The 'Quest for a Queen' is an exciting trilogy about three crucial times in the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Each story is told by imaginary young people I slip into the actual historical facts of the setting. The Royal Courts and the sleazy back streets of France, Scotland and England are as real as I could make them.

1. THE LARK {France, 1558/9}

Young John Russell, son of an Archer in the Scots Guard of the King of France, is chosen as whipping-boy to the Dauphin, the sickly future husband of l7-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots. John's sister Lark also joins the luxury of the Court, to sing for Queen Catherine de Medici. In the swirl of passionate religious wars and personal hatred and jealousy among princes and dwarfs, servants and soldiers, how can John and Lark save themselves and their young queen?

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