occurs, brings a refreshing perspective to the story, adding layers to the mystery that keep readers guessing.

With numerous twists leading to a surprising conclusion, *What a Way to Die* is a thrilling ride filled with lies, betrayals, and revelations. Bella Mackie has created a world where family ties are tested, and the question of morality is left hanging in the balance. This book is a feast for those who appreciate character-driven narratives and a wicked sense of humor. Don’t miss the chance to meet the Wisterns—just be prepared for the chaos they bring!

What A Way To Go
Bella Mackie

‘Life is a funny succession of swings and roundabouts.’

This falls flat to me. This story is told from three different perspectives, Anthony, Olivia and the Sleuth. The concept is great fun, after life’s waiting room where you solve your own death to proceed but the story and characters just didn’t gel for me.

‘Had my own progeny conspired to off me for their inheritance? I can’t lie, it’s something I’ve had uncomfortable thoughts about before. When you’ve got a lot to lose, your trust in people diminishes, family members aren’t exempt from that.’

The book is full of dark humour, some intrigue and characters who seem capable of despicable acts but are mostly just rich, smug and arrogant characters. There was definite times you warmed to the characters but for the most part, I wasn’t at all invested.

“Now you’re dead, I’m going to be your new favourite person.”

This comes from the author of How To Kill Your Family and I’m sure plenty of fans of that will be jumping for this book on 2nd October 2024.

“You can sit here and destroy his character all you want but you will not speak a word of this outside of these walls. Our reputation is all we have in life. At this moment, ours is in tatters, but memories are short, and one day, this horrible month, this mensis horribilis, will be a brief blip - if we handle ourselves with dignity.”

Massive thank you to @harpercollinsaustralia @netgalley and @harperfiction for this ARC.

‘You might waterboard a woman for her secrets to no avail, but tell her to cheer up and you’ll meet a banshee.’

“Just look at her. The woman doesn’t really have an identity without him. He sort of designed it that way, right?”

This book has three POV’s with the main one from a spirit - Mr. Finance bro is always chasing the high, whether it’s high risk investments, women, drügs or other things, which made him lots of enemies, so when he ☠️ , he has to remember how it happened before making peace and moving on to the afterlife. He’s new money married into old money, his children only care about their trust fund and all characters have a motive.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery, the book had me on the edge of my seat and I finished it within two days. I wished the ending was a bit more dramatic but nevertheless, the humour was fantastic, I loved the rich people problems, ability to hold a grudge to the grave and all the judgemental pov’s.

Overall What a Way to Go gave me A Good Girls Guide to Murder vibes, I truly couldn’t pick out “whodidit”.

And idk about coincidences but the character name Anthony Wistern also feels like a play on words for Harvey Weinstein 🤪

I would be including this as a Halloween pick for those who don’t like to read horror but still in the mood for a mystery!

This story is a captivating exploration of family dynamics, even among the wealthy Wisterns. The family is a colorful mix: wealthy parents, a trendy young socialite, a strong-willed middle sister, a neurotic older sister, and an unconventional brother. When the father dies, a passionate true crime enthusiast and social media star ramps up her posts, convinced he was murdered. Determined to uncover the truth, she investigates potential motives and suspects within the family. As she delves deeper, the twists and turns keep coming, with laugh-out-loud moments and shocking revelations. The tale unfolds from the perspectives of the deceased father, the mother, and the true crime aficionado, offering a rich and engaging narrative.