As many readers will attest, wit and humor make for excellent counterparts to the crime fiction genre. That formula certainly worked for Bella Mackie when it came to her 2021 debut bestseller, How to Kill Your Family. Now the author is back with another darkly funny mystery, What a Way to Go.
Out now, the book follows the aftermath of the death of a multimillionaire husband and father. It features a status-driven widow, four inheritance-obsessed children, and a murderous twist. Last week, Bella stopped by Spotify’s London office to celebrate the release of her second novel, joining creator Jack Edwards for a fireside chat.
The author also curated a Spotify playlist inspired by the themes and plot of the book, with tracks from the likes of Blur, Taylor Swift, and Kendrick Lamar.
For the Record sat down with Bella to hear more about her new novel, as well as her creative process and influences.
What can fans expect from What a Way to Go?
Readers can expect more rich people behaving badly, some pretty gruesome deaths, and a darkly comic look at the British class system. The book also covers the afterlife, true crime enthusiasts, and the financial system—there’s a lot going on!
You’re a British Vogue columnist and a former journalist. How did you get into fiction writing?
I wrote a nonfiction book called Jog On, which did well. After the release, I had some offers to write more nonfiction, but I knew I really wanted to try writing a novel. I thought this would be my best shot, so I offered up some chapters I’d written and luckily a publisher liked it. It was a lot of luck and good fortune.
Speaking of Jog On, that book explores mental health and exercise. Is listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks part of that healthy routine for you?
Definitely. All three! When I want to run long, I listen to podcasts and audiobooks, and when I want to run fast and get that runner’s high, I listen to playlists which keep the tempo upbeat and pacey.
Walk us through your writing process.
It’s a lot of thinking—letting ideas percolate is such a massively important part of writing fiction. I don’t even realize how much the random ideas that pop into my mind at 11 p.m. knit together to form a story until it’s halfway done. And then you’ve just got to write—even if it’s not working the way you want, you can write through it.
Audiobooks have become a popular way to consume novels. How do you think having your words read aloud changes the experience for the listener?
It’s fantastic, honestly. Listening to Charly Clive read How to Kill Your Family was so interesting—she brought the character to life in a new way. It’s lovely to have my words in people’s ears.
What book has had the biggest influence on you?
Probably Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. I think it’s perfect crime fiction, and it inspired How to Kill Your Family with its structure and motivations.
What are you reading right now?
I’m reading Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, which is a book that tells the stories of North Korean defectors. It’s both shocking and tender. Highly recommend.
Stream Bella’s playlist to hear some wonderfully wicked tunes.
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