Book Review: The Curious Case of Maggie Macbeth by Stacey Murray

“Never underestimate the importance of having a book in your life that always makes you smile.” – Quote by Unknown, Adapted by Me.

Are you still looking for that book that makes you smile? I may have a solution for you.

Goodreads Blurb

The Curious Case of Maggie Macbeth by Stacey Murray

After losing her high-powered job in Hong Kong, forty-something widow and lawyer, Maggie Macbeth, turns up on the doorstep of her old sidekick, Cath, in the sleepy Peak District village of Archdale. A fish out of water, Maggie comes into conflict with everyone and everything – especially Cath’s awful friend, Tiggy – and rock bottom is just around the corner. But it turns out Maggie isn’t the only one in trouble. When a crisis hits the local community, Maggie has a choice: to give up on life, or go back to her legal roots and fight for justice. But can she save the day as well as herself?

Review

The Curious Case of Maggie Macbeth is a really funny book. I love the witty quotes and varying personalities, plus the commentary on small-town life that’s done with just the right amount of jest. This book didn’t just make me smile, it had me grinning from ear to ear.

But for me, The Curious Case of Maggie Macbeth was not just about providing a comedy to the world.

The thing I loved most about this book was the title character, Maggie Macbeth. I loved how she was was a big softie underneath the hard interior she enforces. However, what I loved the most was the different layer of depression that the character of Maggie shows. See, regardless of what other books, film, TV, song, etc. would have you believe, depression is not just about crying all the time. It is about losing motivation and belief in yourself, instead choosing to lay around all day and avoiding to take on anything that might be even the littlest bit of a challenge. It’s not alluded to in the book but I think Maggie was battling a bout of depression in the time she spent at Archdale. I’m not even sure if Maggie knew it herself. But I saw it and I was happy to see another side to the dreaded illness that people don’t realise. Should the author have delved more into the topic? I’m not sure, but I’m glad at least a hint of it was there.

The Curious Case of Maggie Macbeth also touches on being a walkover using the character of Cath. Cath is afraid to say no to everyone, included her cheating husband, Simon. Whether she breaks this mold or not I don’t want to say, but I think the inclusion of Cath will help readers to recognise if they are walkovers themselves, and hopefully help them make decisions for their own accord.

And what do you get when you put Maggie and Cath together? A book that shows exactly what a strong friendship can bring to life.

The Curious Case of Maggie Macbeth brings laugh-out-loud moments but also shows that a book doesn’t need to be intense or dark to deal with topics like depression. For that reason alone, it’s worth picking up a copy.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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