As the Dauphine stepped out of her carriage on to the ceremonial carpet that had been laid down, it was the Duc de Choiseul who was given the privilege of the first salute. Presented with the Duc by Prince Starhemberg, Marie Antoinette exclaimed: 'I shall never forget that you are responsible for my happiness!

The concentration in my book on Marie Antoinette's childhood and on her family influences. It is surprising how some books actually start with her arrival in France!

Of course there's no such thing as a totally objective person, except Almighty God, if she exists.

I have no plans for a future Jemima Shore mystery, but would write one tomorrow if a good idea came to me.

I think there's a tremendous split between people who've been through a war and people who haven't.

Ninety-seven is my lucky number.

That is my major concern: writers who are in prison for writing.