Mary Queen of Scots and All Her Ghosts

Mary, Queen of Scots’ life was marked by a succession of tragedies—from religious conflicts to poor matches in marriage to her infamous imprisonment and final beheading—so it’s not surprising that she is considered one of Scotland and England’s most famous (and ubiquitous) ghosts. Miller and Coventry have compiled an informative and comprehensive travel guide for the historically and supernaturally curious. The book contains a thorough—but brief—summary of Mary’s life to provide context for the reader’s potential travels, perfect for those curious about her life but unwilling to commit to a full-length biography. Unfortunately, the emphasis on her ghosts suggested in the title may be a disappointment to true ghost story lovers, since the book merely features notes on supposed sightings of Mary and many of her contemporaries, such as protestant John Knox, her third husband Bothwell, and of course, Queen Elizabeth, rather than fully fleshed-out tales. Information is provided on many of the places Mary traveled to, visited, or was held captive in during her life (and whether or not ghosts were sighted there), making this book most useful for those planning out a Mary, Queen of Scots–themed itinerary. Maps and b&w photos. (Jan.)