It's just Scarlet, but the people of Nottinghamshire assume the small, nimble member of the Hood's band is a boy, so they call her Will Scarlet. When Robin discovered Scarlet trying to pick his pocket in London the young lord assumed she was a boy too, though he soon figured out the truth. Scarlet joined the charismatic lord as he returned to Nottinghamshire to protect his people from the Sheriff presented with his seat of Huntingdon.
Robin of Locksley still hides in Sherwood Forest from the Sheriff and tries to help his people by robbing the rich and providing for the poor. When the Sheriff brings in a thief catcher Scarlet only worries that it will be Guy of Gisbourne who could reveal her secret past.
When the thief catcher arrives the sheriff escalates his action against the townspeople and Rob, Scarlet, Little John and Much ramp up their efforts in response. When the townspeople discover one of their own has betrayed the rightful Earl, only Robin himself can prevent the man's demise. Gisbourne is the thief-catcher, and the force behind the new found depravity in Nottingham and Scarlet fears in saving the townsfolk she will reveal herself to Gisbourne and his tortures.
Meanwhile, Little John has taken a fancy to his female bandmate. While Scarlet struggles to determine how she feels about John her hidden feelings for Rob become more and more apparent. The jealousy between the two boys makes Scarlet wonder if she wants to stay in Sherwood or try her luck further from Robin, John, and the threat Gisbourne presents. Before she can make a decision the Sheriff arrests more and more townsfolk scheduling their hanging leading Robin and his band to stage one more rescue attempt.
The attempt goes fatally wrong and Scarlet decides her past, while dangerous to her future in Sherwood and relationship with the band, is not worth the lives of the people she cares for.
Scarlet is a young woman on the run who found friendship and purpose in an unlikely corner. She fights for the people she cares for, and for their causes. Despite knowing the people of Nottinghamshire disapprove of her thievery, the young woman is pummelled to help Robin's people and to fight the injustices they face. She makes her own way when life refuses to give her a clear path and even her dreams seem to be impossible.
Readers who enjoy a female protagonist with drive and sarcasm will like Scarlet and her spunk. Gaughen's Scarlet is aimed at younger teens with reference to more mature subject matter and blatant violence.
