BLOG TOUR AND GIVEAWAY: Macbeth by Jo Nesbo

I'm very excited to be on the blog tour today for Macbeth by Jo Nesbo plus I have a copy to giveaway too! Macbeth is being published by Harvill Secker and is part of the Hogarth Project which sees Shakespeare's works retold by acclaimed and bestselling novelists of today, so far the project has published novels including The Tempest by Margaret Attwood, Tracy Chevalier's retelling of Othello and The Winter's Tale rewritten by Jeanette Winterson. I think Jo Nesbo is the perfect fit for Macbeth, he is one of the world's best crime writers, his writing is gritty and realistic. His approach to Macbeth is modern and relevant:

He's the best cop they've got.
When a drug bust turns into a bloodbath it's up to Inspector Macbeth and his team to clean up the mess.
He's also an ex-drug addict with a troubled past.
He's rewarded for his success. Power. Money. Respect. They're all within reach.
But a man like him won't get to the top...
Plagued by hallucinations and paranoia, Macbeth starts to unravel. He's convinced he won't get what is rightfully his.
...unless he kills for it

Publisher: Harvill Secker

Pages: 611

I have really enjoyed Jo Nesbo's books in the past and I was intrigued to see how he would adapt Macbeth for a modern audience. Making Macbeth a troubled police Inspector was a fantastic idea as it allows Nesbo to include so much within the character. I think that Nesbo perfectly captured the ruthless and desperate nature of Macbeth's character, there is an edge of madness to him along with a dogged determination to get what he wants. I always found Macbeth to have quite a claustrophobic atmosphere and Nesbo recreates this in the four districts he sets the book in; everyone has an agenda and is watching what others are doing, it is quite an oppressive state to live in.
You could easily read this book without having read Macbeth. I found myself trying to interpret it too much at first, trying to match characters and scenes but once I had abandoned that I actually found it more enjoyable so don't be put off, you do not need to have read the original to appreciate this one.

Harvill Secker have kindly said that I can offer a UK reader the chance to win a copy of the book, simply leave a comment below and I will pick a random winner, this competition is open until midnight on 29th September.

Many thanks to Mia at Vintage for inviting me to take part in the blog tour, do check out the other stops too! Macbeth by Jo Nesbo is available to buy now from Amazon, click here to sign up to the official monthly Jo Nesbo emails with exclusive content, news and competitions!