Thank you to Net Galley and Atlantic Monthly Press for an early copy of Queen Macbeth by Val McDermid


"We were born into a land riven with petty feuds and ambition, and we united it under one banner and called it Scotland"

Author Val McDermid has created an intriguing alternate set of circumstances for the characters most of us know only through William Shakespeare: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Malcolm and Macduff. In this brief but compelling story of Scottish medieval lands, life is precarious and it will take the rule of Macbeth to bring peace to the country. Lady Macbeth will suffer the death of their son, the deaths of two close women allies and news of her husband's demise. Through all of this, she conducts herself with courage and the drive to live for better days.

The story Lady Macbeth narrates toggles between her past and her present and flows beautifully due to the change of text style for past and present. The use of authentic language adds to the genuineness of the text, and the author has included a glossary with many words of the Scottish of long ago.

Lady Macbeth is a traveler, both geographically and figuratively. Queen Macbeth will have readers investigating further Scotland's formation and early history.

I didn’t get invested in this book until 30% in which isn’t ideal considering it’s a novella. However, once I got invested, I really enjoyed the story. The novella was very well written, and I appreciated how much time the author covered even in such a short number of pages. Overall, would’ve preferred a book but still thought it was great.

Queen Macbeth captured my attention from the first page and it was a fascinating read about how Shakespeare's play Macbeth was all wrong according to history.

Val McDermid with her usual flair, presents the true story through the eyes of Lady Macbeth.

The story is well written and shows perfectly the Scotland as it was in the tenth century and how it was a place of war and all it takes is one battle and you have a new king.

Loyalty is a must.

Gruoch is on the run with her three companions all the while coming to terms with her past.

It certainly is a more accurate portrayal and my only complaint is that it was too short.

Highly recommend you pick up your copy and get immersed in the short story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly press for the privilege of reading and reviewing Queen Macbeth.

Well written but I didn't expect any less from one of the greatest crime writers in the world. It was an interesting experience to read about the other side of Shakespear's MacBeth by the pen of McDermid. I will admit that it was a long time ago that I read the original tragedy but this novella gave new life to the story and an interesting take from another perspective.

McDermid gives us a contradictory, but more factually accurate, account of the Macbeth’s-contradictory to Shakespeare, that is.

In this version, Lady Macbeth, forced to marry a man she never loved, falls in love with his cousin, Macbeth. She also becomes pregnant by him to secure her place as Queen. And so begins their love affair and story.

I quite liked this novella. The author moved between the past and present, and weaves them together to tell the complete picture. She also lays out Gruoch’s predicament in relation to her gender, and precarious status because of her inability to get pregnant by her husband-which becomes clear is no fault of her own. But it does shine a light of the unrealistic expectations place on noblewomen, and how their value lies in what they could provide. Also, how they were forced to bow to the whims of their husbands.

But the author gives our lady strength, pragmatism, and a mind of her own. It’s clear Gruoch knows how to wield her words, and get what she wants-by how she steers her husband’s emotions and actions. Not to mention how she manages to be alone with Macbeth.

What’s most striking is the vast difference in how the Macbeth’s are view in this story versus the Shakespeare play. They are not the cold-blooded murderers portrayed in “Macbeth”. They are benevolent, kind rulers, who become crushed by war.

A solid story from start to finish. A must for historical fiction fans.

I found "Queen Macbeth" to be an enthralling reimagining of a story that many of us think we know. Val McDermid skillfully dismantles the myth that Shakespeare created, illuminating the strength and resilience of Lady Macbeth as she navigates a world filled with brutality and betrayal. The pacing kept me hooked, and I appreciated how McDermid enhanced the historical context while crafting a narrative that feels both empowering and intensely relatable.

The character of Lady Macbeth is portrayed with depth and complexity, showing her not just as a conspirator but as a woman shaped by her experiences and her ambitions. McDermid's writing is immersive, pulling me into the harsh realities of medieval Scotland while evoking sympathy for a character often vilified in literature.

Overall, "Queen Macbeth" is a riveting and thought-provoking read that I wholeheartedly recommend. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in a feminist twist on classic literature, and it reaffirms McDermid’s place as a master storyteller in the genre.

This is a rethinking rather than a retelling of Lady Macbeth’s story, and really covers all the female characters in Macbeth. I respect the author’s obvious research into both Scottish history and Shakespeare that shines through every page. Even the language reflects that, although sometimes it feels like swimming through soup to read.

My main issue is that the structure of the story makes it almost impossible to build tension. So it ends up being kind of boring. But I love what the author was trying to do.

At first I found this a bit hard to get into. It took some adjusting to the style and then I had to try to remember what Macbeth was actually about. It’s been awhile since high school. However, the story started flowing and I really enjoyed this more historical, fleshed out version of Macbeth which focuses on both the backstory and current story of Macbeth and his wife. Everyone is represented in an interesting and compelling way.
It’s a short read but very worthwhile. The amount of research that must have gone into this must be incredible. I really enjoyed it and would recommend.

I was given a free advanced reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Greek myth retellings are all the rage right now. While I enjoy those, it's nice to see a different type of retelling - and a retelling of a Shakespeare story, at that. This was a nice, easy read from the point of view of one of the most infamous female characters, but more historical than theatrical. I enjoyed the switch between time periods in the narrative, it added suspense in addition to what what going on in the story. I do wish the book had been longer, there were big story points that were glossed over and opportunities that were missed and could have made the whole work better. Overall, a good story that missed some changes to better but enjoyable all the same.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Queen Macbeth by Val McDermid is a first person dual-timeline reimagining of the historical figures that inspired Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Gruoch is the queen of Angus and struggling to have a child despite their efforts. When Angus’ cousin Macbeth comes, Gruoch is drawn to him and sets in motion an upheaval of their kingdom.

One aspect that was really interesting was how Gruoch is surrounded by three women who serve her but are also her council and friends. Eithne, one of the women, is a seer and has knowledge of plants, making her and the others a bit of a stand-in for the witches from Shakespeare's play. I liked the focus on female friendship and how supportive the four women are of each other while trying to usurp Angus’ throne.

Macbeth is younger and more carefree than he is in Shakespeare's work. His real role is more as a romantic interest for Gruoch and I was really here for it. I loved that he was gentle and loving and accepting of the parts and pieces that had to be moved in order for him and Gruoch to be together.

I would recommend this to fans of reimaginings of historical figures and those looking for a short political historical set in tenth century Scotland.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Val McDermid, and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

While Shakespeare offers up a tale about Macbeth and his adventurous life, Val McDermid explains that it was but an action-filled story with little relation to what actually happened. Choosing to pen a more realistic version of events, McDermid sets things straight in this piece, adding her own literary flourish. She explores events through the eyes of Lady (read: Queen) Macbeth, crating a much different version of events than the Bard provided those centuries ago. Told in a straightforward manner, McDermid offers up a spin on the story with unique ideas to keep the attentive reader highly entertained.

Scotland in the tenth century differed greatly from the landscape we now know. Within the bogs and hilly terrain, a woman is on the run. She seeks to protect herself with three companions, all of whom play a role in her success and continued determination to flee the enemy. Scotland is a place of war and one in which one battle won could bring about a new ruler on the throne, as lines of succession mean little when it comes to who will next sit on the Scottish Throne. At present, the protagonist seeks to find her husband and remain protected. Queen Macbeth is, at least for the time being, the wife of Scotland’s ruler. For how long that will last is up to many events that are about to unfold.

As pressures mount and enemies emerge from various shadows, Queen Macbeth will have to come to terms with the past that brought her here and the future that awaits. A forced marriage haunts her, but she could have done worse. At the heart of the ongoing battle is a woman whose charisma and determination has fuelled her. She made many sacrifices to get where she is and can only hope it was for a good reason. Otherwise, she will soon have to face the reality that she gambled and lost, leaving not only her country behind, but likely her life. McDermid delivers a piece of historical mystery and intrigue that is sure to impress some readers.

I usually quite enjoy the writing of Val McDermid, though I admit that I am not as much a fan of medieval history. She tackles that in this latest book, short though it may be. The narrative flow seems to work, at least for those who enjoy the time period and writing style that one can expect from it. Events connect and the protagonist moves from setting to setting, making herself known as well as the trouble that follows her. However, I found myself not able to properly connect to this piece, as I stumbled repeatedly to make sense of things. The narrative flow seemed off to me, as did the presentation of characters. However, I admit, I was likely not in the mindset to tackle something penned in medieval style.

There were plot points on offer and McDermid’s sense of surprises was apparent, though it did not resonate with me as much as I might have liked. I enjoy most things, but could not find myself linking aspects of the story together properly, leaving me to feel disjointed and out of touch with the themes presented. That said, it was likely just me missing something. I look forward to seeing what others thought and will stand back for their stronger reviews.

Kudos, Madam McDermid, for a piece well worth many readers’ time.

If you've ever read or watched Macbeth and thought, 'That lady is not crazy, she's just trying to make the best of a bad situation' you are going to enjoy this novella.

This is a departure of sorts for the author, who writes very good contemporary mysteries. Diving into the history surrounding the real Macbeth, McDermid focuses in particular on Gruoch (Lady Macbeth) and her life as a royal in the early days of Scotland. It tracks her tragic life, swinging from past to present, and sets the record straight.

She's not a villain. She's a product of her time and an industrious woman, who like many others, had to hide her intelligence, skills and emotions in order to pander to the egos of powerful men.

It's not an uplifting story, but it's an interesting one.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A novella shedding much light on the legendary tale of McBeth!
McDermid has researched the story and has peeled back the layers of the patriarchy to reveal the life of the first Queen of Scotland (Gruoch, not "Lady Macbeth"). Gruoch tells of her meeting of the great red Macbeth as well as her life after the death of her husband. McDermid has done an excellent job of researching and personifying a woman that has been know only for her washing of hands. I enjoyed this immensely and you will too!
#groveatlantic #valmcdermid #queenmacbeth #macbeth #gruoch

What an interesting approach to Shakespeare’s story of Macbath and his Queen, perhaps the most evil female in literature. However, Val Mcdermid takes little-known historical facts and uses them to weave an entirely new story. Many of the names remain the same. Fans of the play will recognize Malcolm, Macduff, Seward, Angus, among others, but they are not as Shakespeare depicted them. Lady Macbeth is human, brave and fearful, caring and strong, loving and vulnerable. The story moves back and forth through time, and that was a little confusing at times, but it was a fascinating story of Anglo-Saxon Scotland.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I must admit that whilst I know the general summary of what happens in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, I am limited in my knowledge due to the fact that I have never read the story beginning to end.

Despite this, I found Queen Macbeth to be an enjoyable retelling/continuation of the Macbeth story. Written from a female’s perspective, Queen Macbeth follows the Queen (Gruoch) and her closest confidants as they attempt to escape with their lives from a would-be usurper, after the death of Macbeth. Coupled with this, our narrator flicks back to the beginning of their relationship, and the conception of their child.

The book itself is very short but I don’t believe that it required more, I enjoyed the alternative ending to the Shakespearean original as well. Overall a good read, 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Val McDermid, a prolific Scottish writer renowned for her crime fiction, ventures into historical fiction with "Queen Macbeth," a captivating addition to the Darkland Tales series. McDermid crafts an immersive narrative that transports readers to unforgiving medieval Scotland. I enjoyed reading it and wish the book was longer and more detailed (during this time, in Scotland, inspired the real Game of Thrones).

This novella unfolds in 11th-century Scotland, a land rife with power struggles. The story follows Gruoch (Lady Macbeth), seeking refuge with her loyal companions after her husband's defeat. Through alternating timelines, we witness Lady Macbeth’s present-day struggles and her past, where her deep passion for Macbeth led them down a treacherous path to seize the crown.

McDermid's portrayals of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are nuanced and compelling. Macbeth, initially hesitant, succumbs to ambition, transforming into a ruthless warlord. Lady Macbeth, a complex and strong woman, emerges as the driving force behind his aspirations, her own desires and insecurities intricately woven into their schemes.

The novella explores timeless themes of ambition, power, guilt, and fate, challenging Shakespeare's “historical accuracy.” McDermid's evocative prose captures the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape and the harsh realities of medieval life. The pacing is great, building suspense as the narrative unfolds towards its tragic climax. However, the story is not without its flaws. The character development is minimal, and the supporting characters lack growth – while well-characterised.

"Queen Macbeth" is a testament to McDermid's versatility as a writer. While reimagining Shakespeare's famous tragedy, she injects and corrects historical facts, offering a fresh perspective on their motivations. This novella is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, Scottish history, and Shakespeare enthusiasts. McDermid's masterful storytelling and psychological insight will leave readers captivated, contemplating the enduring power of ambition and the complexities of the human heart.

Many thanks to Grove Atlantic for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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, presented through dual timelines that explore the life of Queen Gruoch and her companions—a healer, a weaver, and a seer. The character development is rich and relatable, allowing readers to form a genuine connection with the protagonists. However, the novella's brevity leaves readers wishing for a more extended exploration of these fascinating characters and their relationships. Additionally, the modern prose style, while accessible, may feel slightly out of place to some, potentially detracting from the historical setting. Nonetheless, Queen Macbeth is a triumph of historical fiction that challenges the Shakespearean myth and reaffirms McDermid's reputation as a master of the genre. For those intrigued by innovative retellings of classic tales, this novella is a must-read, leaving readers with much to ponder about the nature of ambition and the strength of women who defy the odds. Many thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

I didn’t care for this book, it didn’t really feel like it had substance, very wordy but didn’t hold my interest.

Macbeth was my favorite of Shakespeare's plays in school, but learning that Shakespeare manipulated and embellished the historical story of Macbeth and his queen Gruoch made me curious about the real story. I read a novel based on Gruoch years ago, but here, McDermid gives us a different angle to the story. Told from Gruoch's point of view, the story alternates between pre-marriage to Macbeth and after Macbeth's death. The fact that historians are uncertain of the date of Queen Gruoch's death is used to the author's advantage here.

The book was fairly short, but atmospheric. The way of life in medieval Scotland was conveyed in an effective manner.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the free ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an advanced copy of this book. I was happy to read the historical facts of Shakespeare's Macbeth. Val McDermid did an excellent job researching medieval Scotland and bringing to life the harsh reality of that time. As well as it was researched, it did at times feel sluggish.