A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF 2018Shakespeare’s dark and tragic play retold in a heart-pounding New York Times bestselling thriller from the author of The Snowman and The Thirst. Set in the 1970s in a run-down, rainy industrial town, Jo Nesbo’s Macbeth centers around a police force struggling to shed an incessant drug problem. Duncan, chief of police, is idealistic and visionary, a dream to … problem. Duncan, chief of police, is idealistic and visionary, a dream to the townspeople but a nightmare for criminals. The drug trade is ruled by two drug lords, one of whom—a master of manipulation named Hecate—has connections with the highest in power, and plans to use them to get his way.
Hecate’s plot hinges on steadily, insidiously manipulating Inspector Macbeth: the head of SWAT and a man already susceptible to violent and paranoid tendencies. What follows is an unputdownable story of love and guilt, political ambition, and greed for more, exploring the darkest corners of human nature, and the aspirations of the criminal mind.
more
Very satisfying take on Shakespeare’s MacBeth set in 1970s Scotland.
Too Macbeth for me!
Fabulous new take on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.
If you have read Shakespeare’s Macbeth, you will appreciate why Jo Nesbo named his latest novel by the same name. If you haven’t, read his book first. This modern day tragedy is well written although a little “wordy” for my tastes.
Nesbo is a master. One of our favorite authors
This is one of the best authors of our time. All of his novels are excellently written, thrilling and suspenseful. Every time he publishes I purchase his book. They have never let me down.
This modern tale of a disturbing police department is based on Shakespeare’s play. It is a wonderful read, and the writing is many steps above what one would expect in this type of police procedural.
Discovered a great new writer and haven’t finished the book yet but it draws my complete attention.
I’ve never had much interest in reading Shakespeare after the forced reading in Highschool. The other side to this equation is I’ve definitely enjoyed every work by Jo Nesbo. Sounds like a cage match with the winner having his hand raised in victory. Mr Nesbo’s writing won the day. I don’t often give 5 star reviews. I reserve this for works that I want to talk about, read again, see the movie. Thatis what we have here
This is a reimagined MacBeth. Instead of the Shakespearean fight over a kingdom we have a police department. Duncan is Police commissioner , MacBeth is the SWAT commander. After successfully stopping a large drug sale/transfer MacBeth is placed as third in the chain of command. Three prostitutes give him a message from Hecate a drug lord. In Shakespeare these are the three witches and the Queen of the Witches respectively. Lady, MacBeth’s wife, puts a thought worm into MacBeth’s ear. He could be commisioner if he just eliminated Duncan. MacBeth at first recoils but not for long. He can already see the path to the Commissioners Office.
This is where everything gets interesting. Each of these characters has depth. The storyline unfolds as neatly as a butterfly emerging from it’s cocoon. It starts out not looking like much but when it fully opens it’s wings it is ready to fly. This is Jo Nesbo at his finest. Flawed, sometimes deeply, the characters are given life. The moral/amoral ambiguity is clear in many of the main players. These are flawed people who want to do good or bad people who can do good. The line is often blurred.
I can whole heartedly recommend Jo Nesbo’s MacBeth.
I want to thank Mr Nesbo, his Publisher Hogarth, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for this honest review