This started off well and picked up again near the end, but the middle just dragged on and on. The characters were entirely one-dimensional and seemed to just keep making the same mistakes over, and over, and over again... ok so that's what actually happened, but there's no suggestion or exploration of the reasons for this.

And I found it a bit distracting that at the end the writing style completely changes when describing the events of the day leading up to you-know-what (won't say as it's a spoiler). It's like the author is paraphrasing a history book here, and it's really obvious what's coming up (although if you know your history you would know that anyway).

On the plus side, the book was fine as a light read, and now I want to know more about Queen Margot. ( )

I do not like Henriette. "OFF WITH HER HEAD" kept running through my mind while reading this book. I have a soft spot for the Medici women, they were pawns in the political games of the times. Marie de Medici is no exception.
This is actually the third book in a series. I encourage you to read all three. Not much is written about this time period, and Ms Lightfoot has done a great job with her research. Book one is THE HOSTAGE QUEEN and deals with Henry of Navarre and his wife Margot, Book two is THE RELUCTANT QUEEN and we meet Gabrielle d'Estrees and of course, book three
THE QUEEN AND THE COURTESAN deals with Henry IV and his wife, Marie de Medici and his mistress Henriette d'Entragues. ( )