Official Review: Mac & Beth by Aaron D McClelland

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 17 Mar 2021, 07:47

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Mac & Beth" by Aaron D McClelland.]

3 out of 4 stars

Share This Review

Mac & Beth by Aaron D McClelland is a crime thriller set in the world of drug dealers near the borderline between the USA and Mexico. Duncan is the boss of a gang that is like a family for him. After a new deal with a Mexican cartel, Duncan expands his operation, bringing more types of drugs in the area. Things seem to get better, also thanks to the strong alliance with his cousin Duffy's gang. However, when Mac, his most ruthless man, falls in love with Duffy's step-daughter Beth and the Grim Sisters tell them about their future, things start going sideways. Banks, Duncan's confidant, sees the coming problems, but can he turn things around and prevent greed and hunger for power to destroy Duncan's gang?

If the novel's title and its characters reminded you of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, that's not accidental. The author draws a strong inspiration from that classic tragedy adapting the story to today's world of drug dealers. It's not a simple modern remake, but I can't tell you the differences, as they'd be spoilers. Recognizing the bits taken from Shakespeare and the bits Aaron D McClelland created on his own is part of the fun of reading this novel. You can enjoy it even if you don't know Macbeth.

The story is told in the first person by Banks, Duncan's accountant, which means that Banks takes care of the money laundering. He's definitely not your usual accountant, as he also takes part in shootouts when there's a clash between Duncan's gang and some rivals or people who crossed Duncan. Banks is also a father, and part of the novel is his personal story of how he's raising his son Flea. His complexity is shown with the moments Banks is spending with his son showing his love for Flea alternating with moments where Banks kills someone who crossed Duncan in cold blood.

Banks is not the only character with such complexity. The author fleshed out the characters' humanity with positive and negative elements. Negative also mean greed, as more money coming from a bigger business can become stronger than personal bonds. Such complexity is what I appreciated the most in this novel, as the characters felt real.

All of that made the novel engaging even when the pace is slow, in the parts where Banks reflects on some situation with the gang and when he's spending some time doing very normal things with his son. There's nothing I didn't like about this novel.

This novel is for adults only. There are firefights with people killed and explicit moments of sexual activity. The author doesn't go into detail telling those bits, but they can still be very violent and very erotic. The language includes wide use of profanity, but that's the least of concerns.

Unfortunately, the book includes several errors, more than 10. That's the only reason why I rate it only 3 out of 4 stars. Another round of proofreading would make it excellent. If you want to read a Shakespeare-style tragedy full of twists set today in the world of drug dealers, Mac & Beth is a must-read.

******
Mac & Beth
View: on Bookshelves

Smmwallace · Post by **Smmwallace** » 20 Mar 2021, 17:38

I enjoy reading crime thrillers, and this one sounds exciting. The character Banks is chilling, the way he can compartmentalize showing love for his son and murdering someone in cold blood. Thank you for your great review! I'm adding it to my want-to-read shelf.

Arun_Bohra_001 · Post by **Arun_Bohra_001** » 20 Mar 2021, 23:32

The describe the book was very good. Specially way of describing characters. But because of extreme violence and adult scenes in the book I am I keep myself from reading it. But anyways thanks for the review!

Mbrooks2518 · Post by **Mbrooks2518** » 21 Mar 2021, 01:38

Sounds like an interesting story. I like that the author gave the characters some complexity. Great review!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 21 Mar 2021, 02:34

Smmwallace wrote: ↑20 Mar 2021, 17:38 I enjoy reading crime thrillers, and this one sounds exciting. The character Banks is chilling, the way he can compartmentalize showing love for his son and murdering someone in cold blood. Thank you for your great review! I'm adding it to my want-to-read shelf.

Banks can be chilling and very sweet, depending on the situation. He's really complex. Thank you for your appreciation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 21 Mar 2021, 02:36

Arun_Bohra_001 wrote: ↑20 Mar 2021, 23:32 The describe the book was very good. Specially way of describing characters. But because of extreme violence and adult scenes in the book I am I keep myself from reading it. But anyways thanks for the review!

In the end, it's a matter of what you like to read and I mentioned the violence exactly to enable the readers to understand if this book is for them. Thank you for commenting!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 21 Mar 2021, 02:36

Mbrooks2518 wrote: ↑21 Mar 2021, 01:38 Sounds like an interesting story. I like that the author gave the characters some complexity. Great review!

Yes, the author did a great job with his characters. Thank you for your appreciation!

zainherb · Post by **zainherb** » 21 Mar 2021, 06:00

Sounds like an interesting book. Putting a twist on Macbeth? That's inspired.

I enjoyed reading your detailed review. Well done!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 21 Mar 2021, 06:14

zainherb wrote: ↑21 Mar 2021, 06:00 Sounds like an interesting book. Putting a twist on Macbeth? That's inspired.

I enjoyed reading your detailed review. Well done!

A bold choice, but in my opinion a successful one. Thank you for your appreciation!

Marcel Cantu · Post by **Marcel Cantu** » 21 Mar 2021, 16:00

This sounds like a very exciting read! I enjoyed reading your review!

Saint Bruno · Post by **Saint Bruno** » 21 Mar 2021, 16:20

It's unfortunate that a book this intriguing would have such editing issues. Nevertheless, I guess one can still enjoy it as it is. Greed is always the pin that deflates the baloons of gangs. I wish to see how this one turns out. Thanks for the detailed and insightful review.

Alheotuci · Post by **Alheotuci** » 21 Mar 2021, 17:20

This seems to be an exciting story. From reading your review, the plot has piqued my interest.
Thanks for a detailed review!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 21 Mar 2021, 17:44

Marcel Cantu wrote: ↑21 Mar 2021, 16:00 This sounds like a very exciting read! I enjoyed reading your review!

It's exciting for sure! Thank you for your appreciation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 21 Mar 2021, 17:45

Saint Bruno wrote: ↑21 Mar 2021, 16:20 It's unfortunate that a book this intriguing would have such editing issues. Nevertheless, I guess one can still enjoy it as it is. Greed is always the pin that deflates the baloons of gangs. I wish to see how this one turns out. Thanks for the detailed and insightful review.

The error weren't distracting, but I hope that the author will do another round of proofreading to correct them. Thank you for your appreciation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 21 Mar 2021, 17:46

Alheotuci wrote: ↑21 Mar 2021, 17:20 This seems to be an exciting story. From reading your review, the plot has piqued my interest.
Thanks for a detailed review!

Yes, the story is certainly exciting. Thank you for your appreciation!