Queen Macbeth - by Val McDermid

Book Synopsis

Shakespeare created the myth of the Macbeths as indefensible murderous conspirators. But now internationally bestselling author Val McDermid drags the truth out of the shadows, exposing the patriarchal prejudices of history

Britain's reigning "Queen of Crime" (The Scotsman), Val McDermid has ensnared audiences worldwide for over thirty years with her thrilling and masterfully plotted crime oeuvre. A radical, rip-roaring counternarrative drawing on the historical record, Queen Macbeth delivers an illuminating portrait of Shakespeare's most famous villain, and the treacherous pursuit of ambition that made her legendary.

A thousand years ago in an ancient Scottish landscape, a woman is on the run with her three companions - a healer, a weaver, and a seer. The men hunting her will kill her - because she is the only one who stands between them and their violent ambition. She is no lady: she is the first queen of Scotland, married to a king called Macbeth. As the net closes in, what unfurls is a tale of passion, forced marriage, bloody massacre, and the harsh realities of medieval Scotland. At the heart of it is one strong, charismatic woman, who survived loss and jeopardy to outwit the endless plotting of a string of ruthless and power-hungry men. Her struggle won her a country. But now it could cost her life.

Immersive and utterly riveting, Queen Macbeth is an electric reimagining of one of Shakespeare's most celebrated tragedies and reaffirms McDermid as one of the preeminent writers of our day.

Review Quotes

Praise for Queen Macbeth:

An Amazon Editors' Pick in Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

"A tale of Queen Macbeth as you've never seen her before."--Book Riot

"The Scottish Play is reimagined by Scotland's Queen of Crime in this captivating new novel, which follows Lady Macbeth from her days on the run from a bloody medieval patriarchy, through to her ascendancy, a reign that turns out to be even more sinister, with murderous challengers at every turn. McDermid trains her formidable imagination on an iconic character."--Dwyer Murphy, CrimeReads

"Delightful . . . McDermid's considerable talent for reconstructing medieval Scotland in all its tribal viciousness, as well as its beauty and joy, is a real treat."--Margaret Canon, Globe and Mail

"[A] radical revision of Shakespeare's most familiar plot and characters . . . McDermid offers a leader whose humanity feels striking and deeply familiar . . . Though this is far from the modern crime fiction she's known for, McDermid weaves Queen Macbeth from the same understanding of longings for safety, justice, and yes, love."--Beth Kanell, New York Journal of Books

"McDermid [is] in her element here, bringing bucketloads of both suspense and sympathy to a woman who was either (or maybe both) a supportive wife and a criminal ahead of her time."--Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Book Review (Editor's Choice)

"[Queen Macbeth] is masterfully conceived and provides readers with the background to further appreciate the strength and fortitude of the woman who has been called Lady Macbeth. There is no one better for this task than Val McDermid."--Ray Palen, Bookreporter

"A compulsively fascinating and deftly crafted read . . . [A]n extraordinary retelling of one of Shakespeare's iconic plays from a totally new perspective and brought vividly back to life through the impressively original and exceptionally storytelling skills of novelist Val McDermid."--James Cox, Midwest Book Review

"One of Scotland's premier crime writers . . . this novel seems unexpected territory for McDermid, but she plays to her strengths. The result is a surprisingly suspenseful tale--a special challenge in historical fiction when the general contours of a narrative are already known. Even within those confines, McDermid manages twists and turns that not only show her chops as a mystery novelist, but upend the cultural stranglehold Shakespeare's antiheroine has on our understanding of this intriguing real-life woman. A love letter to Scotland via a fast and fresh look at one of its monumental--and monumentally misunderstood--figures."--Kirkus Reviews

"The curtain rises on a masterful production . . . McDermid offers a sympathetic look at a woman who views herself as a mere game piece in an oppressive patriarchal society and makes a life for herself among the ubiquitous blood feuds and treachery of her time . . . All fans of The Bard will enjoy this."--Jane Murphy, Booklist

"A page-turning tale of adversity and adventure, laughter and love, death and defiance."--The Scotsman (UK)

"There's much we don't know about life in 10th-century Scotland, but McDermid supplements what we do know about medieval history with playful imagination and intertextual reference. It'll be great fun for anyone who knows Shakespeare's tragedy, offering the reader a fascinating glimpse of what lies behind the long shadow of Shakespeare's politically motivated portrayal."--Sydney Morning Herald

"McDermid allows Lady Macbeth to reclaim her real name--Gruoch--and casts her in an altogether more sympathetic light . . . a page-turner."--The Irish News

"[McDermid] successfully dismantled my blood-soaked Shakespearean assumptions about Lady Macbeth."--Libby Brooks, The Story of Childhood

"Sharp . . . a pushy, playful rewriting of Shakespeare and Scottish history in the context of the hurly-burly present."--The Conversation

"It is Thelma and Louise with crossbows. The three companions are delightfully skilled, fast, furious, and deadly in battle . . . a terrific novella."--West Highland Free Press

"Terse, atmospheric, and superbly reimagined, McDermid's latest . . . perfectly captures the terror of living in a medieval Scotland riven by violence. Scottish history enthusiasts will enjoy."--Library Journal

"Queen Macbeth reimagines a character vilified by Shakespeare and imbues her with the strength and determination needed to outwit those determined to kill her."--Amy Wilson, Novels Alive

"A masterful blend of historical drama and personal introspection, set against the harsh and tumultuous backdrop of 11th-century Scotland. McDermid's storytelling is immersive and engaging . . . Queen Macbeth is a triumph of historical fiction that challenges the Shakespearean myth and reaffirms McDermid's reputation as a master of the genre . . . [A] must-read, leaving readers with much to ponder about the nature of ambition and the strength of women who defy the odds."--Christina Hartmann-Benchoff, Prickle Forrest Books

"A wondrous tale of subterfuge, courage, and resolve."--Lovereading

"A historical romance seen from the perspective of a strong and determined woman fighting for life and love."--Mail on Sunday

"Enthralling . . . McDermid offers a no-nonsense, authentic earthiness of language, dialogue and descriptive passages."--Historical Novel Society

"McDermid plunges into medieval Scotland. Overturning Shakespeare's propaganda, the reader will encounter a new Lady Macbeth amidst a web of vicious intrigue."―Good Reading Magazine (Australia)

"Gripping . . . the mighty Val McDermid interpret[s] the story of Lady Macbeth with searing feminist power."--Waterstones Says

"[Queen Macbeth] hews closer to what is known about the historical figures and the original time period. The story of this Gruoch and her Macbeth tells a story of political machinations, true partnership and enduring romance . . . satisfying."--Marlene Harris, Reading Reality

Praise for Val McDermid:

"[A] relentlessly engrossing series."--Wall Street Journal on Broken Ground

"There are few other crime writers in the same league as Val McDermid. Her stories are ingeniously plotted, moody . . . Absorbing . . . It's Karen's character that's the enduring draw of this series . . . Out of Bounds is another terrific and intricate suspense novel by a writer who has given us 30 of them. As I said, there are few other crime writers in the same league as Val McDermid."--Maureen Corrigan, Washington Post on Out of Bounds

"We read crime fiction for enjoyment, comfort and reassurance. McDermid provides all this . . . Still Life shows that she is still at the height of her powers; it is deeply enjoyable, one of her best."--Scotsman (UK) on Still Life

"McDermid is at the top of her game and readers will be highly rewarded for taking this new journey at her side."--CrimeReads on Still Life

"A thriller as steely and superlative as its heroine."--O, The Oprah Magazine on Broken Ground

"No one writes sturdier mysteries than Val McDermid."--Chicago Tribune on Out of Bounds

"McDermid remains unrivalled . . . brilliant."--Observer (UK) on How the Dead Speak

"Further evidence that her 'Queen of Crime' status will not be challenged."--Scotsman on How the Dead Speak

About the Author

Val McDermid's bestselling novels have won the Los Angeles Times Book of the Year Award, and the Crime Writers' Association's Gold Dagger and Cartier Diamond Dagger Award for outstanding achievement. She is also a five-time finalist for the Edgar Award, including for the Fact Crime nominee Forensics and most recently the Sue Grafton Memorial nominee Past Lying. She lives in Scotland.