Book Review: The Life and Death of Mary, Queen of Scots by Jan-Marie Knights

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Queen of Scots at six days old; married at fifteen in Paris to the Dauphin of France; Queen of France at sixteen; widowed at eighteen; dead at forty-four. Mary Stuart’s tumultuous life and tragic death continue to enthral us today. Utilising contemporary documents, Jan-Marie Knights tracks the fascinating story of Mary’s life and death by creating a diary-style blow-by-blow account of her actions and movements.

A Captivating Chronicle of a Tragic Queen

Jan-Marie Knights' The Life and Death of Mary, Queen of Scots is a an unusual exploration of one of history's enigmatic figures. This new account brings to life the tumultuous reign of Mary Stuart, a queen torn between her Catholic faith, her claim to the English throne, and the political machinations of her rivals.

One of the strengths of this book is how Jan-Marie Knights offers a nuanced understanding of Mary's character, acknowledging her strengths and her weaknesses.

I particularly liked the 'diary format' which keeps the timeline clear and is perfect for dipping in to check details - although I challenge readers not to find this a 'rabbit hole' and keep reading. 

What I missed is any referencing, and although there is a full bibliography, there were times when I found myself wanting to check some details.

The Life and Death of Mary, Queen of Scots is an informative book that will appeal to historians and general readers, and Jan-Marie Knights research make this book a useful addition to any library.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Jan-Marie Knights is an ex- editor and journalist who has worked on many newspapers and magazines and is a keen researcher of local and Tudor history. She lives in the area known as the ‘Dukeries’ with her Tonkinese cat called Ashi.