Where to Start with Bella Mackie
If you are new to Bella Mackie's writing, you do not have to worry about complex timelines, shared universes, or sprawling multi-book continuities. Her bibliography is small, highly focused, and split cleanly down the middle into two distinct paths: biting, dark-humored satirical fiction and deeply personal, vulnerable non-fiction about mental health and running. Deciding where to start depends entirely on whether you are looking for a laugh-out-loud thriller or real-world inspiration.
The Fiction Route: Biting Satire and Dark Thrillers
For readers drawn to dark British humor, true crime tropes, and sharp social commentary, the fiction route is the definitive way to experience Mackie’s storytelling. Each of her novels is a standalone story, meaning you can read them in any order you choose. However, starting with her debut fiction novel is highly recommended to get a feel for her signature style:
- How to Kill Your Family (2021): This is the absolute best starting point. The novel introduces Grace Bernard, a young woman who methodically plots the demise of her wealthy, estranged family after they abandon her and her dying mother. It is the book that established Mackie as a major name in fiction, blending murderous intent with a satirical look at modern society.
- What a Way to Go (2024): A perfect follow-up. This novel shifts the lens to a classic, twisted mystery set at a wealthy family's country house party, following a suspicious death and the social climbing, greed, and secrets of the survivors.
- Claws Out! (Upcoming 2026): Mackie’s upcoming third novel introduces Diana Leyland, a woman on the hunt for her fourth wealthy husband, and Cat, the suspicious stepdaughter determined to expose Diana’s checkered past.
The Non-Fiction Route: Mental Health and Movement
If you are looking for personal memoirs, practical mental health advice, or a boost of motivation, Mackie's non-fiction works are incredibly approachable and direct. They should be read in chronological order, as the journal directly builds on the experiences shared in the memoir:
- Jog On: How Running Saved My Life (2018): Part memoir, part self-help guide, this book outlines how running helped Mackie navigate severe anxiety, OCD, and the fallout of a difficult divorce. It is honest, funny, and avoids the preachy tone of traditional wellness books.
- Jog on Journal (2019): A practical, user-friendly companion designed to help readers take their own first steps toward jogging. It features advice, trackers, and prompts to help build a healthy routine.
Bella Mackie Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to see how Bella Mackie evolved from a journalist sharing her personal mental health struggles to one of the UK’s most prominent dark comedy novelists, reading her works in publication order is a rewarding approach. Here is the complete list of her books by their release dates:
- Jog On: How Running Saved My Life (Non-Fiction) — Published in December 2018
- Jog on Journal: A Practical Guide to Getting Up and Running (Non-Fiction) — Published in November 2019
- How to Kill Your Family (Fiction) — Published in July 2021
- What a Way to Go (Fiction) — Published in September 2024
- Claws Out! (Fiction) — Scheduled for release in August 2026
Fictional Focus: Analyzing Mackie's Novels
While Mackie's non-fiction focuses on healing and personal triumph, her fiction takes a radically different turn into the macabre. To fully appreciate these books, it is helpful to understand the thematic core of each novel.
How to Kill Your Family (2021)
Grace Bernard is the ultimate antiheroine. Locked up in prison for a murder she actually did not commit, she spends her time writing a confession detailing the six murders she did successfully carry out. Mackie uses Grace’s voice to take aim at true crime obsessed media, influencer culture, class privilege, and the absolute absurdity of ultra-wealthy elites. The book was a massive success, reaching number one on the Sunday Times bestseller list, and is being adapted into a major Netflix series starring Anya Taylor-Joy.
What a Way to Go (2024)
Set around the unexpected death of Anthony Wistern at his own lavish 60th birthday party, this novel explores the chaotic aftermath through the eyes of his highly dysfunctional family and an obsessive internet sleuth trying to piece the truth together. It features the same sharp-tongued observations as her debut but leans more into a satirical, ensemble-cast mystery, exposing the hollow nature of status and wealth.
Claws Out! (Expected 2026)
Mackie's third novel, scheduled for late 2026, centers on Diana Leyland. Diana has buried three husbands, all of whom met suspicious ends, and is now targeting her fourth: the wealthy David Farrand. The narrative promises to deliver a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse between Diana and David's protective, suspicious daughter, Cat. It marks a continuation of Mackie's mastery of the domestic black comedy genre.
The Non-Fiction Core: Healing through Jog On
For readers who struggle with mental health or feel overwhelmed by fitness culture, Mackie’s non-fiction offers a breath of fresh air. Jog On is not about marathons or achieving a perfect physique. Instead, it is an incredibly human account of how the simple, repetitive act of running outdoors can quiet a frantic mind. Mackie writes openly about her panic attacks, OCD, and agoraphobia, demystifying these experiences for the reader. The accompanying Jog on Journal serves as a workbook, giving readers space to log their own progress and mental health states without pressure, providing a warm, supportive framework for self-improvement.
Comparing the Tone: Fiction vs. Non-Fiction
Transitioning from Mackie's non-fiction to her fiction can be jarring. In Jog On, the author's voice is gentle, empathetic, and encouraging. In contrast, her novels feature protagonists who are cynical, highly critical of society, and driven by darker impulses. Despite this shift, both sides of her writing share a common thread: a refusal to sugarcoat the realities of the human experience. Whether she is detailing a panic attack or writing about the meticulous poisoning of a relative, Mackie maintains an unflinching honesty and a quick-witted style that keeps readers turning the pages.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Bella Mackie's catalog, keep these key points in mind to enhance your reading experience:
- The Humor is Very Dark: Mackie’s fiction handles heavy subjects like murder, familial abandonment, greed, and toxic relationships with a sharp, sarcastic, and often cynical comedic edge. If you prefer cozy mysteries or warm, redeeming protagonists, Grace Bernard and the characters in What a Way to Go might be a shock to the system.
- No Intertwined Continuities: You do not need to worry about missing plot points or reading books out of order. Her novels are entirely standalone stories, and her non-fiction is a self-contained duo.
- Anya Taylor-Joy Adaptation: With Netflix greenlighting a television series adaptation of How to Kill Your Family starring Anya Taylor-Joy as Grace Bernard (produced by Sid Gentle Films, the team behind Killing Eve), reading the debut novel now will prepare you for one of the most anticipated television book adaptations of the coming years.
- Vulnerability in Non-Fiction: If you transition from her novels to her non-fiction, prepare for a major shift in tone. While her novels are cynical and satirical, Jog On is deeply earnest, compassionate, and aims to offer genuine comfort to those struggling with mental health.