Queen Macbeth

A fierce, gripping and radically reimagined portrait of Scotland’s first queen — a woman fighting for survival, power and truth in a brutal medieval world.

Val McDermid tears down the patriarchal myths surrounding the Macbeths, revealing a story of ambition, betrayal and resilience from the queen’s own perspective.

About the Ebook

Queen Macbeth overturns centuries of mythmaking. Shakespeare gave us a murderous conspirator; Val McDermid gives us the woman behind the legend — a queen fighting for her life and her country.

A thousand years ago, in a harsh and ancient Scottish landscape, a woman flees with three companions: a healer, a weaver and a seer. Men are hunting her, determined to kill her because she stands between them and their violent ambitions. She is no villain. She is the first queen of Scotland — wife to a king called Macbeth.

As the net tightens, McDermid reveals a world of forced marriage, political brutality, bloody massacre and the unforgiving realities of medieval power. At its heart is a charismatic, intelligent woman who survived loss, betrayal and danger to outwit ruthless men determined to destroy her.

Part of Polygon’s acclaimed Darkland Tales series, this is a bold, visceral and deeply human retelling of a story we thought we knew.

Critical Praise

"A thrilling reclamation of a woman erased by history — fierce, urgent and unforgettable."

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• A powerful feminist retelling of one of Scotland’s most mythologised figures.
• Rich, immersive historical fiction grounded in real medieval Scotland.
• Fast-paced, dramatic and emotionally gripping from start to finish.
• Perfect for fans of Darkland Tales and bold reinterpretations of history.
• Written by Val McDermid, one of Scotland’s most celebrated and bestselling authors.

About the Author

Val McDermid is a number one bestselling author whose novels have been translated into more than forty languages and sold over nineteen million copies worldwide. She has won numerous awards, including the CWA Gold Dagger, the LA Times Book of the Year Award and the Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding achievement. She writes full-time and divides her life between Edinburgh and the East Neuk of Fife.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Imprint: Polygon

Publication Date: 2 May 2024

Print Length: 152 pages

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788856720

Format: Ebook

Language: English

Categories: Fiction / Historical Fiction

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