While this tiny book (127 pages) is not your usual gripping McDermid thriller, it’s a well-told story of a strong and charismatic woman. With her band of female friends, she becomes a queen twice over, escapes the fighting factions, finds love, and finally reigns peacefully over Scotland for 17 years.
It is set in 10th century Scotland – McDermid borrows the name from Shakespeare. Unlike the murderous villain that he depicted, Macbeth (Macbethad), is a strong and good man, as seen through the eyes of his wife, Gruoch.
When Gruoch meets Macbeth, she is instantly smitten. She loves his red hair, how he dances, but especially how he makes her feel in bed. This love, and her sense of what is right for Scotland, drives her to outwit her would-be enemies. They eventually marry, and their reign is long and peaceful.
I like the character of Gruoch. She’s married off by her father to a man she doesn’t like ‘there’s not much to love about Gille’. She has enough sense of self-worth to feign happiness, for she becomes queen of the north. Her only request is that her three best friends remain with her, a decision that will help her when she’s on the run.
It’s an easy read. Past events are italicised and a spattering of Gaelic throughout adds to the authenticity of the characters and brings what is true history to life. Although it’s McDermid’s fictional account of what happened, it’s a tale of medieval Scotland and the patriarchal prejudices that dominated at the time.
Reviewed by Sue Stanbridge
Read an interview and listen to a podcast with Val McDermid about her book Past Lying.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dubbed the Queen of Crime, Val McDermid has sold over 17 million books to date across the globe and is translated into more than 40 languages. She is perhaps best-known for her ‘Wire in the Blood’ series, featuring clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan, which was adapted for television starring Robson Green and Hermione Norris.
She has written three other series: private detective Kate Brannigan, journalist Lindsay Gordon and, most recently, cold-case detective Karen Pirie, whose debut appearance in The Distant Echo is soon to become a major ITV series. She has also published in several award-winning standalone novels, books of non-fiction, short story collections and a children’s picture book, My Granny is a Pirate.
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