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Claws Out!
Not yet published
Expected 27 Aug 26PRAISE FOR BELLA
'Delicious' JOJO MOYES
'Super-sharp, lethally witty' NIGELLA LAWSON
‘Wonderfully wicked’ RED
'Very funny… I inhaled it' JOE LYCETT
‘Taut, pacy, seamless… a huge pleasure to read’ MARIAN KEYES
“You know Diana Leyland… she climbed the ladder by marrying a man on each rung! I think she gets rid of them when she’s got what she needs. I think she poisons them… I wonder who’s next .”
To lose one husband is unlucky. To lose two is careless. But three? Three must be murder…
Diana Leyland has her sights set on a new target, David Farrand.
His daughter Cat has other ideas…
Bella Mackie's book 'What A Way To Go' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2024-09-09.
'Delicious' JOJO MOYES
'Super-sharp, lethally witty' NIGELLA LAWSON
‘Wonderfully wicked’ RED
'Very funny… I inhaled it' JOE LYCETT
‘Taut, pacy, seamless… a huge pleasure to read’ MARIAN KEYES
“You know Diana Leyland… she climbed the ladder by marrying a man on each rung! I think she gets rid of them when she’s got what she needs. I think she poisons them… I wonder who’s next .”
To lose one husband is unlucky. To lose two is careless. But three? Three must be murder…
Diana Leyland has her sights set on a new target, David Farrand.
His daughter Cat has other ideas…
Bella Mackie's book 'What A Way To Go' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2024-09-09.
- GenresFiction
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 27, 2026
About the author
Bella Mackie
19 books1,446 followersVogue columnist. Author of best-selling novel “How to Kill Your Family."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 16, 2026
Written in what’s become Bella Mackie’s classic style, this book was an enjoyable, easy read. The characters are deliciously hateful, as usual, which does make it hard to know who to root for (my natural inclination). The pacing in the second half was a bit drawn out. I was still invested in where it was going though, and the ending was an infuriating surprise. If you’ve liked her previous books, you’ll enjoy this one. I devoured it in two days!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
May 17, 2026
3.5??
Bella has definitely found her voice. Even if I didn’t know that she’d written this I could have recognised her tone. The offhand, casual, glib style is very recognisable.
I struggled to get into this. Every character is unlikeable, so it’s tricky to really feel too invested in their outcomes, but I was intrigued to know where it was going.
You don’t need to be paying tooooo much attention to figure out where it’s heading, but the reveals towards the end were well done.
If you enjoyed her others, I’d definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for this advanced copy in return for my unbiased review.
Bella has definitely found her voice. Even if I didn’t know that she’d written this I could have recognised her tone. The offhand, casual, glib style is very recognisable.
I struggled to get into this. Every character is unlikeable, so it’s tricky to really feel too invested in their outcomes, but I was intrigued to know where it was going.
You don’t need to be paying tooooo much attention to figure out where it’s heading, but the reveals towards the end were well done.
If you enjoyed her others, I’d definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for this advanced copy in return for my unbiased review.
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May 7, 2026Never understood why people submittied a little comment before the book came out until today because I JUST GOT AN ARC for this and I am so excited!
Just yesterday I wondered when Mackie would do another book, and the universe answered! :D
Just yesterday I wondered when Mackie would do another book, and the universe answered! :D
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July 10, 2026I greatly enjoyed this!
May 14, 2026
I was so ready to love this book. The opening was so strong. A solid 5/5!!!! It was gripping, atmospheric, impossible to put down. I loved the narrative voice and was almost rubbing my hands in anticipation to find out what Diana and Cat got up to next. Completely invested. The first 10% was amazing. You know when you read past your bedtime because you just can’t get enough? This. The kind of book you just can’t stop but… devour.
After a brilliant start though, the pacing began to lose me. The story started to feel repetitive and frustratingly stop-and-start, constantly leading the reader down one path only to abruptly pull back and redirect somewhere else. It ended up feeling like I was being taken in circles through endless dead ends and false turns. Oh look at that! Ha! It’s not that, it’s something else! Now look at that, ha! Gotcha again! Now I’ll take you on an atmospheric tour. Why? Why not!
But the biggest disappointment was the ending.
After all the buildup, the (far too many silly) twists, and all the drawn-out detours, the conclusion felt incredibly unsatisfying. Cheesy almost. It didn’t deliver the payoff I’d been hoping for. Which was such a shame considering how strong the beginning was!
Ah, well. It’ll probably sell well anyway. Especially to people who pick a book and read the first few pages to figure out whether to buy it. Because those first pages? Chef’s kiss. They suck you in. If only that magic had carried on!
After a brilliant start though, the pacing began to lose me. The story started to feel repetitive and frustratingly stop-and-start, constantly leading the reader down one path only to abruptly pull back and redirect somewhere else. It ended up feeling like I was being taken in circles through endless dead ends and false turns. Oh look at that! Ha! It’s not that, it’s something else! Now look at that, ha! Gotcha again! Now I’ll take you on an atmospheric tour. Why? Why not!
But the biggest disappointment was the ending.
After all the buildup, the (far too many silly) twists, and all the drawn-out detours, the conclusion felt incredibly unsatisfying. Cheesy almost. It didn’t deliver the payoff I’d been hoping for. Which was such a shame considering how strong the beginning was!
Ah, well. It’ll probably sell well anyway. Especially to people who pick a book and read the first few pages to figure out whether to buy it. Because those first pages? Chef’s kiss. They suck you in. If only that magic had carried on!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Diana Leyland is on the prowl for husband No.4. But this time, she’s looking to get higher up the social ladder and let’s face it, money wise too. Her target? David Farrand. He’s a writer, rich and will give her a boost within London’s elite social life.
It shouldn’t be too hard, she’s managed to snare three husbands previously. But they died… which is a shame. But Diana hasn’t counted on Cat, David’s daughter. Cat doesn’t take kindly to Diana worming her way in and is immediately suspicious of what Diana is up to. I mean to lose so many husbands must be murder right?…
The Pros:
1) I liked the story more as it went on
2) I both liked and disliked both of the FMCs, which was great as you didn’t know who to root for lol.
3) You keep trying to work out if Diana really is a killer
4) There are interludes (no spoilers)
5) The humour is brilliant in the book
The Cons:
1) It took me a while to get into the book
2) It wasn’t my favourite writing style. For example, the characters definitely felt more 2D than real.
3) There are dark themes
4) The ending was a bit on the silly side, but I enjoyed it!
The Quotes:
1) Was there anything more guaranteed to raise the blood pressure than a man telling you to relax?
2) Men, even those who think themselves complex and fully independent, are simple creatures at their core. You can gently manipulate them if you know how to do it, that was her firm belief.
3) Who was so important that they’d just driven down the M40?
The Summary:
It took me a little while to get into this story but I liked it more and more as it went on. The humour was brilliant and I both liked and disliked both the main female characters in equal measure, so I rooted for both at different points lol. It was fun trying to work out if Diana is really a Black Widow or not. There are fun little interludes too. One of the things that didn’t work for me completely was the writing style, it made the characters feel more 2D than real people. I did feel the ending was a bit on the silly side (not saying it’s a bad thing btw, I enjoyed it) BUT I had a lot of fun reading the book and would definitely recommend it for sure.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Diana Leyland is on the look out for husband No.4...
I rated the book 4 stars.
A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
It shouldn’t be too hard, she’s managed to snare three husbands previously. But they died… which is a shame. But Diana hasn’t counted on Cat, David’s daughter. Cat doesn’t take kindly to Diana worming her way in and is immediately suspicious of what Diana is up to. I mean to lose so many husbands must be murder right?…
The Pros:
1) I liked the story more as it went on
2) I both liked and disliked both of the FMCs, which was great as you didn’t know who to root for lol.
3) You keep trying to work out if Diana really is a killer
4) There are interludes (no spoilers)
5) The humour is brilliant in the book
The Cons:
1) It took me a while to get into the book
2) It wasn’t my favourite writing style. For example, the characters definitely felt more 2D than real.
3) There are dark themes
4) The ending was a bit on the silly side, but I enjoyed it!
The Quotes:
1) Was there anything more guaranteed to raise the blood pressure than a man telling you to relax?
2) Men, even those who think themselves complex and fully independent, are simple creatures at their core. You can gently manipulate them if you know how to do it, that was her firm belief.
3) Who was so important that they’d just driven down the M40?
The Summary:
It took me a little while to get into this story but I liked it more and more as it went on. The humour was brilliant and I both liked and disliked both the main female characters in equal measure, so I rooted for both at different points lol. It was fun trying to work out if Diana is really a Black Widow or not. There are fun little interludes too. One of the things that didn’t work for me completely was the writing style, it made the characters feel more 2D than real people. I did feel the ending was a bit on the silly side (not saying it’s a bad thing btw, I enjoyed it) BUT I had a lot of fun reading the book and would definitely recommend it for sure.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Diana Leyland is on the look out for husband No.4...
I rated the book 4 stars.
A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Claws Out is deliciously wicked from the very first page — a sharp, gossipy, cat‑and‑mouse thriller where everyone has an agenda and nobody is quite as innocent as they pretend. Diana Leyland is an absolute standout: glamorous, calculating, and climbing her way through life one husband at a time. Her confidence is almost hypnotic, and watching her set her sights on David Farrand feels like witnessing a predator choose its next meal.
The Hampstead setting adds a lovely layer of luxury and tension. Five storeys of wealth, London’s liberal elite, and a bank account to match — it’s exactly the world Diana has always wanted access to. And she knows how to play the game. Three husbands already gone, each one conveniently out of the picture, and she’s ready for her biggest catch yet.
Enter Cat.
David’s daughter is the perfect foil: entitled, sharp, and absolutely unwilling to let Diana waltz into her family without a fight. Their dynamic is one of the book’s strongest elements — claws out, smiles tight, every conversation loaded with suspicion. Cat’s determination to expose Diana’s past gives the story its bite, and the tension between them builds beautifully.
The fun of this book is in its tone: sly, darkly humorous, and packed with the kind of domestic drama that keeps you turning pages. The question of whether Diana’s husbands really died by misfortune or design hangs over every chapter, and the author plays with that uncertainty in a way that’s genuinely entertaining.
Fast, sharp, and full of deliciously toxic energy, Claws Out is a compulsive read that blends humour, suspense, and a touch of glamour. A perfect pick for readers who enjoy messy family dynamics, unapologetic anti‑heroines, and thrillers with a wicked streak.
With thanks to Bella Mackie, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The Hampstead setting adds a lovely layer of luxury and tension. Five storeys of wealth, London’s liberal elite, and a bank account to match — it’s exactly the world Diana has always wanted access to. And she knows how to play the game. Three husbands already gone, each one conveniently out of the picture, and she’s ready for her biggest catch yet.
Enter Cat.
David’s daughter is the perfect foil: entitled, sharp, and absolutely unwilling to let Diana waltz into her family without a fight. Their dynamic is one of the book’s strongest elements — claws out, smiles tight, every conversation loaded with suspicion. Cat’s determination to expose Diana’s past gives the story its bite, and the tension between them builds beautifully.
The fun of this book is in its tone: sly, darkly humorous, and packed with the kind of domestic drama that keeps you turning pages. The question of whether Diana’s husbands really died by misfortune or design hangs over every chapter, and the author plays with that uncertainty in a way that’s genuinely entertaining.
Fast, sharp, and full of deliciously toxic energy, Claws Out is a compulsive read that blends humour, suspense, and a touch of glamour. A perfect pick for readers who enjoy messy family dynamics, unapologetic anti‑heroines, and thrillers with a wicked streak.
With thanks to Bella Mackie, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Diana Leyland has buried three husbands and is closing in on a fourth: David Farrand, wealthy, oblivious, and exactly her type. His daughter Cat isn't convinced "unlucky" covers it, and sets out to prove what she suspects. That's the setup, and on paper it's exactly the kind of dark, satirical thriller I'd usually devour.
This is my third Bella Mackie. How to Kill Your Family was a five-star read for me. What a Way to Go I DNFed at 67%. Claws Out! I finished — but only because I'd already DNFed one of hers and didn't want to make it two in a row. That's not a great place to start a review from, and it tells you most of what you need to know.
It took me weeks to get through this. Weeks, with several other books read in between, because every time I picked it back up I felt nothing pulling me forward. The pacing is slack for long stretches, the characters never moved past "unlikeable" into anything I actually cared about, and I'd worked out the twist well before the book got round to revealing it – which wouldn't be a dealbreaker on its own, but combined with everything else, it just confirmed there wasn't much left to keep me hooked. By the end it had stopped feeling like reading and started feeling like homework.
One star from me. A real shame, because I know what this author is capable of, but I am starting to feel she may be a one-hit wonder.
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both the author and the publisher for the opportunity.
This is my third Bella Mackie. How to Kill Your Family was a five-star read for me. What a Way to Go I DNFed at 67%. Claws Out! I finished — but only because I'd already DNFed one of hers and didn't want to make it two in a row. That's not a great place to start a review from, and it tells you most of what you need to know.
It took me weeks to get through this. Weeks, with several other books read in between, because every time I picked it back up I felt nothing pulling me forward. The pacing is slack for long stretches, the characters never moved past "unlikeable" into anything I actually cared about, and I'd worked out the twist well before the book got round to revealing it – which wouldn't be a dealbreaker on its own, but combined with everything else, it just confirmed there wasn't much left to keep me hooked. By the end it had stopped feeling like reading and started feeling like homework.
One star from me. A real shame, because I know what this author is capable of, but I am starting to feel she may be a one-hit wonder.
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both the author and the publisher for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Just finished Claws Out by Bella Mackie and I absolutely flew through it. Definitely my favourite of hers so far.
Bella Mackie just has this brilliant way of writing messy, chaotic, morally questionable characters that somehow still feel incredibly real and entertaining. From the very first chapter I was completely hooked and honestly didn’t want to put it down.
I did guess the twist before the reveal, but for me that didn’t matter at all. If anything, it made it even more fun watching everything slowly unravel and seeing how all the pieces would finally come together. The pacing was spot on and there was always enough tension, drama and humour to keep me fully invested.
What I loved most was the tone of the book — sharp, witty, darkly funny and incredibly clever without ever trying too hard. There were so many lines that genuinely made me laugh out loud, which is rare for a thriller. Bella Mackie really nails that balance between suspense and humour.
The characters were brilliantly written too. None of them are particularly likeable in the traditional sense, but that’s what makes them so entertaining to read. Everyone had secrets, agendas and flaws, and it made the whole story feel deliciously chaotic.
Overall, such an addictive and clever read. Even knowing where things were heading didn’t stop me enjoying every second of the journey. Funny, twisted, dramatic and ridiculously easy to binge.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC
Bella Mackie just has this brilliant way of writing messy, chaotic, morally questionable characters that somehow still feel incredibly real and entertaining. From the very first chapter I was completely hooked and honestly didn’t want to put it down.
I did guess the twist before the reveal, but for me that didn’t matter at all. If anything, it made it even more fun watching everything slowly unravel and seeing how all the pieces would finally come together. The pacing was spot on and there was always enough tension, drama and humour to keep me fully invested.
What I loved most was the tone of the book — sharp, witty, darkly funny and incredibly clever without ever trying too hard. There were so many lines that genuinely made me laugh out loud, which is rare for a thriller. Bella Mackie really nails that balance between suspense and humour.
The characters were brilliantly written too. None of them are particularly likeable in the traditional sense, but that’s what makes them so entertaining to read. Everyone had secrets, agendas and flaws, and it made the whole story feel deliciously chaotic.
Overall, such an addictive and clever read. Even knowing where things were heading didn’t stop me enjoying every second of the journey. Funny, twisted, dramatic and ridiculously easy to binge.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Fiction and Bella Mackie for the ARC.
It's a dark comedy murder mystery that touches satirically upon the richer society of London. The narrator-like voicing exposing their real selves after every thought and action of theirs. Even their memories are rewritten to see themselves as the good people they think they are.
All the characters introduced are hard to like, and most of the plot feels like karma coming to serve its justice. If anything, the animals were the most innocent in this story. It touches upon themes like politics, racism, religion, charities, everything under the sun that the richer people appropriate to make themselves seen and bask in the attention.
It's a great read if you enjoy such storytelling, and you want to see what the truth is behind Diana being a three-times widow. And if her black widow tendencies will catch up with David, who is ready to take the position of fourth husband. The story revolves around them and Catriona, David's daughter, who wants to do anything to separate them after hearing about the tendency of Diana's husbands dying.
Some parts were too long-winded in my opinion, and I lost interest in some parts, but there would always be a new chapter that made me want to keep reading. It was a good read nonetheless, and the narrator addressing us readers from time to time was really immersing.
It's a dark comedy murder mystery that touches satirically upon the richer society of London. The narrator-like voicing exposing their real selves after every thought and action of theirs. Even their memories are rewritten to see themselves as the good people they think they are.
All the characters introduced are hard to like, and most of the plot feels like karma coming to serve its justice. If anything, the animals were the most innocent in this story. It touches upon themes like politics, racism, religion, charities, everything under the sun that the richer people appropriate to make themselves seen and bask in the attention.
It's a great read if you enjoy such storytelling, and you want to see what the truth is behind Diana being a three-times widow. And if her black widow tendencies will catch up with David, who is ready to take the position of fourth husband. The story revolves around them and Catriona, David's daughter, who wants to do anything to separate them after hearing about the tendency of Diana's husbands dying.
Some parts were too long-winded in my opinion, and I lost interest in some parts, but there would always be a new chapter that made me want to keep reading. It was a good read nonetheless, and the narrator addressing us readers from time to time was really immersing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed Bella Mackie’s last two books – How To Kill Your Family and What A Way To Go – so, at this point, she’s an auto-read/buy author for me.
So much so that when I was sent an early Read Now link for her latest book, I abandoned all of my responsibilities, as well as my current read, to start it.
I always enjoy her social commentary and the witty way that she gives us a glimpse into the upper middle class, and while I was rooting for Cat to oust Diana, it’s another case of basically every character being pretty deplorable, which I guess is the whole point.
But something was lacking overall.
While I was intrigued to see how Diana’s first three husbands had met their maker, and if Cat would be able to get rid of her new stepmother before something bad happened, knowing that David survived kind of took away any anticipation, when it came to how it would end.
I also guessed who the true murderer was pretty early on, however, I didn’t expect a certain character to be murdered and the way in which they went out was pretty shocking.
That being said, the less that can be said about someone’s supposed ability to communicate with animals, the better.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bella Mackie’s last two books – How To Kill Your Family and What A Way To Go – so, at this point, she’s an auto-read/buy author for me.
So much so that when I was sent an early Read Now link for her latest book, I abandoned all of my responsibilities, as well as my current read, to start it.
I always enjoy her social commentary and the witty way that she gives us a glimpse into the upper middle class, and while I was rooting for Cat to oust Diana, it’s another case of basically every character being pretty deplorable, which I guess is the whole point.
But something was lacking overall.
While I was intrigued to see how Diana’s first three husbands had met their maker, and if Cat would be able to get rid of her new stepmother before something bad happened, knowing that David survived kind of took away any anticipation, when it came to how it would end.
I also guessed who the true murderer was pretty early on, however, I didn’t expect a certain character to be murdered and the way in which they went out was pretty shocking.
That being said, the less that can be said about someone’s supposed ability to communicate with animals, the better.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Really enjoyed Claws Out by Bella Mackie. I was very happy to have been chosen to receive an advanced review copy of this book and even more so when it turned out to be my favourite of hers so far.
The book was sharp, witty and clever following Diana Leyland on the mission to snare her fourth wealthy after her previous four mysteriously met untimely deaths. The latest target of this endeavour, the hapless and clueless snobby David, stands no chance. David’s spoiled little rich girl daughter, Cat, is determined to protect her dad, and even more so her inheritance, from Diana’s clutches. Then there’s Zeb, Diana’s son floating through life and happy to be bankrolled by another wealthy stepfather.
I thought the characters were all brilliantly written, none all that likeable, but messy and chaotic in their own way as they pursued their own agendas.
I had guessed the twist before the reveal, but didn’t feel like that detracted from the story at all. I enjoyed finding out how it all played out and it kept me entertained to the end.
I thought this was a funny and clever read and enjoyed the journey to see who would come out on top. Can’t wait to read more by Bella Mackie.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC
The book was sharp, witty and clever following Diana Leyland on the mission to snare her fourth wealthy after her previous four mysteriously met untimely deaths. The latest target of this endeavour, the hapless and clueless snobby David, stands no chance. David’s spoiled little rich girl daughter, Cat, is determined to protect her dad, and even more so her inheritance, from Diana’s clutches. Then there’s Zeb, Diana’s son floating through life and happy to be bankrolled by another wealthy stepfather.
I thought the characters were all brilliantly written, none all that likeable, but messy and chaotic in their own way as they pursued their own agendas.
I had guessed the twist before the reveal, but didn’t feel like that detracted from the story at all. I enjoyed finding out how it all played out and it kept me entertained to the end.
I thought this was a funny and clever read and enjoyed the journey to see who would come out on top. Can’t wait to read more by Bella Mackie.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having really enjoyed How to Kill Your Family but finding What a Way to Go a bit of a disappointment, I was pleased to find that Claws Out felt much more like Bella Mackie back at her best.
She's definitely found her voice, and it's what makes this book such an enjoyable read. The narrative is sharp, witty and deliciously dark, making even the most dreadful characters entertaining to spend time with. Every single one of them is pretty awful, but that's very much the point, and I couldn't help becoming invested in what happened to them.
It's also an incredibly easy book to race through. I genuinely looked forward to picking it up each time, and it kept me turning the pages from start to finish.
I wouldn't say it's a particularly surprising novel, as I had a good idea where things were heading fairly early on. That didn't really matter, though, because the journey was entertaining enough that I was happy to go along with it. The only part that didn't quite work for me was the final twist, which felt a little too over-the-top and silly.
Overall, Claws Out is a darkly funny, addictive read that reminded me exactly why I enjoyed Bella Mackie's writing in the first place.
She's definitely found her voice, and it's what makes this book such an enjoyable read. The narrative is sharp, witty and deliciously dark, making even the most dreadful characters entertaining to spend time with. Every single one of them is pretty awful, but that's very much the point, and I couldn't help becoming invested in what happened to them.
It's also an incredibly easy book to race through. I genuinely looked forward to picking it up each time, and it kept me turning the pages from start to finish.
I wouldn't say it's a particularly surprising novel, as I had a good idea where things were heading fairly early on. That didn't really matter, though, because the journey was entertaining enough that I was happy to go along with it. The only part that didn't quite work for me was the final twist, which felt a little too over-the-top and silly.
Overall, Claws Out is a darkly funny, addictive read that reminded me exactly why I enjoyed Bella Mackie's writing in the first place.
July 16, 2026
I loved this book so much. However, the characters I really hated (the way the author wants you to hate them of course).
If you’ve read any of Bella’s other books you’ll know she likes to make you believe the plot will go one way and twist it another and then it’s goes in a completely different direction again; got to keep you guessing to the end.
I pretty much couldn’t put this one down and I would have finished it faster if I hadn’t been at work.
As I’ve read this as an ARC, I’ll be interested to see who will play the parts in the audiobook version. I think it would also make a great tv series.
The flashback bits are so good especially as you aren’t really sure whose perspective they’re from.
Sometimes flashbacks and jumping between characters makes it messy but in this book it really works and just makes it funnier.
The end though will either really annoy you and make you want to throw the book at the wall (don’t do that if it’s your kindle) or completely stun you if you didn’t see it coming. It definitely won’t be what you think it was going to be at the beginning… so now you have to read it to find out why.
If you’ve read any of Bella’s other books you’ll know she likes to make you believe the plot will go one way and twist it another and then it’s goes in a completely different direction again; got to keep you guessing to the end.
I pretty much couldn’t put this one down and I would have finished it faster if I hadn’t been at work.
As I’ve read this as an ARC, I’ll be interested to see who will play the parts in the audiobook version. I think it would also make a great tv series.
The flashback bits are so good especially as you aren’t really sure whose perspective they’re from.
Sometimes flashbacks and jumping between characters makes it messy but in this book it really works and just makes it funnier.
The end though will either really annoy you and make you want to throw the book at the wall (don’t do that if it’s your kindle) or completely stun you if you didn’t see it coming. It definitely won’t be what you think it was going to be at the beginning… so now you have to read it to find out why.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the early copy of this book!
I loved How to Kill your Family by Bella Mackie so I expected the writing style and tone before even going in and was excited for it!
I think newer readers to Bella Mackie may be put off by the straightforward and sometimes very analytical tone she uses for all her characters, but for me it’s just her style and I really enjoy seeing into her characters’ heads like this.
Because of this style, sometimes the characters can feel a little similar when you’re in their heads, but I think we forget sometimes how self-obsessed we all really are when we’re in our own thoughts, so this wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.
I did guess the twist pretty early on, and honestly some of the foreshadowing was a smidge obvious to me, but once you’ve guessed it correctly, everything else after that is just confirmation and so it stands out so much more. Plus it made it feel like I had a secret that the characters didn’t know for a lot of the book, which was kind of cool.
I really enjoyed this book, and I think if you’re a fan of Bella’s other work then this will be another one to devour just the same. Definitely worth a read!
I loved How to Kill your Family by Bella Mackie so I expected the writing style and tone before even going in and was excited for it!
I think newer readers to Bella Mackie may be put off by the straightforward and sometimes very analytical tone she uses for all her characters, but for me it’s just her style and I really enjoy seeing into her characters’ heads like this.
Because of this style, sometimes the characters can feel a little similar when you’re in their heads, but I think we forget sometimes how self-obsessed we all really are when we’re in our own thoughts, so this wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.
I did guess the twist pretty early on, and honestly some of the foreshadowing was a smidge obvious to me, but once you’ve guessed it correctly, everything else after that is just confirmation and so it stands out so much more. Plus it made it feel like I had a secret that the characters didn’t know for a lot of the book, which was kind of cool.
I really enjoyed this book, and I think if you’re a fan of Bella’s other work then this will be another one to devour just the same. Definitely worth a read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy from Netgalley
Diana is a femme fatale hermit crab; as she outgrows one husband, she finds another to move onto, leaving the previous one an empty shell. As our story begins she's got her eyes on her great white whale, David Farrard, but is it a net Diana is holding? Or a harpoon?
Claws Out! is a dry satire of the English class system, set in North London (South London gets it in the neck a few times) where our players are Champagne Socialists superficially accepting their label of privilege whilst desperately trying to maintain or gain wealth in the background. Our main plot sees a tennis match of wits between Cat, David's daughter, and Diana, as they vie for David's attention, leaving you sympathetic at times for both, and unsure about what really happens to Diana's catches.
Mackie makes the most of every moment in the novel to sprinkle in more humour (see chapters marked 'Interlude for a Murder') and I couldn't put it down.
Thanks again to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this ARC.
Diana is a femme fatale hermit crab; as she outgrows one husband, she finds another to move onto, leaving the previous one an empty shell. As our story begins she's got her eyes on her great white whale, David Farrard, but is it a net Diana is holding? Or a harpoon?
Claws Out! is a dry satire of the English class system, set in North London (South London gets it in the neck a few times) where our players are Champagne Socialists superficially accepting their label of privilege whilst desperately trying to maintain or gain wealth in the background. Our main plot sees a tennis match of wits between Cat, David's daughter, and Diana, as they vie for David's attention, leaving you sympathetic at times for both, and unsure about what really happens to Diana's catches.
Mackie makes the most of every moment in the novel to sprinkle in more humour (see chapters marked 'Interlude for a Murder') and I couldn't put it down.
Thanks again to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another good read from this author.
This book was a pleasure to read. It had satire aplenty, particularly about the people who live in North London, which did make me laugh. The way they tried to pretend that they didn't have money but still expected privileges because of it was spot on.
The story itself was different to the author's other books as it was quite a long drawn out plot. Yes, there were deaths in abundance, and I did guess whodunnit before the ending, but this didn't matter as the storyline was entertaining. I particularly loved David, who thought he was a feminist but kept making sexist comments.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This book was a pleasure to read. It had satire aplenty, particularly about the people who live in North London, which did make me laugh. The way they tried to pretend that they didn't have money but still expected privileges because of it was spot on.
The story itself was different to the author's other books as it was quite a long drawn out plot. Yes, there were deaths in abundance, and I did guess whodunnit before the ending, but this didn't matter as the storyline was entertaining. I particularly loved David, who thought he was a feminist but kept making sexist comments.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
June 27, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Fiction and Bella Mackie for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Claws out follows Diana Leyland, a 60-something woman looking for love. Except her real goal is to manipulate her way into a relationship with a very wealthy man. Unfortunately for her new mark, her last 3 husbands died rather mysteriously. After meeting David, his daughter Cat starts to have some serious concerns and will stop at nothing to reveal the truth.
This book is best described as a dark comedy, I was on the edge of my seat one minute and laughing the next. I really didn’t know how the story would play out and was delightfully surprised by the path it took. Mackie is very intentional with her character design and plot development. I suspect it would be even better on a re-read.
I’d recommend this to fans of her previous books, especially ‘How to Kill Your Family’ as it draws on the same dark humour and has a similarly tantalising plot. Mackie is one of the only authors in the thriller space who consistently outdoes the intriguing hook on the blurb.
Claws out follows Diana Leyland, a 60-something woman looking for love. Except her real goal is to manipulate her way into a relationship with a very wealthy man. Unfortunately for her new mark, her last 3 husbands died rather mysteriously. After meeting David, his daughter Cat starts to have some serious concerns and will stop at nothing to reveal the truth.
This book is best described as a dark comedy, I was on the edge of my seat one minute and laughing the next. I really didn’t know how the story would play out and was delightfully surprised by the path it took. Mackie is very intentional with her character design and plot development. I suspect it would be even better on a re-read.
I’d recommend this to fans of her previous books, especially ‘How to Kill Your Family’ as it draws on the same dark humour and has a similarly tantalising plot. Mackie is one of the only authors in the thriller space who consistently outdoes the intriguing hook on the blurb.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How some of the rich live.
I hadn't come across this author before, but the description seemed good, had the opportunity of and ARC, so I thought why not give it a go and I'm glad that I did. It's written in a laid back, off hand way, that is bordering on the laconic and I found it hard to put down.
Most books have at least some likeable characters, but this book doesn't have any, yet each of them is fascinating in their own way. Three times windowed Diana is looking for a fourth well heeled husband, but the sticking point is his daughter Catriona who is desperate to separate them. Hints that there may have been founl play in the deaths of the previous husbands intensifies Cat's resolve.
The book held my attention throughout, although the pace did drop off a big in the third quarter. It has a killer ending that I didn't spot coming until quite late on. I particularly liked the humour, the gentle fun poked at the entitlement that some people feel, and the occasional asides to the reader.
I hadn't come across this author before, but the description seemed good, had the opportunity of and ARC, so I thought why not give it a go and I'm glad that I did. It's written in a laid back, off hand way, that is bordering on the laconic and I found it hard to put down.
Most books have at least some likeable characters, but this book doesn't have any, yet each of them is fascinating in their own way. Three times windowed Diana is looking for a fourth well heeled husband, but the sticking point is his daughter Catriona who is desperate to separate them. Hints that there may have been founl play in the deaths of the previous husbands intensifies Cat's resolve.
The book held my attention throughout, although the pace did drop off a big in the third quarter. It has a killer ending that I didn't spot coming until quite late on. I particularly liked the humour, the gentle fun poked at the entitlement that some people feel, and the occasional asides to the reader.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Claws Out by Bella Mackie had me howling! I loved How to Kill Your Family and now this book has implanted them firmly into my favourite comedy authors list and I have to get the rest of her bibliography!
Diana Leyland is minted, single and on the prowl for a husband....her fourth husband. Cat Farrand is the daughter of Diana's latest conquest and she is not about to let Diana get her claws into her father or their world.
I was glued every time I picked up this book to read, it is such a deliciously madcap group of utterly vile people! The kind of people you stumble upon in real life and make every single effort to avoid thereafter and get immense satisfaction from doing so
Mackie blends the worst of the worst peope behaving in the most despicable ways and produces a novel that is simply brilliant. Engaging, intense and outright hilarious, I loved every single minute
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | The Borough Press for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Diana Leyland is minted, single and on the prowl for a husband....her fourth husband. Cat Farrand is the daughter of Diana's latest conquest and she is not about to let Diana get her claws into her father or their world.
I was glued every time I picked up this book to read, it is such a deliciously madcap group of utterly vile people! The kind of people you stumble upon in real life and make every single effort to avoid thereafter and get immense satisfaction from doing so
Mackie blends the worst of the worst peope behaving in the most despicable ways and produces a novel that is simply brilliant. Engaging, intense and outright hilarious, I loved every single minute
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | The Borough Press for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars. This is a thoroughly enjoyable tale about a serial killer. That may seem an odd thing to say but I love dark humour and this is chock full of it. If you have enjoyed Jane Gardam or Cold Comfort Farm then this is for you. The twists at the end were mostly expected, although one took me aback completely. The author must have really enjoyed writing this book, levelling a whole barrage of sardonic comments at the North London middle classes, the intricacies of which are instantly recognisable. I’m glad I read this rather than listened to an audiobook as I did for How to Kill Your Family. It’s much more pleasurable to wallow in writing as clever as this.
With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an advance copy.
With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had such high hopes for this one, and indeed it started off really well, but unfortunately it lost its way one third of the way through, and failed to deliver. Shame, because I had been enjoying it. 💍
The story centres around thrice widowed Diana Leyland, who has set her sights on potential husband number four, David Farrand. What she hasn't reckoned on, is David's daughter, Cat. 💍
As I mentioned, there was great potential, especially when Diana and Cat lock horns. Unfortunately, the story took a rather meandering route to get to the point, there was a lot of needless repetition, and by the time I was half way through, I didn't really care who died. 💍
None of the characters were likeable, not even the victim. Said victim was actually a surprise. I was expecting someone else. Diana's son was portrayed as a loveable character, but I just found him annoying. 💍
I did like the final reveal though, and the ending. It was almost worth waiting for. 🎉
3.5 ⭐ rounded up to 4⭐.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the ARC.
The story centres around thrice widowed Diana Leyland, who has set her sights on potential husband number four, David Farrand. What she hasn't reckoned on, is David's daughter, Cat. 💍
As I mentioned, there was great potential, especially when Diana and Cat lock horns. Unfortunately, the story took a rather meandering route to get to the point, there was a lot of needless repetition, and by the time I was half way through, I didn't really care who died. 💍
None of the characters were likeable, not even the victim. Said victim was actually a surprise. I was expecting someone else. Diana's son was portrayed as a loveable character, but I just found him annoying. 💍
I did like the final reveal though, and the ending. It was almost worth waiting for. 🎉
3.5 ⭐ rounded up to 4⭐.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the ARC.
July 29, 2026
3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This is my second of Bella Mackie’s novels and I enjoyed this as much as How to Kill Your Family. The writing is witty, fun, modern and engaging. It starts off strong and pulls you in, she writes the characters in a way that you really don’t know who you’re rooting for - morally grey, real and flawed but also completely relatable. I enjoyed the narrative flipping between Cat and Diana, understanding each characters motivations and frustrations with each other as the plot progresses. I did feel like it dipped slightly in the middle, wasn’t quite as engaging but then peaked at the end. I do feel like the ending was reminiscent of How to Kill Your Family, however if you haven’t read any of her previous work I don’t think the ending would be as predictable. I did enjoy the conclusion though and overall it was a strong book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This is my second of Bella Mackie’s novels and I enjoyed this as much as How to Kill Your Family. The writing is witty, fun, modern and engaging. It starts off strong and pulls you in, she writes the characters in a way that you really don’t know who you’re rooting for - morally grey, real and flawed but also completely relatable. I enjoyed the narrative flipping between Cat and Diana, understanding each characters motivations and frustrations with each other as the plot progresses. I did feel like it dipped slightly in the middle, wasn’t quite as engaging but then peaked at the end. I do feel like the ending was reminiscent of How to Kill Your Family, however if you haven’t read any of her previous work I don’t think the ending would be as predictable. I did enjoy the conclusion though and overall it was a strong book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bella Mackie has done it again! I loved this book. It was about a woman named Diana who was for a lack of better words, a gold digger, looking to secure her and her son's future with a financial backer, i.e. husband. She had 3 previous husbands who all died in weird ways along the way. Diana did an anticipate that her latest conquest would have a daughter who would challenge her as she got close to her father. The book is written in 3rd person so we get everyone's POV as well as several very funny winks at the reader. I had an idea of the "who don it" halfway throughout the book, however, I was surprised at how things unfolded and the end left me dumbfounded. I did not know who to root for because everyone was just terrible but it was so fun reading about their shenanigans. Bella Mackie is an extremely talented writer. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Cat wasn't sure how much she was being driven by a desire to stop her father being killed, how much was her determination to keep the family fortune within the family, or how much was her intense dislike of this woman who just didn't fit into their world."
Another enjoyable dark comedy and family mystery that manages to be just far-fetched enough, from this author. Present day North London and 'Black Widow', ambitous Diana sets her sights on Catriona's dad, snobby psychiatrist David. Wiley yet inherently lazy Cat does her own investigating to get to the bottom of Diana's three dead husbands, trailed by Diana's son, charismatic, animal-lover Zeb. No character avoids Mackie's sharp and astute commentary on their hypocritical, upper-middle class lifestyles and the plot progresses to Diana and David's wedding. Witty, acerbic and entertaining!
Another enjoyable dark comedy and family mystery that manages to be just far-fetched enough, from this author. Present day North London and 'Black Widow', ambitous Diana sets her sights on Catriona's dad, snobby psychiatrist David. Wiley yet inherently lazy Cat does her own investigating to get to the bottom of Diana's three dead husbands, trailed by Diana's son, charismatic, animal-lover Zeb. No character avoids Mackie's sharp and astute commentary on their hypocritical, upper-middle class lifestyles and the plot progresses to Diana and David's wedding. Witty, acerbic and entertaining!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
NetGalley review
*May contain spoilers*
I was blown away by this book, I just couldn’t put it down.
I remember reading Bella's first book ‘how to kill your family’ and thought it was fantastic (still need to read her second book) and this one was just as good as the first, if not better.
The twists and turns that came along with the mind games and just over all the wild goose chance throughout this whole book of if so and so is the killer but the twist? Oh my god the test!, I kind worked it out but was still shocked and the whole animal thing was like dr Dolittle gone psycho.
how they speak about the wealthy and upper class and how they look upon the world or how people try to fit in and seem ridiculous is quite intriguing and spoil on might I say.
All in all a fantastic book that I will be recommending to everyone.
*May contain spoilers*
I was blown away by this book, I just couldn’t put it down.
I remember reading Bella's first book ‘how to kill your family’ and thought it was fantastic (still need to read her second book) and this one was just as good as the first, if not better.
The twists and turns that came along with the mind games and just over all the wild goose chance throughout this whole book of if so and so is the killer but the twist? Oh my god the test!, I kind worked it out but was still shocked and the whole animal thing was like dr Dolittle gone psycho.
how they speak about the wealthy and upper class and how they look upon the world or how people try to fit in and seem ridiculous is quite intriguing and spoil on might I say.
All in all a fantastic book that I will be recommending to everyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2026
I read about the first 25% properly but then sort of gave up and speed-read to get the highlights and resolve the mystery, but without giving my full attention to the story. As much as the blurb was right up my alley and I liked the mysterious atmosphere and was curious about who was the ultimate villain, I need books where I can feel something for the characters and root for them, and this was about the opposite of it.
I appreciate authors can make their characters unlikeable on purpose, but I couldn’t find it in me to care for any one of them. Each and everyone of them too rich and entitled and self absorbed. All characters have something which makes you somewhat sympathise with them for a moment, but at the same time they are all so full of themselves that they are a lot more irritating than anything else.
*I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion*
I appreciate authors can make their characters unlikeable on purpose, but I couldn’t find it in me to care for any one of them. Each and everyone of them too rich and entitled and self absorbed. All characters have something which makes you somewhat sympathise with them for a moment, but at the same time they are all so full of themselves that they are a lot more irritating than anything else.
*I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hugely enjoyable. Sublime writing and laugh out loud funny at times.
Mackie is a sharp eyed social commentator, piercing the patina that divides the wealthy elite of London from the truly rich, aka the "Tatler" demographic (shooting, hunting, braying).
It's a book that constantly confounds us. I was at times sympathetic to gold digger Diana, accused by stepdaughter Catriona of murdering her previous 3 husbands. I also felt sorry for Catriona, working in dull jobs secured purely by her father's reputation. Her father cared more for his public appearances and publishing deals than his daughter, who lived in a flat below his in the very palatial family home.
As the number of murders rachets up, with only circumstantial evidence, there's a delicious twist near the end.
Mackie is a sharp eyed social commentator, piercing the patina that divides the wealthy elite of London from the truly rich, aka the "Tatler" demographic (shooting, hunting, braying).
It's a book that constantly confounds us. I was at times sympathetic to gold digger Diana, accused by stepdaughter Catriona of murdering her previous 3 husbands. I also felt sorry for Catriona, working in dull jobs secured purely by her father's reputation. Her father cared more for his public appearances and publishing deals than his daughter, who lived in a flat below his in the very palatial family home.
As the number of murders rachets up, with only circumstantial evidence, there's a delicious twist near the end.
July 21, 2026
I loved this! I really enjoy Bella Mackie’s writing style so was looking forward to this and the way it started was just fantastic!
None of the characters were very likeable which I feel is testament to how they’ve been developed and described and I was really rooting for Catriona throughout the story despite her being incredibly annoying lol.
I found the pacing good, I was kept on tenterhooks for a lot of it, wondering if Catriona or Diana would have the upper hand! The ending was a surprise that I didn’t see coming and I do wish I would have been able to read more about that character and the reasons why they did what they did as it seemed a bit odd without context.
Overall really enjoyed and would recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
None of the characters were very likeable which I feel is testament to how they’ve been developed and described and I was really rooting for Catriona throughout the story despite her being incredibly annoying lol.
I found the pacing good, I was kept on tenterhooks for a lot of it, wondering if Catriona or Diana would have the upper hand! The ending was a surprise that I didn’t see coming and I do wish I would have been able to read more about that character and the reasons why they did what they did as it seemed a bit odd without context.
Overall really enjoyed and would recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 stars
I’ve been anticipating Bella Mackie’s next book since reading how to kill your family and what a way to go and this did not disappoint.
I appreciated the little nod in the book to what a way to go with the mention of Anthony Wistern early on in the book when getting to know Diana, the serial widower.
The book keeps you guessing from the start and makes it difficult to know which characters to root for as most could be hated at any given point in the book.
I had figured out the twist before it happens in the book but I found this made me more excited to get to the end to see if I was correct and how everything would play out.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been anticipating Bella Mackie’s next book since reading how to kill your family and what a way to go and this did not disappoint.
I appreciated the little nod in the book to what a way to go with the mention of Anthony Wistern early on in the book when getting to know Diana, the serial widower.
The book keeps you guessing from the start and makes it difficult to know which characters to root for as most could be hated at any given point in the book.
I had figured out the twist before it happens in the book but I found this made me more excited to get to the end to see if I was correct and how everything would play out.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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