Lady MacBethad

Dazzlingly clever and difficult to put down * i *
Suspenseful, atmospheric and full of twists and turns, I loved the brutal, backstabbing world that Isabelle Schuler conjures up where only the most ruthless can survive. A thoroughly enjoyable read! -- Jennifer Saint, author of Sunday Times bestsellers, Ariadne and Elektra
Love, lust, revenge, power – this completely mesmerising historical debut has it all’ * Good Housekeeping *
Exquisitely written, this poetic novel and its unforgettable heroine seems a shoo-in for this year’s Women’s Prize * Red *
Isabelle Schuler’s Lady MacBethad achieves the unthinkable: transforming Shakespeare’s wicked queen into an empathetic heroine. I was transfixed by this wholly convincing tale of Scottish mormaers and machinations -- Laura Shepperson, author of The Heroines
An extraordinary novel about an extraordinary and unforgettable character. Love, revenge, power and lust – Lady MacBethad has it all and is impossible to put down. Gruoch will stay with me for a long time, I loved her. -- Emily Koch, author of If I Die Before I Wake and Keep Him Close
I loved this fierce and beautifully written book about power, love and destiny. Gruoch is an unforgettable heroine, her determination shines through the pages, and I struggled to put it down.Lady MacBethad is an inspiring, captivating, triumph of a book -- Cressida McLaughlin
Stuck in a violent and male-dominated society, Gruoch MacBethad’s machinations are limitless. Every time her stubborn pride, unwavering ambition, and lust for revenge forced her hand, I was dizzy with intrigue, relief, admiration—and of course growing dread. Schuler’s masterful and captivating imagining of the early life of the real Lady Macbeth—one of history’s much-maligned women—slowly seduces you into turning page after engrossing page until suddenly you’re reading well into the night, holding your breath as the heart-pounding climax unfolds before you. Days later, and there remains this sense of tantalising, aching loss whenever I find myself thinking about the deeply complex yet very relatable Gruoch; I was utterly enthralled by her. Bold, brutal, and full of suspense, this dark and twisty epic is not to be missed -- London Shah, Award-winning author of the Light in the Abyss series
Isabelle Schuler’s Lady MacBethad is a stunning debut, and sure to become an instant classic. Gruoch’s rise to power is utterly absorbing and believable, and she is a compelling and complex character. Schuler’s meticulously researched historical setting weaves history, folklore and literature to create an unputdownable read - even if we know how the story ends, we’re desperate to find out exactly how it began -- Cailean Steed, author of Home
Lady MacBethad is a gripping and fiercely feminist reimagining of an extraordinary woman. Gruoch's tale is an utterly compelling and absorbing reframing of the character and the story we think we all know -- Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman and The Metal Heart
The suspense-filled origin story of one of Shakespeare's best-known characters * BBC News, Books of 2023 *
Brimful with suspense, packed with power plays and sinister subterfuge * Daily Mail, New Year, New Reads chosen by Claire Allfree *
It has everything you need from an immersive, captivating epic, packed with brilliant writing and a suspense-laden plot. There will certainly be a lot more to come from Schuler * Harper's Bazaar, The Best New Fiction Books to Read in 2023 *
Action-packed * Press Association, Debuts to Watch *
As far as feminist retellings of traditional stories go, there is little that compares to the wealth of intrigue, exploration and developed depth that Schuler constructs. A wonderful read and highly recommended. It’s very easy to get lost in the world of the great Scottish Queen and her infamous husband -- Chris Reed, NZ Booklovers
This Scottish Game of Thrones, by a Swiss American Hawaiian film-score writer and actress, is certainly a well-crafted page turner. Isabelle Schuler is skilled in complex plotting, memorable characterisation and in ending every chapter with a tempting twist in the narrative to encourage the reader to move to the next even when there are so many other duties calling. The book entertains * Otago Daily Times *
Lady MacBethad by Isabelle Schuler is an action-packed historical tale and a reimagining of the life of the Scottish queen who inspired the story of Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth * Belfast Telegraph: Summer books 2023 *