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Queen Macbeth

by Val McDermid

Rated 3 out of 5Alison's rating

A historical retelling offering a darker, more grounded take on the Macbeth story.

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The Messy Reader verdict

Interesting idea, but didn't fully land

Reviewed 15 May 2025 messyreaderby messyreader Spoiler free

I was really excited for this one; the premise is brilliant, taking a more historically accurate look at Lady Macbeth, away from the Shakespearean legend we all know. I love a good retelling that leans into the gritty reality of history.

But honestly… it just felt a bit flat. The characters never quite came to life for me, and the story didn’t seem to take flight before it was over. It’s not a bad read by any means, but I was left wanting more depth, more tension, and a stronger emotional pull.

A decent one-sitting read, but not one I’ll be shouting about from the rooftops.

Rating: 3/5

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