Diamonds, Death, and Dysfunction: The Perfect Recipe for a Killer Read
Ever wondered what happens when you mix obscene wealth, a dead financier, his scheming widow, their money-grubbing children, and one true-crime obsessive with a point to prove? The result is Bella Mackie’s deliciously dark and twisty new novel, “What a Way to Go.” It’s a rollercoaster ride through the glittering world of London’s elite, where the champagne flows freely, the diamonds are bigger than your fist, and family loyalty is about as reliable as a hedge fund manager’s moral compass.
The Premise: A Death in High Society
Anthony Wistern, the man who put the “gold” in “Goldicocks,” has kicked the bucket in spectacular fashion at his own 60th birthday bash. Impaled on a decorative spike in his own lake, no less. Talk about going out with a bang (or should I say, a splash?). But before the caviar’s even had time to go off, whispers start circulating. Was it really an accident? Or did someone give Anthony a helping hand into the great beyond?
Enter our intrepid sleuth, Jade Evans. She’s not your typical detective—more like a true-crime podcast fanatic with delusions of grandeur and a YouTube channel. Jade’s convinced there’s more to Anthony’s death than meets the eye, and she’s determined to crack the case, one badly edited video at a time.
The Cast: A Rogues’ Gallery of the Rich and Infamous
Mackie has assembled a cast of characters so delightfully awful, you can’t help but love to hate them:
- Olivia Wistern: Anthony’s widow, a woman who wears her diamonds like armor and her disdain like the latest Chanel.
- Jemima: The eldest Wistern child, desperately clinging to her status even as it slips through her manicured fingers.
- Lyra: The rebel of the family, if by “rebel” you mean “still takes Daddy’s money while pretending to be woke.”
- Freddy: The oddball son who’d rather commune with trees than people. Can’t say I blame him.
- Clara: The baby of the family, treating her father’s death like it’s the ultimate TikTok challenge.
- Will: Jemima’s husband, a man with all the charm and backbone of a wet paper bag.
The Plot: Thicker Than Water (and Twice as Murky)
As Jade digs deeper into the Wistern family’s dirty laundry (and trust me, it’s filthy), the plot twists and turns like a drunk socialite attempting the waltz. We’re treated to multiple perspectives, jumping between the living and the dead (yes, you read that right—Anthony’s giving us the lowdown from the afterlife), as secrets are revealed and alliances shift faster than you can say “offshore bank account.”
Mackie weaves a tangled web of deceit, greed, and the occasional impalement. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, she pulls the rug out from under you—and you’ll love every second of it.
The Writing: Sharp as a Stiletto and Twice as Pointed
If you enjoyed Mackie’s debut, “How to Kill Your Family,” you’re in for a treat. Her writing is as razor-sharp as ever, skewering the rich and privileged with gleeful abandon. The dialogue crackles with wit, and the descriptions are so vivid you can practically smell the overpriced perfume and taste the Champagne.
Take this little gem, for example:
“Murder isn’t sexy, although I know it’s a great selling point. There’s one true crime podcast called Bae or Slay which rates serial killers on how fit they are and the hosts get giddy ranking everyone from Richard Ramirez (they gave him a seven) to Harold Shipman (a one, and only because they found an old photo where he was wearing a Fair Isle sweater they liked).”
It’s this kind of sardonic humor that keeps you turning pages long after you should’ve gone to bed.
The Themes: More Than Just a Pretty Crime Scene
Don’t let the glitz and glamour fool you – beneath the surface, Mackie is tackling some weighty themes:
The Corrupting Influence of Wealth
The Wisterns are a case study in how money doesn’t just talk, it screams, throws tantrums, and occasionally commits fraud.
Family Dysfunction
Blood may be thicker than water, but it’s got nothing on cold, hard cash when it comes to family loyalty.
The True Crime Obsession
Mackie takes a hard look at our society’s fascination with real-life murder and mayhem, questioning the ethics of turning tragedy into entertainment.
Identity and Reinvention
In a world where perception is everything, how far will people go to maintain their image – or create a new one?
The Verdict: Guilty… of Being Unputdownable
“What a Way to Go” is a rollicking good time from start to finish. It’s the literary equivalent of a gin and tonic—sharp, refreshing, and liable to leave you a bit dizzy if you consume too much in one sitting. Mackie has crafted a mystery that’s both clever and compulsively readable, with enough red herrings to stock a high-end fishmonger.
Is it perfect? Well, no. Some readers might find the multiple perspectives a bit dizzying, and the pacing occasionally stumbles like a debutante in her first pair of Louboutins. But these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a thoroughly entertaining read.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of dark comedy and satire
- True crime aficionados (especially those who can laugh at themselves)
- Anyone who’s ever wanted to see the uber-rich get their comeuppance
- Readers who enjoy their mysteries with a hefty side of snark
The Bottom Line: A Killer Read
“What a Way to Go” is a deliciously wicked romp through the world of the filthy rich and the true-crime obsessed. It’s funny, it’s clever, and it’ll keep you guessing until the very end. Bella Mackie has proven once again that she’s a force to be reckoned with in the world of darkly comic crime fiction.
So, pour yourself a glass of something expensive (or, let’s be real, whatever you’ve got in the back of the cupboard), settle in, and prepare to be entertained. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself eyeing your own family members with suspicion by the time you’re done.
Similar Reads for the Discerning Literary Sleuth
If “What a Way to Go” has left you hungry for more wickedly funny crime fiction, why not try:
- “Crazy Rich Asians” by Kevin Kwan – For more outrageous wealth and family drama
- “My Sister, the Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite – Another darkly comic take on family and murder
- “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman – For those who like their crime with a side of humor and quirky characters
- “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty – Rich people behaving badly? Check. Murder? Check. Delicious drama? Triple check.
And of course, if you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and pick up Mackie’s debut, “How to Kill Your Family.” It’s like “What a Way to Go”‘s equally twisted sister – and trust me, this is one family reunion you won’t want to miss.