Review of “How to Kill Your Family” by Bella Mackie

Grace Bernard is currently languishing in Limehouse Prison for a murder she didn’t commit, which is ironic, given she decides to spend the time she is waiting on her appeal decision writing a memoir of all the murders she did commit.

Grace had set herself the task of killing her estranged family, one by one, culminating in her father who abandoned her as a baby. She tells us why and how she executed each member, starting with her elderly grandparents.

In the wrong hands this could seem implausible, faintly ridiculous. However, Grace’s voice is so strong, shot through with wit and humour that it is not only plausible but seems to make sense. The ways she chooses to end her family’s lives is brilliantly mad at times, but again the tone makes it work.

Running alongside this she gradually tells us why she is actually in prison and we wait to see whether she will be released.

The book is so skilfully written that I found myself rooting for Grace, hoping that she would be successful, despite the fact that she is a psychopath. Wondering whether she will get away with it propels you through to the end, which is surprising and satisfying.

It’s a great book and a real achievement for the author.

Review by Jonathan Freckleton, Senior Information Adviser at York st John.