Bella Mackie

Bella Mackie is a British author and journalist whose darkly comic novel How to Kill Your Family became one of the most talked-about debuts in recent British fiction. The book — sharp, shocking, and wickedly funny — announced a new voice in crime fiction that refuses to play by the rules. Born in London in 1990, Mackie is the daughter of the Guardian journalist Alan Rusbridger. She studied at Edinburgh University and has worked as a journalist, contributing to publications including the Guardian, Vogue, and GQ. Her first book, Jog On: How Running Saved My Life, published in 2018, was a memoir about using running to manage anxiety — a candid, relatable account that resonated with readers dealing with mental health challenges. How to Kill Your Family, published in 2021, was a dramatic departure. The novel follows Grace Bernard, a young woman who methodically murders the relatives of her wealthy, absent father — and is then imprisoned for the one murder she didn't commit. Written as a darkly funny confession from a prison cell, the book combines social satire, black comedy, and a genuinely gripping plot. Grace is a deliciously unreliable narrator — charming, cold-blooded, and impossible not to root for despite everything. The novel was a massive commercial success, spending months on the Sunday Times bestseller list and selling over a million copies. It became a BookTok phenomenon, recommended by readers who loved its audacious premise and its refusal to be morally comfortable. The sequel, How to Kill Your Best Friend, has continued the success. Mackie's writing is sharp and contemporary, with an eye for the absurdities of wealth, class, and social media that gives her crime fiction a satirical edge. She writes about London with insider knowledge and a wry detachment that recalls the best social comedies. The audiobook editions of How to Kill Your Family have been widely praised, with narrators Charly Clive and Paul Panting delivering performances that capture the novel's dark humour and compelling storytelling. The audiobook is a favourite among listeners who enjoy crime fiction with a wicked sense of humour. Bella Mackie lives in London. Her books and audiobooks are essential for readers who like their crime fiction served with sharp wit, social commentary, and a protagonist you probably shouldn't admire — but absolutely will.