This biography about Catherine De’Medici is one of six in the Dastardly Dames series which also includes:  Cleopatra, Agrippina, Mary Tudor, Marie Antoinette and Cixi.  These biographies are in picture book format with engaging illustrations and photographs including paintings and artifacts of the period.  The text is full of interesting facts as well as rumors of royal intrigue which surrounded Catherine throughout her lifetime.  The pictures are well annotated to give additional information and further engage the reader.  These biographies hold the interest of my students at school and have them back asking me for the rest of the books in the series.  I highly recommend the entire series.