This biography investigates the complex life and reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, challenging traditional narratives and exploring her rivalry with Elizabeth I. John Guy, a leading historian, reinterprets the life of Mary, who was crowned Queen of Scotland at nine months old and Queen of France at sixteen. The book details her upbringing amidst European political conflicts and her emergence as Elizabeth's formidable rival, examining the dangerous relationship between these two powerful women that ultimately led to one's downfall.

This biography is presented as a dramatic reinterpretation of Mary, Queen of Scots' life, drawing on the expertise of historian John Guy. The narrative focuses on the intense political rivalry and complex relationship between Mary and Queen Elizabeth I. The book aims to uncover the 'real' Mary amidst the turmoil of her reign and Europe's political battles. Its re-release as a film tie-in suggests a continued interest in the dramatic aspects of her life and the historical period.