Only six days old when she's crowned Queen of Scotland in 1542, Mary Stuart spends the rest of her brief life struggling to hold on to her throne. As the Catholic descendant of Henry VIII's sister, Mary is viewed by her English supporters as the rightful heir to the throne, although her claim is complicated not only by political intrigue but also by her personal flaws. Fans of Margaret George's detailed biographical novels may be interested in the author's take on Mary's cousin and rival in Elizabeth I. Historical Fiction newsletter December 2014.