The edition I read ended the series of D'Artagnan romances. Other versions may not include the last third of this version which includes the edition titled "The Man in The Iron Mask". This being the last in the series, I knew I would go through withdrawals when I finished. I've been reading the series, starting with "The Three Musketeers" since the beginning of this year. It's as if I've been living with D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Withdrawal was not near what I experienced when finished; it was more like depression.

I understand Alexandre Dumas wrote most of the D'Artagnan romances in serial form over a period of years. Editors have done a good job translating and combining them into full books. Depending on which editions you get, there are from 4 to 6 books in the series. And Dumas is not one to write short books. His stories are intricate and descriptive. The reader needs to be comfortable with long descriptions, conversations and action. If you love Russian novels, you will love Dumas. The time it takes to read Dumas is offset by the rich tapestries he weaves through his prose. It's a full seven-course dinner and well worth the price of admission.

The best thing about the eBook versions of these books are that they can be found for free and many are illustrated. I began reading Dumas with "The Count of Monte Cristo". That book immediately went into my top ten all time favorite list, easily moving others down the line. The D'Artagnan Romances are as good as The Count and introduce you to the four Musketeers when they are young in the early 1600's. And if you read them all, you will live through old-age with them. I can't recommend these books highly enough, especially to those readers who appreciate old-world writing.