Bella Mackie did it again! I really enjoyed this one—especially the use of multiple points of view. I’m a sucker for dual POVs, and this time we get three, offering a layered look into each character’s mind (for better or worse!).

The premise is fantastic, and the cast is exactly what you’d hope for in a book like this: some you'll love, others you’ll absolutely love to hate. It’s a slow burn for sure—it took me a little while to settle into the rhythm—but once I did, I was hooked.

This is dark humour at its best: sharp, witty, and filled with characters who all seem perfectly capable of something awful. It’s clever and biting, with just enough charm sprinkled in to keep things interesting. If you enjoy watching rich, smug, and arrogant people spiral toward their inevitable downfall, this one’s for you.

A promising story but struggled to get into it or connect with the characters, possible just not for me sadly.

Firstly, a big thank you to Harper Collins, UK and Net Galley for the ARC.

This was a 3⭐️ read for me. I loved the premise of this book, and I loved the unique concept of what happens to us once we die. But unfortunately, I ended up being very 50\50 with this book.

Looking at the positives first, I loved the use of multiple perspectives, especially as we got a perspective of someone from outside of the family - an internet sleuth. We get three very different perspectives which gives the story a good structure, and makes it really engaging.

The author created a cast of characters that you’ll just love to hate. On one hand, this was great because as a reader, you’re just hanging on waiting to see their downfall, but on the other hand, too many irritating characters can hinder the reading experience and have you rolling your eyes one too many times. We have a family that have no clue how to not be rich, and that has a toxic dynamic between them because of the obsession with money.

This book was quite slow paced, and it did take a while for me to get into the book. Some scenes were a bit surreal, and had me a bit perplexed, but ultimately, that often makes for a good, gripping story. We had a good handful of twists and turns, and things don’t play out exactly as you’d expect them to.

Ultimately, this wasn’t the best murder mystery I’ve ever read, but with its dark humour and plenty of surprises lurking in the shadows, it was still a relatively enjoyable read.

After LOVING the debut, I was so keen to read this, I perhaps hyped it a little too much in my head.

I enjoyed, especially the last 30% but it took me a while to get into it

I think Bella Mackie deserves more credit for the recent trend of "I am a murderer and isn't it fun" trend that has overtaken book shops in recent years. I loved her "How to Kill Your Family", which was quite cutting edge and was funny and sharp.

I didn't like this one as much- it seemed a bit more route one and without as much of the wit of her first. That said, it was still engaging and enjoyable, and I suspect will keep her at the front of bookshops for a few years to come!

Not a book for me this one, I thought it was an easy read, but the plot didn’t really keep my interest.

Can a book about murder be fun? It can now! I love a book where every single character is awful in some way, so you’re never rooting for any of them. That was certainly the case with the Wisterns and co. Uber rich and truly terrible, we follow the family after their father has died and we try to work out how. It’s shocking, funny, with a lot of schadenfreude, very much in a similar way to How to Kill Your Family.

Also just realised the author wrote ‘Jog On’ which I have but haven’t read - I know what book’s up next!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I became a fan of Bella Mackie with her book 'Jog On' even though running isn't my thing. This was further cemented with 'How to Kill Your Family'. I knew this new book would be a great read.

It opens with Anthony dying at his 60th birthday party. He then looks down from above to see how his family react to what has happened. His wife, Olivia's perspective is also shown too. Plus there is a local 'sleuth' who wants to solve this mystery.

It is an utterly enjoyable read.

Brilliant read. Once again it so different from what i normally read.

Well written page turner.

Can't wait to read her other books.

I couldn’t get into this, but I know for a fact that this will be outstanding as an audiobook, and Bella Mackie is really fantastic. So I’m offering 4 stars either way because I don’t think I was in the right headspace on the day! Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the privilege of this arc.

Bella Mackie writes horrible people really well. Everyone in this book is obsessed: self obsessed, wealth obsessed, status obsessed. They’re all obnoxious, frankly.

When Anthony Wistern dies (was it an accident or murder?!), no one is particularly upset. He left enough money behind, after all.

This is told from 3 viewpoints: dead Anthony, his “grieving” wife, Olivia, and an internet True Crime investigator called The Sleuth.

This is a dark, at times hilarious, comedy of errors. There are numerous twists and turns, as well. I loved the sections from the Afterlife, with its many rules that maddened Anthony - he’s not a fan of rules.

I loved listening to this on Xigxag, performed by Kimberley Capero, Gabrielle Glaister, and Colin Mace. They all acted suitably obnoxious and/ or unhinged!

Fun, fun and more fun. Bella is a delightfully fun storyteller. She brings what the majority of people think to life in written word. I love her books!

Loved this! It's wonderfully twisted, dark humour. I liked how awful every single character was. It's tricky to pull that off, and STILL make the reader want to read on. Bravo!

I really enjoyed this one. Even more than her first one. I read this one in just a couple of sittings. Completely unputdownable. Will definitely be keeping my eye out with what's next by Bella Mackie.

I really liked the writing and style of this book! took me right back to her first book and i remembered how much i loved it!

In this quirky take on a “whodunit”, we meet the nasty financier Anthony Wistern just as he dies at his elaborate birthday party. Upon arriving at the processing centre for the “other side”, Anthony (who cannot remember the final half hour of his life) finds out that he is unable to move on until he works out exactly how and why he died. We then follow what happens next via three characters – Anthony, who is able to watch his family on little screens; his wife Olivia, who is left dealing with their four spoiled children; and “the Sleuth”, a local armchair-detective turned investigator, determined to solve the mystery of how Anthony died.

This is a fun take on the genre, and it was interesting to watch Anthony’s reaction to his family carrying on without him after he’s gone. I enjoyed all of the characters – awful as they were – and the conclusion was satisfying.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Classic Bella Mackie, I thoroughly enjoyed this book just like her previous one. I was on the edge of my seat throughout and felt that the characters and story line were well fleshed out. Highly bingeable and hard to put down, I would recommend this one.

Anthony Wistern is wealthy beyond our imagination. He has a beautiful wife, a group of children and multiple properties, including one in the Cotswold. However, very quickly into our story Anthony died. The police think his death is just an accident, however a local crime blogger thinks different. And with a vast fortune up for grabs she thinks it is definitely his family. 

From the description I thought this was going to be a great, but pretty normal thriller. However Mackie added in an element of suprise when we get to live with Anthony after his death, in a kind of half way house in which he needs to find out how he died to move on. I loved this element of it, with Anthony desperate to work out the story and him watching how his family react from beyond the grave. 

This was a great read and really had me guessing until the end. With how much I loved this I really need to get around to How to kill your family which has sat on my shelf for ages.

This had the pace and grit that I enjoyed from Bellas book before…..twists and turns, humour, excellent characters and I couldn’t put it down! Loved it!

My first Bella Mackie book and it shan’t be my last! I loved the POV narrative which kept the plot pacy and the “the afterlife is an administrative office” vibe which always interests me.